Born on November 27, 1953, in Pembury, Kent, UK. After leaving school at 16, he later resumed full-time education, earning GCE O and A levels, followed by a BA (Hons) in Politics from the University of Sussex (School of African & Asian Studies) (1974–77) and an M.Phil in Commerce & Social Science & West African Studies / Political Science from the University of Birmingham (1979). His thesis was on the development of the post-colonial state in East Africa.
His subsequent career spans over four decades across the UK, the Netherlands, Sudan, Algeria and Seychelles. From 1979 to 1985, he was based in the Netherlands where he undertook research on comparative race relations at the University of Leiden, while also spending two periods teaching English in Sudan (1979-81) and Algeria (1983-84). In 1985, he moved to Seychelles to teach English at the National Youth Service until 1988. He married Sylvana Cafrine in 1988 and became a Seychelles citizen in 1992. They have two daughters, and three granddaughters.
Terry later joined the Department of External Relations, (later Ministry of Foreign Affairs), holding several positions from 1988 to 2001, including Director of Legal Affairs & Research, Director of Multilateral Affairs, and Director-General of International Relations. He specialized in multilateral diplomacy, environmental treaties, and regional integration, representing Seychelles on over 60 international missions. In 1996, he was elected to the Bureau of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) as the African Group representative. From 2001 to 2003, he worked in the Ministry of Tourism & Transport, drafting ‘Vision 21’, Seychelles Tourism Development Plan 2001-2010 and co-authoring the Eco-Tourism Policy. He has also served on the board of Seychelles Islands Foundation (SIF) (1993-2003) and Seychelles Fishing Authority (SFA)
In 2003, Terry and his family moved to the UK on what was planned as a 3-year ‘sabbatical’, to join the Advisory Committee on Protection of the Sea (ACOPS), an international environmental NGO, as Assistant Executive Director. However, due to personal circumstances, Terry and his family remained in the UK, where he joined Ashford Borough Council in 2005 as a Local Government Officer managing public open spaces and nature reserves within the Borough. He also served as Presiding Officer during national and local government elections, including the Brexit referendum. He retired from local government in July 2022.
Terry has consulted widely for international organisations such as UNESCO, UNDP, and the Global Environment Facility. An avid skier, mountain biker, and hiker, he has skied extensively across Europe and North America. A former football coach, he led Seychelles club teams to success (Anse Boileau, Plaisance & Red Star) and is a long-time Chelsea FC season ticket holder.
Since retiring, Terry campaigned for the Labour Party in the May 2023 elections, and served as a Parish Councillor before returning to Seychelles in 2025. His career reflects a commitment to environmental conservation, international relations, social justice and community development.