Ram Todd (1932-2020) – in his own words

Ram arrived in London from Mumbai as a penniless student with the aim to educate himself and to improve his future life prospects. He started work as a messenger boy in a London advertising agency and attended evening classes to qualify as an advertising and marketing professional. Fortunately, he had a number of lucky breaks and made good progress early in his career, specialising in managing fast moving consumer products. He met and married Helga Drews from Germany, who had come to London to work as an au pair and to learn English. Later he joined Cadbury UK, later working in various international positions in Africa, Asia and London. After over 20 years with Cadbury international he took early retirement to live somewhere interesting and warmer in the southern part of Europe. Following Helga’s death in October 2003, Ram decided to devote his time, knowledge and experience to return something to society, particularly in the five countries – England, Germany, India, Indonesia and Nigeria – where they had lived and worked. He decided to establish a charity in memory of Helga and so the Helga Todd Teachers’ Education Foundation was registered with the Charities Commission England in March 2008, to advance teacher education and training. Ram believes in the following three philosophical and humanitarian teachings: “Just as little drops of water together make the ocean, so little acts of kindness and compassion can and will make a difference”. “The truly wealthy man is not one who has but one who gives away what he has”. “Worldly possessions matter very little. We cannot take them with us to the world beyond”.