A veteran of the engineering sector with more than 20 years' experience expanding markets across Europe, the Far East and USA, he is also the founder of Edensure Ltd and has helped save retail petrol stations millions of pounds by providing one of the most reliable stock analysis systems available.

Since it was launched in 2003, the Sunderland-based company has become a leader in its field, developing a technology partnership in the USA as well as expansion into European markets.

>> Take the If We Can You Can Challenge here

But as an avid small business supporter, Martin knows that local entrepreneurs are at the forefront of enterprise and innovation, and is the latest business leader to back the Echo's If We Can You Can challenge.

"It is a fact that 60 per cent of all commercial innovations come from small businesses and that they also employ nearly two thirds of the private sector workforce," says Martin.

"Anyone who runs a business will tell you that it takes a lot of hard work and determination to succeed, and yet that fact doesn't put off over 50,000 people in the UK who start their own businesses every year."

A member of the Federation of Small Businesses NE Policy Unit and Northern Business Forum, Martin engages with Government Ministers and key decision makers to try to foster a better working environment for entrepreneurs in the North East.

He is also a member of the Entrepreneurs' Forum and formerly an Investment Panel member for Northern Enterprise Limited.

Martin says the If We Can You Can challenge was an excellent platform from which individuals and businesses can showcase their business aspirations and achievements in the region.

"We need to put faces to the names of those entrepreneurs helping strengthen the backbone of the North East economy now and in the future," says Martin.

"It is also really important that our entrepreneurial talent is fostered, individual leadership encouraged and business vision maximised.

"The awards offer a fantastic opportunity for entrepreneurial talent in the North East region to step forward and celebrate their spirit of enterprise and innovation."