diff --git a/web/src/settings_components.ts b/web/src/settings_components.ts
index 95229a1a82..35381ac075 100644
--- a/web/src/settings_components.ts
+++ b/web/src/settings_components.ts
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ import * as scroll_util from "./scroll_util";
 import * as settings_config from "./settings_config";
 import * as settings_data from "./settings_data";
 import type {CustomProfileField, group_setting_type_schema} from "./state_data";
-import {realm} from "./state_data";
+import {current_user, realm} from "./state_data";
 import * as stream_data from "./stream_data";
 import type {StreamSubscription} from "./sub_store";
 import type {GroupSettingPillContainer} from "./typeahead_helper";
@@ -1489,7 +1489,14 @@ export function create_group_setting_widget({
             setting_name,
             "group",
         )!.default_group_name;
-        const default_group_id = user_groups.get_user_group_from_name(default_group_name)!.id;
-        set_group_setting_widget_value("new_group_" + setting_name, default_group_id);
+        if (default_group_name === "group_creator") {
+            set_group_setting_widget_value("new_group_" + setting_name, {
+                direct_members: [current_user.user_id],
+                direct_subgroups: [],
+            });
+        } else {
+            const default_group_id = user_groups.get_user_group_from_name(default_group_name)!.id;
+            set_group_setting_widget_value("new_group_" + setting_name, default_group_id);
+        }
     }
 }
diff --git a/web/src/settings_data.ts b/web/src/settings_data.ts
index ba4805a484..35a21aef56 100644
--- a/web/src/settings_data.ts
+++ b/web/src/settings_data.ts
@@ -208,14 +208,6 @@ export function can_manage_user_group(group_id: number): boolean {
 
     const group = user_groups.get_user_group_from_id(group_id);
 
-    // This is a temporary exception and this should be removed as soon
-    // as `group_creator` is set as a default for `can_manage_group`
-    // property of user groups. See this topic for more details:
-    // https://chat.zulip.org/#narrow/stream/3-backend/topic/Group.20creation.20-.20who.20can.20change.20the.20setting.2E/near/1943861
-    if (group.creator_id && group.creator_id === current_user.user_id) {
-        return true;
-    }
-
     if (
         !current_user.is_admin &&
         !current_user.is_moderator &&
diff --git a/web/tests/settings_data.test.js b/web/tests/settings_data.test.js
index a71d006f79..844d8bdc2b 100644
--- a/web/tests/settings_data.test.js
+++ b/web/tests/settings_data.test.js
@@ -387,7 +387,10 @@ run_test("can_manage_user_group", () => {
         members: new Set([1, 2]),
         is_system_group: false,
         direct_subgroup_ids: new Set([4, 5]),
-        can_manage_group: 4,
+        can_manage_group: {
+            direct_members: [4],
+            direct_subgroups: [],
+        },
         can_mention_group: 3,
         creator_id: 4,
     };
diff --git a/zerver/lib/import_realm.py b/zerver/lib/import_realm.py
index 9d18801a6a..d6c25c85b3 100644
--- a/zerver/lib/import_realm.py
+++ b/zerver/lib/import_realm.py
@@ -760,7 +760,6 @@ def bulk_import_named_user_groups(data: TableData) -> None:
             group["can_manage_group_id"],
             group["can_mention_group_id"],
             group["deactivated"],
-            group["creator_id"],
             group["date_created"],
         )
         for group in data["zerver_namedusergroup"]
@@ -768,7 +767,7 @@ def bulk_import_named_user_groups(data: TableData) -> None:
 
     query = SQL(
         """
-        INSERT INTO zerver_namedusergroup (usergroup_ptr_id, realm_id, name, description, is_system_group, can_manage_group_id, can_mention_group_id, deactivated, creator_id, date_created)
+        INSERT INTO zerver_namedusergroup (usergroup_ptr_id, realm_id, name, description, is_system_group, can_manage_group_id, can_mention_group_id, deactivated, date_created)
         VALUES %s
         """
     )
@@ -1200,6 +1199,7 @@ def do_import_realm(import_dir: Path, subdomain: str, processes: int = 1) -> Rea
             # We need to enforce the invariant that every realm must have a PresenceSequence.
             PresenceSequence.objects.create(realm=realm, last_update_id=0)
 
+        named_user_group_id_to_creator_id = {}
         if "zerver_usergroup" in data:
             re_map_foreign_keys(data, "zerver_usergroup", "realm", related_table="realm")
             bulk_import_model(data, UserGroup)
@@ -1215,6 +1215,9 @@ def do_import_realm(import_dir: Path, subdomain: str, processes: int = 1) -> Rea
                 re_map_foreign_keys(
                     data, "zerver_namedusergroup", "realm_for_sharding", related_table="realm"
                 )
+                for group in data["zerver_namedusergroup"]:
+                    creator_id = group.pop("creator_id", None)
+                    named_user_group_id_to_creator_id[group["id"]] = creator_id
                 for setting_name in NamedUserGroup.GROUP_PERMISSION_SETTINGS:
                     re_map_foreign_keys(
                         data,
@@ -1307,6 +1310,16 @@ def do_import_realm(import_dir: Path, subdomain: str, processes: int = 1) -> Rea
         stream.creator_id = stream_id_to_creator_id[stream.id]
     Stream.objects.bulk_update(streams, ["creator_id"])
 
