Since the re-establishment of British rule on the Falkland Islands in the 19th century, the Governor, through consultation with the elected Legislative Council of the Falkland Islands, had almost complete control over executive power on the Falklands.
Following the Falklands War in 1982, Lord Shackleton published a report on the Government of the Falkland Islands which recommended many modernisations, including the creation of the office of the Chief Executive to which many powers of the Governor were delegated.