The chief executive of the Law Society, the professional body for 100,000 solicitors in England and Wales, is arguably the most powerful person at Chancery Lane — his tenure outlasting that of the yearly presidents. Hudson, 52, is engaging but takes no prisoners — he has shaken up the solicitors' body at a time when its role is uncertain with the regulatory role hived off to a separate arm — and bruised some sensitivities in the process. Tough and realistic, if anyone can ensure that the Law Society survives as the representative voice of the profession, he can. He will also be at the helm as the effects of the Legal Services Act 2007 start to be felt. Born in in Halifax, Yorkshire, he read law at Leeds University then qualified as a solicitor in 1980, working in private practice until 1987 and becoming a salaried partner in a big northwest law firm — taking on crime and child protection work. His career then shifted to management: posts, including managing director of Britannia Life Building Society, chief executive of the publishing arm of Scottish Media Group and chief executive of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in 2004. He took up the Law Society post in 2006.

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