diff --git a/.github/CODEOWNERS b/.github/CODEOWNERS
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..edb8991
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/CODEOWNERS
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+# https://docs.github.com/en/repositories/managing-your-repositorys-settings-and-features/customizing-your-repository/about-code-owners
+
+* @ONSdigital/ons-python-template
diff --git a/copier.yml b/copier.yml
index 84b9ba5..1033e0e 100644
--- a/copier.yml
+++ b/copier.yml
@@ -54,6 +54,14 @@ repository_owner:
   help: "What is your repository owner? (e.g. your GitHub username)"
   default: "ONSdigital"
 
+code_owner:
+  type: str
+  help: "What is your CODEOWNERS default? (e.g. @org/team or @username)"
+  validator: >-
+    {% if not code_owner.startswith('@') %}
+    CODEOWNERS must start with '@' (e.g. @username or @org/team)
+    {% endif %}
+
 repository_visibility:
   type: str
   help: "What is your repository visibility?"
diff --git a/project_template/.github/CODEOWNERS.jinja b/project_template/.github/CODEOWNERS.jinja
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..79042f9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/project_template/.github/CODEOWNERS.jinja
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+# https://docs.github.com/en/repositories/managing-your-repositorys-settings-and-features/customizing-your-repository/about-code-owners
+
+* {{ code_owner }}