Fidelity marks 25 years in the Cayman Islands this year and will honour Sir Vassel Johnson, a long-serving Fidelity board member and one of the country’s most-distinguished citizens, according to Anwer Sunderji, chairman and chief executive of Fidelity.
‘Fidelity has established an annual educational-merit award and will dedicate the main-branch banking hall in Sir Vassel’s name in a ceremony on 23rd June,’ Mr. Sunderji.said.
‘Sir Vassel has agreed to remain on Fidelity’s board as director emeritus. We are honoured to have had the opportunity to work alongside Sir Vassel over the last 22 years and have benefited from his experience, wisdom and guidance.
‘We are extremely grateful to him for his commitment and unswerving dedication to our company,’ he said.
Leonard Ebanks, Fidelity vice chairman and former bank president, said Sir Vassel joined the board in 1983, playing an integral role in the growth and development of Fidelity into a leading local and regional financial-services provider.
‘Sir Vassel has been a tower of strength and stability. We have relied on him greatly for his advice and will always remain indebted to him for his contributions,’ Mr. Ebanks said.
Brett Hill, president and chief executive officer, said the Fidelity Sir Vassel Johnson Merit Award will be given to the most-outstanding young Caymanian student.
‘This award will be presented annually to the Cayman scholar selected by the Education Council of the Cayman Islands. The creation and naming of this award for Sir Vassel is one of the most meaningful ways for us to acknowledge his contribution to our organization while reflecting Fidelity’s commitment to the growth and development of young talent and the country as a whole,’ Mr. Hill said.
Sir Vassel Johnson was born in Jamaica in 1922 and moved with his parents to Cuba four years later.
In 1934 the family moved to Grand Cayman, where he was educated locally.
After graduating from secondary school Sir vassal joined the Army (Home Guard) and served for three years until the end of the Second World War, when he joined the Civil Service.
He was appointed financial secretary in 1965, a position he held for 17 years until his retirement.
In 1984 he entered politics, becoming minister for Development and Natural Resources. He retired after four years.
From 1983 to 1997 he was managing director of a private office-accommodation-leasing company.
Sir Vassell was awarded an OBE in 1970, the CBE in 1980 and was knighted in 1994.
The author of two books, The Cayman Islands Economic and Financial Review and As I See It: How Cayman Became a Leading Financial Centre, Sir Vassal is married, with six children and 10 grandchildren.
Related Videos
