Awarded an OBE for services to tourism and hospitality in 2008, Hugh has been in the hotel business since 1989.

He’s been Marketing Director of Radisson Edwardian & Ramada Jarvis, Vice President of Marketing for Hilton UK & Ireland, and Regional Vice President for Hilton - all before becoming CEO of a privately held, 60-strong, UK hotel business.

Other industry roles include Chairman of The Hotel Marketing Association, Chairman of Visit England, a Director of Visit Britain, and Chairman of the Hilton in the Community Foundation.