Sunday, 1 January 2012Long serving Rotarian and Wellington businessman, John Todd, has been recognised in the New Year's Honours List with a well-deserved Knighthood. Sir John has been a member of RCW for more than 40 years.
As reported by the DominionPost he is the third member of the Todd family to receive a knighthood for services to business.
New knight and former head of Todd Motors Sir John Todd says his favourite steed was a Chrysler Valiant. Sir John admits to being "a bit jealous" of elite cars such as Mercedes-Benz, but as head of Todd Motors from the late 1960s to the late 1980s he could not drive a car from outside the company stable.
"But I very much enjoyed driving the Chrysler Valiant we [Todd Motors] got from Australia," Sir John said.
The former chairman of Todd Corporation has been knighted for services to business a month after retiring as head of the family company after a 66-year career.
Todd Corporation interests run from oil, gas and power to property, wine, and a stake in Sky TV. The wider family, with about 200 members, is estimated to be worth $2.7 billion.
Sir John, 84, began work at 18 spot- welding cars at Petone's Todd Motors Assembly Plant in 1945 and worked his way up to managing director of Todd Motors in 1968, becoming deputy chairman of the Todd board 10 years later. He was elected chairman in 1987, taking over from his uncle, Bryan Todd.
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