Governor of Saint Helena facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Governor of Saint Helena |
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Standard of the Governor of Saint Helena
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Coat of arms of Saint Helena
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| Style | His Excellency |
| Residence | Plantation House, St Helena |
| Appointer | Monarch of the United Kingdom |
| Term length | At His Majesty's pleasure |
| Formation | 1659 |
| First holder | John Dutton |
| Website | Government of St Helena |
The Governor of Saint Helena is like the King's or Queen's representative on the island of Saint Helena. Saint Helena is part of a larger group of islands called Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha, which are British Overseas Territories. The King or Queen chooses the Governor, usually after getting advice from the British government. The current Governor of Saint Helena is Nigel Phillips, who started his role on August 13, 2022.
Contents
What Does a Governor Do?
The Governor acts as the main leader of Saint Helena, almost like a president or prime minister. They are also the top person in charge of the island's defense and security. Their jobs include keeping the island safe, dealing with other countries, making sure laws are fair, managing money, looking after shipping, and helping with jobs. The Governor also handles rules for public officers.
The Governor chooses the Chief Minister of Saint Helena and four other members of the Executive Council. This council helps run the government. The Governor usually follows their advice, except in special situations.
The Governor lives on Saint Helena and is chosen by the British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. This is the part of the UK government that deals with other countries.
Governor's Home and Office
The Governor's special flag in Saint Helena is the Union Flag with the island's coat of arms on it. Their official home is called Plantation House, which is close to the capital city, Jamestown. The Governor's main office is inside a building called The Castle. The chief secretary of Saint Helena also works there, managing the daily tasks of the government.
Governor's Role for Other Islands
Before 2009, the islands of Ascension and Tristan da Cunha were managed by Saint Helena. This meant the Governor of Saint Helena also looked after them. In 2009, a new rule made Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha equal parts of the territory. Even though each island now has its own government, the Governor of Saint Helena is still also the Governor of Ascension and the Governor of Tristan da Cunha.
Acting Governor and Deputy Governor
Sometimes, the Governor might not be able to do their job for a while. This could be because the position is empty or the Governor is away for a long time. In these cases, an acting governor is chosen by the King.
If the Governor is away from Saint Helena for a short time, or is sick for a short period, they can choose someone on the island to be their deputy. This deputy must follow the Governor's instructions. It is common for an acting governor to be appointed when the Governor leaves the island of Saint Helena, even if they are just visiting Ascension Island or Tristan da Cunha.
In recent years, the chief secretary or the attorney general has often taken on this temporary role. For example, in January 2011, the chief secretary became deputy governor when the Governor visited Tristan da Cunha. Later that year, Kenneth Baddon, the attorney general, also became deputy governor.
A Look at Past Governors
Saint Helena has had many governors throughout its history.
East India Company Governors
From 1659 to 1834, the island was managed by the East India Company. These governors were in charge during that time.
- John Dutton (1659–1660)
- Robert Stringer (1660–1669)
- Richard Coney (1669–1672)
- Anthony Beal (1672–1673)
- Richard Keigwin (1673–1674)
- Gregory Field (1674–1678)
- John Blackmore (1678–1690)
- Joshua Johnson (1690–1693) - He was sadly killed while Governor.
- Richard Keling (1693–1697)
- Stephen Poirier (1697–1707)
- John Roberts (1708–1711)
- Benjamin Boucher (1711–1713)
- Isaac Pike (1713–1718)
- Edward Johnson (1718–1722)
- John Smith (1722–1726)
- Edward Byfield (1727–1731)
- Isaac Pyke (1731–1738)
- John Goodwin (1738–1741)
- Robert Jenkins (1741–1742)
- Thomas Lambert (1742–1744)
- David Dunbar (1744-1746)
- Charles Hutchinson (1746–1764)
- John Skottowe (1764–1782)
- Daniel Corneille (1782–1787)
- Sir Robert Brooke (1788–1800)
- Francis Robson (1801–1802)
- Robert Patton (1802–1807)
- William Lane (1807–1808)
- Beatson (1808–1813)
- Mark Wilks (1813–1816)
- Sir Hudson Lowe (1816–1821)
- John Pine Coffin (1821–1823)
- Alexander Walker (1823–1828)
- Charles Dallas (1828–1834)
British Crown Governors
In 1834, Saint Helena became a crown colony, meaning it was directly ruled by the British Crown. The first Governor under this new system was appointed in 1836.
- George Middlemore (1836)
- Hamelin Trelawny (1842)
- Patrick Ross (1846)
- Thomas Gore Browne (1851)
- Edward Drummond-Hay (1856)
- Charles Elliot (1863)
- Charles George Edward Patey (1870)
- Hudson Ralph Janisch (1873)
- Grant Blunt (1884) (acting)
- William Grey-Wilson (1887) (acting)
- R. L. Antrobus (1889) (acting)
- William Grey-Wilson (1890)
- Robert Armitage Sterndale (1897)
- Henry Galway (1902)
- Harry Cordeaux (1912)
- Robert Peel (1920)
- Harold Iremonger (1925) (Acting)
- Charles Harper (1925)
- Spencer Davis (1932)
- Guy Pilling (1938)
- William Bain Gray (1941)
- George Joy (1947)
- James Harford (1954)
- George Albert Lewis (1958) (Acting)
- Robert Alford (1960)
- John Field (1963)
- Dermod Murphy (1969)
- Thomas Oates (1971)
- Geoffrey Colin Guy (1976)
- John Dudley Massingham (1981)
- Francis Eustace Baker (1984)
- Robert F. Stimson (1988)
- Alan Hoole (1991)
- David Leslie Smallman (1995)
- Brian Walter Money (1996)
- David Hollamby (1999)
- Michael Clancy (2004)
- Martin Hallam (2004) (Acting)
- Andrew Gurr (2007)
- Andrew Wells (2011) (Acting)
- Kevin Baddon (2011) (Acting)
- Mark Andrew Capes (2011)
- Lisa Honan (2016)
- Louise MacMorran (2019) (Acting)
- Dr Philip Rushbrook (2019)
- Greg Gibson (2022) (Acting)
- Nigel Phillips (2022)
See also
In Spanish: Gobernador de Santa Elena, Ascensión y Tristán de Acuña para niños
- Administrator of Ascension Island
- Administrator of Tristan da Cunha
