12 February 2026 | The UK Cyber Security Council

The UK Cyber Security Council has announced Giles Grant as their new CEO following an extensive recruitment period at the end of 2025.

Giles is a senior executive with over 20 years’ experience leading global marketing, membership, and strategic growth initiatives across professional bodies and information services. In his most recent role as Executive Director at the Institute of Engineering and Technology, Giles led a £50 million global portfolio covering membership, digital learning and community engagement.

Frances Le Grys, Chair of the Governance & Nominations Committee at the UK Cyber Security Council, said:

“We are delighted to welcome Giles as our new CEO. He brings a wealth of senior leadership experience, with a strong track record of fostering growth and building engaged and exciting professional communities.

Giles has a proven ability to bring together diverse stakeholders to drive change and deliver impact. This is exactly the leadership we need as we continue to connect, champion and charter the UK’s cyber security sector.”

On his appointment, Giles said:

“I’m extremely excited to be taking up this position. The UK depends on access to a qualified and trusted cyber security profession. The UK Cyber Security Council’s role as an independent professional body is vital to the continued growth and development of the sector.

“I’m looking forward to working closely with our community of professional registrants, licensed bodies, corporate partners, Government and other stakeholders to grow and empower the UK’s cyber workforce. There’s so much we can do together to embed professional standards, bring more people onto the Professional Register and open up clear and accessible routes into cyber.”

Awarded Royal Charter status in 2022, the UK Cyber Security Council was created to set professional and ethical standards for the UK’s cyber security sector, and to hold and grow a new national Professional Register.

Giles’ appointment comes at a significant moment for the Council, which has recently surpassed 1,000 registrants on the UK’s Cyber Security Professional Register.

The Council has also recently launched the Cyber Access Network, a community designed to support individuals exploring a career in cyber, as well as the introduction of a new Associate Professional Title for those starting their journey in the sector. This sits alongside the Council’s existing Practitioner, Principal and Chartered Professional Titles.

Giles’ appointment reflects the Council’s continued focus on strengthening the UK’s cyber security community, embedding professional standards and supporting a skilled and trusted workforce.

Giles will take up his new position on 02nd March.