Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands
Encyclopedia
The Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands is the representative of the British monarch in the United Kingdom
's overseas territory of Turks and Caicos Islands
. The Governor is appointed by the monarch on the advice of the British government. The role of the Governor is to act as the de facto head of state
, and he or she is responsible for appointing the Premier and 5 members of the House of Assembly.
The current Governor is Ric Todd.
In August 2009, the United Kingdom suspended the Turks and Caicos' self-government after allegations of ministerial corruption. The prerogative of the ministerial government and the House of Assembly are vested in the islands' governor for a period of up to two years.
The Governor has his own flag in the Turks and Caicos Islands, the Union Flag
with the territory's coat of arms superimposed.
until that colony received independence in 1962. Afterwards the governor of the Bahamas oversaw affairs from 1965 to 1973. With Bahamian independence, the islands received a separate governor in 1973.
A list of office holders since 1973:
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
's overseas territory of Turks and Caicos Islands
Turks and Caicos Islands
The Turks and Caicos Islands are a British Overseas Territory and overseas territory of the European Union consisting of two groups of tropical islands in the Caribbean, the larger Caicos Islands and the smaller Turks Islands, known for tourism and as an offshore financial centre.The Turks and...
. The Governor is appointed by the monarch on the advice of the British government. The role of the Governor is to act as the de facto head of state
Head of State
A head of state is the individual that serves as the chief public representative of a monarchy, republic, federation, commonwealth or other kind of state. His or her role generally includes legitimizing the state and exercising the political powers, functions, and duties granted to the head of...
, and he or she is responsible for appointing the Premier and 5 members of the House of Assembly.
The current Governor is Ric Todd.
In August 2009, the United Kingdom suspended the Turks and Caicos' self-government after allegations of ministerial corruption. The prerogative of the ministerial government and the House of Assembly are vested in the islands' governor for a period of up to two years.
The Governor has his own flag in the Turks and Caicos Islands, the Union Flag
Union Flag
The Union Flag, also known as the Union Jack, is the flag of the United Kingdom. It retains an official or semi-official status in some Commonwealth Realms; for example, it is known as the Royal Union Flag in Canada. It is also used as an official flag in some of the smaller British overseas...
with the territory's coat of arms superimposed.
History
The islands were a dependency of JamaicaJamaica
Jamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, in length, up to in width and 10,990 square kilometres in area. It is situated in the Caribbean Sea, about south of Cuba, and west of Hispaniola, the island harbouring the nation-states Haiti and the Dominican Republic...
until that colony received independence in 1962. Afterwards the governor of the Bahamas oversaw affairs from 1965 to 1973. With Bahamian independence, the islands received a separate governor in 1973.
A list of office holders since 1973:
- Alexander Graham MitchellAlexander Graham MitchellAlexander Graham Mitchell was the first Governor of the Turks and Caicos from April 1973 to May 1975. He had previously served as the last Administrator of the islands from 1971 to 1973. He went on to serve as Bursar of Dame Allan's Schools....
(1973–1975) - Arthur Christopher WatsonArthur Christopher WatsonArthur Christopher Watson CMG, Watson was born in China, and educated at St Catharine's College, Cambridge. He was a British Civil Servant....
(1975–1978) - John Clifford StrongJohn Clifford StrongJohn Clifford Strong was Governor of the Turks and Caicos from August 1978 to September 1982. Strong was succeeded by Christopher J. Turner in October 1982.-References:...
(1978–1982) - Christopher J. TurnerChristopher J. TurnerChristopher John Turner, CBE was Governor of the Turks and Caicos from October 1982 to January 1987. Hesubsequently served as Governor of Montserrat from 1987 to 1990.-References:...
(1982–1987) - Michael J. BradleyMichael J. Bradley (Governor)Michael John Bradley was Governor of the Turks and Caicos from January 1987 to June 1993. Bradley was succeeded by Martin Bourke in June 1993....
(1987–1993) - Martin BourkeMartin BourkeMartin Bourke is a former British diplomat who was Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands from June 1993 to September 1996. Bourke was succeeded by John Kelly in October 1996....
(1993–1996) - John Kelly (1996–2000)
- Mervyn JonesMervyn JonesMervyn Thomas Jones is a British diplomat who was Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands from January 2000 to November 2002. Jones was succeeded by acting Governor Cynthia Astwood on 26 November 2002...
(2000–2002) - Cynthia AstwoodCynthia AstwoodCynthia Astwood served as the acting Governor of the Turks and Caicos from 1986 until 16 December 2002, when she retired and was succeeded by Jim Poston. She was the first woman to act as Governor of the Turks and Caicos.-References:...
(2002; acting) - Jim PostonJim PostonJames "Jim" Poston, CBE was a British diplomat who was Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands from 2002 to 2005. Poston succeeded acting Governor Cynthia Astwood on 16 December 2002....
(2002–2005) - Mahala WynnsMahala WynnsMahala Wynns is the current Deputy Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands since August 9, 2006. She was also the acting Governor of the TCI in 2005 and 2008....
(2005; acting) - Richard TauwhareRichard TauwhareRichard Tauwhare was the tenth Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands, serving from 11 July 2005 to 16 July 2008. He succeeded Governor Jim Poston....
(2005–2008) - Mahala WynnsMahala WynnsMahala Wynns is the current Deputy Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands since August 9, 2006. She was also the acting Governor of the TCI in 2005 and 2008....
(2008 – 5 August 2008; acting) - Gordon WetherellGordon WetherellGordon Geoffrey Wetherell, CMG is a British diplomat who was the former Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands. He was appointed on 5 August 2008, replacing Richard Tauwhare in the position...
(5 August 2008 – 22 August 2011) - Martin Stanley (22 August – 12 September 2011; acting)
- Ric Todd (12 September 2011 – present)