Hugh graduated from the University of Oxford with a BA (Hons) and an MA (Hons) in English Language and Literature. This was followed by an 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 the University Secretary at the University of Bedfordshire, the Chief of Staff at the London School of Economics, the Head of Governance at the University of Bristol, and the Executive Officer at the University of St Andrews. His most recent post is Registrar and Chief Administrative Officer at The British University in Dubai.

As an academic, Hugh held the post of Associate Lecturer at The Open University for 15 years. Before returning to work in universities, he worked in 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 (the governing body) at a UK secondary school. He serves as 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 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, writes a regular blog on international education for the Association of Heads of University Administration (AHUA), and is frequently invited to speak at international conferences and panels including the Times Higher Education, QS MAPLE, EduTech, Bett MEA, and TEDx.