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On 30 June 2025 St Helena Government commenced the Companies (Amendment) Ordinance.
As has previously been announced during the consultation on the associated Bill, the Ordinance puts requirements on St Helena companies to declare details of the beneficial owners of those companies to the Registrar, and requires the Registrar to make those details publicly available, thus establishing a publicly accessible register of beneficial ownership (PARBO).
Further details can be found here.
This initiative is designed to strengthen the island’s reputation as a responsible jurisdiction and to support global efforts to combat financial crime.
The launch of the accessible register follows extensive consultation with stakeholders and aligns with the highest standards of openness and accountability.
The Registrar will endeavour to contact all companies within the next 14 days in order to outline the steps required to ensure compliance with the law. If you have not heard from the Registrar within 14 days please contact Amelia Gough on amelia.gough@judicialservices.sh.
Amelia can also be contacted to have access to information contained in the PARBO in line with the law.
#StHelena #PARBO #BeneficialOwnershipRegister
Following from the previous public announcements, the public are advised that Ladder Hill Road will now only be closed from Tuesday, 01 July until 15:30 on Friday, 04 July 2025. During this time, the Roads Section will conduct preparation work to the road surface. This includes replacing a section of slipper drain, repair any road defects and milling of areas.
This change in closure dates is due to the recent shipment of slurry bitumen being below the required specification. As this will have an impact on the surface quality, it is therefore unusable.
New closure dates are scheduled to take place from Monday 04 August 2025 until Friday, 22 August 2025. This will be confirmed once a suitable supply of bitumen arrives on Voyage 18 later in July and is dependent on favourable weather conditions. Planned works include full road width re-surfacing using the mechanised slurry paver, starting from the bottom of the road at China Lane to the top at the Ball Alley.
The Roads Section sincerely apologises for any inconvenience this change may cause and appreciates your understanding and continued support.
SHG
01 July 2025
The Register of Electors effective from 30 June 2025 was published yesterday in an Extraordinary Gazette. This register will be used for the forthcoming General Election. Only those named on this register will be able to vote, stand, sponsor or support a candidate to stand in the election.
The 2025 Register of Electors is available on the SHG website at: https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/documents/EX-GAZ-71-Register-of-Electors-July-2025
Alternatively, hard copies of the register will be available for viewing at the following locations:
- Customer Service Centre, Jamestown
- Public Library, Jamestown
- Rural sub-post offices and retailers
- ENRPP Offices, Scotland
- The Office of the Registration Officer, the Castle, Jamestown
#StHelena #RegisterOfElectors
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Governor Nigel James Phillips CBE has today issued the Writ of Election for the 2025 General Election.
The Writ confirms the last day and time for receiving nominations to elect 12 new members to fill the vacant seats on Legislative Council.
The last day and time for receiving nominations is no later than 12 noon on Wednesday, 20 August 2025, and all nominations should be delivered to the Returning Officer, Mrs Carol Henry, at the Castle, Jamestown.
Nomination forms are available on the Government website here: https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/documents/Nomination-Form-2025.pdf or can be obtained from The Castle reception, the Customer Services Centre and the Public Library.
If more than 12 nominations are received, a Poll will be taken on Wednesday, 03 September 2025, at the following Polling Stations:
- Blue Hill Community Centre;
- Half Tree Hollow Community Centre;
- Harford Community Centre;
- St Mary’s Church, The Briars;
- Kingshurst Community Centre;
- Levelwood Clinic;
- Jamestown Community Centre; and
- Sandy Bay Community Centre
The updated Register of Electors effective from 01 July 20205 to be used in the General Election was published on Monday 30 June 2025.
Only those persons with their name on this Register of Electors will be eligible to participate in the General Election, and only those who are 21 years of age and over are able to stand for election.
Further information on nominating a candidate will be issued in this week’s newspapers.
#StHelena #GeneralElection2025 #WritOfElection
On Monday, 30June 2025 at 23:59, acting in accordance with section 76(b) of the Constitution, HE Governor Nigel Phillips formally dissolved the Legislative Council. Preparations are now underway for a General Election to take place, with a poll, if needed, on Wednesday, 3 September 2025. This will be the second election under a ministerial system of government, the first having been held in October 2021.
