After university he became a stagiaire (trainee) at the European Commission in Brussels in 1973. He subsequently joined the full time staff of the Commission working in the External Relations and Information field. Besides working in Brussels he was also in the New York delegation (1975-78 where he was the EC's press attaché at the United Nations) and in the London office.
In 1980 he joined the NFU's Economics Department, specialising in European issues. Between 1983-86 he was Head of the NFU's Brussels office. Returning to London he worked for a time as the Personal Assistant to the then President of the NFU, Sir Simon Gourlay.
In 1989 he was made Head of International Affairs at the NFU, involving responsibility for co-ordinating European policy, trade issues and the NFU's international contacts. He has been heavily involved in the work of the European farmers organisation (COPA) and was President to its General Experts Group from 1992-95.
In 1995 he was awarded the Chevalier du Merite Agricole by the French Government.
In October 1996 he also assumed management responsibility for the Economics Department and Brussels Office and for policy strategy.
From 1999 Martin was Director of Policy at the NFU. From Nov 2009 - April 2010, Martin was appointed Acting Director General. He has also covered the communications brief in a temporary capacity.
In 2011 Martin was the European member of a Transition Board which established the World Farmers Organisation.
In 2014 he was appointed as Deputy Director General and was Acting Director General for six months from 2015 - 2016.
Following the EU Referendum in June 2016, Martin was appointed Director of Strategy. Working two days a week, Martin continues to be involved in high-level policy development with a strong emphasis on international affairs.