JKFS Independent

John Kerr - Managing Director

John Kerr established JKFS in February 1992 and has over 33 years’ experience in the financial services sector.

In John's earlier working life he spent 5 years in the Metropolitan Police whilst progressing his rugby career. Over the years John has played rugby at a professional level playing for Edinburgh, Caley Reds, Scotland 7's and Scotland A.

John is responsible for managing the overall structure of the JKFS group of companies. He brings a wealth of experience to both private and corporate clients. In addition he continues to oversee the on-going development and direction of the JKFS group.

John supervises the company’s investment process; he manages the due diligence and research of all investments that JKFS use. John also has a strong relationship with different Discretionary Fund Managers and he is constantly negotiating and reviewing the strength of each to meet the requirements of JKFS’s clients.

John has the following qualifications:

• Diploma in Financial Planning
• Financial Planning Certificate
• Certificate in Financial Services
• Certificate in Equity Release
• Certificate in Mortgage advice
• Certificate in Financial Administration (Life)
• Certificate in Financial Administration (Pensions)
• Certificate in Life & Pensions

Mark Walker - Director

Mark joined JKFS in May 2009 as a Senior Advisor specialising in pensions and investments and became a Director towards the end of 2014.

Mark moved to Australia in 1997 to start his working life dealing with business funding. In 2001 Mark then moved to Luxembourg as an International business adviser handling offshore investments. He was promoted in 2003 and moved to London to head up the Scottish and Scandinavian division.

After obtaining his financial and stockbroking qualifications, Mark moved to Towry Law and in 2009 made the move to JKFS to deal with high net worth individuals.

Mark’s role is to establish a client’s objectives for the present and the future, by discussing lifestyle and aspirations and helping to create a 'plan' to help them achieve these objectives.

Mark has a wide range of investment expertise and our clients benefit from this experience and his technical knowledge.

Mark is a member of the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment and also the Chartered Insurance Institute.

Mark has the following qualifications:

• Diploma in Financial Planning
• Certificate in Financial Planning
• Certificate in Financial Services
• Certificate in Mortgage Advice
• Certificate in Financial Administration (Life)
• Certificate in Financial Administration (Pension)
• Certificate in Life & Pensions
• Investments Securities
• AF3 – Advanced Pensions

Samantha Hay - Director

Sam originally joined JKFS as a Trainee Paraplanner in July 2013. Since then, she has developed her knowledge and experience and progressed to a Senior Paraplanner and now Director. Sam provides Paraplanner support to John, which includes meeting preparation, research, analysis and report writing. Sam is also responsible for supervising all support staff and developing junior employees.

Sam has worked within the Financial Services Industry for over 15 years and began her career in Mortgage Administration at a Building Society in Leeds.

In 2008 Sam moved to the Independent sector and worked as an Administrator for a Financial Adviser firm in Wakefield. She later moved to Edinburgh and worked for an Independent Financial Advisers for almost 5 years, providing support for Corporate and Personal Clients, before moving to JKFS.

Sam has the following qualifications:

• Diploma in Financial Planning
• Certificate in Discretionary Investment Management
• Certificate in Advanced Mortgage Advice
• Certificate in Regulated Financial Services Operations
• Certificate in Mortgage Advice
• Award in Financial Administration (Life)
• Award in Financial Administration (Pensions)
• AF4 - Advanced Investment Planning

Alisdair Hogg - Financial Adviser

Alisdair joined JFKS Independent in October 2022 as an Independent Financial Adviser.

Alisdair has worked in Financial Services since 1995 and immediately prior to joining JKFS worked in Investment Management for one of the UK’s leading Discretionary Investment Managers for 11 years. Prior to this Alisdair worked in roles directly advising clients in all aspects of financial planning and wealth management.

Alisdair firmly believes in working with and supporting clients through every single step of their financial journey; to plan for and then to achieve and continuously review their financial and personal goals.

JKFS, being independent, is impartial to products and providers, meaning that Alisdair always acts on the client’s behalf, researching the market and creating bespoke solutions that suit the client’s requirements.

Away from the office Alisdair spends time with his family and takes a keen interest in rugby, cricket, golf, running and the arts.

Alisdair has the following qualifications:

• Diploma in Financial Planning
• Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning
• Certificate in Discretionary Investment Management
• Certificate in Advanced Mortgage Advice

Emma Jayne Duffy - Finance Manager

Emma joined JKFS in October 2017 as an administrator, coming from a financial background within the banking industry. Emma has worked within the financial services sector for over 7 years for a High Street Bank. She progressed through the bank beginning her career in Clerical in 2010, moving onto Process and Business Change, then into a Technical Specialist Role. Emma then went on to become a Financial Business Analyst in 2016.

Emma is responsible for managing the day to day administration of JKFS alongside the companies bookkeeping.

Kieran Moffat - Paraplanner

Kieran joined JKFS in August 2022 as a Paraplanner providing technical and client support for Mark. Kieran has over 4 years’ experience as a Paraplanner and over 9 years’ experience in the financial services industry. His experience covers advice in tax, investment, protection, pensions & retirement planning for individuals & businesses. He is a Chartered Financial Planner and a Fellow of the Personal Finance Society.

Kieran has the following qualifications:

Catriona Malcolm-Brown - Trainee Paraplanner

Catriona recently joined JKFS as a Trainee Paraplanner and provides assistance to Kieran in supporting all advisers. This ranges from client administratiom to research, analysis and report writing.

Prior to joining JKFS, Catriona started her career in Paraplanning within another IFA firm where she developed a good understanding of the advice process. Catriona has also previously worked for HMRC for over 3 years and her knowledge around VAT, PAYE and Self-Assessment will be a great benefit to JKFS.

Catriona will be working her way towards being Level 4 Diploma qualified in Regulated Financial planning.

Roman Hughes - Administrator

Roman joined JKFS in March 2024 as an administrator and has worked within the financial services industry for over 5 years.Roman is responsible for managing our group pension schemes along with the day to day administration.