A moving Thanksgiving Service for the life of the much loved and respected banker Peter Adye Tomkins, MBE, was held at the Church of God Chapel, Walkers Road, George Town, Grand Cayman, on Wednesday 03 April 2013.

Mr. Tomkins was 82.

The officiating ministers at the service that played to a packed church of mourners were Rev Tara Tyme, Minister of John Gray Memorial Church (where Mr. Tomkins was a regular worshipper) and Pastor Alson Ebanks of Church of God Chapel.

Mr. Truman Bodden read the Obituary and a very special song was sung by Theodora Ebanks.

Hymns sung at the service included “Amazing Grace”, “It is Well With My Soul”, “I Believe in Jesus”, and “And Can It Be That I Should Gain”.

Mr. Tomkins was a long time banker and resident of Grand Cayman. The following is a tribute from Cayman National, the group that he started.

Tribute to Peter A Tomkins from Cayman National

Peter Tomkins was affectionately known as the “Founding Father” of the Cayman National Group.

Peter started his banking career with Barclays, but later came to the Cayman Islands in 1969 to work for the Mercantile Bank (which, incidentally, subsequently became Washington Bank and then the Bank of Butterfield).  Four years later he formulated a plan to create a new and independent bank in the jurisdiction. Together with a group of founding investors.

Peter turned his vision into reality in 1974 when Cayman National Bank and Trust Co. Ltd. opened its doors to the public.   The initial capital was $230,000 and with four staff led by Peter Tomkins as President, the initial focus of the business was that of a trust company.

The concept of the majority Caymanian-owned business soon gained momentum and even in its first year, the new bank and trust company turned in a profit of $600.

Peter’s vision was taken a step further in February 1977, when the share holding was opened up to the general public in the Cayman Islands. The entity of Cayman National was established as the holding company, and a further 100,000 shares were offered to the public which resulted in the number of shareholders increasing to about 150.

With the additional cash, the business was broadened with the establishment of separate entities to run the banking, trust and securities businesses.

In 1995, Peter was honoured with an MBE. This award reflected his important contribution to the financial services industry in the Cayman Islands. In his usual humble way, he attempted to praise his closest colleagues within Cayman National for the recognition but all acknowledged that he was hugely deserving of this honour.

Another important milestone for Peter was the opening of the Isle of Man office in 1985. This was Cayman National’s first overseas venture and he felt this initiative was important to expand the organization’s reach beyond the Cayman Islands.   He was also passionate about providing services to all three of the Cayman Islands and it was important to Peter that Cayman National establishes and maintain its offices in Cayman Brae and Little Cayman.

When Peter stepped down as the President and CEO in 1994, he continued to oversee the completion of the Group’s new headquarters in Elgin Avenue which he saw as yet another important and symbolic milestone for Cayman National.

Following retirement as the Chief Executive, he remained a very active member of the Cayman National board, also serving on the various subsidiary boards. Even up to a few weeks ago, Peter was in regular attendance as a board member giving freely of his extensive knowledge and experience.

Cayman National was an integral part of Peter’s life. His determination and shrewd business sense turned the vision of 1973 into the largest financial group headquartered in the Cayman Islands.  The Group employs today more than 300 staff, and over the years more than 1,000 individuals have enjoyed working for the organization.  With more than 1500 shareholders also involved in CNC, and with a substantial client base, his foresight has touched many people.

The “Cayman National Family” owes Peter a huge debt of gratitude.  All of us at Cayman National will continue to maintain the high standards of integrity, hard work, and humour that he taught us – his legacy goes on.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Mark, Dominic, Bethany, and Danielle.

END