British Governor of Gibraltar

British Governor of Gibraltar

The Governor of Gibraltar is the representative of the British monarch in the British overseas territory of Gibraltar. 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

Our mission is to support the Governor and Commander-in-Chief in carrying out his constitutional role and duties as Her Majesty’s Representative in Gibraltar.

Find out more on our Gibraltar and the UK news page

The Governor has special responsibilities for the conduct in Gibraltar of:

• External affairs
• Defence
• Internal security
• Certain functions in relation to public offices

The Office of the Governor also supports dialogue between Her Majesty’s Government of Gibraltar and Her Majesty’s Government in the UK on a range of issues, to further develop the modern partnership between Britain and Gibraltar.

Biography

Vice Admiral Sir David Steel KBE, DL was appointed Governor of Gibraltar in June 2020.

Curriculum Vitae

2014 – present	Deputy Lieutenant for Hampshire; (from 2015) Chief Executive Officer, Leeds Castle Foundation and Enterprises Ltd; President, Union Jack Club London
2012 – 2015	Second Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Personnel, Training and Infrastructure (Vice Admiral)
2010 – 2012	Naval Secretary and Director of Personnel and Career Management
2009 – 2010	Ministry of Defence, Director, Armed Forces Pay and Manning
2005 – 2008	Chief Executive and Naval Base Commander Portsmouth. Sea Area Commander English Channel
2002 – 2005	Executive Assistant to the First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff
1998 – 2002	Royal Navy, Director of Logistics
1994 – 1998	Royal Navy, Director, Legal and Personnel Services
1979 – 1994	Variety of appointments at sea including aircraft carrier Logistics Commander

Governor to Gibraltar

The Governor is the representative of Her Majesty The Queen in a British Overseas Territory. The Governor acts as the de facto head of state and is usually responsible for appointing the head of government, and senior political positions in the territory. The Governor is also responsible for liaising with the UK Government, and carrying out any ceremonial duties.

 Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory. There’s no formal British consular representation in Gibraltar and the local authorities deal with all requests for consular assistance. See Consular assistance. The Government of Gibraltar has also issued some press releases with guidance on EU Exit. You may experience delays when entering and exiting Gibraltar by road or on foot. You can find up to date information on waiting times at the border on the Gibraltar Borders & Coastguard Agency website. See Road travel. The British governor’s office is one of 17 foreign representations in Gibraltar, and one of 17 foreign representations in Gibraltar. The British governor’s office in Gibraltar is one of 375 British diplomatic and consular representations abroad.