He then formed with a partner a company called Lemmeleg Ltd and ran this until 2005 with a turnover of £30 million then sold out to Rok.
In 2002 he was asked to lead the panel of international architects and urbanists for the Renaissance Initiative for Yorkshire Forward.
He was awarded an honorary doctorate at the University of Huddersfield, a CBE for services to business and regeneration and held the position of Deputy Lieutenant for West Yorkshire and a visiting professor at Leeds Metropolitan University affiliated to the Faculty of Business and Law.
In 2010, Hodgkinson set up The Alchemists Foundation which is a community interest company with beneficiaries being 16- to 19-year-olds to inspire and help them develop themselves.
In March 2011 he launched his first book Beyond Expectation and his new personal brand titled Inspiration for Industry, Education and Regeneration to target non-executive Chair opportunities, industry and professional conference chair, ambassadorial roles and speaking engagements.