Hugh graduated from Glasgow University with an honours degree in Accountancy then trained as a Chartered Accountant with Coopers & Lybrand. Shortly thereafter he also qualified as a Certified Information Systems Auditor, specialising in business process and controls review and design.
After leaving the accountancy profession he worked at Strathclyde University, British Energy and ScottishPower, in roles variously involving: financial and management accounting; data interrogation and analysis; financial modelling; systems analysis, design and specification; change/project management; risk management; corporate governance; process and controls review, design and reengineering.
Hugh joined Golds Solicitors in July 2004, and became part of Irwin Mitchell with the merger of Golds and Irwin Mitchell in 2007.