Sir John Todd passes away
The former Chairman of the Todd Corporation and one of New Zealand’s most distinguished business leaders of the post-war
years, Sir John Todd, has died.
In an announcement today by Sir John’s son, Mike Todd, it was disclosed that Sir John, the Todd Family patriarch, passed
away at his Wellington home on Wednesday evening after a period of ill health. He was aged 88.
Sir John was a grandson of the Company’s founder, Charles Todd, and began his career with the family enterprise in 1945,
at age 18.
From his first job on the assembly line at Todd Motors in Petone, he went on to join the managerial ranks and played a
key role in building the Todd business into one of New Zealand’s most successful companies.
Working his way up through the Company, Sir John was appointed Managing Director of Todd Motors in 1968, Deputy Chairman
of the Todd Board in 1978, and then in 1987 he became Chairman of the newly constituted Todd Corporation, a position he
held until his retirement in December 2011.
The Todd Group’s portfolio of businesses and investments today includes energy comprising oil and gas exploration and
production, and the Nova Energy generation and retail business – minerals, property, winemaking, healthcare products and
technology.
Sir John was deeply involved in Todd Family giving, joining the administrative board of the philanthropic Todd
Foundation when the body was established in 1972. He had chaired the Foundation since 1988.
Mike Todd today paid tribute to his father, describing him as an entrepreneur who will be remembered for his vision,
integrity and generosity.
“Our father was a highly respected New Zealander who made a significant contribution to business and philanthropy. He
was a man of enterprise and grace and he will be greatly missed.”
“Our family salutes him for the work he did in the service of our wonderful family enterprise,” Mike Todd said.
Sir John’s honours included being awarded the Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2009; receiving the
Wellington Icon award in the city’s Gold Awards in 2010, induction into the Fairfax Media New Zealand Business Hall of
Fame in 2011; and a knighthood in the 2012 New Year’s Honours – the third in the family to receive such an accolade
after his father, Sir Desmond, and his uncle, Sir Bryan.
ends