During the time between now and the election of the next Legislative Council, the services provided by the Public Service in the various Portfolios will continue.
Executive Council may still meet if it is necessary to do so but will not make any major new policy decisions, approve any legislation nor make any significant spending commitments unless there is an emergency.
In the event of an emergency, the Constitution allows the Governor to recall the Legislative Council as necessary following consultation with the Chief Minister. These interim measures are provided in the Constitution to ensure the continuity of government.
#StHelena #LegislativeCouncil #Dissolution
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On 26 June 2025 Legislative Council enacted the Prevention of Abusive Business Practices Ordinance 2025.
The purpose of the Ordinance is to seek to prevent:
- abusive business practices in St Helena generally; and,
- the abuse of the jurisdiction of St Helena in furtherance of abusive business practices elsewhere.
It is designed to protect the reputation of the jurisdiction of St Helena.
The Ordinance establishes a number of key definitions including:
- Business entity and business entities;
- Professional services; and,
- Abusive Business Practices.
The definition of business entity and business entities is intended to catch all ‘vehicles’ by which business is conducted, ranging through the traditional entities recognised in English and St Helena law – such as individuals, companies, partnerships etc., to more complex arrangements such as trusts, trust corporations and nominee ships, and other entities formed under other jurisdictions.
The definition of professional services is intended to encompass the typical services provided to business entities such as legal advice or accountancy as well as the more specialised services such as those relating to the establishment of trusts etc.
The Ordinance establishes a series of duties designed to prevent abusive business practices (as defined) in St Helena. In addition, and to strengthen the measures, duties to report suspicion or knowledge of abusive business practices are also imposed on businesses providing trust, trusteeship or nominee ship services and on professional services firms which provide services to those businesses.
The Legislative Council has only immediately commenced the Ordinance for businesses that provide trust, trusteeship and nominee ship services and those that provide services to those businesses. The new government will have the power to commence the Ordinance for any other type of business entity in the future.
Minister for Treasury and Economic Development, Mark Brooks, says on the enactment on the Bill:
“The Prevention of Abusive Business Practices Ordinance is intended to send a message to both local businesses and those from overseas that intend to do business with St Helena that our jurisdiction will not tolerate activities that could harm the island or bring it into disrepute.
I hope that in passing the Ordinance, a clear message is received that this government takes seriously our obligations to tackle illicit finance and other abusive practices. I hope that the new government continues to support the legislative reforms necessary to grow our financial and professional services sectors in the future.”
The Prevention of Abusive Business Practices Bill can be found here: https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/documents/Prevention-of-Abusive-Business-Practices-Bill
#LegislativeCouncil #BillsforOrdinance
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SHG
30 June 2025
The Highways Authority has given approval for Ladder Hill Road and Shy Road to be closed from 09:00 on Tuesday 01 July 2025 to Thursday 31 July 2025 to all vehicular traffic and pedestrians.
This closure is to allow the Roads Section to carry out full-width surface works with the micro-paver for the rehabilitation of the part of the primary road network funded under the Economic Development Investment Programme (EDIP).
Emergency services and public transport will also be affected. All vehicles needing to travel in and out of Jamestown during this time must travel via Side Path or Constitution Hill Road.
Please note that Jacobs Ladder will remain accessible, as will the halfway path connecting to Shy Road.
Car sharing is encouraged to reduce the cost of travel.
The Roads Section has inspected all primary roads and are developing a schedule to address priority areas. Upcoming works will take place in the following priority areas:
- Ladder Hill Road
- Ladder Hill to White Wall
- White Wall to Sapper Way
- White Gate to Bates Branch
- Bottom Woods to Longwood Gate
- Longwood Gate to Hutts Gate
- Hutts Gate to Alarm Forest
Dates for scheduled work will be announced nearer the time, pending suitable weather conditions and arrival of bitumen from South Africa.
The public are thanked in advance for their patience and understanding during these important works.
