Meredydd Hughes

Meredydd Hughes serves as a Senior Research Fellow at CENTRIC, Sheffield Hallam University, leveraging 32 years of high-level policing leadership to address critical societal threats in democratic systems. Retired as Chief Constable of South Yorkshire Police in 2011, he now concurrently holds positions as Non-Executive Director of Sheffield Children’s Hospital, international security consultant, and corporate executive while maintaining active academic engagement.

His research focuses on:

• Operational policing strategies for evolving security landscapes
• Public order management during major events
• Emergency response coordination systems
• Counter-terrorism frameworks for democratic societies
• Leadership under sustained threat environments

His distinguished service has been recognized through:

• Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
• Queen's Police Medal (QPM)

Hughes directs practical security research at CENTRIC by translating real-world operational experience into academic frameworks, with particular emphasis on adapting policing methodologies to contemporary societal challenges including global terrorism and public safety during international events like the Papal Visit and Olympic Games.