Martin Davidson

Chief Executive
British Council

Martin Davidson took up the role as Chief Executive in April 2007. Prior to the British Council he worked for the Hong Kong Government as an Administrative Officer. He joined the British Council as Assistant Representative in Beijing in 1984. Martin was responsible for opening the South China office in Guangzhou in 1989 and returned to Beijing in 1995 as Director China.
He speaks both Cantonese and Mandarin. He has also held various posts in the British Council’s London HQ with responsibilities covering South East Europe, the Middle East, East Asia and

the Americas.

Martin is International Trustee for Leonard Cheshire Disability, a governor of Goodenough College and board member of the Great Britain China Council. Martin was awarded a KCMG in 2014 for his services to British cultural, scientific and educational interests worldwide.