Hugh is an experienced Chartered Accountant who built Lanham and Company, which was established in 1986. He remains involved in mainly specialist roles and as Chairman of the Board.

In 2003, having become increasingly involved in social housing, Hugh left the practice in the hands of his partners to spend two years as Director of Resources for Broadland Housing Association in Norfolk which manages around 4,000 homes. 

Following that, in 2006, Hugh became Finance Director of Reidmark Limited the supplier of housing software with which Broadland Housing had been a development partner and worked also on further software development with them.

In the past Hugh has also been a Director of many organisations including, small Businesses, other Housing Associations, Charities and a Building Society.