[4] Hughes was educated at Emanuel School in London, and was a member of Adam and the Ants, also producing their albums, Kings of the Wild Frontier and Prince Charming.
[5] He began working with the band again on their third album, The Seeds of Love, but left the project due to creative differences.
Hughes also produced the Electric Soft Parade's debut album, Holes in the Wall, which was nominated for the Mercury Prize,[5] and Propaganda's 1234.
[7] At db records,[8] Hughes worked on the early development of Tom McRae[9] and the Electric Soft Parade, producing debut albums that were both nominated for a Mercury Music Prize.
Hughes has worked with many artists including: Adam and the Ants, Def Leppard, Tears for Fears, Robert Plant, Paul McCartney, Peter Gabriel, Ric Ocasek, Wang Chung, Tom McRae, the Electric Soft Parade, Propaganda, Howard Jones, Lloyd Cole, Jon Bon Jovi, Tori Amos, Enya (Eithne Ní Bhraonáin), Moya Brennan (Máire Ní Bhraonáin) the voice of Clannad, Crybaby, Stackridge, the Teardrop Explodes and Sam Brookes.