About our guest
Martin is the Secretary General of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award foundation, having previously served at St John Ambulance where he had been Chief Executive since January 2018. He has a strong track record of giving people – especially young people – the chance to fulfil their potential through volunteering, education and training. He was responsible for leading the volunteer vaccination effort for England, introducing the national NHS Cadet programme and pioneering work with young people at risk of street violence. He has also overseen the rise of St John’s cadets taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award from 30 participants a year in 2018 to over 700 in 2023.
Prior to St John’s, Martin was Chief Executive of Depaul UK, which works with homeless young people sleeping rough on the streets, where he grew the charity’s work, especially its ground-breaking Nightstop service. While at the charity Missing People, he successfully campaigned for a new missing person’s law and launched the new national telephone number for missing people. He has also held roles at the Children’s Society and served as Chair of the Board of YMCA England & Wales.
