Todd family patriarch John Todd says his royal honour acknowledges his entire clan.
He has been made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to business and the community
The famously private family started up in business more than 120 years ago and its interests have spanned most sectors of business. It is best known now for Todd Energy, the country's biggest domestic energy producer.
Todd took over as chairman of Todd Corporation after his uncle Sir Bryan Todd died in 1987 and since then the business has grown rapidly. He also helped found Philanthropy New Zealand, building on the philanthropic work of the Todd Foundation, which was formed in 1972 and still gives $2 million a year to science, education and charities.
"I feel privileged to receive [the honour] - not just myself but my family has contributed to business, arts and philanthropy and I think my being recognised is as much as anything being the patriarch of the family."
Shares within Todd Corporation have always been held within the family with an estimated fortune of $2.6 billion on the latest NBR Rich List.
John Todd acknowledges the private nature of the family business adds to its mystique. "If you have some success in business people become curious and interested in what's going on."
Todd was educated at Wellington's St Patrick's College and then studied accountancy and commerce at Victoria University, before joining Todd Motors in 1948, becoming managing director in 1968.
The problems faced competing with overseas car makers led Todd to sell its assembly plant and the valuable dealer network to Mitsubishi in 1987.
He became chairman of Todd Corporation shortly after that, as the family looked for other investment opportunities.
His first move was to buy a 25 per cent stake in Clear Communications, which the family later sold to British Telecommunications for about $100 million in 1999 and he went on to substantially expand the energy business.
His other business activities outside the family included sitting on the board of Mitsubishi Motors after it acquired Todd Motors, and seats on boards at different companies including AGC, General Finance and the New Zealand advisory board of Westpac.
He has also been a member of the Overseas Investment Commission and a past president of the Wellington Manufacturers Association.
Todd said a conservative business model was serving the Todd Corporation well in the troubled global economy. "It's important not to get over-extended in giving the banks the opportunity of sequestering your assets - we've been able to sustain our position very well."
Interests in the arts include pioneering the Arts Foundation and being a trustee of the Royal NZ Ballet.
Philanthropic work was becoming more critical in the tough economy and Philanthropy NZ was looking at how it could help charities in desperate need. "We're looking at ways in which we can assist those in the charitable world be more effective."
Todd was due to leave on an overseas trip yesterday.
"I'll be dodging all the fuss."
JOHN TODD - Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to business and the community.
'I feel privileged to receive [the honour] - not just myself but my family has contributed to business, arts and philanthropy.'
