Hugh’s career has been defined by a deep commitment to social housing and property management. Initially, he envisioned a career abroad, building homes for communities in need. “I wanted to make a practical difference,” he explains. However, as his career evolved, Hugh realised the pressing need for high-quality, affordable housing in the UK where he has dedicated over 30 years of his professional life.
Before taking on his current role, Hugh worked in various commercial property sectors. It was in this context that he began to feel a growing desire for work that aligned more closely with his Christian values. “I was praying specifically about the difficulty of being in a very commercial organisation as a Christian,” he says. “I wanted to work somewhere overtly Christian.”
When the Director of Property Services position became available at Pilgrims’ Friend Society, Hugh felt that God’s timing was perfect. “It just seemed to use all the experience I’d gathered over the years. Every aspect of what I’d done seemed to come together in this one role.”
Overseeing property services
As Director of Property Services, Hugh oversees the development and maintenance of Pilgrims’ Friend Society’s care home and housing portfolio. His responsibilities range from managing existing properties to planning new developments to meet the needs of a growing ageing population. One core area is the Growth and Renewal Programme, which aims to modernise older homes and build new ones to provide high-quality care and accessibility for our ‘family members’ (those who live with us).
“Growth and renewal involves everything from taking on existing care homes currently run by small charities who find it a challenge to meet the demands of a now highly regulated sector to finding sites for new developments,” Hugh explains. “It’s about how we provide Christian care in modern, efficient, and safe ways.”
This means that part of Hugh’s role involves actively seeking out new sites for development and ensuring that they align with our organisation’s values. This requires frequent travel to assess building sites. For example, he’s currently overseeing a planning application for a new building at Homesdale in Wanstead, working with consultants, architects, and project managers. Hugh is directly involved in managing reports, public consultations, and coordinating the entire project.
In addition to development work, Hugh oversees asset management, which involves maintaining and improving the existing properties. Each property requires ongoing care to ensure it remains safe, accessible, and conducive to the high standards of care that Pilgrims’ Friend Society prides itself on. Hugh leads a team of four property services managers, who each manage multiple properties. “We just went through budgeting for next year, which is complex,” he says. “We’re lucky to have an experienced team.”
Creating high-quality homes
Providing high-quality care and living spaces for older people is more than a job for Hugh. “As Christians, we’re called to honour our elders and care for widows and orphans,” he says. “Providing high-quality Christian care is a way of living out those values.”
The work of providing great care is connected to the environment in which it takes place.
“Care in our homes is different,” Hugh explains. “Even in older buildings, the love and personcentred care shine through. But there’s a nightand-day difference when you compare older sites with something like Middlefields House. Our Chippenham care home was purposebuilt, with wide corridors, spacious rooms, en-suite bathrooms, big windows, and beautiful gardens. It’s light and airy, designed for the way we provide Christian care.”
Faith-based leadership
Hugh’s Christian faith plays a central role in his leadership style. Drawing inspiration from Jesus’ example, he seeks to lead with humility and integrity. “In my early career, I focused on building my resumé. Now, I draw inspiration from Jesus as the ultimate example of leadership. His patience and humility guide me. It’s about serving others, not seeking personal glory.”
At Pilgrims’ Friend Society, Hugh values the sense of purpose that comes with working for a Christian organisation. “My goal is to follow God’s will for this organisation. It’s not about personal ambition but about service – creating environments where people thrive.”