Tristan da Cunha Government News

Inauguration of new Governor HE Belinda Lewis

Report and photos from the St Helena Government Website

The Chief Secretary and Head of Public Service, Ian Todd OBE, reading the Royal Commission,
with HE Belinda Lewis alongside.

Her Excellency the Governor, Belinda Lewis was sworn in on Saturday 12th September 2026 in front of the Court House in Jamestown. The Chief Secretary and Head of Public Service, Mr Ian Todd OBE, read the Royal Commission, before the Sheriff of St Helena, Mrs Ethel Yon OBE, administered the Oaths of Office and gave the Address of Welcome. The Chief Minister, Dr Rebecca Cairns-Wicks MBE, read a welcome address and spoke about welcoming Governor Belinda Lewis and her family to St Helena, celebrating the island's community resilience, acknowledging key developmental opportunities alongside ongoing socioeconomic challenges, and emphasising the importance of a constructive partnership between St Helena and the UK. The Rt Rev, The Lord Bishop of St Helena, Dale Bowers MBE gave a prayer and blessing.

HE the Governor Belinda Lewis signing the Oaths of Office,
administered by the Sheriff of St Helena, Mrs Ethel Yon OBE.

In her Inauguration Address, Her Excellency commented:

"Thank you most sincerely for your generous words of welcome. I am very grateful for the remarkable warmth with which I, and my family, have been received as we've begun to make St Helena our home. I am also grateful to everyone who has invested time and effort into arranging this wonderful inauguration ceremony, and to all of you for your presence here today to bear witness to my oath taking. I would also like to note my thanks to Governor Phillips and to Mrs Phillips for their kindness and generosity to me and my family.

It is a great honour to serve the people of St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha on behalf of our Sovereign, His Majesty King Charles the Third. I can assure you that I will strive to discharge the responsibilities incumbent on me as Governor to the best of my ability. I will listen carefully, I will learn with humility, and serve you with diligence, integrity and respect.

I am looking forward to working closely and constructively with the Honourable Chief Minister and the elected Government in a strong spirit of partnership. St Helena has a long, proud history, and it also has a promising future: I want to celebrate this and am ready to play my part to help realise the potential of the many opportunities the Chief Minister has noted, and to advance the interests of the communities we are all here to serve.

There will, inevitably, be difficult issues to navigate. Madam Sheriff has mentioned some of today's geopolitical challenges – the situation in the Middle East, Russia's invasion of Ukraine, climate change - and we could add many, many more to that list. These events may feel far away, but, like many others, we're vulnerable to the impact of supply chain disruptions and rising transport and commodity prices. The Chief Minister outlined other, more local pressures. Against this backdrop, efficient public service delivery and sustainable economic growth can be tough goals to achieve.

But I share the Government's optimism for the future. And having worked in a number of different countries and across diverse cultures, I strongly agree with the Chief Minister that progress is best made when people work together with honesty, courtesy and determination. I can promise you that that will be my approach as your Governor.

When I look out at the beautiful ocean, I am mindful of the strong bonds with Ascension and Tristan da Cunha. Each island has its own distinct identity, and each deserves care and attention. I am hugely looking forward to visiting both islands as soon as possible.

Thank you once again for your very warm welcome. I am deeply honoured to be here, supported by my wonderful husband Tony and our two young daughters. And I look forward to working with you, and serving you, in the years ahead."

HE the Governor Belinda Lewis being introduced to Guides from the St Helena Girl Guide Association.

Administator Philip Kendall welcomes new Governor

I am delighted to welcome our new Governor, Belinda Lewis to her role. She has joined us at a crucial time as we navigate the transition between fishing concessionaires and tackle serious budgetary issues. I was particularly pleased that the new Governor took time out of her busy schedule to talk to the Island Council earlier today . Such an appearance so early in her tenure shows that although we are separated by 1,500 of ocean, the historic bond between us remains strong.

Tristan da Cunha Island Council meeting online with new Governor HE Belinda Lewis on 17th September 2026

Governor Change-Over

His Excellency Governor Nigel Phillips CBE's term of office which began on 13th August 2022 ended on Friday, 11th September 2026.

The Inauguration Ceremony for Governor Designate Belinda Lewis will be held on Saturday, 12th September 2026 at 2pm on the Supreme Court Terrace, Jamestown, St Helena. We hope to have a reports and photos to publish soon.

See the report of Belinda Lewis's appointment as Governor-Elect.

Chief Islander James Glass with House of Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle and the Governor of St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha HE Nigel Phillips.

