Who I Am

I was born and raised on St Helena and although I did spend a few years working offshore, I’ve long called this Island my home.I’m a father of two; a teenage son and a young daughter, and like all of you parents, I want them to grow up with every reason to be proud of where they live.

Since returning home, I’ve dedicated my career to conservation, with a focus on protecting and growing our endemic Wirebird population.My work has allowed me to connect deeply with the Island’s unique environment, from restoring habitats to sharing our natural heritage with visitors through guided tours.I take pride in showing off our Island’s beauty and helping others understand why it’s worth protecting.

Beyond work, I’m someone who enjoys the simple, important things in Island life…taking on the Postbox Walks, keeping cultural traditions like Easter camping alive, and staying active through football, cricket and other community sports.I’ve served on the St Pauls’ Primary PTA and Kingshurst Community Centre committee, giving my time to projects that bring people together.

These experiences, from working the land to working with people, have given me a strong understanding of our culture, challenges and potential.I know what it means to live here, to raise a family here and to want better for the generations to come.

Why I’m Running

I’m putting myself forward because I believe it’s time for more practical, honest and community-led solutions.I want to help build an Island that is stronger, more self-reliant and united; not by making empty promises, but by working with people to lay the groundwork for lasting change.

I believe in the power of community. Access to fresh, local food is about more than health.It’s about nourishing minds, keeping people active, supporting local growers and creating stronger, more self-reliant communities. This also ties directly to how we look after our environment. Protecting our land, respecting our resources and encouraging sustainable practices are key to our wellbeing and that of future generations.

I am especially passionate about empowering our youth. They need to feel seen, heard and involved in shaping the future of St Helena. We must invest in them.Not just through opportunities, but by showing them that their ideas and talents matter.

At the heart of it all is a strong belief in local knowledge and cultural identity. What we know as a community, our history, our traditions, our way of life, is not something to be sidelined. Too often, we’re made to feel that outside expertise outweighs what we already understand. But real growth happens when we reclaim confidence in our own voices and take an active role in shaping our own future.

I don’t claim to have all the answers, but I do believe the best knowledge lives with the people who live here. Instead of asking “Why isn’t this being done?”, we should be asking “What about trying this?”.There are big issues we need to face together.I want to be part of a council that not only addresses these challenges but works with the community to shape lasting solutions.

It’s only a four-year term, and I don’t pretend that everything can be fixed in that time. But we can build a framework, set clear direction and open the door for people to bring new ideas.My role is to help create that space where ideas can grow, guided by your voices and respecting local knowledge as a key driver for progress.

Every priority I have is about keeping more money in the local economy, creating jobs and building an island we can sustain ourselves on.

My Approach

I do have core priorities; things I care deeply about and want to champion. But I also know that what matters to me might not be the same for everyone. There may be issues I’ve overlooked. This will not be on purpose, but because we all see life differently. That’s why I will always make time to listen.

How I’ll work:

•      Listen first, act with transparency

•      Explain every decision I make

•      Be open to challenges and new ideas

I believe in collaboration, not control. In respect, not superiority. And in action, not just talk! If I don’t know something, I’ll ask. If I make a decision, I’ll explain it. And if I’m challenged, I’ll listen and learn.

My Priorities and How I Plan to Tackle These Issues

Strengthening Farming for Food Security

We need to grow more of what we eat, from meat to fresh fruit and vegetables, and reduce our reliance on imports. This means supporting farmers to expand without risking their livelihoods, planning production together and understanding exactly what our community consumes. The goal is clear: close the gaps, become more self-reliant and even supply our sister islands in time.

St Helena’s fishing industry is in disarray, but we have one of the cleanest, most sustainable fisheries in the world – built on traditional pole-and-line methods that protect our marine life and guarantee top quality. This reputation should be a strength, not a missed opportunity. We must get the basics right: fair policies for local fishermen, reliable infrastructure for processing and cold storage, and coordinated marketing that highlights the purity, traceability and sustainability of our catch. By securing our local supply first and building an export system that works for the community, we can ensure fishing provides a fair living for those at sea, fresh affordable fish for island families and a premium export product that carries the St Helena name with pride.

Coffee remains one of our premium exports. Demand already exceeds supply, so with the right support, we can scale up without losing quality – keeping its reputation strong and its price premium.

Stronger farming and fishing mean fresher, more affordable food on your table and more local jobs to support families.

Promoting Sport for Health and Community

Sport unites people, improves physical and mental health, and builds pride. I will champion sport not only for young people but also for mature residents, ensuring access to regular activity, social opportunities and improved facilities, and work to strengthen inter-island competitions and off-island tournament support. Our athletes and our Island deserve the chance to shine.

Creating Green Jobs through Conservation

We have a responsibility to protect and restore our unique environment and we need to be the generation to restore our endemic plants to their natural habitats. Supporting this work creates green jobs, boosts pride in our environment and supports small organisations like SHNT. Our land is part of who we are, and we must take care of it.

Growing Niche, Community-Led Tourism

Mass tourism isn’t for us – but niche tourism is. Our powerful, sometimes dark, history, culture and natural beauty are best shared by our own people. Local guides and storytellers should lead the way, attracting visitors who value connection, heritage and authenticity.

Empowering Youth for a Future on Island

We must give young people reasons to stay and thrive here. That means working closely with Youth Parliament – not just listening to their ideas, but bringing their solutions to the decision-making table, so they see a future worth building. That also means creating real training, skills, and apprenticeship opportunities so young people can see a clear career path right here at home.

Cutting Costs and Protecting the Environment through Affordable Energy

We can lower household bills and reduce our environmental impact by supporting renewable projects, exploring alternatives to imported fuels and helping households adopt energy-saving solutions. Using our natural resources wisely protects both our planet and our long-term economic security. Lower bills mean more money left in your pocket at the end of the month.

Removing Employment Barriers through Cannabis Offence Reform

I believe we should explore decriminalising small-scale possession, so capable people aren’t punished for life over something already part of our social reality. This isn’t about promoting cannabis – it’s about removing unnecessary barriers to work and ensuring skills and potential matter more than stigma.

My Commitment

I want to build a foundation for change. There inevitably will be difficult decisions to be made, some perhaps unpopular. What I can guarantee however, is that when I make any decision, it will be transparent and in the best interest of our Island.

We have so much to offer. The knowledge, strength and solutions we need are already here within our people, our land and our culture. My role is to be that voice for you.To facilitate and not to take over, but to help bring people together and create a space where ideas grow.This is about respecting what we already know, drawing on it with pride, and blending it with fresh thinking to create something truly our own.

This is a time for us to believe in ourselves again.To trust our own knowledge, our people and our potential.This campaign isn’t about doing everything…it’s about starting something real.Let’s stop waiting for someone else to tell us what to do. Let’s start building the future together - practically, proudly and with purpose.

Vote for me and I’ll work with you to build an Island that’s fair, self-reliant and proud of what we achieve together.