Hugo holds an MEng, and PhD in Aeronautical Engineering from the University of Bristol; the latter was on self-healing composite sandwich materials under the supervision of Professor Ian Bond. He then moved to industry, working in nuclear R&D for Rolls-Royce plc., before moving to the University of Leicester to work on space radioisotope power systems with Professor Richard Ambrosi. Hugo led the laboratory testing of the first representative radioisotope thermoelectric generator (RTG) technology outside the USA or Russia under contract to the European Space Agency (ESA).
Hugo continued to develop his academic career at Leicester, undertaking several leadership roles at School and College level culminating in a period as Interim Head of School. He joined the School of Metallurgy and Materials at the University of Birmingham in summer 2022 to take up the Chair in Aerospace Engineering.
Hugo is a Chartered Engineer, Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers and a Senior Fellow of HEA (Advance HE).