+    if "zerver_namedusergroup" in data:
+        # UserProfiles have been loaded, so now we're ready to set .creator_id
+        # for groups based on the mapping we saved earlier.
+        named_user_groups = NamedUserGroup.objects.filter(
+            id__in=named_user_group_id_to_creator_id.keys()
+        )
+        for group in named_user_groups:
+            group.creator_id = named_user_group_id_to_creator_id[group.id]
+        NamedUserGroup.objects.bulk_update(named_user_groups, ["creator_id"])
+
     re_map_foreign_keys(data, "zerver_defaultstream", "stream", related_table="stream")
     re_map_foreign_keys(data, "zerver_realmemoji", "author", related_table="user_profile")
 
diff --git a/zerver/lib/user_groups.py b/zerver/lib/user_groups.py
index 2e778ad6b8..f50a909533 100644
--- a/zerver/lib/user_groups.py
+++ b/zerver/lib/user_groups.py
@@ -139,13 +139,6 @@ def check_permission_for_managing_all_groups(
     permission, which is a permission that requires either certain roles
     or membership in the group itself to be used.
     """
-    # This is a temporary exception and this should be removed as soon
-    # as `group_creator` is set as a default for `can_manage_group`
-    # property of user groups. See this topic for more details:
-    # https://chat.zulip.org/#narrow/stream/3-backend/topic/Group.20creation.20-.20who.20can.20change.20the.20setting.2E/near/1943861
-    if user_group.creator and user_group.creator.id == user_profile.id:
-        return True
-
     can_manage_all_groups = user_profile.can_manage_all_groups()
     if can_manage_all_groups:
         if user_profile.is_realm_admin or user_profile.is_moderator:
@@ -789,7 +782,19 @@ def set_defaults_for_group_settings(
         else:
             default_group_name = permission_config.default_group_name
 
-        default_group = system_groups_name_dict[default_group_name].usergroup_ptr
+        if default_group_name == "group_creator":
+            if user_group.creator:
+                default_group = UserGroup(
+                    realm=user_group.realm,
+                )
+                default_group.save()
+                UserGroupMembership.objects.create(
+                    user_profile=user_group.creator, user_group=default_group
+                )
+            else:
+                raise AssertionError("Group creator should not be None.")
+        else:
+            default_group = system_groups_name_dict[default_group_name].usergroup_ptr
         setattr(user_group, setting_name, default_group)
 
     return user_group
diff --git a/zerver/models/groups.py b/zerver/models/groups.py
index c785c9412e..0703501d90 100644
--- a/zerver/models/groups.py
+++ b/zerver/models/groups.py
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ class NamedUserGroup(UserGroup):  # type: ignore[django-manager-missing] # djang
             allow_owners_group=True,
             allow_nobody_group=True,
             allow_everyone_group=False,
-            default_group_name=SystemGroups.NOBODY,
+            default_group_name="group_creator",
             default_for_system_groups=SystemGroups.NOBODY,
             id_field_name="can_manage_group_id",
         ),
diff --git a/zerver/openapi/zulip.yaml b/zerver/openapi/zulip.yaml
index c34f6227f0..24c96f9948 100644
--- a/zerver/openapi/zulip.yaml
+++ b/zerver/openapi/zulip.yaml
@@ -23940,7 +23940,7 @@ components:
         The ID of the target user group.
       schema:
         type: integer
-      example: 33
+      example: 34
       required: true
     QueueId:
       name: queue_id
diff --git a/zerver/tests/test_audit_log.py b/zerver/tests/test_audit_log.py
index 8a3521712d..9b2e1c40c8 100644
--- a/zerver/tests/test_audit_log.py
+++ b/zerver/tests/test_audit_log.py
@@ -1201,7 +1201,7 @@ class TestRealmAuditLog(ZulipTestCase):
         hamlet = self.example_user("hamlet")
         cordelia = self.example_user("cordelia")
         now = timezone_now()
-        user_group = check_add_user_group(hamlet.realm, "foo", [], acting_user=None)
+        user_group = check_add_user_group(hamlet.realm, "foo", [], acting_user=hamlet)
 
         bulk_add_members_to_user_groups([user_group], [hamlet.id, cordelia.id], acting_user=hamlet)
         audit_log_entries = RealmAuditLog.objects.filter(
@@ -1228,7 +1228,7 @@ class TestRealmAuditLog(ZulipTestCase):
 
     def test_change_user_group_subgroups_memberships(self) -> None:
         hamlet = self.example_user("hamlet")
-        user_group = check_add_user_group(hamlet.realm, "main", [], acting_user=None)
+        user_group = check_add_user_group(hamlet.realm, "main", [], acting_user=hamlet)
         subgroups = [
             check_add_user_group(hamlet.realm, f"subgroup{num}", [], acting_user=hamlet)
             for num in range(3)
diff --git a/zerver/tests/test_auth_backends.py b/zerver/tests/test_auth_backends.py
index 815a9410c0..8a4117ccde 100644
--- a/zerver/tests/test_auth_backends.py
+++ b/zerver/tests/test_auth_backends.py
@@ -7804,7 +7804,7 @@ class LDAPGroupSyncTest(ZulipTestCase):
             )
 
             create_user_group_in_database(
-                "cool_test_group", [], realm, acting_user=None, description="Created by LDAP sync"
+                "cool_test_group", [], realm, acting_user=hamlet, description="Created by LDAP sync"
             )
 
