Ian Hudson

Founding Director of The 1421 Foundation, Creative Director at FBC Clerkenwell, Best-selling author & FRGS

Ian Hudson is a respected scholar and best-selling author with a passion for ancient sea-faring civilizations and global maritime exploration. He collaborated with Gavin Menzies for nearly two decades on various projects, including a widely acclaimed '1421' exhibition in Singapore and a TV documentary series. Their joint endeavor culminated in the publication of 'Who Discovered America – The Untold History of the Peopling of the Americas' in 2013.

Apart from his literary achievements, Ian Hudson holds esteemed positions such as being a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, an Associate Member of the China Maritime Centre at the Greenwich Maritime Institute in London, and a 'Next Generation Ambassador' for the prestigious Committee of 100. His research has taken him around the globe, delivering lectures at renowned institutions like the University of Oxford, the London School of Economics and Political Sciences, Yunnan University in China, and Duke University in the United States.

Balancing his academic pursuits, Ian actively participates in managing the family business in Clerkenwell, London. The Finsbury Business Centre, established in 1983, is a pioneering flexible work-space hub situated on the premises of a former 1930's printworks, now sharing space with the London Metropolitan Archives. Ian finds fulfillment in enhancing the visibility, brand identity, and community spirit within this unique workspace, supporting startups in the EC1 ecosystem. Moreover, his recent initiative involves founding the Affordable Workplace CIC, focusing on providing accessible and affordable workspaces for local individuals, entrepreneurs, charities, and social enterprises, contributing significantly to the community.

Ian Hudson's educational background includes studying Spanish, Portuguese, and Latin American Studies, as well as Hispanic and Latin American Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics at the University of Bristol. Prior to his university education, he attended Eton College, laying a solid foundation for his future academic and professional endeavors.