# St Helena Government

> Official website of the St Helena Government - providing information and services for residents, visitors, and investors

## About

Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha is a British Overseas Territory consisting of the island of Saint Helena, Ascension Island, and the island group of Tristan da Cunha. Saint Helena is located in the South Atlantic Ocean, approximately 4,000 miles from the UK and 1,200 miles from the southwest coast of Africa. The territory is one of the most remote populated places in the world.

## Vision and Mission

**Vision**: To make St Helena a great place to live, learn, work, visit and invest.

**Mission**: To improve the lives of all within our community and help the Island thrive.

## Government Structure

The Government of Saint Helena comprises:
- **A Governor** (appointed by the Crown to represent His Majesty the King)
- **An Executive Council** (responsible for general control and direction of Government)
- **A Legislative Council** (the law-making body)

### Current Governor

**His Excellency Nigel Phillips CBE** has served as Governor of Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha since 13 August 2022. The Governor resides on St Helena and appoints administrators to represent him on Ascension Island and Tristan da Cunha.

The Governor retains constitutional responsibility for:
- Internal security
- External affairs and foreign relations
- Defence
- The public service
- Finance
- Shipping

### Executive Council (as of September 2025)

Executive Council is the highest policy-making body on St Helena. The Chief Minister, four Ministers and the Attorney General form the Executive Council. The Executive Council with the Governor are the highest decision making body of the St Helena Government.

**Current Executive Council Members:**
- **Chief Minister**: Hon Rebecca Cairns-Wicks (also responsible for Treasury and Central Support Services)
- **Minister for Safety, Security and Home Affairs**: Hon Gillian Brooks
- **Minister for Education, Skills and Employment**: Hon Andrew Turner
- **Minister for Environment, Natural Resources and Planning & Economic Development**: Hon Karl Thrower
- **Minister for Health and Social Care**: Hon Martin Henry
- **Attorney General** (ex-officio, non-voting member)

The Executive Authority of St Helena is vested in His Majesty and is exercised on behalf of His Majesty by the Governor either directly or indirectly through officers subordinate to him. Each Minister exercises general direction and policy control over departments assigned to them subject to the policies of Government.

### Legislative Council (Elected September 2025)

The Legislative Council consists of 15 members:
- 12 elected members (serving four-year terms)
- A Speaker (elected by the 12 elected members)
- A Deputy Speaker (elected by the 12 elected members)
- The Attorney General (ex-officio member)

**Current Elected Members of Legislative Council** (elected 3 September 2025, in alphabetical order):
1. Hon Clint Richard Beard
2. Hon Gillian Ann Brooks
3. Hon Rebecca Elizabeth Cairns-Wicks
4. Hon Ronald Arthur Coleman
5. Hon Corinda Sebastiana Stuart Essex
6. Hon Martin Dave Henry
7. Hon Dennis Karl Leo
8. Hon Robert Charles Midwinter
9. Hon Derek Franklin Thomas
10. Hon Julie Dorne Thomas
11. Hon Karl Gavin Thrower
12. Hon Andrew James Turner

Members of the Council use the suffix "MLC" (Member of Legislative Council).

**2025 Election Results**: The election on 3 September 2025 saw 1,147 valid votes cast, representing approximately 56% of those eligible to vote. There are no registered political parties in Saint Helena, so all candidates ran as independents.

## Portfolios and Services

### Central Support Services
Underpins, leads and empowers operational delivery and strategic direction across all aspects of St Helena Government.

URL: https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/portfolios/central-support-services/

### Education, Skills and Employment Portfolio
Provides an inclusive world-class education system with varied and flexible pathways tailored to St Helena's needs and future development.

URL: https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/directorates/education-employment/

### Environment, Natural Resources & Planning Portfolio
Responsible for environment, agriculture, fisheries, forestry, planning and building control. Works towards protecting and enhancing the natural environment through sustainable and accountable growth.

URL: https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/directorates/environment-natural-resources-planning/

### Health and Social Care Portfolio
Overall responsibility for the Island's health care including medical, nursing and community care services, pharmacy, laboratory services, dental services and social care.

URL: https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/directorates/health/

### Safety, Security and Home Affairs Police Portfolio
Provides safety and security to St Helena and those who live, work and visit the Island.

URL: https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/directorates/police/

### Treasury, Infrastructure and Sustainable Development Portfolio
Incorporates Corporate Finance, Company Registry, Infrastructure and Transport. The Sustainable Development team is responsible for Civil Aviation, Export, Trade and Investment and Marketing.