             self.assertTrue(
diff --git a/zerver/tests/test_event_queue.py b/zerver/tests/test_event_queue.py
index dbde312b03..99930afc4a 100644
--- a/zerver/tests/test_event_queue.py
+++ b/zerver/tests/test_event_queue.py
@@ -528,7 +528,7 @@ class MissedMessageHookTest(ZulipTestCase):
             self.cordelia.realm,
             "hamlet_and_cordelia",
             [self.user_profile, self.cordelia],
-            acting_user=None,
+            acting_user=self.user_profile,
         )
         msg_id = self.send_stream_message(
             self.iago, "Denmark", content="@*hamlet_and_cordelia* what's up?"
diff --git a/zerver/tests/test_events.py b/zerver/tests/test_events.py
index f376c771d3..1ce4c6e804 100644
--- a/zerver/tests/test_events.py
+++ b/zerver/tests/test_events.py
@@ -1832,13 +1832,13 @@ class NormalActionsTest(BaseAction):
         othello = self.example_user("othello")
         with self.verify_action() as events:
             check_add_user_group(
-                self.user_profile.realm, "backend", [othello], "Backend team", acting_user=None
+                self.user_profile.realm, "backend", [othello], "Backend team", acting_user=othello
             )
         check_user_group_add("events[0]", events[0])
-        nobody_group = NamedUserGroup.objects.get(
-            name=SystemGroups.NOBODY, realm=self.user_profile.realm, is_system_group=True
+        self.assertEqual(
+            events[0]["group"]["can_manage_group"],
+            AnonymousSettingGroupDict(direct_members=[12], direct_subgroups=[]),
         )
-        self.assertEqual(events[0]["group"]["can_manage_group"], nobody_group.id)
         everyone_group = NamedUserGroup.objects.get(
             name=SystemGroups.EVERYONE, realm=self.user_profile.realm, is_system_group=True
         )
@@ -1857,7 +1857,7 @@ class NormalActionsTest(BaseAction):
                 [othello],
                 "",
                 {"can_manage_group": user_group, "can_mention_group": user_group},
-                acting_user=None,
+                acting_user=othello,
             )
         check_user_group_add("events[0]", events[0])
         self.assertEqual(
@@ -1930,7 +1930,7 @@ class NormalActionsTest(BaseAction):
         check_user_group_remove_members("events[0]", events[0])
 
         api_design = check_add_user_group(
-            hamlet.realm, "api-design", [hamlet], description="API design team", acting_user=None
+            hamlet.realm, "api-design", [hamlet], description="API design team", acting_user=othello
         )
 
         # Test add subgroups
diff --git a/zerver/tests/test_import_export.py b/zerver/tests/test_import_export.py
index 123ed2815e..9f841d4249 100644
--- a/zerver/tests/test_import_export.py
+++ b/zerver/tests/test_import_export.py
@@ -503,7 +503,7 @@ class RealmImportExportTest(ExportFile):
         self.assertEqual(exported_realm_user_default[0]["default_language"], "de")
 
         exported_usergroups = data["zerver_usergroup"]
-        self.assert_length(exported_usergroups, 9)
+        self.assert_length(exported_usergroups, 10)
         self.assertFalse("direct_members" in exported_usergroups[2])
         self.assertFalse("direct_subgroups" in exported_usergroups[2])
 
@@ -1406,7 +1406,12 @@ class RealmImportExportTest(ExportFile):
 
         @getter
         def get_user_group_names(r: Realm) -> set[str]:
-            return {group.named_user_group.name for group in UserGroup.objects.filter(realm=r)}
+            result = set()
+            for group in UserGroup.objects.filter(realm=r):
+                if hasattr(group, "named_user_group"):
+                    result.add(group.named_user_group.name)
+
+            return result
 
         @getter
         def get_named_user_group_names(r: Realm) -> set[str]:
diff --git a/zerver/tests/test_markdown.py b/zerver/tests/test_markdown.py
index 83911b547f..00490fdd68 100644
--- a/zerver/tests/test_markdown.py
+++ b/zerver/tests/test_markdown.py
@@ -2694,7 +2694,7 @@ class MarkdownMentionTest(ZulipTestCase):
     def create_user_group_for_test(self, user_group_name: str) -> NamedUserGroup:
         othello = self.example_user("othello")
         return check_add_user_group(
-            get_realm("zulip"), user_group_name, [othello], acting_user=None
+            get_realm("zulip"), user_group_name, [othello], acting_user=othello
         )
 
     def test_user_group_mention_single(self) -> None:
diff --git a/zerver/tests/test_message_delete.py b/zerver/tests/test_message_delete.py
index 29c4a1f482..a860b5eaf1 100644
--- a/zerver/tests/test_message_delete.py
+++ b/zerver/tests/test_message_delete.py
@@ -411,7 +411,9 @@ class DeleteMessageTest(ZulipTestCase):
         # of the group which is allowed to delete any message.
         polonius = self.example_user("polonius")
         hamlet = self.example_user("hamlet")
-        user_group = check_add_user_group(realm, "test-group", [hamlet, polonius], acting_user=None)
+        user_group = check_add_user_group(
+            realm, "test-group", [hamlet, polonius], acting_user=hamlet
+        )
         do_change_realm_permission_group_setting(
             realm,
             "can_delete_any_message_group",
diff --git a/zerver/tests/test_message_edit.py b/zerver/tests/test_message_edit.py
index 293dfd796f..c6f92c3959 100644
--- a/zerver/tests/test_message_edit.py
+++ b/zerver/tests/test_message_edit.py
@@ -1460,8 +1460,10 @@ class EditMessageTest(ZulipTestCase):
         self.subscribe(othello, "test_stream")
         self.subscribe(cordelia, "test_stream")
 
-        leadership = check_add_user_group(othello.realm, "leadership", [othello], acting_user=None)
-        support = check_add_user_group(othello.realm, "support", [othello], acting_user=None)
+        leadership = check_add_user_group(
+            othello.realm, "leadership", [othello], acting_user=othello
+        )
+        support = check_add_user_group(othello.realm, "support", [othello], acting_user=othello)
 
         moderators_system_group = NamedUserGroup.objects.get(
             realm=iago.realm, name=SystemGroups.MODERATORS, is_system_group=True
@@ -1526,7 +1528,7 @@ class EditMessageTest(ZulipTestCase):
         )
         self.assert_json_success(result)
 
