Ric Todd Explained

Ric Todd
Office:High Commissioner of the United Kingdom to Cyprus
Term Start:2014
Term End:2016
Predecessor:Matthew Kidd
Successor:Matthew Kidd
Office2:Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands
Term Start2:2011[1]
Term End2:2013
Premier2:Rufus Ewing
Predecessor2:Gordon Wetherell
Successor2:Peter Beckingham
Birth Date:29 August 1959
Birth Place:Crawley, West Sussex, England, United Kingdom
Spouse:Magdalena Todd
Alma Mater:Worcester College, Oxford

Damian Roderic Todd (born 29 August 1959) is a career British diplomat who has served as Ambassador to Slovakia, Ambassador to Poland, Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands and High Commissioner to Cyprus.

Personal and career

Todd attended Lawrence Sheriff School, Rugby, then studied History at Worcester College, Oxford, and entered the Diplomatic Service in 1980. His diplomatic postings included:[2]

In 2016 Todd left his post in Cyprus for personal reasons. He was replaced by Matthew Kidd who had preceded Todd as High Commissioner.[3]

Criticism

Many Turks Islanders, including the Turks and Caicos Islands Conservation Society, criticized Todd's environmental record. While acting as Governor of Turks and Caicos, Ric Todd unilaterally amended a long-standing provision in Turks and Caicos law that prohibited the importation (and non-natural exploitation) of marine mammals in Turks and Caicos. Despite the United Kingdom's ban on performing captive animals, Todd's amendment specifically allows for the importation and use of marine mammals for the purpose of "display, exhibition and performance" – the principal marine mammal this may be targeted towards is a likely dolphin attraction.[4]

Notes and References

  1. http://www.fptci.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2839:new-governor-says-uk-committed-to-2012-elections&catid=18:local&Itemid=26 "New governor says U.K. committed to 2012 elections,"
  2. http://www.ukwhoswho.com/view/article/oupww/whoswho/U42073 TODD, Damian Roderic, (Ric)
  3. http://famagusta-gazette.com/ric-todd-steps-down-as-british-high-commissioner-in-cyprus-p34380-69.htm Ric Todd steps down as British High Commissioner in Cyprus
  4. News: Narine. Vanessa. Petition To Stop Dolphin Attraction Gains Momentum. 16 November 2012. Turks & Caicos Weekly News. 2012.