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
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.
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| 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 |
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| Safety information and resources shared across the ocean at the 2026 conference in Bermuda. 5-Jul-2026 |
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Blue Belt celebrates ten years |
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| 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 |
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| 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 |
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| 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 (2-Jun-2026) >>
- An early chance to thank UK ministers for historic mission (13-May-2026) >>
- Details of the Daring Airdrop at Tristan da Cunha, 9th May 2026 (12-May-2026) >>
- Public Notices Regarding the MV Hondius Hantavirus, 6th May 2026 (7-May-2026) >>
- Suspected Hantavirus on the Cruise Ship MV Hondius (4-May-2026) >>
- First full photograph of the 2025-2028 Island Council (29-Apr-2026) >>
- New Page: Treasury and Finance Department (23-Apr-2026) >>
- Page Updated: Tristan da Cunha Government Departments (22-Apr-2026) >>
- UK experts reach out to Tristan (27-Mar-2026) >>
- Tristan embraced by the Commonwealth (16-Mar-2026) >>
- Administrator's early 2026 trip overseas (28-Feb-2026) >>
- UK Lords learn about Tristan at evidence session in Parliament (27-Feb-2026) >>
- Admin’s (very short) visit to Cape Town, January 2026 (17-Jan-2026) >>