Malta’s High Commissioner to UK appointed chair of Commonwealth board
Stephen Montefort will serve a two-year term leading the Board of Governors
Malta’s High Commissioner to the UK, Stephen Montefort, has been appointed the new chairperson of the Board of Governors of the Commonwealth Secretariat.
Welcoming the appointment, Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey said Montefort will play “an important role” in the implementation of the Commonwealth’s strategic plan 2025-2030 and the reform agenda “at this critical time of global disruption and stalling growth”.
“He joins as Chairperson as we prepare for a defining and consequential Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua and Barbuda in November,” Botchwey added.
Montefort took on the role on July 1 for a two-year term. He has been serving on the Board of Governors since taking office as Malta’s High Commissioner to the UK in January 2025.
He has also been appointed the chairman of the executive board of the Commonwealth Foundation.
"This will allow me to be able to synchronise the actions and strategy of the foundation to those of the commonwealth secretariat," Montefort said.
All 56 Commonwealth member countries are represented on the Commonwealth Secretariat Board of Governors by their High Commissioners. The role of the Board of Governors is to approve the Secretariat’s strategic plans, work programmes and budgets.
Rajendra Singh, High Commissioner of Guyana, was appointed chairperson of the executive committee.