Born in London, Hadden began his career in 1959 as an office assistant at Matthews, Wrightson, and Burbidge. He later joined the tanker department and remained in that sector throughout his career. After working for various companies in London and New York, he eventually settled in Melbourne, Australia, where he joined Elder-Austral Chartering, later acquired by Clarksons.
Debra Hampton, a former colleague hired by Hadden in Australia, described him as a prominent figure in the industry. Hampton, who later became a director at Clarksons in Singapore, highlighted his ability to build relationships worldwide and his larger-than-life personality. She also credited him with giving her an opportunity in shipbroking 37 years ago, well before it became common practice.
Vaughan English, managing director of Braemar Asia Pacific, who worked with Hadden at Austral, praised his character and mentoring skills. English noted that Hadden’s approach, both in the office and socially, left a lasting impact on many shipping professionals.
Hadden, known for his vibrant personality, continued to participate in industry events after his retirement. He took part in Clarkson’s 150th anniversary celebrations and attended Posidonia in Athens, where he was involved in the company's hospitality efforts.
In his later years, Hadden helped establish the Melbourne Gentleman's Club (MGC) with industry friends, which became a gathering place for shipbrokers and owners. The MGC’s motto was “no bar too far, no beach out of reach.”
Hadden had been battling cancer for some time and underwent surgery following a recent fall. He passed away on Sunday, 6 October.
