Tom Hudson – Keynote Speaker

Tom Hudson is a specialist in tech investment and legal & government affairs for the Middle East.

He has set-up the go-to-advisory firm that assists global tech companies rapidly expand into the Middle East. The companies Tom has helped include Virgin Hyperloop One, Planet Labs, Babylon Health, Callsign, Joby Aviation, Freshtohome, and some 50 others. Working alongside the Executive Office of several ruling families his team has allowed companies to quickly establish themselves, negotiate the best arrangements, and expand rapidly into the region.

Kestrel advises on Government liaison and initiatives, market research, and it brings together key stakeholders in the region, helping to structure the resulting transactions.

Tom Hudson is a regular commentator for the likes of CNBC and CNN on the regional tech ecosystem.

Tom wrote a white paper entitled “Exponential Emirates: the Exponential Country for the Exponential Age” to describe the extraordinary growth story of the UAE and how it has almost uniquely harnessed the features of exponential organisations. In the year of EXPO, and the Golden Jubilee of the UAE, he explains the story of the first 50 years of the country and what is in store for the next 50. He explains how companies can plug into all the opportunities that the UAE has to offer, as well as how other countries can emulate the Emirates’ success.