Daphne Todd was one of the founding members of the Heatherley academic staff under Principal John Walton, and the originator of the Portrait Diploma. Although she no longer teaches at the school, she continues to sit on the board of Trustees.
Daphne is a painter of international renown. She was awarded first prize in the BP Portrait Award 2010, and was elected the first female President of the Royal Society of Portrait Painters (1994-2000). She was awarded an OBE for services to the arts in 2002.