Hugh has over 40 years experience in the petrol and convenience industry and is a true pioneer in the development of C Stores in Australia . In 1979 Hugh was one of the people who started the Food Plus concept in Australia for BP.  After leaving BP in the early 90’s Hugh worked with Engineering Consultancy (CMPS&F) and then had a short stint in Real-Estate (R&W Hunters Hill). However through this time Hugh never lost his passion for retailing and was working on the development of the first buying group for fuel operators whose sites did not meet the petrol companies franchise criteria. After selling the company he then remained self employed and became involved in an Auction Clearing House (Mason Gray Strange) and financing a very successful  Financial Planning Soft Ware Development (Xplan). In 2002 Hugh decided to get back into retailing and started Creative Retail Solutions (CRS) with his wife Rosalyn in “the Bunker” (his home office)  and in 2004 started C-Store Solutions (CSS). These two companies were simple buying groups and provided retail members the ability to buy better. 

In 2006 Hugh realised that if the independents were to survive against the major supermarkets aggressively entering the C Store market then CRS and CSS would need to be more than a simple buying group. In fact CRS and CSS would need to help all members develop their retailing and management skills. 

In 2007 Hugh launched New Sunrise. The purpose of New Sunrise is to give the independent C Store Retailers an affordable but comprehensive retail system or model that will help them drive sales and reduce costs. His vision for New Sunrise is to provide operational, merchandising and promotional support for their members so that each member can “Buy Better, Sell Smarter and Bank More”.  

From humble beginnings in the “bunker”  New Sunrise Group has been the fastest growing group of independent retailers over the last three years and now has just under 700 members and accounts for approximately $1 billion dollars of Retail Sales per year.