About the SHAL Board
The St Helena Airport Limited (SHAL) Board consists of Executive and Non-Executive Directors. Between them, members of the Board have years of aviation and corporate skills, and experience, that supports SHAL in its operations and functions. The Board’s remit includes:
- Strategy and management – maintaining the viability of the business and the Airport as an Island strategic asset
- Advising on specific regulatory matters as required
- Leading corporate governance
- Ensuring the finances of SHAL are regulated, controlled and supervised in line with best financial practise
- Guiding corporate and operational risk management
- Governance of financial and procurement procedures
- Managing Company structure and external Board communications.
Carolyn Thomas, Chairperson
Carolyn was appointed Chairperson of the SHAL board in August 2023 and joined the St Helena Airport Limited Board in August 2020 as a Non-Executive Director (Risk and Governance).
Carolyn co-owns and co-manages the family business Rose & Crown Ltd and it’s three subsidiaries. Her strengths are in finance and business management.
Apart from undertaking accountancy training and work experience in UK for two years, Carolyn has lived and worked on St Helena. In addition to working within the family business, she has served as the Managing Director at the St. Helena Development Agency for three years; Chairman of Bank of St. Helena for twelve years and Non-Executive Director at Connect Saint Helena Ltd for four years.
She enjoys swimming, walking, dancing and card games. She strives to make a positive difference to the overall well-being of the people with whom she lives and works.
Tavonga Chikwenhere, Aerodrome Manager
Tavonga Chikwenhere was appointed to the SHAL Board in April 2026 in his capacity as Aerodrome Manager, having previously served the Board as an Executive Member from May 2019 to March 2025 when he was Business Manager. This experience provides him with strong institutional knowledge and continuity, enabling him to contribute effectively to the organisation’s strategic direction. Tavonga is committed to strong governance, effective risk management, and aligning operations with SHAL’s strategic goals. He champions accountability, sustainable growth, and the delivery of safe, reliable, and efficient aviation services. Tavonga is an International Aviation Professional (IAP), a globally recognised designation signifying expertise and leadership in the air transport industry. He holds an MBA from the University of Aberdeen and a BA (Hons) in Accounting and Finance from De Montfort University, supported by a range of professional certifications. He is currently furthering his expertise through an MBA in Aviation Management with ITAérea University.
Anesu Happyman Makamure – St Helena Government Representative, Non-Executive Director
Anesu is a Chartered Accountant with extensive experience in assurance, advisory, and finance across multiple jurisdictions.
Anesu began his career in South Africa, rising to Audit Director, where he managed public and private sector clients across diverse assurance and advisory lines. He later joined Audit St Helena, heading the Performance Audit division before becoming Deputy Chief Auditor, overseeing both external and performance audits. Subsequently, he served as Group Head of Internal Audit & Risk for the St Helena Government, where he transformed the unit into a self-sustaining trading account delivering internal audit and advisory services to state-owned and private entities. He currently leads his own audit firm with registered operations in St Helena and the United Kingdom.
Anesu is an avid golfer and enjoys playing chess in his spare time.
Jayne Maisey, Non-Executive Director
Jayne Maisey joined the SHAL Board as Non-Executive Director (Risk and Governance) in June 2024.
Based in the south-west of the UK she started her career in the Royal Navy as an Air Traffic Controller and later West Midlands Police, culminating in the Lockerbie Investigation. Over 30 years of aviation operations followed, mainly at Birmingham Airport where she held various roles with responsibilities for Airfield Operations (including Rescue and Fire Fighting Teams), Airfield Services (Baggage and Cargo Handling Teams), Airfield and Passenger Security (Aviation Security Teams), Policing Contract and, Policy and Regulation Assurance. Nationally she chaired the Airport Operator Association Security Committee and lead the pilot for Multi Agency Airport Security Planning.
More recently she provided Aviation Security consultancy services.
She is a Trustee on the Board of a Charity for Children in need, based in Devon, UK.
Jayne recently completed a degree in Human Psychology and Criminology, at Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge.
Peter Patrickson, Non-Executive Director
Based in the UK, Peter joined the SHAL Board as Non-Executive Director (Operations, Safety & Environment) in February 2020. He has more than 40 years’ experience within the aviation industry covering Air Traffic Control; Aerodrome Operations and Airfield Safety. He held posts at Heathrow Airport before moving to Birmingham Airport (UK) where he was responsible for all aspects of airfield and airside operations, emergency planning, and airfield development as well as managing both the Operations and Rescue and Fire Fighting Services teams. He has also held responsibility for terminal management, and baggage and cargo handling.
More recently a consultancy role, mainly in the Middle East, encompassed the provision of advice, solutions, documentation, systems, and support, on aviation matters including the upgrade and certification of three aerodromes.
Most recently, Peter was Policy Specialist for aerodromes and ATC at Air Safety Support International Ltd with experience of the development and certification of St Helena Airport.