Tristan da Cunha Government News

Alex Mitham has been appointed Tristan da Cunha’s 22nd Administrator and plans to travel on SA Agulhas II with his wife Hasene to take over from Sean Burns in September 2013.

Alex has sent us an introduction to himself and Hasene which we publish below and we look forward to receiving further contributions to the website and newsletter in what is hoped will be a happy and successful time on the island.

Alex Mitham introduces himself

I Joined the Civil Service in 2002 and have worked for the past 10 years in a variety of posts in Customs, Home Office, Revenue and Foreign Office. My jobs have covered everything from project management, security, finance, counter-terrorism, HR, anti-crime, management and planning roles. The work has taken me to a number of regions including the Middle East, Asia/Pacific and across Europe. Unfortunately I have not yet had the opportunity to visit the South Atlantic, but will obviously rectify this shortly!

Prior to my Civil Service career I was an architect working on projects (largely agricultural based) to regenerate areas into new business centres to improve economic growth and stability. I am also a fifth generation farmer, and currently help on the family farm. Farming and its sustainability, as well as wildlife conservation are immensely important to me and one of the reasons why I applied for the post.

My wife Hasene, who is originally from Turkey, will be accompanying me and is a keen environmentalist. Hasene has a PhD in International Relations and has in the past taught at university and worked as an intern at the UN in Washington. We are both keen hikers and like the outdoors life, although I’m sure the South Atlantic storms will come as a surprise.

It is truly a great honour and privilege to be able to perform the Administrator (H’admin) role, and we are both very much looking forward to living and working on the island, and being active members of the community.