Emma Barker is the third recipient of Martin Kenney Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Study of Financial Investigation
A serious and organised crime investigator has been honoured with a joint award from one of the world’s top asset recovery lawyers and the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan).
Mature student Emma Barker is the third recipient of the Martin Kenney Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Study of Financial Investigation, which is awarded annually to an outstanding graduate from the UCLan School of Justice’s MSc Financial Investigation course.
The award was established in 2021 when British Virgin Islands-based investigative law firm, Martin Kenney & Co (MKS), founded by renowned asset recovery lawyer Martin Kenney, partnered with the University’s School of Justice.
Emma is lead accredited financial investigation officer for the National Investigation Service (NATIS), supervising a team of accredited financial investigators.
"I’m surprised and delighted to be presented with this award and would like to thank Martin Kenney and his team for the honour."
— Emma Barker, the third recipient of the Martin Kenney Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Study of Financial Investigation
NATIS has the responsibility for investigating large and complex serious organised crime relating to the public sector and was created with the sponsorship of the government to bring policing and government agencies together to investigate serious crime where public authorities are the victims. Its work includes both criminal and civil proceeds of crime investigations relating to fraud and money laundering offences against the public sector.
Emma said: “I’m surprised and delighted to be presented with this award and would like to thank Martin Kenney and his team for the honour. None of this would have been possible without the brilliant work of the staff and students at UCLan involved in the study and research of financial investigation.”
Martin Kenney, founder and head of firm at MKS, said: “I’m delighted that my award continues to grow in gravitas at the University of Central Lancashire. I have been very impressed with the quality of our award winners, and Emma is no exception.
“Such is my belief in the students graduating from the course, I have recruited two former students and holders of the UCLan MSc qualification, both of whom are now based in our Caribbean office in the British Virgin Islands and already making their mark on our investigations.
"Such is my belief in the students graduating from the course, I have recruited two former students and holders of the UCLan MSc qualification, both of whom are now based in our Caribbean office in the British Virgin Islands and already making their mark on our investigations."
— Martin Kenney, founder and head of firm at Martin Kenney & Co
“The exceptional standard of the students progressing through the School of Justice MSc course bodes well for the future of fraud and financial investigation. I am pleased to be able to incentivise the students further and give something back after decades of specialising in this field.”
In addition to her MSc at UCLan, Emma also holds an LLB (Hons) in Law. Prior to NATIS, she worked as an accredited financial investigator at Kent Police and HM Prison Service, dealing with a variety of crime types and crime methodologies, including cases involving cryptocurrency, acquisitive crime and international money laundering cases.
“If you think you know financial investigation, think again,” Emma said. “The UCLan course adds new perspectives and develops the individual into a more rounded and effective investigator. The knowledge and experience I have gained from my time at UCLan has helped to develop me beyond what would ordinarily be possible through normal CPD and I know will stand me in good stead as I continue my career.”
"“If you think you know financial investigation, think again. The UCLan course adds new perspectives and develops the individual into a more rounded and effective investigator. "
— Emma Barker, the third recipient of the Martin Kenney Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Study of Financial Investigation
Dr Dave Brian, Course Leader for the MSc Financial Investigation course, added: “I would like to congratulate Emma on her success in achieving this prestigious award and to Martin Kenney for supporting it. Emma’s contribution to the MSc Financial Investigation has been outstanding.
“The course attracts students from around the world and aims to develop their expertise by blending practical experience with a deeper level of understanding and insight into financial investigation. It is this combination of practical experience and academic endeavor which prepares our students well for their future careers.”
