Tristan da Cunha Government News

Chief Islander thanks UK minister for crisis help

Report and photos from Tristan Government UK Representative Chris Carnegy

Tristan Chief Islander Ian Lavarello
taking part in the meeting from the Island Council Chamber

Tristan da Cunha's Chief Islander has personally thanked the UK minister for Overseas Territories for his support of the island. Their encounter came in an online meeting between Stephen Doughty MP and the elected Leaders of the UK Territories.

Ian Lavarello thanked the minister for his support in the aftermath of the recent storm that has left a trail of destruction on Tristan. He noted that such events are linked to climate change, and that small islands will need UK help to adapt to its effects.

Stephen Doughty MP Minister for the UK Overseas Territories	Bermuda's Premier David Burt who is current President of the UK Overseas Territories Association.

The minister also praised the local response to 'extraordinary' recent events on Tristan, noting that the Hantavirus episode was 'testament to the resilience of the peoples and teams' of Tristan and other South Atlantic islands.

The meeting, held on 16th July 2026, helped set a course towards the UK and OTs Joint  Ministerial Council, to be held in London in November.

Tristan sea safety prominent at Red Ensign Conference

Report and photos from Tristan Governemnt UK Representative Chris Carnegy

Delegates at the conference venue in Hamilton

A conference of maritime territories, held in Bermuda 29th June - 2nd July 2026, brought a reminder of how small islands can benefit from sharing information and resources to help tackle shared challenges. I represented Tristan da Cunha's Director of Fisheries, Cllr Rodney Green, at the annual gathering of the Red Ensign Group, uniting the maritime authorities of the UK, its Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies. Tristan has 'coastal State' responsibilities across navigation aids, marine conservation, fishery regulation and marine mapping, and the conference is a chance to learn from others' best practice, to gather contacts and identify sources of help. The week began with a meeting of the South Atlantic Working Group, uniting Tristan with St Helena, Ascension, South Georgia and the Falklands. Inevitably the shipping implications of the recent Hantavirus outbreak were considered, with islands looking to learn lessons in co-operation with cruise operators. I also shared plans for safety checks of the new fishing fleet that will go into Tristan service in 2027, and fellow OTs updated us on their emergency plans and proposals for new regulations.

Chris catching up with Ascension's Operations and Port Manager Kitty George

The main sessions covered a wide range of topics, from wreck management and cyber threats to search-and-rescue drones and the challenge of tackling illegal fishing.

The REG is supported by the UK's Maritime and Coastguard Agency, who have a special programme that supports sea-safety in the Overseas Territories. The conference week brought a chance to speak with them on Tristan's current needs. They are keen to help.

My report back to the island includes multiple contacts and connections from across the UK's worldwide maritime family.

Bermuda's shipping minister Owen Darrell rings the bell to open the conference,
watched by co-chair Christian Olsen of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

South Atlantic delegates, representing Tristan da Cunha, Ascension, St Helena, the Falklands and South Georgia.

New Administrator appointed

Report from Tristan Administrator Philip Kendall

On 1st July 2026, the Governor wrote to the Chief Islander announcing the appointment of my successor, Mr Andrew Wells.

Andrew Wells.
Photo from Communications Team, British Embassy Athens

Andrew is a career diplomat with over 30 years of experience and a wide range of postings. These include Croatia, Jordan, Iraq, Finland, the Czech and Slovak Republics, with shorter spells on Floater Duties in Belize, Bermuda, Brunei, China, Tanzania, Yemen, Zambia and temporary duty assignments at the UN in New York and in Poland, Afghanistan, Ireland, Russia and most recently, Greece.

Andrew is married with 3 grown up children and when not serving abroad lives in the New Forest. He will be unaccompanied during his posting to Tristan.

Congratulations to Andrew! I look forward to welcoming him to Tristan when he arrives on the SA Agulhas II in September. We will have a three-week handover together before Louise and I leave on the Agulhas in October.

Although Andrew's appointment has been announced, I will continue to work tirelessly as Administrator until my departure.

Andrew said, "I am delighted to have been appointed as the next Administrator to Tristan da Cunha and look forward to meeting and serving the islanders and community in September."

Andrew Wells - Curriculum Vitae

2020 - 2025      Deputy Head of Mission to the British Embassy Bratislava

2018 - 2019      Deputy Head of Strategic Communications, HMG Russia Unit, FCO, London

2013 - 2017      Head of Political & Press Section, British Embassy Helsinki

2010 - 2012      Iraq Group, FCO, London

2009 - 2010      Head of Political Section, British Embassy Baghdad

2007 - 2009      Counter Terrorism Policy Department, FCO, London

2002 - 2007      Deputy Head of Trade & Investment, British Embassy Prague

1998 - 2001      3rd Secretary Political, British Embassy Amman

1996 - 1997      Arabic language training, Cairo

1995 - 1996      United Nations Department, FCO, London

1992 - 1995      Vice Consul, British Embassy Zagreb

1990 - 1992      Floater duty in Tanzania, Zambia, China, Yemen, Belize and Brunei

1989 - 1990      Foreign Secretary's Private Office, FCO, London

New Governor Selected
Belinda Lewis to take up role in September 2026 15-Jun-2026
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Blue Belt celebrates ten years
Tristan's Marine Protection Zone central at London event on World Oceans Day 2026. 11-Jun-2026
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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
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Page Updated: Tristan da Cunha Government Records
This page provides downloads of Island Council minutes, public notices, budgets, and other official documents. 3-Jun-2026
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Tristan prominent during Overseas Territories Day
Tristan Association Co-Chair and UK Respresentative attend prestigious London Overseas Territories Day events 2-Jun-2026
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An early chance to thank UK ministers for historic mission
Tristan represented at State Opening of Parliament, 13th May 2026. 13-May-2026
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