Cayman’s business stars were celebrated at an elegant gala on the evening of Saturday, 15 Nov. Held at Kimpton Seafire Resort +Spa, the 2025 Business Excellence Awards saw a gathering of Cayman’s political and economic elite.
The highlight of the evening came when Berna Thompson Cummins was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award, the Chamber’s highest individual honour. A teacher turned businesswoman, who made her mark as the first female president of the Cayman Islands Chamber of Commerce, Cummins used her speech to encourage other Caymanian women to make their mark on the island’s economy.
A key milestone in Cayman’s economic history
The gala was also an opportunity to celebrate the Chamber’s 60th anniversary. A number of local businesses and institutions, including the Cayman Compass, have reached that milestone in 2025.
“The chamber was established in 1965 at a time when the country was going through an evolution,” said Chamber CEO, Wil Pineau, speaking on CompassTV’s Forefront show on 6 Nov. Following Jamaica’s independence in 1962 and Cayman’s decision to remain politically connected to the UK, a number of new entities were created on the islands.
The wide range of businesses competing at the business awards clearly demonstrated how far Cayman’s economy has developed in the last 60 years. Of course, there were large, well-known names, like Cayman Airways and Cayman National Bank. But the awards also had a sprinkling of younger companies, such as Progressive Distributers, which was founded in 2003.
The award categories themselves also pointed to an increasingly sophisticated and diversified economy. The award winners were: Progressive Distributors (Business of the Year); Global Captive Management Ltd. (Small Business of the Year); Cayman Finance (Marketing Campaign of the Year); Women’s Haven (Entrepreneur of the Year); Cayman National Bank (Innovation Award); Health City Cayman Islands (Community Impact Award); Cayman Islands Health Services Authority (Commitment to Youth Education); Cayman Islands Health Services Authority (Training Champion); and RF Bank and Trust (Best ESG Project Award).
One of the key features supporting Cayman’s economic development over the last 60 years has been the collaborative relationship between the private and public sector. So it was fitting that Premier Andre Ebanks addressed the audience before inviting Shadow Finance Minister Roy McTaggart to join him on stage.
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