Martin was born in Pretoria but ended up attending high school in Pietersburg.  Here is where he grew the love for electronics and avionics. He joined the Airforce where he obtained a National Diploma and then a National Higher Diploma in Electrical Engineering: Light Current.  After leaving the Airforce, Martin joined Siemens as a Product Portfolio Manager on security products and industrial networks and after some time most of his attention was focused towards the networking field. Already, at this point, he was exposed to the Fire Detection Systems.

In 2013, his business partner and himself started OTN Systems, and in 2017 they decided to diversify from a networks only company, and to include Fire Detection. It was a steep learning curve but in 2018 OTN Systems was granted the only global distributorship for the Siemens Fire Detection Portfolio for Sub-Saharan Africa, and Martin was appointed as Technical Director. Having seen the short comings of the South-African market for a massive Lithium-Ion install base, the Siemens solution immediately drew his attention and he was fully invested in this new and exciting field.