-        test = check_add_user_group(shiva.realm, "test", [shiva], acting_user=None)
+        test = check_add_user_group(shiva.realm, "test", [shiva], acting_user=shiva)
         add_subgroups_to_user_group(leadership, [test], acting_user=None)
         support.can_mention_group = leadership
         support.save()
diff --git a/zerver/tests/test_message_notification_emails.py b/zerver/tests/test_message_notification_emails.py
index 2a52590340..2d25a4efcc 100644
--- a/zerver/tests/test_message_notification_emails.py
+++ b/zerver/tests/test_message_notification_emails.py
@@ -679,10 +679,10 @@ class TestMessageNotificationEmails(ZulipTestCase):
         cordelia = self.example_user("cordelia")
 
         hamlet_only = check_add_user_group(
-            get_realm("zulip"), "hamlet_only", [hamlet], acting_user=None
+            get_realm("zulip"), "hamlet_only", [hamlet], acting_user=hamlet
         )
         hamlet_and_cordelia = check_add_user_group(
-            get_realm("zulip"), "hamlet_and_cordelia", [hamlet, cordelia], acting_user=None
+            get_realm("zulip"), "hamlet_and_cordelia", [hamlet, cordelia], acting_user=hamlet
         )
 
         hamlet_only_message_id = self.send_stream_message(othello, "Denmark", "@*hamlet_only*")
@@ -717,7 +717,7 @@ class TestMessageNotificationEmails(ZulipTestCase):
         othello = self.example_user("othello")
 
         hamlet_and_cordelia = check_add_user_group(
-            get_realm("zulip"), "hamlet_and_cordelia", [hamlet, cordelia], acting_user=None
+            get_realm("zulip"), "hamlet_and_cordelia", [hamlet, cordelia], acting_user=hamlet
         )
 
         user_group_mentioned_message_id = self.send_stream_message(
@@ -754,7 +754,7 @@ class TestMessageNotificationEmails(ZulipTestCase):
         othello = self.example_user("othello")
 
         hamlet_and_cordelia = check_add_user_group(
-            get_realm("zulip"), "hamlet_and_cordelia", [hamlet, cordelia], acting_user=None
+            get_realm("zulip"), "hamlet_and_cordelia", [hamlet, cordelia], acting_user=hamlet
         )
 
         topic_wildcard_mentioned_in_followed_topic_message_id = self.send_stream_message(
@@ -1628,14 +1628,14 @@ class TestMessageNotificationEmails(ZulipTestCase):
         # user groups having upto 'MAX_GROUP_SIZE_FOR_MENTION_REACTIVATION'
         # members are small user groups.
         small_user_group = check_add_user_group(
-            zulip_realm, "small_user_group", [hamlet, othello], acting_user=None
+            zulip_realm, "small_user_group", [hamlet, othello], acting_user=hamlet
         )
 
         large_user_group = check_add_user_group(
-            zulip_realm, "large_user_group", [hamlet], acting_user=None
+            zulip_realm, "large_user_group", [hamlet], acting_user=hamlet
         )
         subgroup = check_add_user_group(
-            zulip_realm, "subgroup", [othello, cordelia], acting_user=None
+            zulip_realm, "subgroup", [othello, cordelia], acting_user=hamlet
         )
         add_subgroups_to_user_group(large_user_group, [subgroup], acting_user=None)
 
diff --git a/zerver/tests/test_message_send.py b/zerver/tests/test_message_send.py
index f90e82b040..0fd0913177 100644
--- a/zerver/tests/test_message_send.py
+++ b/zerver/tests/test_message_send.py
@@ -2134,8 +2134,10 @@ class StreamMessagesTest(ZulipTestCase):
         self.subscribe(othello, "test_stream")
         self.subscribe(cordelia, "test_stream")
 
-        leadership = check_add_user_group(othello.realm, "leadership", [othello], acting_user=None)
-        support = check_add_user_group(othello.realm, "support", [othello], acting_user=None)
+        leadership = check_add_user_group(
+            othello.realm, "leadership", [othello], acting_user=othello
+        )
+        support = check_add_user_group(othello.realm, "support", [othello], acting_user=othello)
 
         moderators_system_group = NamedUserGroup.objects.get(
             realm=iago.realm, name=SystemGroups.MODERATORS, is_system_group=True
@@ -2169,7 +2171,7 @@ class StreamMessagesTest(ZulipTestCase):
         result = self.api_get(iago, "/api/v1/messages/" + str(msg_id))
         self.assert_json_success(result)
 
-        test = check_add_user_group(shiva.realm, "test", [shiva], acting_user=None)
+        test = check_add_user_group(shiva.realm, "test", [shiva], acting_user=shiva)
         add_subgroups_to_user_group(leadership, [test], acting_user=None)
         support.can_mention_group = leadership
         support.save()
diff --git a/zerver/tests/test_notification_data.py b/zerver/tests/test_notification_data.py
index 3367b0383a..0c49e2deb6 100644
--- a/zerver/tests/test_notification_data.py
+++ b/zerver/tests/test_notification_data.py
@@ -373,9 +373,9 @@ class TestNotificationData(ZulipTestCase):
         cordelia = self.example_user("cordelia")
         realm = hamlet.realm
 
