Following his studies which commenced with a bachelor’s degree in geology from Newcastle University in 1979 and then a petroleum geology master’s degree from Imperial College London in 1983, Martin was employed by BG Group plc and its predecessor companies, retiring after 32 years in February 2014 as chief operating officer and a member of the board of directors.
He’s managed all forms of enterprise in the energy industry, has established a strong external reputation in the international gas business and is largely credited with being the key architect of BG Group’s world-class Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) business. In recognition of this, in 2011 he was the first recipient of the CWC Group LNG Executive of the Year award.
He was previously (2004 – 2009) a non-executive director of Severn Trent plc, an integrated water and environmental company. He is a former director of SIGTTO, the international organization representing gas tanker and gas terminal operators worldwide. From 2008 to 2014 he was a vice president and board member of the International Group of Liquefied Natural Gas Importers (GIIGNL). Between 2015, and 2018 he was the chairman of TPH International, a boutique investment bank based in Houston, Texas.
In January 2014, he was appointed as a non-executive director of BUPA, an international healthcare group. He sits on the nominations committee and is chairman of the remuneration committee. He also sits on the board of Bupa Arabia, a JV company listed on the Tadawul and based in Jeddah.
In June 2014, he was appointed a non-executive director of CC Energy. He also serves as Chairman of the Audit Committee and is a member of the Remuneration Committee.
In February 2016, he cofounded Tellurian Inc. with Charif Souki and is now the vice chairman. Tellurian is developing a 27.5 mtpa LNG export project in Louisiana and is listed on the Nasdaq.
In March 2017, Martin was appointed as vicechairman of Hakluyt North America a company which provides independent, strategic advice to the world’s leading multinationals and financial institutions on complex issues.
In March 2018, he was appointed by Moelis and Company as Chairman of its global energy group.
In October 2019, Martin was appointed as Chairman of EnQuest PLC. He also serves as Chair of the Nomination Committee.
Martin’s other activities include:
- Council member of the National Petroleum Council of the United States of America
- Fellow of the Geological Society of London
- Member of the Development Committee of the Royal Opera House of London
- Member of the advisory board of the Global Energy Policy unit at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs, New York.
- Member of the advisory board of Radia Inc.