Management Team
John Withers CII - Managing Director
John Withers is Managing Director of Priority International, a specialist international investigations support business helping Private Investigators access trusted cross-border intelligence, enquiry support and due diligence capability.
A licensed private investigator and Certified International Investigator, John has worked in the investigative profession for more than three decades. He began with the company in 1991, completing an intensive five-year internship across Dublin, Cork, Belfast and London. That early grounding gave him practical experience across the operational, commercial and professional standards expected in investigative work.
Since becoming Managing Director in 2013, John has led Priority International with a clear focus on international matters, trusted professional relationships and dependable cross-border delivery. His work is especially focused on investigative research, screening, due diligence, tracing, OSINT and intelligence-led enquiries for professional investigators and selected commercial clients.
John also holds the Open-Source Certified designation from the OSMOSIS Association, reflecting his specialist interest in open-source investigations and structured investigative research.
Beyond Priority International, John is active in advancing standards across the profession. He serves as Board Member and Secretary of the Council of International Investigators and as Regional Director for Ireland and the UK. He is also Secretary and Committee Member of the Irish Professional Private Investigators Association. His contribution to the international investigations community has been recognised with two CII Malcolm W. Thomson, C.I.I. Memorial Awards for Regional Director of the Year, in 2019 and 2024.
John’s approach reflects the way Priority International handles international work: clear scoping, rigorous research, discretion, responsiveness and safe hands. For Private Investigators dealing with matters beyond their own immediate reach, he brings the experience and global perspective needed to help progress assignments properly across borders.
Management Team
Gennine Hanlon - Associate Director
Gennine is Associate Director of Priority International, supporting both investigative delivery and the day-to-day operation of the business.
Since joining Priority International in 2013, she has developed more than a decade of experience in professional investigations, research, intelligence gathering and complex case analysis. Her work includes structured research, intelligence-led enquiries, screening, due diligence and case coordination across the UK, Ireland and internationally.
Gennine plays an important role in ensuring that assignments are progressed with discretion, accuracy, compliance and clear communication. Her operational oversight helps Priority International provide Private Investigators with reliable support on international matters, from initial enquiry through to practical delivery.
She holds the IQ Level 3 Award for Professional Investigators and has completed further training in management and leadership, GDPR compliance, business administration, customer service, computerised accounting and advanced IT systems.
Gennine has been a member of the World Association of Professional Investigators since 2015, an Associate Member of the Council of International Investigators since 2022, and a Governing Council Member of the World Association of Professional Investigators since November 2025. She also serves as a panellist for the Foster and Adoption Society.
Her approach is practical, discreet and detail-focused, supporting Priority International’s commitment to professionally managed investigative work and trusted international support.
Management Team
Charley Gracey - Operations Supervisor
Charley is Operations Supervisor at Priority International, supporting the day-to-day delivery of investigative work and helping ensure that assignments are handled efficiently, professionally and with clear communication.
Since joining Priority International in 2011 after graduating from Queen’s University Belfast, Charley has developed more than a decade of experience in professional investigations, research, intelligence gathering and complex case analysis. Her work supports matters across the UK, Ireland and internationally, including structured research, intelligence-led enquiries, screening, due diligence and case coordination.
In her role, Charley helps oversee the operational flow of investigative assignments, supporting compliance, accuracy and client care across live matters. Her contribution is particularly important in maintaining the practical discipline needed to progress enquiries properly, from initial instruction through to delivery.
Charley holds the IQ Level 3 Award for Professional Investigators and continues to undertake professional development in areas including GDPR compliance. She has been a member of the World Association of Professional Investigators since 2014 and an Associate Member of the Council of International Investigators since 2022.
Her approach is organised, diligent and detail-focused, supporting Priority International’s ability to provide reliable investigative support to Private Investigators and trusted partners across international matters.