Progressed from being a student sabbatical officer to running a students' union, specialising in student welfare matters. Became Chief Executive of Unipol in 1997, having worked there as Director for the previous seven years. Unipol is an independent charitable company, based in Leeds, Bradford and Nottingham and houses some 2,650 students whilst providing information about housing to 90,000 other students.

Martin has built up Unipol's national role. Unipol, in association with the Accreditation Network (UK) set up the ANUK/Unipol National Codes for Larger Student Developments which have the status of Government Approved Codes in England and Wales under the Housing Act 2004. As well as nationally in England and Wales, Unipol runs accreditation schemes in its operational bases and currently accredits 140,000 bed spaces. Unipol is also the main national trainer in the niche area of student accommodation management and law.

He works closely with the Communities and Local Government, the National Union of Students and the Chartered Institute for Environmental Health in matters affecting the community and student and young person housing.

Martin is a firm believer in the charitable sector introducing innovation and adding value to what it does. He has designed, developed and organised management between 18 strategic partnerships and has always maintained a close relationship with both University and private suppliers where these meet the needs of the student consumer.