At OKDFS we take a pragmatic and strategic approach to retirement planning for our clients. We take time to understand client’s personal goals, aspirations and plans. We take the time to review your existing pension plans and come up with a bespoke solution for you; developing a robust plan, taking into account your complete financial situation now and in the future.

Pension legislation is ever changing: at OKDFS we keep up to date with these changes and you can be confident that we will advise you on how any changes affect you personally. There are now more ways than ever to generate income from pension assets when you retire. From buying an annuity to taking a lump sum or making regular withdrawals while continuing to invest.

Our team can help guide you through the labyrinth of legislation and regulation, in addition to helping with tax efficiency and maximising the impact of your pension fund.

We ensure the arrangements are appropriate to you and your employees and that the employees appreciate the value of these. A key part of our proposition is the ongoing service that we then provide taking a hands on approach to help ensure your schemes run smoothly. Employee benefit packages may include pension (this may or may not be on salary exchange/ salary sacrifice), life assurance, income protection, critical illness, private medical insurance, dental cover, cash plans. It may be that you have all of this or just one of these benefits.

As an employer you may also require key person insurance, this could be for a key employee not just a director.

The directors may then require shareholder protection (this differs from key person assurance). Directors may also wish their own personalised employee benefits and retirement planning, perhaps even pension scheme property purchase, all being areas that we advise on.

At OKDFS we appreciate how hard you have worked to create and build your wealth; it is natural to want to pass it on to the next generation.

There are many things to consider when looking to safeguard your family and your estate. Inheritance tax and capital gains tax, illness and loss of income all need to be considered in an effective estate planning strategy.

Our team has extensive experience in estate planning for clients. We will firstly review all of your assets including investments, property, businesses, pensions, life assurance etc. We then analyse your future requirements and the effect that Inheritance Tax (IHT) may have. Finally, we will work with you to find the most effective way to pass your wealth on as you wish. The important point to remember when considering estate planning is that there are a number of strategies available to you including: Trusts / Gift Trusts and Discounted Gift Trusts to name but a few.

OKDFS are independent stockbrokers and financial advisers which means that we are not tied to any financial service providers. We are able to access the full spectrum of products and services that will help clients reach their financial goals. We take a long-term view on investments and therefore, we believe in spending time in the market, not timing the market. We recommend a diversified and balanced mix of investments that have the potential to perform well over the long term, while managing risk.

For some people the thought of investing a significant sum can be an unnerving task. We take time to explain the investment process in detail with clients; helping to provide clarity and reassurance prior to investment decisions being made.

At OKDFS we appreciate that every client is different in their situation and circumstances. Clients trust us to work closely with them to reach their long-term financial goals and to maximise tax-efficiency. Our investment management process is one that is proactive, monitored and reviewed to ensure your portfolio is managed as market conditions or your circumstances change.

An ISA, or Individual Savings Account, is a tax-efficient way to save and invest your money.

In each tax year you can pay in to any type of ISA up to the annual limit or allowance. And you don’t pay Income Tax or Capital Gains Tax on the interest or returns your money makes.

Not being able to work, being incapacitated, suffering a life-changing illness, or death can have a profound impact on a family’s well-being. Thankfully there are a number of different types of insurance that can provide cost-effective ways of ensuring your family is protected in unexpected circumstances.

OKDFS can advise on the provision of the following:

Critical Illness Protection

Income Protection

Term Assurance

Whole of Life Assurance

Key Person (Key-man) Insurance

Long Term Care

After completing an Economics and Business Degree in 2005 I joined financial services with US stockbroker Edward Jones. I then spent five years building a local business near Glasgow helping individual investors with a range of issues from pension planning to long-term care planning. In 2011, along with two former Edward Jones colleagues, I formed OKDFS.

This has allowed us to continue to serve local investors while building upon our qualifications. In my spare time I enjoy playing football and spending time with my family.

Having spent ten years working in engineering I began my career in financial services in 2005, starting out as a trainee Stockbroker and Financial Adviser with Edward Jones.