-        hamlet_only = check_add_user_group(realm, "hamlet_only", [hamlet], acting_user=None)
+        hamlet_only = check_add_user_group(realm, "hamlet_only", [hamlet], acting_user=hamlet)
         hamlet_and_cordelia = check_add_user_group(
-            realm, "hamlet_and_cordelia", [hamlet, cordelia], acting_user=None
+            realm, "hamlet_and_cordelia", [hamlet, cordelia], acting_user=hamlet
         )
 
         mention_backend = MentionBackend(realm.id)
diff --git a/zerver/tests/test_push_notifications.py b/zerver/tests/test_push_notifications.py
index 7166f5adfe..fb1fe0eb7d 100644
--- a/zerver/tests/test_push_notifications.py
+++ b/zerver/tests/test_push_notifications.py
@@ -3753,14 +3753,14 @@ class HandlePushNotificationTest(PushNotificationTest):
             zulip_realm,
             "small_user_group",
             [self.user_profile, othello],
-            acting_user=None,
+            acting_user=othello,
         )
 
         large_user_group = check_add_user_group(
-            zulip_realm, "large_user_group", [self.user_profile], acting_user=None
+            zulip_realm, "large_user_group", [self.user_profile], acting_user=othello
         )
         subgroup = check_add_user_group(
-            zulip_realm, "subgroup", [othello, cordelia], acting_user=None
+            zulip_realm, "subgroup", [othello, cordelia], acting_user=othello
         )
         add_subgroups_to_user_group(large_user_group, [subgroup], acting_user=None)
 
@@ -4266,7 +4266,7 @@ class TestGetAPNsPayload(PushNotificationTest):
     def test_get_message_payload_apns_user_group_mention(self) -> None:
         user_profile = self.example_user("othello")
         user_group = check_add_user_group(
-            get_realm("zulip"), "test_user_group", [user_profile], acting_user=None
+            get_realm("zulip"), "test_user_group", [user_profile], acting_user=user_profile
         )
         stream = Stream.objects.filter(name="Verona").get()
         message = self.get_message(Recipient.STREAM, stream.id, stream.realm_id)
diff --git a/zerver/tests/test_realm.py b/zerver/tests/test_realm.py
index 496daac06d..4fc4c3245e 100644
--- a/zerver/tests/test_realm.py
+++ b/zerver/tests/test_realm.py
@@ -2087,9 +2087,8 @@ class RealmAPITest(ZulipTestCase):
                 with self.subTest(property=prop):
                     self.do_test_realm_update_api(prop)
 
-        check_add_user_group(
-            get_realm("zulip"), "leadership", [self.example_user("hamlet")], acting_user=None
-        )
+        hamlet = self.example_user("hamlet")
+        check_add_user_group(get_realm("zulip"), "leadership", [hamlet], acting_user=hamlet)
         for prop in Realm.REALM_PERMISSION_GROUP_SETTINGS:
             with self.subTest(property=prop):
                 self.do_test_realm_permission_group_setting_update_api(prop)
diff --git a/zerver/tests/test_subs.py b/zerver/tests/test_subs.py
index 72f017e3ac..36465cb655 100644
--- a/zerver/tests/test_subs.py
+++ b/zerver/tests/test_subs.py
@@ -2832,15 +2832,15 @@ class StreamAdminTest(ZulipTestCase):
 
     def test_can_remove_subscribers_group(self) -> None:
         realm = get_realm("zulip")
+        iago = self.example_user("iago")
         leadership_group = check_add_user_group(
             realm,
             "leadership",
-            [self.example_user("iago"), self.example_user("shiva")],
-            acting_user=None,
-        )
-        managers_group = check_add_user_group(
-            realm, "managers", [self.example_user("hamlet")], acting_user=None
+            [iago, self.example_user("shiva")],
+            acting_user=iago,
         )
+        hamlet = self.example_user("hamlet")
+        managers_group = check_add_user_group(realm, "managers", [hamlet], acting_user=hamlet)
         add_subgroups_to_user_group(managers_group, [leadership_group], acting_user=None)
         cordelia = self.example_user("cordelia")
 
@@ -4469,7 +4469,9 @@ class SubscriptionAPITest(ZulipTestCase):
         do_set_realm_property(realm, "waiting_period_threshold", 0, acting_user=None)
         self.common_subscribe_to_streams(cordelia, ["new_stream2"], invite_only=invite_only)
 
-        leadership_group = check_add_user_group(realm, "Leadership", [desdemona], acting_user=None)
+        leadership_group = check_add_user_group(
+            realm, "Leadership", [desdemona], acting_user=desdemona
+        )
         do_change_realm_permission_group_setting(
             realm, stream_policy, leadership_group, acting_user=None
         )
@@ -4484,7 +4486,7 @@ class SubscriptionAPITest(ZulipTestCase):
 
         self.common_subscribe_to_streams(desdemona, ["new_stream3"], invite_only=invite_only)
 
-        staff_group = check_add_user_group(realm, "Staff", [iago], acting_user=None)
+        staff_group = check_add_user_group(realm, "Staff", [iago], acting_user=iago)
         setting_group = self.create_or_update_anonymous_group_for_setting([cordelia], [staff_group])
         do_change_realm_permission_group_setting(
             realm, stream_policy, setting_group, acting_user=None
diff --git a/zerver/tests/test_user_groups.py b/zerver/tests/test_user_groups.py
index 341bfc88b3..2a97ccb8cb 100644
--- a/zerver/tests/test_user_groups.py
+++ b/zerver/tests/test_user_groups.py
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ class UserGroupTestCase(ZulipTestCase):
         self.assertSetEqual(set(subgroup_ids), {member.id for member in members})
 
     def create_user_group_for_test(
-        self, group_name: str, acting_user: UserProfile | None = None
+        self, group_name: str, acting_user: UserProfile
     ) -> NamedUserGroup:
         members = [self.example_user("othello")]
         return check_add_user_group(
@@ -145,7 +145,10 @@ class UserGroupTestCase(ZulipTestCase):
         self.assertEqual(user_groups[9]["name"], "newgroup")
         self.assertEqual(user_groups[9]["description"], "")
         self.assertEqual(user_groups[9]["members"], [])
-        self.assertEqual(user_groups[9]["can_manage_group"], user_group.id)
+        self.assertEqual(
+            user_groups[9]["can_manage_group"],
+            AnonymousSettingGroupDict(direct_members=[11], direct_subgroups=[]),
+        )
         self.assertEqual(user_groups[9]["can_mention_group"], everyone_group.id)
         self.assertFalse(user_groups[0]["deactivated"])
 
