Governor of Ascension


The Governor of Ascension is the representative of the monarch in Ascension Island, a constituent part of the British Overseas Territory of Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha. He is appointed by the monarch on the advice of the British government, his role is to act as the de facto head of state.
Prior to 2009, Ascension Island was a dependency of Saint Helena and therefore directly represented by the Governor of Saint Helena. The St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha Constitution Order 2009 made Saint Helena, Ascension Island, and Tristan da Cunha, equal constituent parts of the territory with their own governments and established the position of Governor of Ascension.

Governors from 2009 to present

Per section 143 of the Constitution Order, the persons appointed as Governor of Saint Helena are ex officio also Governor of Ascension.
Recent officeholders:

Administrators, from 1964 to present

However, as Ascension Island is away from Saint Helena, an administrator is appointed to act as the Governor's representative on the island specifically. This arrangement predates the current constitutional structure and the first administrator was appointed in 1942.
Here is a list of them since 1964, if not 1942, formally referred to as "His / Her Honour".
Administratorfromuntilnotes ?
M. E. WainwrightJune 1964September 1966
Anthony Grant Ayerst BeytsSeptember 1966September 1967
H. W. D. McDonaldJune 1968September 1973
Geoffrey Colin Guy September 1973November 1976
G. McDonaldNovember 1976June 1977
G. B. KendalJune 1977September 1977
Simon GillettSeptember 1977June 1979
P. DuncanJune 1979September 1980
Bernard Edward Pauncefort September 1980August 1982
Ian George ThowAugust 1982August 1984
Michael T. S. BlickAugust 1984January 1989
J. J. BealeJanuary 1989February 1991
Brian Norman ConnellyFebruary 1991June 1995
Roger C. HuxleyJune 199523 July 1999
Geoffrey Fairhurst23 July 199910 July 2002
Andrew Michael Kettlewell22 September 2002September 2005
Michael Thomas HillSeptember 2005September 2008
Ross DennySeptember 20089 September 2011
Colin Wells27 October 2011August 2014
Marc Holland26 August 2014March 2018
Justine Allan26 March 201825 November 2018
Steven Chandler9 March 201916 March 2020
Sean Burns 17 March 20202 November 2022
Simon Minshull2 November 2022November 2025
Rowan Laxton5 November 2025Incumbent