Tristan Administrator Philip Kendall wrote:

"This week marks the end of Nigel Phillips' tenure as Governor for St. Helena, Ascension and Tristan. As our Governor, Nigel has always been very strong advocate of Tristan and a great support to me as Administrator, to the Chief Islander and to the community as a whole. As Governor, Nigel visited Tristan in March 2023, and I made a visit to St Helena the following year in April 2024. Though divided by 1,500 miles of Atlantic Ocean, these two neighbours have very strong bonds, which Nigel always championed. He will be missed, but as we welcome Belinda Lewis as Governor on Saturday, followed by my successor Andrew Wells later this month, a new era of relationship between our two islands will begin."

Governor Nigel Phillips with Acting Administrator Lorraine Repetto and Chief Islander James Glass
after a ceremony to swear-in Lorraine as Acting Administrator
in the Tristan da Cunha Council Chamber on 22nd March 2023. Photo - Cynthia Green.

See report of Nigel Phillips March 2023 Tristan da Cunha visit >>.

James Glass presenting a model Tristan longboat to the Governor

Governor Nigel Phillips' message to Chief Islander Ian Lavarello and the Tristan Island Council on 7th September

"Dear Chief Islander

As I come to the end of my time as Governor, I wanted to take the opportunity to thank you and the entire Island Council for your support and partnership over the past four years.

Although Tristan lies far from St Helena, I have always been struck by the remarkable strength of your community, its resilience, and the deep commitment of those who serve it. It was one of the highlights of my career to actually visit in 2023, albeit the circumstances were very sad.

Please accept my thanks for the many kindnesses shown to me during my time in office. They have been gratefully appreciated.

I wish you, the Island Council and all the people of Tristan da Cunha every success and happiness in the years ahead.

With my very best wishes,

Nigel J Phillips CBE"

Tristan Chief Islander Ian Lavarello's reply on 8th September

"Dear Governor

On behalf of myself and the Island Council of Tristan da Cunha, I write to thank you for your kind letter and to wish you well in the future.

I know that the support you have given to our Administrators has been crucial in their isolated postings. The last four years have brought several very challenging episodes, but also significant progress in laying foundations for the future of our island.

We wish you and Emma every happiness.

Yours sincerely

Ian Lavarello"

Chief Islander welcomes new UK minister

Report and images from Tristan Governemnt UK Representative Chris Carnegy

Tristan's Chief Islander has given a warm welcome to the UK's new minister for the Overseas Territories.

Councillor Ian Lavarello wrote a letter of congratulation when Uma Kumaran MP was appointed to her post within the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office team. Then on 5th August 2026 he had the chance to convey his message in person, by video link from the island's Council chamber.

Ian Lavarello taking part in the video-link from the Tristan Council Chamber.

In a call between minister Kumaran and the OTs' elected leaders, Ian said "I send congratulations from across the miles to you on your appointment. I know you have expertise in conservation and climate change - they're both very important parts of our everyday life here on Tristan. We had a destructive storm a couple of weeks ago and we're still only starting to recover. Tristan da Cunha is the world's remotest community. We really value your support, and we were hugely grateful for it during the recent Hantavirus episode. I hope you can deliver on your government's promises to the OTs".

Minister Kumaran was flanked by FCDO officials and to her left by former OTs minister Stephen Doughty.

The minister's reply acknowledged the remarkable response to the recent health emergency in the South Atlantic and underlined her support for conservation, including the Blue Belt programme of ocean protection around the OTs. She pledged to listen to Territories' concerns, and to work jointly with the Territories when UK and OT politicians meet later in the year.

Group shot of all those taking part in the UK Government FCDO Ministers
and Overseas Territory leaders' video call on 5th August 2026.

Chief Islander thanks UK minister for crisis help
On-Line meeting on the 16th July 2026 links Tristan with Westminster 17-Jul-2026
Full story >>

Tristan sea safety prominent at Red Ensign Conference
Safety information and resources shared across the ocean at the 2026 conference in Bermuda. 5-Jul-2026
Full story >>

New Administrator appointed
Andrew Wells to take up post in September 2026 1-Jul-2026
Full story >>

New Governor Selected
Belinda Lewis to take up role in September 2026 15-Jun-2026
Full story >>

Blue Belt celebrates ten years
Tristan's Marine Protection Zone central at London event on World Oceans Day 2026. 11-Jun-2026
Full story >>

Joy as Tristanians arrive in Weymouth
The four Tristan islanders who were potentially exposed to Hantavirus on the MV Hondius have completed their isolation period in the UK. 7-Jun-2026
Full story >>