Raymond has considerable experience in recruitment and selection gained from his previous role as Chief Executive of Colleges of Further & Higher Education. In addition he was a lay Commissioner for Judicial Appointments, a Northern Ireland Civil Service Commissioner responsible for appointments to senior civil service positions and a non-executive Director of a Health and Social Care Trust, chairing the governance committee. His community contributions include Presidency of his local Credit Union and life membership of Newry Trade and Commerce. He provides a consultancy service to a variety of public and private organisations, mainly on governance matters.