Martin McDonald has over 30 years of experience in public service, commencing his career with local government in 1973. He later went on to work in the Town & Country Planning Service and in 1990 joined the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development as a Rural Area Co-ordinator under the Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme. Martin is well recognised as a key figure in the development and implementation of major rural development initiatives. He joined RDC as Chief Executive in 1999 and remains a key influencer in rural development and in the development of programmes affecting rural areas.
Martin has also worked with the International Fund for Ireland, acting as their agent through RDC, for projects and programmes under the Fund's 'Sharing this Space' strategy. Through this he has extended his experience into urban areas, particularly with projects that have a clear focus upon reconciliation.
Martin, in a voluntary capacity is the Secretary of Newry Credit Union, is married with three children and lives in Newry, Northern Ireland.
Martin was awarded an MBE for Services to Regeneration in the 2011 Queen's Birthday Honours List