About
The 21st Century House of Wisdom
We are inspired by the first House of Wisdom in Baghdad. A beacon of the Golden Age. Scientists, philosophers, and thinkers gathered from every culture — to learn, to challenge, and to transform the world. Today, we are its 21st-century evolution.
Today’s world is drowning in complexity, real solutions remain buried. Knowledge sits idle. Wisdom goes unheard. Innovation, too often, is locked behind closed doors. We’ve built a modern solution to these problems.
Our Values
Rooted in Wisdom
We believe knowledge is a trust to be shared. Like the scholars of the original House of Wisdom, we cut through complexity to bring clarity, so leaders can make confident decisions.
Respect for Heritage
Every business is shaped by its culture and traditions. We honour these foundations by helping organisations grow, adapt, and embrace new opportunities with dignity and respect.
Excellence with Purpose
For us, excellence is not about perfection for its own sake — it’s about meaningful impact. We hold ourselves to the highest standards so that every solution truly serves our clients’ ambitions.
Stewardship for the Future
We measure success not only by today’s results but by the legacy left for tomorrow. Our work carries a responsibility to create value and transfer knowledge that endures across generations.
“There has been a long-acknowledged problem regarding the lack of interaction between the worlds of business and academia. House of Wisdom is our response to this gap, aiming to forge a global coalition of diverse, brilliant minds committed to solving the most pressing challenges of our time.”
John Kelley-Quinn | Founder & CEO
The Power of The Hive Mind
At House of Wisdom, we believe the best solutions are forged through connection. By bringing talented people with diverse skillsets together, we turn dormant knowledge into action—and action into change.
Intellectual growth, meaningful debates, impactful collaboration and groundbreaking innovations are now achievable within the House of Wisdom.
“By creating a platform to share knowledge from a wide range of backgrounds; we’re empowering individuals and communities to enact tangible change, leveraging technology and human intelligence to create a better tomorrow.”
Rasheed A. Al-Rasheed | Chairman
Meet the vanguards steering the House of Wisdom
Rasheed A. Al-Rasheed
Chairman
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John Kelley-Quinn
Founder & CEO
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James Tavendale
Co-Founder & COO
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James Elwen
Senior Counsel and Director
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Sean Sweeney
Content and Live Events Director
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Paul Colrain
Academic Collaboration Director & Problem-Solving Strategist
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Our Mission Unfolds
In 2026, this movement launches in Saudi Arabia—building a global hub for innovation and knowledge transfer. Where ideas and people unite to solve humanity’s toughest challenges.
We’re building something extraordinary, and we’d love for you to be a part of it. If you’d like to be one of the first people to access The House of Wisdom – join our waitlist today.
Rasheed A. Al-Rasheed
Chairman
Rasheed A. Al-Rasheed is a prominent Saudi business leader with over 30 years of experience in leadership, management, information technology, accounting, investment and finance. He has held significant positions in various leading organisations within Saudi Arabia’s investment and utilities sectors.
John Kelley-Quinn
Founder & CEO
John Kelley-Quinn is the pioneering visionary behind the House of Wisdom, bringing to the fore his seasoned leadership and a strategic vision honed by a Doctoral Level education across business and leadership. His prowess in propelling complex organizations to international success is matched only by his zeal for organizational and cultural development. A champion of growth and transformation, John’s innovative approach to leadership and problem solving leaves an indelible mark on the fabric of progressive business environments.
James Tavendale
Co-Founder & COO
Jim Tavendale stands at the intersection of business and technology, with extensive experience in process engineering that has catapulted business functions to new heights in both the UK and the Middle East. His expertise lies in architecting strategic business change and global transformation projects, advancing work environments, and refining operational practices through the integration of emergent technologies.
James Elwen
Senior Counsel and Director
James Elwen is a legal and commercial powerhouse whose strategic insights have been crucial in navigating the complexities of global business transactions. With deep roots in business, technology, and sports law, James delivers top-tier legal strategies, contributing significantly to HOW’s mission by aligning legal prowess with the organization’s ambitious goals.
Sean Sweeney
Content and Live Events Director
Sean Sweeney is an accomplished business leader and entrepreneur, having co-founded Encore Tickets and piloting it to become a leader in the UK ticketing arena. His post-Encore consultancy career spans an impressive portfolio of clients, reflecting a storied journey through sales, marketing, operations, and e-commerce, leaving an indelible imprint on the entertainment and tourism industries.
Paul Colrain
Academic Collaboration Director & Problem-Solving Strategist
With a robust foundation in both natural and social sciences, Paul Colrain is a distinguished leader whose international tenure includes pivotal roles at CERN and the UN. Armed with a Doctorate in Particle Physics and Masters in International Economics and Software Development, Paul brings over two decades of experience to tackle complex business challenges, driving innovation and impactful change across multiple sectors.