Ron Martin (businessman)

Ronald Martin (born 17 January 1953) is a British businessman who was chief executive of Martin Dawn PLC, an Essex, United Kingdom-based property development company, and chairman of Southend United Football Club from 2000 to 2024.

After taking an ownership stake in Southend United in November 1998, he championed 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. In October 2023, a deal was agreed in which Martin would sell the club to new owners. The sale was finally completed in July 2024. Martin's almost 25 years in charge was "widely seen – both by fans and more dispassionate observers – as one of the most disastrous chairmanships in modern football." Martin retains an involvement with Fossetts Farm, now a prospective housing-only development expected to start in 2026.

Following a dispute with McLaren Construction Limited, Martin Dawn PLC was wound up by order of the High Court on 25 February 2025.