Martin Johnson

Martin Johnson is a leadership keynote speaker, author and Founder & CEO of T2, The People Performance People, a leadership and performance consultancy built around psychology, neuroscience and human behaviour. Known for his direct, practical approach to performance, Martin has built T2 into an organisation that has worked with more than 250 organisations and over 100,000 learners across the UK and internationally. Drawing on experience spanning the Royal Navy, global consulting, leadership development and performance psychology, he helps audiences understand why people behave as they do, particularly when facing pressure, uncertainty and change.

Martin began his career in the Royal Navy Warfare Branch, serving as an Operator Mechanic and member of a boarding party between 1999 and 2003. During his service, he worked with weapon systems and radar aboard three Type 42 destroyers, completing operations and deployments across the Mediterranean, the Falklands and the Far East. In 2003, Martin received an Admiral’s Commendation for his contribution during the grounding of HMS Nottingham in the Tasman Sea. After leaving the Royal Navy, he moved into commercial sales and leadership, joining Butler Group, where he progressed from Senior Account Manager to Sales Manager. Martin later joined Gartner, initially working as a Senior Account Executive before being appointed Sales Leader, Area Manager UK, responsible for sales strategy, recruitment, team development and commercial performance across northern England and Scotland.

In 2015, Martin founded T2, The People Performance People, after recognising that many organisations invested heavily in technology, processes and targets while giving far less attention to the people responsible for delivering performance. Starting from a shared desk, Martin developed T2 into an established leadership consultancy, working with organisations including INEOS Grenadiers, Baxter Storey, Specsavers, ADP and West Midlands Fire and Rescue Service. Alongside his work as a leadership adviser, Martin is the author of ‘I Am Human: 30 Mistakes to Success’ and ‘I Am Human: Pain and Pleasure’, both exploring the psychology that shapes everyday behaviour and decision making. He is also a co-host of The People Performance Podcast, where he leads ‘The Leader Lounge’, sharing practical insights into leadership, performance, accountability and self-awareness.

As a keynote speaker, Martin translates complex ideas from neuroscience, evolutionary psychology and performance psychology into clear lessons audiences can apply to their own leadership and working lives. Signature talks such as ‘Flag on the Hill’ explore how leaders create clarity and direction, while ‘Leading Through Uncertainty’ examines recovery, decision making and maintaining effective leadership when circumstances are unclear. Martin’s combination of military experience, commercial leadership and more than a decade developing people through T2 gives his presentations strong practical credibility. Organisations hire Martin to help leaders better understand themselves and their teams, manage pressure more effectively and create environments where people can consistently perform at their best.