The British Virgin Islands was strongly represented at OffshoreAlert Miami 2026, one of the leading international conferences focused on intelligence, investigations, fraud, asset recovery and enforcement.
Held in Miami from 26 to 28 April 2026, the conference brought together practitioners, investigators, litigation funders, regulators, journalists and financial crime specialists from around the world to examine emerging issues affecting international finance.
The BVI delegation included 26 attendees, representing a broad cross-section of the jurisdiction’s financial services ecosystem. Participants came from the legal sector, insolvency and restructuring, asset recovery, investigations, financial services, regulatory and related public-sector areas. Their participation reflected the BVI’s continued engagement in important global discussions on financial crime, enforcement cooperation and the recovery of assets across borders.
A major highlight of the conference was the participation of BVI-based international asset recovery lawyer Martin Kenney, Founder and Head of Firm at MKS Law, who led the session “Funding the Fight.” Kenney was joined by Jeffery Lula, Managing Director of GLS Capital of Chicago, and Paul Rand, Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer for Canada at Omni Bridgeway (Toronto).
The session examined the practical realities of funding complex asset recovery cases, particularly where fraud victims, insolvency estates, corporates, sovereign entities and other claimants are seeking to recover value that has been concealed, transferred or layered across multiple jurisdictions. The discussion addressed disciplined case preparation, prospects-of-success analyses, budgeting, confidentiality protections, non-recourse funding structures, pricing the risk, distribution waterfalls, and the importance of experienced legal and investigative teams.
Martin Kenney, Founder and Head of Firm at MKS Law, said:
“In cross-border fraud, stolen value rarely sits still. It moves through jurisdictions, structures and intermediaries, which means successful recovery depends on more than a good legal claim. It requires intelligence, strategy, funding, the composition of an experienced team and the ability to turn complexity into a clear path to enforcement.”
Kenney’s session also highlighted the sophistication now required in modern asset recovery. He emphasized the need to identify available assets, assess liability and quantum, managing the collection risk, selecting the right advisers in relevant jurisdictions, and on how to present funders with a realistic plan that demonstrates a credible path to recovery.
Elise Donovan, CEO of BVI Finance, said:
“OffshoreAlert continues to be one of the most important gatherings for professionals working at the intersection of financial services, investigations, asset recovery and enforcement. The BVI’s strong representation at this year’s conference reflects the jurisdiction’s continued relevance in global financial services and its commitment to participating in the serious conversations shaping the future of transparency, accountability and international cooperation.”
She added: “Fighting financial crime is critically important to the BVI, not only because it protects the integrity of our financial services industry, but because it is central to the trust that underpins international finance. Asset recovery plays an important role in that effort. It helps ensure that victims have a path to justice, that illicit gains can be pursued across borders, and that jurisdictions such as the BVI remain active partners in the global response to combat fraud, corruption and financial crime.”
BVI Finance said the BVI’s participation at OffshoreAlert forms part of a broader strategy to ensure that the jurisdiction remains actively engaged in the global conversations that matter most to the future of international finance, while continuing to demonstrate its commitment to cooperation, integrity and responsible international business.
About BVI Finance
BVI Finance is responsible for promoting and protecting the reputation of the British Virgin Islands as a leading international business and finance centre. It works closely with Government, regulators and industry stakeholders to support the continued growth, competitiveness and credibility of the BVI’s financial services sector.
For further information please contact:
Shamahl A. Smith
Communications and Research Officer
ssmith@bvifinance.vg |Tel: 284-852-1957
For your International Media Enquiries, please contact:
MHP Group
Email: bvifinance@mhpgroup.com