Gwilym Hughes was elected Supernumerary Fellow and Bursar in 1996 and Emeritus Fellow in 2019. He served as Head of the Endowment Office and Investment Bursar from 2015 to 2019.

While Bursar, he was active in many College and University projects, notably the transfer of Nuffield Place to the National Trust in 2012 and the reform of the College Contributions (taxation) scheme in 2008. He served three terms as Chair of OXWED, the joint enterprise with Oxford City Council to redevelop the Oxpens quarter of Oxford.

Hughes co-founded the Oxford Intelligence Group with Michael Hermanin 2004 and has been the Director of the OIG since 2005, organising termly seminars and major conferences on the subject.

The study of intelligence contributes to public policy, international relations, and strategic studies into deterrence and the causes of conflict. The study of intelligence improves the understanding of events and is relevant to many areas of research by doctoral students, research fellows and senior academics. It is also a component in the study of the changing character of war [CCW]. The OIG aims to contribute across this wide spectrum and is unique in its seminar/dinner format.