Hugh was educated at Bryanston School, Dorset (1953 - 1958), on leaving he entered the wine trade as a trainee with Findlater Mackie Todd & Co Ltd., in 1959 he took a 3 month break to study wine production in France. In 1960 he joined Fergusons Ltd, Reading till 1965 when he joined Saccone & Speed Ltd., after several appointments became Wine Development Manager and Director of Percy Fox & Co Ltd with responsibility for the group's wine buying, product knowledge training and representation at external trade organisations. In 1984 became Managing Director City Vintagers London Ltd. till 1987 when he was appointed Buyer of the Wines and Spirits Department at Harrods. 1991- 2001 Penfolds Wine Group (Southcorp Wines) - Vice President European Sales.

Over the years he was a member of the Institute of MWs Council and Chairman of the Education Committee, he also Chaired the Wine and Spirit Association's French, German and Spanish Wines Committees. In 1983 he was awarded the Chevalier de l'Ordre du Merite Agricole.