When did Michael Knight become CISO of University of Manchester?

The appointment was announced on July 10, 2025, per University of Manchester newsroom. The record holds the announcement, not a start date.

Where did Michael Knight work before University of Manchester?

Before the appointment, Michael Knight was Chief Information Security Officer at NHS South East London, according to the announcement (University of Manchester newsroom).

Who held the seat at University of Manchester before Michael Knight?

Heather Lowrie: named Chief Information Security Officer, announced on February 3, 2023.

Executive record

Michael Knight

Career profile: Michael Knight on CISO Spotlights ↗

Michael Knight is Chief Information Security Officer at University of Manchester. The appointment was announced on July 10, 2025, per University of Manchester newsroom.

Before the appointment: Chief Information Security Officer at NHS South East London, per the same source.

1 tracked move on the Wire · Updated November 10, 2026

Career timeline

Every move the record holds for Michael Knight, newest first, with the earlier roles the announcements name.

July 10, 2025· Appointment
Named Chief Information Security Officer at University of Manchester
Source: University of Manchester newsroom ↗ · Move record
Before July 2025· Earlier role
Chief Information Security Officer at NHS South East London
Named in the announcement of the University of Manchester appointment · Source: University of Manchester newsroom ↗

The appointment

Announced July 10, 2025 · Source: University of Manchester newsroom ↗ · Move record

The University of Manchester appointed Michael Knight as Chief Information Security Officer, and he will join the IT Services team in October 2025. He joins from NHS South East London, where he served as Chief Information Security Officer at the time of the announcement.

According to the University of Manchester newsroom, Knight will head the Information Security division in the Directorate of IT Services at the University. The newsroom says he will oversee development of the University's next security programme. According to the University, that programme is to be aligned with Manchester 2035 and to set out a vision for protecting the University's digital footprint.

At the time of the announcement, the University said, Knight led development and delivery of the region's technology resilience and cyber security strategy for health and social care at NHS South East London. Knight previously served at NHS South, Central and West as Chief Technology Officer, before joining NHS South East London, the University says. At NHS South, Central and West, Knight led delivery of information security and managed IT services, supporting more than 45,000 staff across the south of England, the newsroom says. The University said that, at the time of the announcement, Knight held the title of Chartered Healthcare Chief Information Officer and was a Fellow of the British Computer Society.

The seat before and after

Who the record names in the same seat before and after Michael Knight. Only what a dated record states.

University of Manchester

Before

Heather Lowrie: named Chief Information Security Officer, announced on February 3, 2023 · record

The company: University of Manchester

Sector: Education & Nonprofit
Region: Europe
Company record: Who runs security at University of Manchester: 2 confirmed moves on the record

Appointed in the same period

Other security chiefs in Education & Nonprofit whose appointment was announced within 90 days of Michael Knight's, nearest first. The Education & Nonprofit bench

May 7, 2025
Nita Awatramani, Assistant Vice President and Chief Information Security Officer at Kansas State University
April 23, 2025
Monte Ratzlaff, Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at University of California

Record facts

Time in the seat: 1 year 4 months since the appointment was announced (July 10, 2025), as of November 2026
Moves on the record: 1 confirmed move, each with its source
On the record since: September 30, 2026
Education & Nonprofit in 2026: 7 security-leadership appointments announced in the sector on the record

How these are counted. Time in the seat: Counted in whole months from the announcement of the appointment, the date the record holds; announcements rarely give a start date.

Questions about Michael Knight

Who is the CISO of University of Manchester?: Michael Knight is Chief Information Security Officer at University of Manchester. The appointment was announced on July 10, 2025, per University of Manchester newsroom.
When did Michael Knight become CISO of University of Manchester?: The appointment was announced on July 10, 2025, per University of Manchester newsroom. The record holds the announcement, not a start date.
Where did Michael Knight work before University of Manchester?: Before the appointment, Michael Knight was Chief Information Security Officer at NHS South East London, according to the announcement (University of Manchester newsroom).
Who held the seat at University of Manchester before Michael Knight?: Heather Lowrie: named Chief Information Security Officer, announced on February 3, 2023.

Sources

1.University of Manchester newsroom ↗: the appointment at University of Manchester, July 10, 2025
2.CISO Spotlights career profile ↗: a fuller career profile on a sister site

This record begins with CISO Tribune's tracking in 2026.

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