@@ -162,7 +165,7 @@ class UserGroupTestCase(ZulipTestCase):
                 "can_manage_group": setting_group,
                 "can_mention_group": setting_group,
             },
-            acting_user=None,
+            acting_user=self.example_user("desdemona"),
         )
         user_groups = user_groups_in_realm_serialized(realm, include_deactivated_groups=False)
         self.assertEqual(user_groups[10]["id"], new_user_group.id)
@@ -190,9 +193,8 @@ class UserGroupTestCase(ZulipTestCase):
         )
         self.assertFalse(user_groups[0]["deactivated"])
 
-        another_new_group = check_add_user_group(
-            realm, "newgroup3", [self.example_user("hamlet")], acting_user=None
-        )
+        hamlet = self.example_user("hamlet")
+        another_new_group = check_add_user_group(realm, "newgroup3", [hamlet], acting_user=hamlet)
         add_subgroups_to_user_group(
             new_user_group, [another_new_group, owners_system_group], acting_user=None
         )
@@ -220,7 +222,7 @@ class UserGroupTestCase(ZulipTestCase):
 
     def test_get_direct_user_groups(self) -> None:
         othello = self.example_user("othello")
-        self.create_user_group_for_test("support")
+        self.create_user_group_for_test("support", acting_user=self.example_user("desdemona"))
         user_groups = get_direct_user_groups(othello)
         self.assert_length(user_groups, 3)
         # othello is a direct member of two role-based system groups also.
@@ -236,12 +238,14 @@ class UserGroupTestCase(ZulipTestCase):
         desdemona = self.example_user("desdemona")
         shiva = self.example_user("shiva")
 
-        leadership_group = check_add_user_group(realm, "Leadership", [desdemona], acting_user=None)
+        leadership_group = check_add_user_group(
+            realm, "Leadership", [desdemona], acting_user=desdemona
+        )
 
-        staff_group = check_add_user_group(realm, "Staff", [iago], acting_user=None)
+        staff_group = check_add_user_group(realm, "Staff", [iago], acting_user=iago)
         GroupGroupMembership.objects.create(supergroup=staff_group, subgroup=leadership_group)
 
-        everyone_group = check_add_user_group(realm, "Everyone", [shiva], acting_user=None)
+        everyone_group = check_add_user_group(realm, "Everyone", [shiva], acting_user=shiva)
         GroupGroupMembership.objects.create(supergroup=everyone_group, subgroup=staff_group)
 
         self.assertCountEqual(
@@ -402,13 +406,13 @@ class UserGroupTestCase(ZulipTestCase):
     def test_has_user_group_access_for_subgroup(self) -> None:
         iago = self.example_user("iago")
         zulip_realm = get_realm("zulip")
-        zulip_group = check_add_user_group(zulip_realm, "zulip", [], acting_user=None)
+        zulip_group = check_add_user_group(zulip_realm, "zulip", [], acting_user=iago)
         moderators_group = NamedUserGroup.objects.get(
             name=SystemGroups.MODERATORS, realm=zulip_realm, is_system_group=True
         )
 
         lear_realm = get_realm("lear")
-        lear_group = check_add_user_group(lear_realm, "test", [], acting_user=None)
+        lear_group = check_add_user_group(lear_realm, "test", [], acting_user=iago)
 
         self.assertFalse(has_user_group_access_for_subgroup(lear_group, iago))
         self.assertTrue(has_user_group_access_for_subgroup(zulip_group, iago))
@@ -434,11 +438,8 @@ class UserGroupAPITestCase(UserGroupTestCase):
         everyone_system_group = NamedUserGroup.objects.get(
             name="role:everyone", realm=hamlet.realm, is_system_group=True
         )
-        nobody_system_group = NamedUserGroup.objects.get(
-            name=SystemGroups.NOBODY, realm=hamlet.realm, is_system_group=True
-        )
         support_group = NamedUserGroup.objects.get(name="support", realm=hamlet.realm)
-        self.assertEqual(support_group.can_manage_group, nobody_system_group.usergroup_ptr)
+        self.assertCountEqual(support_group.can_manage_group.direct_members.all(), [hamlet])
         self.assertEqual(support_group.can_mention_group, everyone_system_group.usergroup_ptr)
 
         # Test invalid member error
@@ -521,7 +522,7 @@ class UserGroupAPITestCase(UserGroupTestCase):
 
         permission_configuration = NamedUserGroup.GROUP_PERMISSION_SETTINGS[setting_name]
         leadership_group = check_add_user_group(
-            hamlet.realm, "leadership", [hamlet], acting_user=None
+            hamlet.realm, "leadership", [hamlet], acting_user=hamlet
         )
         moderators_group = NamedUserGroup.objects.get(
             name="role:moderators", realm=hamlet.realm, is_system_group=True
@@ -802,8 +803,9 @@ class UserGroupAPITestCase(UserGroupTestCase):
         self.assert_json_error(result, "Invalid user group")
 
         lear_realm = get_realm("lear")
+        lear_cordelia = self.lear_user("cordelia")
         lear_test_group = check_add_user_group(
-            lear_realm, "test", [self.lear_user("cordelia")], acting_user=None
+            lear_realm, "test", [lear_cordelia], acting_user=lear_cordelia
         )
         result = self.client_patch(f"/json/user_groups/{lear_test_group.id}", info=params)
         self.assert_json_error(result, "Invalid user group")
@@ -860,7 +862,7 @@ class UserGroupAPITestCase(UserGroupTestCase):
             name="role:moderators", realm=hamlet.realm, is_system_group=True
         )
 