SHG
30 June 2025
Following a review of the Public Transport Service, it is evident that the running costs of our public transport service has been significantly impacted due to increased operating costs, the approved subsidy of £87k being exceeded, and consistently low ridership on various routes. To address these challenges and ensure the sustainability of the service, we are proposing initial adjustments to the current schedules.
The proposed changes are detailed in the table below and will come into effect on 1 July 2025:
| ROUTE | DAY | TIME | DESTINATION | DATE TO CEASE | DATE OF CHANGE |
| Route 1 | Friday | 2135 | Bottom Woods – Jamestown | 1 July 2025 | |
| Route 1 | Saturday | 0140 | Jamestown – Bottom Woods | 1 July 2025 | |
| Route 1 | Sunday | 0140 | Jamestown – Bottom Woods | 1 July 2025 | |
| Route 1 | Saturday | 2330 | Jamestown – Bottom Woods | 1 July 2025 | |
| Route 2 | Tuesday, Friday & Saturday | 0913 | Levelwood – Jamestown | 1 July 2025 | |
| Route 2 | Tuesday, Friday & Saturday | 1300 | Jamestown – Levelwood | 1 July 2025 | |
| Route 2 | Thursday | 1400 | Golf Club – Jamestown | 1 July 2025 | |
| Route 2 | Thursday | 1430 | Jamestown – Golf Club | 1 July 2025 | |
| Route 2 | Saturday | 2140 | Levelwood – Jamestown | 1 July 2025 | |
| Route 2 | Sunday | 0140 | Jamestown- Levelwood | 1 July 2025 | |
| Route 3 | Monday, Wednesday, Friday | 0905 | White Gate – Jamestown | 1 July 2025 | |
| Route 3 | Tuesday | 0856 1335 | Thompsons Hill – Jamestown and return | 1 July 2025 | |
| Route 3 | Sunday | 0140 | Jamestown – White Gate | 1 July 2025 | |
| Route 3 | Saturday | 2330 | Jamestown – White Gate | 1 July 2025 | |
| Route 4 | Monday | 0945 | Sandy Bay – HTH Clinic | 1 July 2025 | |
| Route 4 | Monday | 1200 | HTH Clinic – Sandy Bay | 1 July 2025 | |
| Route 4 | Friday | 0900 | Sandy Bay – Jamestown | 1 July 2025 | |
| Route 4 | Friday | 1330 | Jamestown – Sandy Bay | 1 July 2025 |
Proposed bus schedules for the Ladder Hill Road Closure will involve adjusted departure and arrival times for certain routes. A significant change will be the addition of a changeover hub at the Alarm Forest bus stop.
To optimise efficiency:
- Passengers from Routes 1 and 2, Jamestown, Longwood, and Levelwood will transfer to Route 3 to travel to St Pauls and HTH. The reverse will apply for passengers from the St Pauls/HTH areas.
- Passengers from lower HTH will connect with Route 4 to use the Route 2 bus and change at White Gate.
The revised timetables for July 2025 can be found on the SHG website at https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/public-services/publictransportservice/.
In addition to these adjustments, we are also considering an additional Monday to Friday morning service from Longwood to Jamestown, departing approximately 08:00. Further details on this potential new service will be announced in due course.
A revised bus timetable, reflecting changes following Ladder Hill Road’s reopening, will be published for August.
SHG appreciates the community’s understanding and continued support as we work to provide a more efficient and sustainable public transport system for St Helena.
The International Day of the Seafarer, celebrated annually on 25 June, recognises the vital contributions of seafarers to the global economy and maritime sector.
This is an opportune time to share the stories of two St Helenians who have made a career as a seafarer and work in the maritime industry.
Kevin Williams
Kevin Williams started his career as a Junior Engineer/cadet with Curnow Shipping in September 1993 where he gained extensive experience aboard the RMS St Helena. Kevin progressed through the ranks from 4th Engineer to Marine Engineer Superintendent whilst working for different companies across the UK on various vessels. Whilst working in his seafaring role, Kevin also earned Master’s degrees in Business Administration from Middlesex University and Sustainable Maritime Operations from the University of Plymouth, along with an Honours degree in Engineering and Management from Portsmouth University.
