After 49 years in the leather industry, James (Jim) Broadhead has announced his retirement. Born in Skipton, Yorkshire, Jim attended the University of Leeds where he obtained a BSc (Hons) Chemistry of Leather Manufacturing.

He then worked for Gomshall & Associated Tanneries between 1961-1963, and Union Industries (part of the Gomshall Group) from 1963-1981. For the past 22 years he has been an employee of New Zealand Light Leathers Ltd (NZLL), beginning with NZLL Hastings Tannery (1984-1988) and NZLL (1988- present).