Hugh has been leader of of Denbighshire County Council since 2007 having been an Independent County Councillor for Llanfair DC and Gwyddelwern since June 2004.
He has been a Community Councillor since 1990 and currently runs his own farming business. He is a Member of the National Farmers Union and Trustee and Treasurer of a Consolidated Charity.
He is a Member and former Chair of the North Wales Economic Ambition Board, a Member and former Chair of the North Wales Regional Leadership Board and former Chair of the Conwy and Denbighshire Collaboration Board.
He was awarded the Local Government Politician of the Year at the 2010 Wales Yearbook awards and awarded an OBE for services to Local Government in the Queen's Honours List 2012.
This appointment has been made in accordance with the Cabinet Office's Governance Code on Public Appointments. The appointments process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. Under the Code, any significant political activity undertaken by an appointee in the last five years must be declared. This is defined as including holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation, or candidature for election. Hugh declared that he has obtained office as a Local Councillor, spoken on behalf of a party or candidate and held office as Treasurer of the Independent Group of Wales. He has also declared that he is Independent Group Leader for Wales for the WLGA.
