Members of Cayman’s insurance industry have paid tribute to Gordon Rowell, who died last week at the age of 59.
He headed the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority’s Insurance Supervision Division from 2001-2003 and again from 2009-2013, and was also previously the chief executive officer of the Cayman Islands National Insurance Company (CINICO).
In a statement issued on his passing, CIMA described him as having played “a pivotal role in shaping the Cayman Islands as a leading jurisdiction in the global insurance market”.
CIMA said he had been instrumental in modernising the Cayman Islands’ Insurance Law, which came into effect on 1 Nov. 2012.
‘A visionary’
The authority said he was a dedicated advocate for Cayman, representing the jurisdiction on global platforms and contributing to the development of its insurance sector.
CIMA’s chief executive officer, Cindy Scotland, said, “It is with great sadness that we bid farewell to our dear colleague, whose contributions have forever shaped the insurance sector. Gordon was a visionary whose dedication paved the way for the current success of the insurance industry.
“He was also instrumental in laying the groundwork for the quickly expanding reinsurance market.”
She added, “Beyond his professional brilliance, he had an incredible ability to bring lightness and laughter to any situation, making even the toughest days brighter. A true intellectual, he rose through the ranks with determination, earning the admiration and respect of all who had the privilege of knowing him.
“He will be deeply missed, but never forgotten.”
CIMA extended its deepest condolences to his family, Madeleine, Matthew and Lana, his friends, and colleagues.
The Insurance Managers Association of Cayman (IMAC) also issued a statement, saying it was “deeply saddened” to learn of the insurance stalwart’s passing.
It noted that, as well as his roles in CIMA and CINICO, he had also been vice president of Marsh Management Services (Cayman) Ltd., chief reinsurance officer at TWG Re, and chief operating officer of Time Insurance Company II by Haven Holdings.
His work also extended outside Cayman. He held consultancy roles with BDO Advisors LLC as a healthcare system consultant to the government of Turks and Caicos, and with the International Monetary Fund as technical assistant participating in IMF missions to Belize and Vanuatu, IMAC stated.
It noted that he also worked with the British government during its review of the British Overseas Dependent Territories by KPMG in 2020, and was a member of the delegation working closely with the Financial Action Task Force.
He was also a fellow of the Life Management Institute and an associate in reinsurance of the American Institute of Chartered Property Casualty Underwriters.
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