Broadbent inducted into Hall of Fame
Well-known Kerikeri real estate agent Jim Broadbent has been inducted into the Barfoot & Thompson Hall of Fame, joining just 15 other employees around the country to receive the honour in the company’s 98-year history.
Broadbent’s induction took place at the Kerikeri branch, managing director Peter Thompson presenting him with a trophy hand-crafted by Kerikeri glass artist Sue Hawker.
He began his career in real estate in his father’s business in Kerikeri. He moved to Auckland in 1988, joining the Mission Bay branch of Barfoot & Thompson and making the list of the firm’s top 12 salespeople in his first year.
He spent 15 years in sales in Auckland’s eastern suburbs before returning home in 2003 as a founding salesman of the newly opened Kerikeri branch. He subsequently managed the Kerikeri branch for five years, at what Thompson described as a difficult time in real estate.
“Without his desire to help, the Kerikeri branch may not be here today,” he said.
“While currently struggling with health concerns, Jim continues to be part of the team, and his commitment is never questioned.”
Broadbent, now 67, stepped aside from management in 2017 but continued as a lifestyle and residential salesman, as well as supporting the new branch manager, Hayden Clarke.
Past and present colleagues also spoke at the induction, describing him variously as loyal, honest, dedicated, and straight up and down. They also recalled his sense of humour, mentoring of new staff, prodigious memory for properties and people, and fondness for a good yarn.
Broadbent is also one of the country’s top breeders of German short-haired pointers, a dog breed in demand for hunting and conservation work.
In January about 200 dog owners and 30 canines from around New Zealand attended a party to say farewell him, and to see him hand over his dog-breeding business to Kaitaia woman Ashley Waitai-Dye.