Martin Dean is Deputy Director of the Leeds Initiative, the public private and community partnership and Local Strategic Partnership for Leeds. He has extensive experience in the promotion of change in the public sector through partnership working. Through the development of appropriate strategies the Leeds Initiative takes forward the priorities identified in Vision for Leeds 2004 to 2020. Key areas of Martin's work have included reviewing the partnership framework to meet the challenges of the future such as the Local Government white paper and the Local Area Agreement, whilst ensuring they are fit for purpose for the partners in Leeds.

Martin has previously worked for the Manpower Services Commission, Employment Service and Leeds TEC. He is Chair of Leeds Federated Housing Association, and a trustee of the Leeds Community Foundation.