Todd Debreceny

Now calling London home and having lived abroad for over 25 years, Todd was back in Wellington for a few days and was impressed with the redevelopment of the  campus. He remarked on how modern and inviting the school now looks from the street.

Todd said he left school not entirely sure what he was going to do and enrolled in Commerce at Victoria University. He completed both Commerce and Tourism degrees and launched into a career in hotel management, beginning at the InterContinental in Wellington in their management trainee programme.

He has gone on to specialise in revenue management around the globe, holding senior roles with the InterContinental Group in Australia, Japan, USA and the United Kingdom. Todd is now the Hotel Manager at the prestigious Sofitel London St James. ‘This is a stunning property that provides guests with an exceptional guest experience, a strong service culture including Michelin-starred dining. It is a great team and hotel to lead’, says Todd.

Like many Old Boys we speak to, Todd looks back on his time at St Patrick’s College with great affection. He recalls teachers who genuinely cared, whose enthusiasm and dedication have made a lasting impact. He recognised that the school experience is only more memorable and enriching when you get involved in a wide range of activities, which for him included school productions (backstage), sports, and pretty much anything that was going.

But it was sport that truly captured his interest. ‘Back then, everyone played sport and it really suited my competitive nature. I just loved the challenge, the sense of camaraderie, and I’m grateful for the lifelong friendships I formed through sport.’ Despite having only played rugby for one season before arriving at St Pat’s, Todd quickly took to the game. He went on to play in the First XV for three years (captain in 1992 and 1993), as well as representing the school in First XI cricket. ‘I can honestly say some of my best years were at St Pat’s.’

Although our time with Todd was brief, it was a real pleasure to reconnect and hear about his time at St Pat’s and the journey life has taken him on. 

Calling London Alumni

A bonus of our time with Todd was that he has said he is happy for London Old Boys to be in contact with him, with a view to arranging a get together.

You can email Todd here.

Read more about where Old Boys are now here.