At Tracerco, we believe our people are at the heart of what makes us a great place to work. Through our Working Lives campaign, we’re proud to share the real stories behind the roles, highlighting the journeys, values, and unique perspectives that power our business. This week, we shine a spotlight on Graham Barker, Global Product and Service Delivery Manager in our Measurement Instruments business unit.
.png?width=1920&height=1080&name=Graham%20(2).png)
Graham’s story with Tracerco is one of persistence, passion, and personal growth. His working life began at just 13 years old, delivering milk, a job that instilled in him a strong work ethic from an early age. As he prepared to leave school for college, a friend handed him an application for an apprenticeship at ICI. While he passed the aptitude test, he narrowly missed out on the interview stage and was placed on a reserve list. But when his exam results came in, better than expected, he took matters into his own hands and sent them to ICI directly. A week later, he got the call to start.
Two years of training followed before Graham stepped into his first role. Over the next decade, he progressed from a Field Services Engineer to a range of commercial positions. All the while, he held one quiet ambition, to one day take on the role held by a gentleman he admired named Ken James. “I still remember sitting at my desk one day and realising I had actually achieved that dream,” Graham says. “It was a moment of real pride.”
When Johnson Matthey acquired Tracerco, Graham moved with the business. Like many during the pandemic, he decided it was time for a change, but only 7 months later, he returned, this time in his current leadership role. “I manage the Instruments Business Unit’s product supply and service delivery globally,” Graham explains. “It’s a role that demands strong negotiation and people management skills, balancing customer expectations with internal capabilities to deliver the best outcomes for everyone.”
When asked about what people might be surprised to learn about his role, Graham speaks candidly about the shift in his own mindset. “For most of my career, the biggest reward was getting that pat on the back for a job well done. But now, what gives me the biggest buzz is seeing the team get that recognition. Watching them succeed, knowing I played a part in that, is incredibly fulfilling.”
It’s that sense of team spirit and purpose that makes Tracerco a place where people not only grow but thrive. And Graham’s favourite part of the job? “Getting the order in,” he laughs. “There’s nothing quite like seeing all the planning and hard work come together. That moment when it all clicks is incredibly satisfying.”
Graham’s enthusiasm for life doesn’t stop at the office door. Outside of work, he’s an avid walker and cyclist, a member of a lawn bowling club (though he’s never played a game!) and is currently renovating an old camper van. In 2024, he took on the ambitious challenge of completing an A to Z of Parkruns in alphabetical order, starting at Alton Water on 1st January 2024 and set to finish in Poland at Zamek w Malborku on 11th January 2025. And if that wasn’t enough, he was recently awarded a charity place to run the Berlin Marathon in September 2025.
.png?width=1920&height=1080&name=Graham%20(1).png)
When asked who he’d trade jobs with, Graham doesn’t hesitate. “An airline pilot,” he says. “There’s something about the precision, the adventure, and the ever-changing view from the cockpit that really appeals to me.”
His advice to anyone considering a career at Tracerco? “Don’t let a knock back, knock you back. Take action. Be resilient. And most importantly, do a job you enjoy, that’s what makes it all worthwhile.”
Join us at Tracerco
Graham’s story is just one of many that show how passion, determination, and a supportive environment can lead to fulfilling careers. At Tracerco, we’re proud to be a place where people bring their whole selves to work, and go home feeling proud of what they’ve achieved.
Want to be part of a team where people matter? Explore careers at Tracerco.