-        self.login("hamlet")
+        self.login("desdemona")
         params = {}
         params[setting_name] = orjson.dumps(
             {
@@ -1064,7 +1066,7 @@ class UserGroupAPITestCase(UserGroupTestCase):
     def test_update_user_group_permission_settings(self) -> None:
         hamlet = self.example_user("hamlet")
         check_add_user_group(hamlet.realm, "support", [hamlet], acting_user=hamlet)
-        check_add_user_group(hamlet.realm, "marketing", [hamlet], acting_user=None)
+        check_add_user_group(hamlet.realm, "marketing", [hamlet], acting_user=hamlet)
         check_add_user_group(hamlet.realm, "leadership", [hamlet], acting_user=hamlet)
 
         for setting_name in NamedUserGroup.GROUP_PERMISSION_SETTINGS:
@@ -1089,7 +1091,7 @@ class UserGroupAPITestCase(UserGroupTestCase):
         hamlet = self.example_user("hamlet")
         support_group = check_add_user_group(hamlet.realm, "support", [hamlet], acting_user=hamlet)
         marketing_group = check_add_user_group(
-            hamlet.realm, "marketing", [hamlet], acting_user=None
+            hamlet.realm, "marketing", [hamlet], acting_user=hamlet
         )
         everyone_group = NamedUserGroup.objects.get(
             name="role:everyone", realm=hamlet.realm, is_system_group=True
@@ -1248,8 +1250,12 @@ class UserGroupAPITestCase(UserGroupTestCase):
         self.assert_json_error(result, "Invalid user group")
 
     def test_user_group_deactivation(self) -> None:
-        support_group = self.create_user_group_for_test("support")
-        leadership_group = self.create_user_group_for_test("leadership")
+        support_group = self.create_user_group_for_test(
+            "support", acting_user=self.example_user("desdemona")
+        )
+        leadership_group = self.create_user_group_for_test(
+            "leadership", acting_user=self.example_user("othello")
+        )
         add_subgroups_to_user_group(support_group, [leadership_group], acting_user=None)
         realm = get_realm("zulip")
 
@@ -1402,10 +1408,11 @@ class UserGroupAPITestCase(UserGroupTestCase):
     def test_user_group_deactivation_with_group_used_for_settings(self) -> None:
         realm = get_realm("zulip")
 
-        othello = self.example_user("othello")
         hamlet = self.example_user("hamlet")
 
-        support_group = self.create_user_group_for_test("support", acting_user=othello)
+        support_group = self.create_user_group_for_test(
+            "support", acting_user=self.example_user("othello")
+        )
         moderators_group = NamedUserGroup.objects.get(
             name=SystemGroups.MODERATORS, realm=realm, is_system_group=True
         )
@@ -1500,7 +1507,9 @@ class UserGroupAPITestCase(UserGroupTestCase):
                 stream, setting_name, moderators_group, acting_user=None
             )
 
-        leadership_group = self.create_user_group_for_test("leadership")
+        leadership_group = self.create_user_group_for_test(
+            "leadership", acting_user=self.example_user("othello")
+        )
         for setting_name in NamedUserGroup.GROUP_PERMISSION_SETTINGS:
             do_change_user_group_permission_setting(
                 leadership_group, setting_name, support_group, acting_user=None
@@ -1592,7 +1601,7 @@ class UserGroupAPITestCase(UserGroupTestCase):
             for i in range(50)
         ]
 
-        with self.assert_database_query_count(5):
+        with self.assert_database_query_count(7):
             user_group = create_user_group_in_database(
                 name="support",
                 members=[hamlet, cordelia, *original_users],
@@ -1619,7 +1628,7 @@ class UserGroupAPITestCase(UserGroupTestCase):
 
         with (
             mock.patch("zerver.views.user_groups.notify_for_user_group_subscription_changes"),
-            self.assert_database_query_count(11),
+            self.assert_database_query_count(14),
         ):
             result = self.client_post(f"/json/user_groups/{user_group.id}/members", info=params)
         self.assert_json_success(result)
@@ -1760,7 +1769,7 @@ class UserGroupAPITestCase(UserGroupTestCase):
             self.subscribe(user, stream_name)
 
         check_add_user_group(
-            name=group_name, initial_members=list(support_team), realm=realm, acting_user=None
+            name=group_name, initial_members=list(support_team), realm=realm, acting_user=hamlet
         )
 
         payload = dict(
@@ -2070,7 +2079,9 @@ class UserGroupAPITestCase(UserGroupTestCase):
         check_update_user_group("help", "Troubleshooting team", "desdemona")
 
     def test_realm_level_setting_for_updating_members(self) -> None:
-        user_group = self.create_user_group_for_test("support")
+        user_group = self.create_user_group_for_test(
+            "support", acting_user=self.example_user("desdemona")
+        )
         aaron = self.example_user("aaron")
         othello = self.example_user("othello")
         cordelia = self.example_user("cordelia")
@@ -2194,11 +2205,11 @@ class UserGroupAPITestCase(UserGroupTestCase):
     def test_group_level_setting_for_updating_members(self) -> None:
         othello = self.example_user("othello")
         user_group = check_add_user_group(
-            get_realm("zulip"), "support", [othello], acting_user=None
+            get_realm("zulip"), "support", [othello], acting_user=self.example_user("desdemona")
         )
         hamlet = self.example_user("hamlet")
         leadership_group = check_add_user_group(
-            get_realm("zulip"), "leadership", [hamlet], acting_user=None
+            get_realm("zulip"), "leadership", [hamlet], acting_user=hamlet
         )
         aaron = self.example_user("aaron")
 
