Mike Pickering (born 21 February 1954, Manchester, England) has DJ'ed at The Haçienda's infamous "Nude" and "Hot" nights and later "Shine". He worked for Factory Records where he signed The Happy Mondays, To Hell With Burgundy and James amongst others. He was the founder, writer and producer of Quando Quango and later M People, playing the saxophone, and acting as a backing singer, along with the main singer, Heather Small.

Pickering now works as Head of A&R within the Columbia label of Sony BMG where he A&R's The Gossip, Calvin Harris, Kasabian, The Ting Tings and Diagram Of The Heart.

He appeared as himself in the film, 24 Hour Party People starring Steve Coogan, a film all about Factory Records and Tony Wilson. Pickering supports Manchester City F.C.