Lucian Hudson

Lucian Hudson
Lucian J. Hudson
Nationality	British
Education	MA in Philosophy, Politics and Economics
Alma mater	St Catherine's College at Oxford University
Occupation(s)	Board Chair and Communications Director

Lucian John Hudson (born 1960) is a strategy and communications specialist from the UK, experienced in cross-sector collaboration ^[1] .

Early life and education

Hudson was born on 5 July 1960 in London to Polish parents, Jan and Wanda Maria Pikulski. ^[2] He has a degree in philosophy, politics and economics from St Catherine's College, Oxford. ^[3]

Religion and conversion to Judaism

Hudson was brought up as a Roman Catholic. He was educated by Jesuits but he became interested in Judaism. He converted to Judaism in 2005.

By 2009, he became Chair of Liberal Judaism, ^[4] developing over his six years in office a vision and strategy for the movement and closer collaboration with the leadership of UK Jewry and the Movement for Reform Judaism. ^[5] The latter helped pave the way for the unification of Liberal and Reform Judaism into one Progressive Judaism (United Kingdom) in 2025. ^[6]

Career

Hudson was an executive producer and television journalist for 17 years with the BBC and ITV. ^[7] He led the production of the first six hours of BBC coverage the night Princess Diana died. ^[8]  

He was director of communications in three UK government departments, including the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, as well as the UK government's first "webmaster general". ^[9] In 2013 Hudson served as an independent expert reviewing the communications capability of the Cabinet Office and No. 10 Downing Street. ^[10]

In 2020 he was appointed Director of Advancement, Marketing and Communications at Durham University, ^{[3] [11]} having served as Interim Director of Public Affairs and Communications at the University of Oxford, and Communications Director of The Open University. From June 2025, he became Executive Director, Communications & External Relations as his responsibilities now also include public affairs. ^[12]

With effect from January 2023, he is also Professor in Practice (Leadership and Organisations) in the Department of Management and Marketing at Durham University Business School. ^[13] He is board chair and trustee of Earthwatch Europe, Chair of Tavistock Institute of Human Relations ^[14] as well as a vice-president ^[15] of the Liberal Judaism in the United Kingdom.

References

1. https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/20121212135632/http:/www.fco.gov.uk/resources/en/pdf/pdf9/enabling-state-v3
2. ‘HUDSON, Lucian John’, Who's Who 2014, A & C Black, an imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing plc, 2014; online edn, Oxford University Press, December 2013; Retrieved 28 February 2014.
3. "Appointment of Director of Advancement and Communications – Durham University". Durham University . 11 June 2020. Retrieved 21 June 2020.
4. "Liberal elected". 15 October 2009.
5. "Liberal leader advocates 'Federation' with Reform". 10 November 2011.
6. "We do! Reform and Liberal Judaism merge in landmark vote". 18 May 2025.
7. "Speakers". World Union for Progressive Judaism: Connections 2013. Archived from the original on 18 December 2010. Retrieved 25 June 2013.
8. "Channel 5 programme - The Day Diana Died".
9. "Webmaster-general". The Guardian. 3 October 2000.
10. Hudson, Lucian. "Cabinet Office Communication capability review – June 2013" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2014. Retrieved 14 July 2013.
11. Hudson, Lucian (12 June 2020). "PR Week: Movers & Shakers: Zurich, Headland, National Grid, WPP, BP, Don't Cry Wolf and more". PR Week.
12. "Senior Leadership Team - Lucian Hudson".
13. "Professor in Practice Lucian Hudson - Durham University Business School".
14. ‘Tavistock Institute’, accessed 25 July 2021
15. "Who's Who". Liberal Judaism . Retrieved 19 March 2018.