A travel tycoon and entrepreneur who invested in arts and crafts traditions has sadly died aged 51. Hugo Burge, 51, restored a Georgian stately home in the Scottish Borders and used it as a retreat for artists, with a focus on rush chairs.
He died suddenly on Wednesday and was remembered as a "gentleman" and a great boss. Hugo bought stately home Marchmont House, in Greenlaw, Scottish Borders, with his dad Oliver, in 2007.
A restoration of the Georgia house began in 2011 and eight years later it was recognised with awards. Hugo and Oliver, who acquired the Marchmont Estate in 1988, encouraged the hosting of artists, artisans, and other creators.
In a statement, Marchmont House said: "It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Hugo Burge who died suddenly at home on Wednesday 10 May. Hugo's kindness, intelligence, curiosity and belief in a better world made him an inspiration to us all.
"He was a beloved son and a great friend. We will miss him terribly. His family ask for privacy at this time. Arrangements for a memorial service will be announced in due course."
Marchmont House has been a centre for artists and creatives since 1750. The residence offers retreats and workshops to people working across a broad spectrum of art, crafts and sculpture.
A pioneer in online travel, Hugo spearheaded the growth of the flight search website, Cheapflights, in the UK and the US after first investing in 2000. After becoming CEO of the business in 2011, he led the acquisition of Momondo, which in 2017 was sold to Booking Holdings (formerly Priceline) for £440 million.
In 2006 he also co-founded HOWZAT Partners, an early-stage investment fund with notable successes including Trivago and Just Spices. Together with his father, he undertook a meticulous, eight-year-long restoration of Marchmont House, for which they were awarded the prestigious 2018 Historic Houses Sotheby's Restoration Award, the Georgian Group 2017 Architectural Award for Best Restoration of a Georgian Interior.
Specific emphasis was placed on employing local craftspeople and filling the house with an eclectic collection of art and antiques.
Hugo re-imagined the Palladian mansion as a 'home to Makers & Creators'; hosting events and concerts, building studios, and providing workspaces for painters, printmakers, stone-carvers, chair-makers and silversmiths.
In 2019 he established a new charity, Marchmont Makers Foundation, with the goal of inspiring creativity, funding writers' and artists' residencies, supporting nearby schools and charities, and in the process regenerating the local community.
He was also a Director of Wasps_ Studios - Scotland's largest provider of art spaces, and a Patron of the Borders Art Fair. Sarah Hanan, chief commercial officer at DoHop, had previously worked with Burge at Momondo Group.
She told travel industry website Skift: "Hugo was a true gentleman, a wonderful leader, and a friend. His tenacity and vision drove the global success of Cheapfights, and later Momondo. He created a wonderful work culture that all ex-Cheapflighters still talk about today. We will miss him terribly."
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