Ian Dudson

Sir Ian James Dudson is an English industrialist, chief executive and later non-executive chairman of the ceramics company Dudson in Stoke-on-Trent. He served as Lord Lieutenant of Staffordshire from 2012 to 2025.

Life Dudson is a descendant of Richard Dudson, who founded the ceramics company Dudson in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, in 1800.

He graduated in General Science at the University of Dundee, and studied Ceramic Technology at North Staffordshire Polytechnic (now the University of Staffordshire). He joined Dudson in 1973, and from 1988 was chief executive. More recently he has held the position of non-executive chairman. He was appointed CBE in 2002, for services to the ceramic industry.

Dudson was appointed in 2013 Commander of the Order of St John, in recognition of his contribution towards "strengthening the spirit of mankind", and in 2017 became a Knight of the Order of St John. In 2014 he was made Honorary Doctor of the University of Staffordshire.

He was made a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order in the 2025 New Year Honours.