Local fractional CISO appointed by Alchemist Group to strengthen technology leadership

Former military cyber specialist joins leadership development group as it expands its global product and technology capabilities

6 October 2026, Gloucestershire: Alchemist Group, the parent company behind a portfolio of sales and leadership development brands, has appointed former military cyber specialist James Griffiths as fractional Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) as it continues to invest in proprietary technology designed to enhance learner experiences. 

Bringing more than 25 years' experience across cyber security, technology and digital transformation, including 17 years in the British Army's Royal Corps of Signals, Griffiths, who is also founder of Gloucestershire-based technology consultancy UtopianKnight, will provide expertise across technology, cyber security and digital strategy. His appointment will support the Group’s ongoing technology development while ensuring its systems and data remain secure as the business grows. 

Following his military career, Griffiths helped deliver cyber offensive capabilities for UK government organisations including the Ministry of Defence and GCHQ. Prior to Utopian Knight, he co-founded Cyber Security Associates, helping scale the business from a two-person start-up to a £15 million-plus operation with more than 100 employees. 

He joins Alchemist Group as the business builds on the recent launch of its Global Product and Technology function. The new division combines research, human expertise, product design and technology to develop learning systems for global organisations facing increasing pressure to improve performance while adapting to rapid advances in AI and workforce capability. 

The function supports the Group's three brands: Alchemist, a leadership development company; RAIN Group, a sales training specialist; and PCA Law, which provides leadership and business development training for legal professionals. 

Appointing Griffiths on a fractional basis has also allowed the Group to bring in senior technology and cyber security expertise without the lead time associated with a permanent hire. 

Will Daniel, global vice president of product and technology at Alchemist Group, said: “As we continue to invest in our product and technology capabilities, having the right expertise around us is critical. James brings a wealth of experience across technology and cyber security, as well as a strategic understanding of how those areas need to support wider business objectives.” 

Griffiths added: “Alchemist Group has a clear vision for the role technology can play in enhancing the development and delivery of its learning solutions and client experience, making a robust technology and cyber security approach essential. I'm delighted to be supporting the Group at such an exciting stage in its growth, helping to align technology, security and business priorities to drive innovation, resilience and long-term success.” 

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Editors notes

UtopianKnight Consultancy provides independent, vendor-neutral technology and cyber security expertise to organisations navigating growth and transformation. Founded by James Griffiths, UtopianKnight helps bridge the gap between complex technical risk and board-level business strategy, providing strategic technology leadership, cyber security, cyber resilience and compliance expertise.