Cathy Graham awarded an International Citation of Merit

Cathy spent the first 14 years of her career in Stockholm working as a teacher and repetiteur with opera and theatre companies. Returning to the UK, she established herself on the London music scene, working for ENO Contemporary Music Studio, Almeida Opera, and as an Artists' Manager.

In 1994 she became Executive Director of the Society for the Promotion of New Music (SPNM), guiding organisational change, her tenure culminating in the SPNM receiving the Prudential Award for the Arts. From 1997 – 2006 she was Managing Director of the London Sinfonietta, during which time the ensemble toured extensively nationally and internationally, and saw its repertoire, profile and audience increase. She initiated and oversaw the ensemble's record label and led the move to Kings Place, the multi-purpose venue at Kings Cross, which acted as a base alongside the ensemble's Southbank Centre artistic residency.

Between 2006 and 2022 she was Director Music at the British Council where she worked internationally on arts and music projects which foster trust and cultural understanding between countries. She is currently Executive Director of NMC Recordings, the award-winning arts charity and record label representing British and Irish composers.

She has served on many Boards, including the Association of British Orchestras and the International Society for the Performing Arts, and for ten years was Chair of Streetwise Opera, an organisation which harnesses the power of music to help homeless people move forward with their lives. Awards include Hon RNCM and the Association of British Orchestras Award. In 2020 she received the honour of OBE for services to music and cultural relations.