Cormac Graham

What led you to take on a new role in a new location? 

For me, the move was a combination of professional opportunity and personal growth. The role came at the perfect time and It felt like a natural progression from what I had been doing in Ireland, going from project management to technical sales.

This gave me a chance to take on broader responsibilities in a commercial sense, building on a solid foundation of operations experience. Being part of a growing market and positioning myself in an environment with more strategic influence and development potential aligned really well with my long-term goals.  

How did you prepare for relocating and stepping into a new position at the same time?

Preparing for this transition was definitely a balancing act between logistics, mindset, and professional readiness. I did plenty of research into the industry and life in Canada to prep for the role. Luckily, I had ample time to get everything ready and benefitted massively from a great support network behind me in Tate that made the move really easy.

I had also already worked with many colleagues in our North American teams thanks to Tate’s global collaborative approach to the data center industry. All of this gave me a clear idea of what to expect from the move and the role. 

What new skills, responsibilities, or experiences have you gained in your new role?

Since arriving, I’ve expanded my understanding of the North American data center market much further and gotten a better understanding of Canada’s unique infrastructure requirements, including regional design standards, construction codes, and commercial challenges that differ from EMEA markets. I’ve taken on a wide customer portfolio and have more involvement in strategic planning. This includes higher‑level coordination with engineering teams, architects, distributors, and end‑user clients.

Also, the relocation experience has strengthened my adaptability, communication skills, and confidence in navigating new environments. Working with new teams and clients has improved my ability to build rapport quickly and tailor my approach to different stakeholders. Overall, I would say this experience has accelerated a lot of my technical and soft skills. 

What would you tell someone considering a career move that involves relocation? 

I’d say to put your best foot forward and go for it as long as the move aligns with your long‑term goals. It’s a big challenge for sure but relocating can open doors you didn’t even realize existed, professionally and personally. 

In my case, it’s given me opportunities to take on new responsibilities and accelerate my career. I’ve also joined a GAA club in Toronto, having not played since I was 8!