Community mourns bank boss
The Southland business community is in shock following the sudden death of SBS Bank group chief executive Wayne Evans.
Former colleagues and friends have remembered Evans, 49, as as an ‘‘extraordinary ethical man’’ who was fiercely dedicated to his family and swimming.
A Queenstown-based ambulance officer confirmed Evans died at the Queenstown SBS branch in Shotover St on Wednesday.
SBS Bank chairman John Ward, in a statement yesterday, said Evans had died of natural causes.
‘‘It is with great sadness and shock that we announce that Wayne Evans, Group CEO of SBS Bank, died suddenly yesterday afternoon, of natural causes.
‘‘Wayne was a vibrant and respected leader of our organis- ation. His passion and strategic leadership will be acutely missed.
‘‘Our heartfelt condolences go to Wayne’s family.’’
The swimming enthusiast and father of four was in the prime of his life.
In February 2013, Evans became the seventh person to swim across Foveaux Strait and had planned to swim Cook Strait this year.
He also held records for swimming across Lake Te Anau and Lake Wakatipu.
His long-time colleague, former SBS chairman Acton Smith, fondly remembered watching Evans outswim him at Splash Palace in Invercargill.
Evans was an ‘‘outstanding young man’’ in his prime and Smith’s thoughts were with his wife Nicola and four children, aged 14 to 24.
Most were in awe of the ‘‘extraordinarily ethical’’ man, who had great energy and ideas, Smith said.
‘‘His enthusiasm, his excitement for the business and his vision for SBS is going to be sorely missed.’’
Swimming Southland chairwoman Hilary Strang said the long-time swimmer would be missed both in and out of the pool.
Evans was a mentor for younger swimmers and a very, very kind man, she said.
‘‘He’s been involved with swimming for years and years and years and not seeing him in the pool or seeing him involved with swim- ming will be a loss for us.’’
Evans was named a member of the Southland Regional Development Strategy, a group set up to develop the region and increase its population by 10,000 in 10 years, in November.
Governance group chairman Tom Campbell said Evans’ death was a great loss for both the governance group and the community.
‘‘Even in the early days, it was obvious Wayne was going to add tremendous value.’’
Venture Southland chief execu- tive Paul Casson said Southland’s community and economy had lost one of its leaders.
‘‘He was very innovative and driven and a leader in the community.
‘‘He will certainly be missed in Southland.’’
Evans’ death has stunned the wider banking community.
In a statement bearing his condolences, New Zealand Bankers’ Association chief executive Kirk Hope said: ‘‘Wayne was greatly admired for his leadership and longstanding contribution to the banking and finance sectors.
‘‘He led with integrity, vitality and a passion for people. On a personal level I have always appreciated his collegiality, and hold a deep respect for his personal achievements and professional experience.
‘‘Our deepest condolences are with Wayne’s family, friends and colleagues at this time. His positive energy and tenacity amongst New Zealand’s banking leaders will be missed immensely.’’
Evans was appointed SBS Group chief executive in July 2014, replacing long-time chief executive Ross Smith.
He attended Southland Boys’ High School and gained his bachelor of commerce in accounting at the University of Otago before heading to Massey University where he completed a postgraduate diploma in psychology.
After holding senior banking and finance industry roles in Auckland and Wellington he returned to Invercargill, where he established Finance Now Limited, the consumer finance subsidiary of SBS Bank, in 2000.
Evans, was instrumental in work focused on enhancing the experience and benefits for SBS members through expanding IT investments and production developments.
In November, SBS Bank unveiled a rebrand. No stranger to SBS, one of Evans’ first jobs out of school was as an insurance officer at the bank and later he designed the teller system it uses today.