Hudson Ferris has been named the inaugural recipient of the Deloitte Bermuda John Johnston “Leadership with Integrity” Scholarship.

The Scholarship is awarded annually and provides Bermudian undergraduate students pursuing accounting, actuarial science, or other business-related fields of study with up to $30,000 over a maximum of three years.

In recognition of his recent retirement and lasting contributions to the firm, Deloitte renamed the award from its previous title, the Deloitte Bermuda Scholarship.

Mr Ferris said he was honoured to receive the award. “This recognition reflects the values of leadership, initiative, and integrity that have guided my academic journey and community involvement,” he said.

“I am grateful to Deloitte and the Scholarship Committee for their confidence and support, and I look forward to learning from this opportunity and using those experiences to make a meaningful contribution to Bermuda in the future.”

The scholarship committee was highly impressed by the quality of this year’s applicants, with Mr Ferris distinguishing himself through his academic achievement, initiative, leadership, and strong alignment with Deloitte’s values, the firm said.

He recently completed the International Baccalaureate Programme at Warwick Academy and will begin a Bachelor of Science degree in finance and accounting at the University of Exeter in the autumn.

The firm added: “Hudson’s thoughtful engagement with Deloitte first stood out at a career fair, where he approached the team after researching the firm and asked informed, tailored questions about different career paths.

“The Committee also noted his confidence, preparation, and ability to articulate his strengths, as well as his responsible use of technology as a study aid. Among his standout accomplishments is helping lead the introduction of Bermuda’s first water-cleaning drone, an initiative that required coordinating stakeholders and securing funding, demonstrating exceptional leadership and project management skills.”

Mr Ferris will participate in the Deloitte Exclusive Experience Programme, or Deep Internship, next summer and, upon completing his studies, intends to pursue his professional designation with Deloitte’s support.

“At Deloitte, we search for people who are innovative and driven to add value to and make an impact through their work,” said Heldar Carreiro, audit and assurance partner and member of the scholarship committee.

“We want to invest in local talent so that they can reach their professional objectives.”

He added: “He has demonstrated a strong commitment to his studies and to pursuing a career in a business-related field. Deloitte hopes he continues to succeed and looks forward to supporting him both monetarily and via his job experiences.”