Upon completion of this programme and passing the relevant qualifications set out by the FCA, I opened my own office in Uddingston with Edward Jones in 2006 and continued building my business with the company until they decided to relocate back to the USA in 2009.

I then moved to another company in 2010 for a year before becoming a founding partner of OKDFS along with two ex-Edward Jones colleagues in January 2011. Most of my time away from the office is spent with my family with my big sporting passion being horse racing.

After obtaining an Honours Degree in Physics, I continued my studies at University by completing a PhD in Physics from which I graduated in 2006.

I have always had a keen interest in the financial markets and I was pleased when the opportunity arose for me to start training as a Stockbroker and Financial Adviser with Edward Jones. After completing the necessary exams, as set out by the FCA, I built a business close to Glasgow and opened my own Edward Jones office in 2007.

At the start of 2011, along with two colleagues from Edward Jones, I set up OKDFS where I have continued to build a close relationship with my clients.

At the weekends you will find me playing rugby with Hamilton Rugby Club, walking my dog and spending time with my family.

After leaving school I worked in administration for years before going back to my studies to pursue my first love of science. After working in Pharmacy I suffered an accident which left me with a slight disability and could no longer work, I met the guys at KPW who offered me an opportunity to return back to work. After time away to have my family I returned back to work at KPW.

I am now preparing to sit my financial exams and in my spare time I enjoy spending time with my family and walking my dog.

I first started out in the Mortgage Industry as an Underwriter in 1991. After the crash in 2008, I moved into Pension and Investment Sector. I joined OKDFS in May 2019 and so far I have enjoyed my time here, it is a very relaxed and friendly atmosphere. I spend most of my spare time at the weekend with my Family.

Having spent 12 years working for Bank of Scotland I began my career as a financial adviser in 1990 with the Medical Insurance Agency advising medical professionals on all aspects of their financial planning. I then moved to AXA Equity & Law as a Broker Consultant marketing AXA’s products to financial advisers. 2 years later I joined The Mackie Consultancy Discretionary Fund Managers as their Glasgow Director advising on investments

When The Mackie Consultancy was sold I started my own business retaining all my clients under the umbrella of DBS Financial Management until I decided to become directly authorised by the FCA. My business partner and I then set up MacLean Douglas LLP in 2002 until he retired in 2017 and sold his share of the business to OKDFS. My client base and I also moved to OKDFS where I am now a financial Adviser.

I enjoy travelling and now spectator sports including football and various music events.

After completing my studies in 2014 I began working full time within the financial industry. In 2016 I then went on to work and travel around South East Asia and Australia for three years, enjoying the beach life but remaining employed within financial services. In May of 2019, I returned back to Scotland and started working with KPW. I’ve now started studying for my financial exams.

In my spare time I enjoy running, hill walking and socialising with friends.

After leaving school to start a family, I decided to get an apprenticeship to help me to start a career. KPW took me on as their apprentice which helped me get into the workforce and have been teaching me what I need to know about my job. They have also offered opportunities to grow within the workplace and have been very supportive as a whole. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my family and reading different genres of books.

Following completion of a BA in commerce, I commenced employment in 1990 with Sedgwicks where I mainly dealt with employee benefits and pensions. In 1999 I commenced my employment with OKDFS and after a few years became a director of the company, acting for numerous corporate and individual clients. In addition to being chartered I have completed my Fellowship and have technical expertise in many areas of corporate and individual financial planning. Following the change in management at 2020, i am now no longer a director but looking forward to continuing the client relationships I have established throughout my career having a pride in the business that i have been part of

Outwith the office I enjoy many outdoor activities, particularly watersports, and also getting away in my touring caravan and spending time with friends

After leaving school at age 17, I started working in the Actuarial Department of FS Assurance. After 4 years I moved to Scottish Amicable to work in the sales support team of the Glasgow sales office. I left there in April 1989 to have my first child and joined Orr Kerr Dykes Financial Services Ltd in October 1989 on a part time basis. I have now had a happy 31 years with the company. In my spare time I enjoy walking, swimming, yoga, theatre, cinema and spending time with my family. I also run a charity working to alleviate poverty in an area of northern Malawi.