Ciaran Martin

Professor Ciaran Martin is Professor of Practice in the Management of Public Organisations at the University of Oxford’s Blavatnik School of Government. He was the founding Chief Executive of the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), part of GCHQ, and played a pivotal role in transforming the UK’s national approach to cyber security.

Under his leadership, the UK adopted a more proactive and interventionist cyber strategy, formalised in the 2015 National Security Strategy. The creation of the NCSC in 2016 marked a step-change in government-industry cooperation, with the UK rising from joint eighth to first in the International Telecommunications Union’s Global Cybersecurity Index . The NCSC model has since been emulated in countries such as Canada and Australia, and is widely praised for its its approach in responding quickly to incidents and giving the British public clear and prompt advice on responding to them, putting previously classified information in the hands of industry so that companies can defend themselves more effectively, projecting the UK’s leadership in cyber security across the world.

Martin also held senior roles in the UK Cabinet Office, including Constitution Director (2011–2014), where he led negotiations for the 2014 Scottish independence referendum, and Director of Security and Intelligence (2008–2011). His earlier roles included Principal Private Secretary to the Cabinet Secretary and Private Secretary to the Permanent Secretary at HM Treasury.

Throughout his career, Martin has been an advocate for responsible, values-based government, shaped in part by his upbringing during the Troubles in Northern Ireland. His contributions to public service have been recognised both domestically and internationally. In 2020, he was appointed Companion of the Order of the Bath by Her Majesty The Queen.

Originally from Northern Ireland, he holds a first class degree from the University of Oxford.