Martin Houghton-Brown

Martin joined The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award in 2024 from St John Ambulance where he had been Chief Executive since 2018. In the Pandemic St John Ambulance recruited, trained and deployed 26,000 volunteers to vaccinate the nation. In his role as Secretary General, he travels the world speaking to national leaders, heads of state and young people about the importance of non-formal education, and particularly the Award. He has a strong track record in leading the development of public service delivery and in policy change with a focus on giving people – especially young people – the chance to fulfil their potential through volunteering, non-formal education and learning. Before St John he led at Depaul UK and the charity Missing People, where he successfully campaigned for a new missing persons law and launched the new national telephone number for missing people. He has also held roles at the Children’s Society and served as Chair of the YMCA England & Wales board of trustees.
In June 2019, Martin was appointed as Chair of the Centre For Youth Impact which has merged into the YMCA George Williams College and reflects his long-term commitment and dedication to making a positive impact on the lives of young adults and children. Martin has been honoured by The Queen being made an Officer of the Order of St John and has received an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Gloucestershire.