Hugh is an authentic, influential and purpose-based Chief Executive leader that delivers growth, sustainability and profitability by connecting shared values and purpose with improved communication and strong relationships across an organisation. With a lifelong passion for agriculture and creating sustainable futures, he has a deep understanding of sustainable finance and its application to large scale agribusiness. He believes instilling a unified purpose as the guiding principle that a company lives by creates a framework that delivers genuine value to shareholders and satisfaction to employees.As the MD & CEO of Australian Agricultural Company (AACo) he led the turnaround of the company’s performance, with his relentless focus on strategy, while building a high-performing team. This resulted in AACo posting its strongest financial results ever in FY22. Hugh has also steered AACo through some of the worst droughts and floods Australian agriculture has ever seen, along with global impacts of COVID-19. Prior to joining AACo, Hugh spent 25 years as a senior executive working with Westpac and State Street in global financial markets across Australia, the UK and North America where he attended Harvard Business School.Hugh has a lifelong association with agriculture, born and raised on pastoral properties in northern NSW and south-west Queensland. He continues to have strong personal involvement through his own private farm in southern NSW.Hugh sits on a number of advisory boards and is regularly invited to present on sustainability, natural capital and sustainable finance.