Graduate honoured with Martin Kenney Award after overcoming personal loss
Financial investigation Masters graduate Olivia Bruce receives Martin Kenney Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Study of Financial Investigation after returning to study following her mother’s death.
A University of Lancashire (UK) graduate who was determined to embrace life after the loss of her mother has been recognised with an award from leading asset recovery law firm, MKS Law.
Olivia Bruce received the Martin Kenney Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Study of Financial Investigation ahead of her graduation ceremony in Preston, UK, this week.
The 24-year-old, from Blackpool in north-west England, is the fifth recipient of the award, sponsored by MKS Law, a leading asset recovery litigation practice based in the British Virgin Islands, which is led by award-winning Canadian lawyer, Martin Kenney.
It is presented annually to an outstanding graduate from the School of Law and Policing’s MSc Financial Investigation course.
“I am delighted to receive this award and grateful my efforts have been recognised by Martin Kenney who is prestigious in the industry,” Oliva said.
Before completing her Masters, Olivia gained a first-class degree in forensic science with criminal investigation at the university before taking a year out to care for her mother, who sadly passed aware in February 2024 after suffering from multiple sclerosis (MS). Olivia returned to university last September to pursue her career dream.
She said: “I took a year off and continued to work as a shift manager at McDonald’s where I had worked for eight years, including throughout my studies, to help support myself.
“Returning to university after my mum passed away was a challenge, but also a source of motivation. Seeing her live with MS taught me resilience and perseverance, qualities that carried me throughout the course. Balancing grief and academic work wasn’t easy but it reminded me why I wanted to make the most out of every opportunity. This experience strengthened my commitment to achieve my goals.
“I chose to study financial investigation for my Masters because I developed an interest in how the financial system worked during my undergraduate degree, how it can be used responsibly and, sometimes, exploited.
“This course has offered a blend of finance, law and the workings of criminal investigations, skills that are essential when investigating and preventing financial crimes. I want to be a part of a field that makes a difference by promoting transparency and accountability within financial practices.”
She added: “In the future I hope to become a forensic accountant or work in relevant field where I can apply the skills I have learnt relating to fraud prevention or compliance.”
“Olivia has performed outstandingly and is one to watch for the future”
Martin Kenney, Head of MKS Law and Visiting Professor within the School of Law and Policing, said: “We are delighted to continue our support of the University of Lancashire’s MSc course in Financial Investigation.
“On a personal level, as someone who has dedicated over 35 years of my professional life to combatting international fraud and corruption, I see the award as going some way to ensuring that students follow in my footsteps, in what is a challenging and professionally rewarding field.
“Olivia has performed outstandingly and is one to watch for the future.”
Clive Tattum, Dean of the School of Law and Policing, commented: “I am extremely grateful to Martin in creating this opportunity so that we can offer this prestigious award to our students.
“We are extremely proud of Olivia’s achievement, both in winning the award and successfully gaining her MSc in Financial Investigation.
“We look forward to watching and supporting her as she develops into what I am sure will be a very successful career.”
Janet McClements, Lecturer and Course Leader of MSc Financial Investigation, added: “This recognition is thoroughly deserved, and we look forward to seeing the impact Olivia will undoubtedly make as she moves forward in her life and career.”
Podcast
Visit Buzzsprout to listen to a podcast interview between Nick Ryan (MKS Law) and Olivia Bruce and Janet McClements.
Award background
Presented in conjunction with the School of Law and Policing at the University of Lancashire, the Martin Kenney Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Study of Financial Investigation is awarded annually to an outstanding graduate from the MSc Financial Investigation course.
The award was established in 2021 when British Virgin Islands-based investigative law firm, MKS Law – led by world-renowned asset recovery lawyer, Martin Kenney – partnered with the university’s School of Law and Policing, where Martin Kenney was appointed a Visiting Professor in summer 2022.
