PERSPECTIVE: Ad industry waves a very fond farewell to Gentleman Jim at 75.(James Garrett to retire)

James Garrett's decision to close down the commercials production company he founded 40 years ago and retire at a sprightly 75 marks the end of an era.

Garrett has always been one of the more decent and intelligent people in a business full of decent and intelligent types. Supremely well connected, as befits a past president of the 30 Club, it's difficult to overstate how influential his company has been to the worldwide standing of the London production business.

'Gentleman Jim' was a true pioneer. He was not afraid to question the union closed shop that once exercised such a stranglehold on the business.

He was the first to set up standalone production companies, each with its own chemistry.

His was the first UK production company to open up a US sales office in New York. Relying on director talent as its stock in trade (and, arguably, relying too much on its directing figurehead Richard Loncraine who became increasingly absent on film and TV work), Garretts was never afraid to hunt for new directing talent from advertising and from stills photography. David Bailey and Terrence Donovan were early recruits.

Garrett dedicated a remarkable working life to improving the standards of the industry and perfecting its working practices. A hard taskmaster, but gracious and generous to a fault, and with a wicked sense of humour, he brought a sense of professionalism and good ...