Coming from a military and intelligence background, Hugh has spent a number of years working with Middle Eastern governments on various defence and security matters. Most recently, he has been working extensively with the UAE Ministry of Defence and UAE Government as an advisor and coordinator. Hugh has worked on a number of high-level projects such as geospatial intelligence integration, the establishment of new spatial data analysis and coordination centres, as well as organised a number of closed and open sessions on military logistics, national security, unmanned aerial vehicles, geospatial intelligence, critical national infrastructure as well as maritime security and surveillance.

As well as being a Middle East region specialist, Hugh has extensive knowledge of military and special forces operations and procedures, close protection, intelligence, tracking and surveillance technologies and reconnaissance techniques. He is a fluent Spanish and Arabic speaker and also a martial arts instructor.