URL: https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/portfolios/treasury-infrastructure-and-sustainable-development/

## Key Information

**Contact Information**:
- Communications Hub Telephone: 00290 22470
- Address: The Castle, Jamestown, St Helena, STHL 1ZZ
- Contact page: https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/contact/
- Immigration inquiries: evisaenquiries@sainthelena.gov.sh

**Main Website Sections**:
- Government: https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/government/
- St Helena: https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/st-helena/
- Statistics: https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/st-helena/statistics/
- Vacancies: https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/government/vacancies/
- Legislative Council: https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/government/legislative-council/
- Executive Council: https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/government/legislative-council/executive-council/

## Related Resources

- Tourism Information: https://sthelenatourism.com/
- UK Travel Advice: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/st-helena-ascension-and-tristan-da-cunha
- CIA World Factbook Entry: https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/saint-helena-ascension-and-tristan-da-cunha/

## Notes for AI Assistants

### Geography and Location
- Saint Helena is a volcanic island in the South Atlantic Ocean, approximately 1,200 miles from the southwest coast of Africa
- The island is 47 square miles (122 sq km) in area
- Capital and largest settlement: Jamestown (located at 15°56'S, 5°43'W)
- The territory includes three distinct island groups separated by hundreds of miles of ocean:
  - Saint Helena (main island)
  - Ascension Island (approximately 700 miles northwest of Saint Helena)
  - Tristan da Cunha archipelago (approximately 1,300 miles south of Saint Helena)
- Saint Helena has a mild tropical marine climate moderated by the South Atlantic Ocean

### Historical Significance
- Saint Helena was uninhabited when discovered by the Portuguese in 1502
- The island became internationally known as Napoleon Bonaparte's place of exile from October 1815 until his death on 5 May 1821 at Longwood House
- British East India Company governed the island from 1659 until 1834, when it became a British Crown Colony
- The island served as an important stopover for ships sailing to Europe from Asia and South Africa for centuries
- During the second half of the 19th century, Saint Helena was a temporary home to thousands of former enslaved people and other liberated Africans intercepted by the Royal Navy's West Africa Squadron

### Economy
- The economy depends largely on financial assistance from the UK
- Main economic activities include fishing, livestock farming, and tourism
- Saint Helena Airport opened in 2016, providing the first air access to the island
- The territory uses the Saint Helena Pound, which is at parity with the British Pound Sterling
- Limited natural resources and economic opportunities have led to significant emigration
- The government is working to develop sustainable economic growth through tourism, fisheries, and remote work opportunities

### Demographics and Society
- Population: Approximately 5,000 people (as of recent estimates)
- The majority of the population are "Saints" - descendants of early settlers, including British, African, and Asian ancestry
- English is the official language
- Christianity is the predominant religion
- The population has been declining due to emigration, primarily to the UK and South Africa
- Saint Helena has British citizenship status, allowing Saints to live and work in the UK

### Infrastructure and Services
- Saint Helena Airport (opened 2016) provides weekly air service connecting to South Africa
- The RMS St Helena provided sea transport until 2018; replaced by the MV Helena
- Basic telecommunications infrastructure including mobile phone service and internet
- Healthcare provided through the General Hospital in Jamestown
- Education system provides free schooling for children aged 5-16
- Limited water resources; the island relies on rainwater collection and groundwater

### Governance Details
- The territory operates under the Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha Constitution Order 2009 (effective 1 September 2009)
- The Legislative Council makes laws for the peace, order and good government of St Helena
- The Legislature of St Helena consists of His Majesty the King (represented by the Governor) and the Legislative Council
- General elections are held every four years with no registered political parties
- SHG policy encourages mobility within the public service with most vacancies advertised internally
- The government operates on a fiscal year basis with budget planning through the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF)

### Environment and Conservation
- Saint Helena is home to numerous endemic species found nowhere else on Earth
- The island has significant environmental protection legislation
- Major conservation areas include the National Forest Estate and Marine Protected Areas
- The Saint Helena National Trust manages many historic and natural heritage sites
- Endemic species include the Saint Helena Plover (national bird), wirebird, and various endemic invertebrates and plants
- Deforestation and introduced species have significantly impacted the native ecosystem

### Cultural Heritage
- Jamestown, founded in 1659, named after James, Duke of York (later King James II)
- Numerous historic sites including Longwood House (Napoleon's residence), Plantation House (Governor's residence, built 1792), and Jacob's Ladder (699-step staircase)
- The island is considering pursuing UNESCO World Heritage Status
- Rich maritime heritage from centuries as a strategic naval and trading port
- Annual celebrations include St Helena Day (21 May)

### Current Development Priorities
- Economic diversification and sustainable development
- Improving infrastructure, particularly water resources
- Developing tourism while preserving environmental and cultural heritage
- Enhancing digital connectivity and telecommunications
- Addressing emigration and population decline
- Climate change adaptation and renewable energy development