Tristan da Cunha Government News

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 appointed Governor

The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office announced on 12th June 2026 that Belinda Lewis has been selected to become the next Governor of St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha in succession to Nigel Phillips CBE, who will be retiring from the Diplomatic Service. Belinda Lewis will take up her appointment during September 2026.

Belinda Lewis - Photo from FCDO

Belinda Lewis grew up in Newcastle upon Tyne and read History at Girton College, Cambridge. She recently completed a Master’s degree in Global Diplomacy at The School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London.

She started her career in banking before joining the Civil Service in 2003. She has an impressive curriculum vitae, working in a series of government roles including the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, The Ministry of Justice (with a secondment to the US Department of Homeland Security), overseas roles in Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan and Kuwait and senior roles at the FCO / FCDO.

Belinda Lewis said: “It is an honour to have been selected to serve the communities of St Helena, Ascension Island and Tristan da Cunha as Governor.  My family and I are hugely looking forward to calling beautiful St Helena our home and I will be very keen to visit Ascension Island and Tristan da Cunha – both remarkable environments in their own right”

Chief Islander Ian Lavarello said: “On behalf of the Island Council and the whole community of Tristan da Cunha, I congratulate Belinda Lewis on her appointment. I hope she is able to visit Tristan early in her tenure; she can be sure of a warm welcome”.

Tristan Administrator Philip Kendall said: “I am delighted that Belinda has been selected to become the next Governor and look forward to working with her as she prepares to take up her posting.”

The island community looks forward to Ms Lewis’ first visit to Tristan da Cunha, hopefully in the early part of her time as Governor.

Her arrival on St Helena in September will coincide with a new Administrator (yet to be announced) due to arrive on Tristan da Cunha, that month to replace Philip Kendall, so it will be all change for FCDO leadership on the island in 2026.

 

Belinda Lewis 

Belinda Lewis Curriculum Vitae

2025 to 2026	-	FCDO, Director Special Projects and pre-posting preparation
2021 to 2025	-	Kuwait City, His Majesty’s Ambassador
2018 to 2021	-	FCO, Deputy Director, Human Resources (followed by maternity leave)
2016 to 2018	-	Karachi, Deputy High Commissioner and Trade Director for Pakistan
2014 to 2016	-	Baghdad, Deputy Head of Mission
2012 to 2014	-	Lashkar Gah, Director Rule of Law and Operations
2010 to 2012	-	Ministry of Justice, Deputy Director, International Justice Policy
2009 to 2010	-	Ministry of Justice, Deputy Director, Information Rights Policy
2008 to 2009	-	Immigration Service, Border Security and Visa Policy
2007	-	Washington, Secondment to US Department of Homeland Security
2006 to 2007	-	Ministry of Justice, Head of EU and International Data Policy
2005 to 2006	-	Ministry of Justice, Team Leader, Information Rights Department
2003 to 2005	-	Department of Culture, Media and Sport, Fast Stream policy roles
2001 to 2003	-	HSBC Bank in Edinburgh, Milan and London.

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 >>

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
Full story >>

Tristan prominent during Overseas Territories Day
Tristan Association Co-Chair and UK Respresentative attend prestigious London Overseas Territories Day events 2-Jun-2026
Full story >>

An early chance to thank UK ministers for historic mission
Tristan represented at State Opening of Parliament, 13th May 2026. 13-May-2026
Full story >>

Details of the Daring Airdrop at Tristan da Cunha, 9th May 2026
More details and pictures have come in of the intrepid airdrop of urgent medical support sent to Tristan by the UK Government on the 9th May 2026. 12-May-2026
Full story >>