Ron Martin (businessman)

Ronald Martin (born 17 January 1953) is a British businessman who is chief executive of Martin Dawn PLC, an Essex, United Kingdom-based property development company. After taking an ownership stake in Southend United Football Club in November 1998, he has, since 2000, also been the club's chairman, championing its move to a proposed new stadium at Fossetts Farm during financial struggles, including 19 winding-up petitions, at the club. Under his ownership, the club was promoted to the Championship (second tier of English football) but then, between 2007 and 2021, dropped to the fifth tier National League, where they remain. In October 2023, a deal was agreed in which Martin would sell the club to new owners, with the takeover expected to be finalised in early 2024, but the sale remained uncompleted in June 2024, amid fears the club might fold.