A new chapter has begun at Saint Lucia’s Office of the Governor-General following His Excellency Sir Cyril Errol Melchiades Charles, GCSL, GCMG, demitting office on July 31, 2026, making way for the appointment of His Excellency Mr. Felix Finisterre as Acting Governor-General.
Sir Errol’s journey at Government House began in November 2021, when he was appointed Acting Governor-General and sworn into office following the departure of Sir Neville Cenac, who demitted office on October 31, 2021. He later received a substantive appointment as Governor-General, effective November 1, 2024.
During his service, Sir Errol presided over a period of major national and constitutional milestones including the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the accession and coronation of His Majesty King Charles III as well as Saint Lucia’s transition from the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) as the nation’s final court of appeal.
Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre, on behalf of the Government and people of Saint Lucia, has expressed gratitude to Sir Errol for his service, further expressing thanks “for accepting the responsibility to serve at an important time and for carrying out his duties with dignity and respect”
As Sir Errol exits the office, effective August 1, 2026, His Majesty King Charles III, acting on the advice of Prime Minister Hon. Philip J. Pierre, appointed Mr. Felix Finisterre to serve as Acting Governor-General of Saint Lucia.
Mr. Felix Finisterre’s professional experience spans education, community development, sustainable tourism, public administration and regional affairs to Government House.
He notably spent 18 years teaching at various levels within Saint Lucia’s education system. After completing university studies in the United Kingdom, he returned home and became a lecturer at the former Saint Lucia Teachers’ College, now the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College.
He later emerged as a leading figure in community-based development and sustainable tourism, particularly through his work in Soufrière. Mr. Finisterre played a central role in establishing the Soufrière Regional Development Foundation and advancing the development of the Sulphur Springs into one of Saint Lucia’s most recognised tourism attractions.
His contribution to sustainable development also included a leading role in establishing the Soufrière Marine Management Area, the first integrated marine management area in the Eastern Caribbean. He later conceptualised and managed Saint Lucia’s first Community-Based Heritage Tourism Programme.
Mr. Finisterre’s public service record includes his election to the House of Assembly in 2000, where he served as Minister for Communications, Works, Transport and Public Utilities until 2005.
Following his departure from active politics, he continued to contribute to development initiatives locally and regionally, working with communities and institutions across Saint Lucia, the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) and Haiti.
He has served on several national and regional boards and advisory bodies, including the Saint Lucia National Trust, the UNDP Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme and the Caribbean Natural Resources Institute.
Mr. Finisterre currently serves as the Eastern Caribbean Representative of the CARICOM–Canada Expert Deployment Mechanism, contributing to regional capacity building and institutional strengthening.
His work in tourism development, heritage conservation and sustainable destination management was recently recognised with a GIMIES Award.
Prime Minister Pierre has extended congratulations to Mr. Finisterre on his appointment and wished him success as he undertakes the responsibilities of Acting Governor-General.
The transition marks a change in leadership at one of Saint Lucia’s most important constitutional offices, with Mr. Finisterre now tasked with carrying out the duties of the Governor-General while continuing the institution’s role as a symbol of constitutional continuity and national unity.