She has seen many changes in industry including the increasing presence of women in the work place.
But after 39 years at a Norwich plastic manufacturing factory, a former chemist who formed a group to empower women in business has retired.
Dr Lilian Hodgson, from Newmarket Street in Norwich, left UCP and Zeller Plastik on Salhouse Road in Norwich, on October 5 - her 65th birthday.
To mark the occasion, a large cake made by Norfolk Catering was cut into 300 pieces - enough to feed all of the factory's employees.
Dr Hodgson, a University of East Anglia graduate who joined the firm as a chemist, said the 'caring' company had 'nurtured' her.
UCP and Zeller Plastik makes plastic tops for household containers and Dr Hodgson ended up networking for the firm.
In 1997 she was one of four women who helped start the Norfolk and Norwich Women in Management group.
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