A native of the north-east of England, Martin read music and French at Hull University, where he studied the organ, oboe and composition. His decision to concentrate on the organ led him to study with John Scott-Whiteley at York Minster and across the Channel in Rouen with Louis Thiry, before serving as organ scholar at Ripon Cathedral (1997-8).

He has written a number of compositions, including one for organ premièred by John Scott in Portsmouth Cathedral. Martin currently works as a translator, and has been Master of Music at St Leonard’s, Streatham since 2002.