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. |