Charles Knowles is a consultant colorectal surgeon and Chief Academic Officer at the Cleveland Clinic London. He is Professor of Surgery at Queen Mary University of London.

Prof Knowles qualified from the University of Cambridge and undertook general surgical training and a PhD in London. His main research interests cover the development and evaluation of new technologies for the diagnosis and treatment of chronic functional and neuromuscular disorders of the bowel and pelvic floor (with focus on neuromodulation and cell therapies). Clinically, he is a key international opinion leader on chronic constipation, incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse and GI neuromuscular diseases.

Professor Knowles holds honorary chairs at University College London and the University of Antwerp. He has authored 300 peer-reviewed publications (H-index: 70) as well as contributing to major international colorectal and general surgical texts, national guidance and health policy documents. He was awarded an honorary fellowship of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons in 2021. Aside from his day job(s), Professor Knowles is a semi-professional musician, songwriter and author.