Having worked closely with Guernsey’s current and two previous Lieutenant Governors, Marco Ciotti is now handing over the reins to a new Aide de Camp.
As the Governor’s Secretary and confidential assistant, the ADC is the ‘right hand man’ of the Monarch’s representative in the Bailiwick.
From now on, that role will be occupied by Lieutenant Colonel (retired) Chris Ayres MBE, who has formally taken over from Major (retired) Ciotti.
Major Ciotti has held the role as Secretary and ADC to the Lt-Governor since 2012, serving Sir Richard Cripwell, Sir Ian Corder, and Air Marshal Peter Walker.
“It really has been a privilege to serve the Crown and the Bailiwick over the past 13 years as they have both continued to evolve,” said Major Ciotti.
“I’ve had the opportunity to meet so many interesting people and to be part of a great team, working across a very broad range of issues. I can’t think of another job where every day brings such variety.”
Having taken over as Secretary and ADC to Sir Richard Cripwell, Lieutenant Colonel Ayres will now be closely involved in the life and work of His Excellency, and will work alongside his successor when the time comes.
Lieutenant Col. Ayres grew up in Guernsey where he attended the Grammar School before he commissioned from Sandhurst into the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.
Throughout his army career he was based in the UK and Germany, and he conducted exercises in Europe, Canada, and Belize as well as operational deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.
As a Major he was awarded an MBE in the 2020 Queen’s New Year’s Honours List for his work as the Army Headquarter’s lead logistics planner for the British Army’s involvement in a large Nato exercise in 2018.
Since leaving the Army in 2023 he has moved back to Guernsey with his wife and two sons, and he was working as a Mechanical Engineer for Guernsey Electricity before being appointed to his new role.
“The position of Secretary and ADC to the Lieutenant Governor is perfect for a Guernseyman who has served in the military,” said Lt Col. Ayres.
“It is a real honour to have been appointed to the role and to be able continue to serve the crown on my home island with my family and friends around me.”
While Lt Col. Ayres settles in to his new working role, Major Ciotti confirmed he will be remaining on island in retirement.
He plans to spend more time out on his fishing boat.