Gracia McGrath was born on 20 July1961, in Birkenhead, Cheshire, the youngest of eight children to Denis and Mary McGrath. She attended Holt Hill Convent but was expelled for an argument with the head teacher at 16. Encountering problems in her own schoollife, she was influenced to work with children with behavioural difficulties who undoubtedly experienced similar problems.
McGrath has worked in the voluntary sector for more than 20 years. She became CEO of Chance UK in 2001, which has grown significantly under her leadership. It runs a pioneering franchise scheme that sees the Chance UK programme run in partnership with other organisations across the UK.