Taken too soon

Sadly, at the young age of 70, Dave Jackson passed away on Saturday 30th August in Hull Royal Infirmary, following a short illness, surrounded by his loving family.

Dave established Hudson in 1996 at a time when HMRC (then known as the Inland Revenue) launched an attack on the use of self-employed labour in the construction industry.

In his later years Dave split his time between his homes in Italy and the Yorkshire coast, serving the business as chairman offering strategic advice to the operational board.

Dave had worked tirelessly in construction from training as a draftsman in the early seventies, through running his own groundworks company and building one-off high value houses in the eighties and early nineties, to establishing Hudson and growing it to become the largest provider of CIS compliance and professional services to construction in the UK.

Unfortunately, Dave had the enjoyment of his many years of hard work and success cut tragically short.

A story of success

Dave, the son of a Bridlington milkman, saw no limits to what could be achieved and knew how to spot an opportunity. When in 1996 a client of his groundworks business explained that he was going to lose access to the best tradesmen, because HMRC had insisted they should be PAYE and the lads were against it, Dave offered to step in and Hudson was born. Dave used self-employed operatives himself under a carefully drafted contract which set out their self-employed status, so he simply added the client’s to his own.

After testing the law up to High Court level, in 2006 HMRC was forced to accept that because of the unique way Hudson operates, the operatives we engage are genuinely self-employed, and that our clients could not be held liable for employment status whatsoever.

Hudson grew from a short North and East Yorkshire-based client list paying a few hundred operatives in its infancy, to serving literally thousands of construction firms and tens of thousands of operatives across the entire country today.

A figure that will be sadly missed

Dave was a huge figure in business, a family man, a philanthropist, and a pillar of his community. He will be missed by many.

Ian Anfield, Managing Director of Hudson, said: “Dave was not only my mentor in business but head of our family and my best mate. I miss him every day.

"Although Dave had taken a step back from the day to day workings of Hudson a few years ago, he was never far away and was always willing to act as a sounding board and source of wisdom. He kept in touch with a small number of clients who shared his journey, so I know they will be shocked and saddened to hear he has gone.”

Stuart Sanderson, Director and grandson, said: “Dave made an impression on everyone he met. He was warm, candid and so proud of Hudson. The culture he created here is part of his legacy that will last. I’ll carry him with me every day.” 

A lasting legacy

Dave created a well-run company that does what it says on the tin. The management and staff are proud to continue his legacy as are his family who will also push forward his charitable work.

Alongside The Hudson Foundation, which funds construction apprentices and the bereaved families of Hudson operatives, his family charity ‘The Freeman 1st Foundation’ provides financial support to young people from working class backgrounds so they can succeed in high level sports, the arts, business or academia.

Anyone wishing to show respect for Dave and the family, they can donate to the Freeman 1st Foundation and leave a message at: https://www.justgiving.com/page/davidjackson 

Dave pictured with Hudson Sponsored Apprentices. The scheme has helped more than 300 young people.