A University of Lancashire graduate who was determined to embrace life after the loss of her mum has been recognised with an award from a leading asset recovery law firm.
Olivia Bruce received the Martin Kenney Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Study of Financial Investigation ahead of her graduation ceremony in Preston this week.
The 24-year-old, from Thornton, is the fifth recipient of the award, sponsored by MKS Law - BVI Lawyers - Global Asset Recovery , a leading asset recovery litigation practice based in the British Virgin Islands and 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.
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– Olivia Bruce, new gradaute and award-winner
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 mum, who sadly passed aware in February 2024 after suffering from Multiple Sclerosis. Olivia returned to University last September to pursue her career dream.
She commented: “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.”
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
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.”
Olivia 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.”