He is currently the Head of Research Ship Engineering /Marine Engineer Manager at the National Oceanography Centre in Southampton, UK, which is a research organisation focused on understanding and protecting our ocean, and one that recognises that a key part of having a safe maritime future is keeping the environment we operate in safe.
Kevin’s message to those interested in pursuing a career in maritime:
“It’s such a diverse industry with great opportunities and one I highly recommend. With more than 70% of the earth’s surface covered by water and the vital role it plays in earth’s climate management and 90% of global trade conducted by sea, the maritime industry has a significant role to play in our existence. It can be said that we understand more of the surface of the moon than we do of the oceans around us.
St Helenians more than most know the importance of our oceans so why not take that step into a career in the maritime industry; the roles out there are endless.”
Julian Anthony
After six years in the Royal Navy, Julian’s passion for travel and adventure led him to the superyacht industry. His prior maritime experience quickly helped him secure a position as a deckhand, from which he advanced to Lead Deck.
Julian commented:
“I have been fortunate to work on different yachts which include Lauren L, VAVA II, A, Idynasty, Skat, and I am currently working on H3 as Bosun which means that I have full responsibility for the maintenance and upkeep of the exterior of the yacht and I manage the deck team.
My work as a seafarer has allowed me to travel to so many places around the world. Some of my most memorable experiences are:
- sailing through Indonesia
- visiting the remote islands of Raja Ampat
- seeing Komodo Dragons in the wild
- anchoring of an active volcano
- seeing the Great Barrier Reef in Australia
- sailing the Hawaiian Islands
- travelling to Alaska and seeing glaciers, surfing icebergs, river fishing for salmon with brown bears on the opposite bank and flying in a helicopter to the top of a snow capped volcano for sundowners
- travelling to the Bahamas and seeing the swimming pigs
- transiting the Suez and Panama Canals on numerous occasions.
We extend our sincere gratitude and wish all seafarers, past and present, on St Helena and overseas a successful Seafarer’s Day.
If you are a seafarer or work within the maritime industry and are interested in sharing your experiences or contributing your skills to the development of young people on St Helena, we encourage you to connect with us. Please contact Maritime Authority via email through terri.clingham@sainthelena.gov.sh or by telephone on (00290) 25970. Alternatively contact Education Consultant, Wendy Benjamin, at wendy.benjamin@sainthelena.gov.sh or (00290) 23043/63351.
Photos
Kevin Williams
Julian Anthony on some of his adventures at sea
#StHelena #MaritimeAuthority #DayoftheSeafarer
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The Health and Social Care Portfolio (HSC) advises the public of temporary changes to ambulance operations during the closure of Ladder Hill and Shy Road from 1 to 31 July 2025.
To maintain emergency cover, ambulance vehicles will be based at the Community Care Complex (CCC) in Half Tree Hollow outside of normal working hours. This location has been chosen as most ambulance clinicians live nearby, enabling quicker mobilisation.
During weekdays (08:30 to 16:00), ambulances will continue to operate from the General Hospital, with staff on hand to support the Emergency Department.
A second on-call clinician will be available during evenings and weekends and based in the Alarm Forest or Longwood area. This clinician will carry a response car and can attend critical incidents such as cardiac arrests.
The public are reminded to familiarise themselves with the nearest Automated External Defibrillator (AED). AEDs are accessible 24/7 at the following locations:
| District | Location |
| Half Tree Hollow | Half Tree Hollow Clinic (Outside of the main entrance) |
| St Paul’s | The Pavilion Area (In the green shed) at Francis Plain |
| Levelwood | Silver Hill Shop (Outside) |
| Blue Hill | Blue Hill Community Centre (Outside) |
| Sandy Bay | Bamboo Hedge Shop (Outside) |
| Rupert’s | Sea Rescue Building (Outside the main entrance) |
| Longwood | Royal St Helena Police Post (Outside) |
| Jamestown | Customs Building (Near the entrance to the Immigration office) |
To help emergency services find you faster, please download the free what3words app. All emergency call handlers are trained in first aid and will guide you until help arrives.
For emergencies, dial 999. For non-urgent queries, contact Michael Gaga-Hale on 22500.
HSC thanks the public for their understanding and cooperation during this period.