Hugh graduated BA (Hons) and MA (Hons) in English Language & Literature from the University of Oxford and MLitt in Creative Writing (with Distinction) from the University of St Andrews. His PhD research is in rhetoric and writing.

Hugh has worked in Higher Education senior management for over 20 years, including as Registrar and Chief Administrative Officer at The British University in Dubai; University Secretary, University of Bedfordshire; Chief of Staff, London School of Economics; Head of Governance, University of Bristol; various executive roles, University of St Andrews. His current post is Registrar and Chief Operating Officer at the Asian University for Women.

As an academic, Hugh held the post of Associate Lecturer at The Open University for 15 years.

Before working in universities, he held various management positions for the retailer W H Smith Ltd, becoming their Head of Customer Relations in 1996.

Hugh is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Educators, a non-Executive Director of a US/Zimbabwean charity, and has been the Chair of the Academy Council at a UK secondary school. He is a Senior Advisor at the Halpin Partnership.

He is a mentor to Oxbridge candidates in the UAE and to current students at the University of Oxford and the University of St Andrews.

He holds various professional associations and accreditations such as membership of the Association of Heads of University Administration (AHUA), the CMI Certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership, and Affiliate Member of the Institute of Risk Management. Fellowship of the Chartered Management Institute is in progress.

He is a published poet and writes regular articles for leading education publications including the Times Higher Education, the Higher Education Digest, and QS. He has a regular blog on international education for AHUA where he serves as international spokesperson on their Communications Group.

Hugh is frequently invited to speak at international conferences and panels including the Times Higher Education, QS MAPLE, EduTech, Bett MEA, and TED.