Martin Stopford is a graduate of Oxford University and has a PhD in International Economics from London University. During his 41 years in the Maritime Industry he has held positions as Director of Business Development at British Shipbuilders; Global Shipping Economist with Chase Manhattan Bank N.A.; Chief Executive of Lloyds Maritime Information Services and executive director of Clarksons PLC. He retired from Clarksons in May 2012 and is currently non executive President of Clarkson Research Services Limited (CRSL).

Martin is also a visiting Professor at Cass Business School in London, Dalian Maritime University in China, Newcastle University and Copenhagen Business School. He has an Honorary Doctorate from The Solent University; a lifetime achievement award at the 2010 Lloyds List Global Shipping Awards; and in 2013 was Seatrade Personality of the Year.

His publications include "Maritime Economics" 3rd Ed, the widely used shipping text book published in January 2009, and many papers on shipping economics and ship finance.

Martin's children Ben and Elizabeth both live in London. His main hobby, apart for shipping, is gardening and he runs a small organic hill farm in Staffordshire Moorelands.