Jim spent the majority of his working life at the UK Hydrographic Office where he was initially trained as a compiler, working on both new charts and updating existing ones covering all parts of the world. During his career he also specialised in Photogrammetry and in latter years specialised in Electronic Charts (ENCs) spending 2½ years working in Stavanger, Norway on a joint venture with the Norwegians.
Jim retired at the end of December 2009 and is now acting as the Secretary of the local Conservative Club and as Treasurer of various other organisations. Jim also owns a small bookkeeping business.