@@ -2383,12 +2394,12 @@ class UserGroupAPITestCase(UserGroupTestCase):
         )
 
         leadership_group = check_add_user_group(
-            realm, "leadership", [desdemona, iago, hamlet], acting_user=None
+            realm, "leadership", [desdemona, iago, hamlet], acting_user=desdemona
         )
         support_group = check_add_user_group(
             realm, "support", [hamlet, othello], acting_user=hamlet
         )
-        test_group = check_add_user_group(realm, "test", [hamlet], acting_user=None)
+        test_group = check_add_user_group(realm, "test", [hamlet], acting_user=hamlet)
 
         self.login("cordelia")
         # Non-admin and non-moderators who are not a member of group cannot add or remove subgroups.
@@ -2470,8 +2481,9 @@ class UserGroupAPITestCase(UserGroupTestCase):
         self.assert_subgroup_membership(test_group, [support_group])
 
         lear_realm = get_realm("lear")
+        lear_cordelia = self.lear_user("cordelia")
         lear_test_group = check_add_user_group(
-            lear_realm, "test", [self.lear_user("cordelia")], acting_user=None
+            lear_realm, "test", [lear_cordelia], acting_user=lear_cordelia
         )
         result = self.client_post(f"/json/user_groups/{lear_test_group.id}/subgroups", info=params)
         self.assert_json_error(result, "Invalid user group")
@@ -2534,7 +2546,7 @@ class UserGroupAPITestCase(UserGroupTestCase):
         lear_realm = get_realm("lear")
         lear_cordelia = self.lear_user("cordelia")
         lear_test_group = check_add_user_group(
-            lear_realm, "test", [lear_cordelia], acting_user=None
+            lear_realm, "test", [lear_cordelia], acting_user=lear_cordelia
         )
         result = self.client_get(
             f"/json/user_groups/{lear_test_group.id}/members/{lear_cordelia.id}"
@@ -2595,8 +2607,9 @@ class UserGroupAPITestCase(UserGroupTestCase):
         self.assert_json_error(result, "Invalid user group")
 
         lear_realm = get_realm("lear")
+        lear_cordelia = self.lear_user("cordelia")
         lear_test_group = check_add_user_group(
-            lear_realm, "test", [self.lear_user("cordelia")], acting_user=None
+            lear_realm, "test", [lear_cordelia], acting_user=lear_cordelia
         )
         result = self.client_get(f"/json/user_groups/{lear_test_group.id}/members")
         self.assert_json_error(result, "Invalid user group")
@@ -2643,8 +2656,9 @@ class UserGroupAPITestCase(UserGroupTestCase):
         self.assert_json_error(result, "Invalid user group")
 
         lear_realm = get_realm("lear")
+        lear_cordelia = self.lear_user("cordelia")
         lear_test_group = check_add_user_group(
-            lear_realm, "test", [self.lear_user("cordelia")], acting_user=None
+            lear_realm, "test", [lear_cordelia], acting_user=lear_cordelia
         )
         result = self.client_get(f"/json/user_groups/{lear_test_group.id}/subgroups")
         self.assert_json_error(result, "Invalid user group")
@@ -2678,9 +2692,9 @@ class UserGroupAPITestCase(UserGroupTestCase):
         self.assertCountEqual(result_dict["subgroups"], [admins_group.id])
 
     def test_add_subgroup_from_wrong_realm(self) -> None:
-        other_realm = do_create_realm("other", "Other Realm")
-        other_user_group = check_add_user_group(other_realm, "user_group", [], acting_user=None)
         iago = self.example_user("iago")
+        other_realm = do_create_realm("other", "Other Realm")
+        other_user_group = check_add_user_group(other_realm, "user_group", [], acting_user=iago)
         realm = get_realm("zulip")
         zulip_group = check_add_user_group(realm, "zulip_test", [], acting_user=iago)
 
diff --git a/zerver/transaction_tests/test_user_groups.py b/zerver/transaction_tests/test_user_groups.py
index 3a4339e5de..b68eb7e08e 100644
--- a/zerver/transaction_tests/test_user_groups.py
+++ b/zerver/transaction_tests/test_user_groups.py
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ def dev_update_subgroups(
 
 
 class UserGroupRaceConditionTestCase(ZulipTransactionTestCase):
-    created_user_groups: list[UserGroup] = []
+    created_user_groups: list[NamedUserGroup] = []
     counter = 0
     CHAIN_LENGTH = 3
 
@@ -73,7 +73,13 @@ class UserGroupRaceConditionTestCase(ZulipTransactionTestCase):
         # Clean up the user groups created to minimize leakage
         with transaction.atomic():
             for group in self.created_user_groups:
+                # can_manage_group can be deleted as long as it's the
+                # default group_creator. If we start using non-default
+                # can_manage_group in this test, deleting that group
+                # should be reconsidered.
+                can_manage_group = group.can_manage_group
                 group.delete()
+                can_manage_group.delete()
             transaction.on_commit(self.created_user_groups.clear)
 
         super().tearDown()
diff --git a/zilencer/management/commands/populate_db.py b/zilencer/management/commands/populate_db.py
index e7de46f6dd..3248f903c2 100644
--- a/zilencer/management/commands/populate_db.py
+++ b/zilencer/management/commands/populate_db.py
@@ -1414,10 +1414,11 @@ def choose_date_sent(
 
 def create_user_groups() -> None:
     zulip = get_realm("zulip")
+    cordelia = get_user_by_delivery_email("cordelia@zulip.com", zulip)
     members = [
         get_user_by_delivery_email("cordelia@zulip.com", zulip),
         get_user_by_delivery_email("hamlet@zulip.com", zulip),
     ]
     create_user_group_in_database(
-        "hamletcharacters", members, zulip, description="Characters of Hamlet", acting_user=None
+        "hamletcharacters", members, zulip, description="Characters of Hamlet", acting_user=cordelia
     )