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