Christopher Martin
CMgr FCMI FIoL FIEP
Dynamic Leader, Endurance Athlete,
and Champion of Transformative Change
​
Chris is a high-energy leader with more than 25 years of hands-on experience in driving cultural transformation, operational excellence, and compassionate leadership across diverse sectors.
His guiding ethos, “Every Contact Matters,” reflects his unwavering commitment to creating environments where positive, lasting change can flourish.
​
Chris' leadership journey began at the Royal Navy’s Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, where rigorous officer training ignited his passion for leadership under the highest military standards.
He went on to serve 16 years in HM Prison Service, working 10 years with young offenders. Holding roles such as CHIS (covert human intelligence source) Controller, Professional Standards lead at HM/YOI Feltham, Senior Officer managing the sex-offender units at HMP Exeter, and Principal Officer for employability at HMP Channings Wood.
This culminated in his final role as Governor of Suicide Prevention, Violence Reduction, and Safeguarding where he played a pivotal part in cultural reform, staff wellbeing and reducing suicide.
He completed HMPPS Silver Commander training, for command of serious incidents, where he had many opportunities to practice!
​​
Beyond the prison service, Chris has held several senior leadership roles, including Strategic People Partner at Torbay & South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, where he champions neurodiversity, and also transformational, compassionate, and inclusive leadership.
His experience spans multiple sectors, from Board Director for the Institute of Employability Professionals, where he was the SME for Leadership. Also, Board Trustee for the SAMEE Charity and former founder and CEO of the Women’s Wellbeing Club CIC, shaping a people-centric approach to leadership and mentoring.
​
Holding a 'Masters' Level in Leadership Coaching & Mentoring (Level 7 Diploma) from the Chartered Management Institute, a Level 7 Diploma in Leadership and Management (ICL), a Level 7 Diploma in Operations Management (ICL), Chris has the qualifications and experience to bring credibility to his consulting practice.
​​​
​
​
Chris has been awarded several prestigious affiliations including -
​
-
Chartered Fellow - Chartered Management Institute
-
Fellow - Institute of Leadership
-
Fellow - Institute of Employability Professionals
-
Accredited Mentor - Institute of Leadership
​
Chris is widely respected for his dedication to positive mental health & wellbeing, and leadership in this area.
​
He has started initiatives such as bringing Andy’s Man Club to Devon, and co-founding the Women’s Wellbeing Club, earning accolades that include the Pride of Devon Award and an HMPPS Director’s Award for Staff Wellbeing.
In parallel with his professional achievements, Chris is an Ironman, extreme triathlete, and ultra-marathon runner, embodying the resilience and mental fortitude he brings to every leadership role.
His “Tenth Man Rule” mindset, ensuring every problem is tackled with decisive action and innovative solutions, is evident whether he’s leading multi-million-pound operations or enjoying outdoor pursuits like paddleboarding, adventure motorcycling, and kayaking in the picturesque Devon countryside.
​​
​
​
Chris has a keen eye in spotting opportunities to grow and move away from the status quo, fostering future-focused, agile cultures driven by strong governance and decisive leadership.
Using compassionate leadership, he believes in fostering psychological safety in teams, inspiring trust, resilience, and high performance within leaders, illustrating that with perseverance, focus, and an unshakable commitment to meaningful connections, true transformation is always within reach.
Follow me on LinkedIn here -
Claud S
"Chris is a leader I’ve come to admire and model myself on. His ability to listen deeply, guide effectively, and enable others to develop is exceptional. He creates opportunities for growth without making his influence overt, demonstrating a selfless commitment to the success of those around him. Working with Chris has improved not only my professional skills but also the way I interact with others on a personal level. His leadership has had a profound, lasting impact on my life."
Ben H
"Chris has a rare ability to combine big-picture strategic thinking with practical, actionable solutions. His leadership is dynamic and forward-thinking, promoting a ‘can-do’ attitude throughout the team. Chris leads with decisiveness and clarity, always ensuring that team members are aligned and empowered to achieve their goals. He has a talent for asking the right questions to unlock new perspectives and push strategic initiatives forward."
Karen C
"Chris excels at creating a strong sense of team identity. He empowers individuals by recognising their unique strengths and showing them how their contributions matter. Chris’s inclusive approach builds trust, promotes collaboration, and fosters a culture where everyone feels valued. His ability to inspire and unify people is unparalleled, making him a leader who naturally brings teams together to achieve extraordinary results."