Tristan da Cunha Government News

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

Report and photos from Tristan Government UK Representative Chris Carnegy

Overseas Territories minister Stephen Doughty gives the keynote speech

Tristan da Cunha's globally-important contribution to ocean conservation was in the spotlight at a celebration to mark ten years of the Blue Belt.

Tristan's Marine Protection Zone is the largest fully-protected reserve in the Atlantic and is a major part of the Blue Belt programme, which supports UK Overseas Territories in stewardship of their ocean environments.

Environment Policy Officer Andy Schofield and I represented Tristan at the event, held in the imposing Locarno Suite at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office in London. It was staged on World Oceans Day, 8th June 2026. Many friends of Tristan also attended.

The UK's Overseas Territories Minister Stephen Doughty gave the keynote speech. He recognised OT communities whose lives are 'unbreakably linked to the sea', and especially praised the commitment of young islanders to their environments.

Tristan's conservation achievements were highlighted in the exhibition space

Territory UK Representatives line up with minister Doughty

Chris with the FCDO's Blue Belt lead Kylie Bamford

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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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
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Public Notices Regarding the MV Hondius Hantavirus, 6th May 2026
Three public notices on the implications of the hantavirus outbreak for Tristan. 7-May-2026
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Suspected Hantavirus on the Cruise Ship MV Hondius
Public notice regarding the public health implications of the outbreak of hantavirus on the cruise ship MV Hondius, which visited Tristan in April 2026 during her voyage. 4-May-2026
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