South African born and bred Hugh was educated in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban. Post matric qualifications are the AIISA and a Diploma in Business Management.

Hugh has spent 28 years in the marine insurance industry with Price Forbes / Alexander Forbes as well as a brief stint as a marine claims assessor and recoveries agent. He developed through the ranks of the Forbes group to Deputy Managing Director of their Transportation Risk Management division.

During this time experience was gained in all aspects of marine insurance and transportation risk management and in alternative risk transfer mechanics.

In 1999 Hugh left the Forbes Group to help establish Eikos Risk Applications.