Born at Nottingham, the son of the Rev. B. Hughes Smith (1892-1963; e.m. 1916) and educated at Bolton School and Emmanuel College, Cambridge. He trained for the ministry at Wesley House, Cambridge and after national service was SCM secretary for the East Midlands 1955-1958. While in the Birmingham (South-West) Circuit 1965-1974 he also served as chaplain to Birmingham University and Westhill College, Selly Oak. He was Chairman of the Birmingham District 1974-1987 and General Secretary of the Division of Education and Youth 1988-1995. He was elected President of the 1985 Conference and was President of the National Christian Education Council 1996-1999. His publications include Music of the Heart (1989).