Martin is a Borough Councillor for Leckhampton as well as a Parish Councillor. He grew up in Leckhampton and today lives just off the Old Bath Road.

Martin was Cheltenham's MP for ten years and originated the Local Green Space designation which is now being used to protect much of Leckhampton's green space. He is Honorary President of the Green Liberal Democrats. More recently he was an MEP for the South West of England until rudely cut off by Brexit!

He is also a trustee of the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, a patron of Cheltenham homelessness charity Cheltenham Open Door and Gloucestershire Action for Refugees & Asylum Seekers. He also represents Cheltenham on the Board of the Cotswolds National Landscape (AONB).

His professional career was in charity fundraising and marketing, including for Oxfam and the Alzheimer's Society.