Hugh is a director of ASL Aviation Holdings and Chairman of its subsidiary Airlines namely ASL Airlines Ireland, ASL Airlines France, ASL Airlines Belgium and ASL Airlines Hungary.

Hugh is also a member of the Board of Directors of Safair Holdings based in Johannesburg, South Africa. As Group Chief Executive of ASL from 2005 until Jul 2020, Hugh led a number of major transactions including airline acquisitions. ASL now has an annual turnover of a billion U.S. dollars and operates a fleet of circa 135 aircraft globally.

Together with its aviation support companies and leasing activities, the ASL fleet consists of varying aircraft ranging from B747/B737/B757 series, A300, A330, Hercules to ATR types which operate worldwide.

A dual citizen of Ireland and South Africa, Hugh began his aviation career in 1972 undergoing officer training at the SA Military Academy and then pilot training in the SAAF.

During the late ‘70s and early ’80s he gained experience in commerce in both the banking and transportation industries. In 1984 he joined Safair and held CEO roles in the United States, South Africa and the United Kingdom. He has since amassed over 30 years’ experience as a senior aviation business leader.

Hugh still enjoys flying and continues to hold a Commercial Pilot License.