BRENT JohnstonBRENT Johnston, the owner of Bridgman Street Panelbeaters , was destined to take over the family business, having been given shares in the company when he was just 6 months old. This year he celebrates 60 years in the business his father started.The Johnstons' connection with Dunedin began aboard the May Queen, an emigrant ship from the UK destined for Dunedin, in 1872. Their youngest son, Victor Johnston, on return from serving in WW1 as part of the New Zealand Rifle Brigade, began his own family. ``It was unsaid that I was going to someday take over the business - it was expected, so at 16 I started my apprenticeship. At this point, Brent found himself in sole charge of the business, overseeing a staff of 18.

Source: Otago Daily Times May 23, 2017 12:00 UTC