SARK has sworn in its first president of Chief Pleas.

Former seneschal Reg Guille, pictured, was the only nominee and was elected unanimously by the 26 conseillers present at the sitting today.

Describing it as a historic day, Jeremy La Trobe-Bateman – who as Seneschal only ever presides over the legislature when it is electing a president every four years – said that only Lt-Col Guille’s nomination had been received so there was no need for the secret ballot that multiple nominations would require.

Lt-Col Guille’s nomination was proposed by Conseiller Hazel Fry, who said that she knew ‘without any doubt’ that the former seneschal was the right person for the job.

‘He is Sark-born, he excelled in his military career and chose to return and work for the island.’