Rachel Kerr
Name
Rachel Kerr
Job title
Senior Investment Director
Description
Rachel manages discretionary portfolios for private individuals, family trusts and personal pensions. Her goal is to ensure that her clients' investments support their financial needs and serve their long-term goals. She aims to understand each client's unique circumstances and requirements and seeks to build strong long-lasting relationships.
Share an example of early life that has shaped you?
I went straight from college into work and realised in my mid 20’s that I wanted to travel. It was a time when “career break” was an unknown term. Luckily I had an understanding boss and I saved up my holiday and backpacked around Australia on my own. This may not sound so intrepid now, but this was pre-mobile phones and the internet and I had to call my mother once a week to report that I was still alive! I had the most amazing time and some unforgettable experiences. White water rafting on the Tully River and jumping 20 feet from a rock into the river was the most daring thing I’ve done.
Highlights of your career so far?
Obtaining my professional qualifications has to be the first. After that, it’s achieving trusted advisor status with clients. There is no better compliment than being asked your personal opinion about non-work related topics.
Key lessons you have learned along the way?
Don’t let a lack of confidence get in your way and continue to push yourself out of your comfort zone.
Best piece of advice you have received?
Do what makes you happy.
Advice to a young person just starting their career?
Build positive working relationships and cultivate a network of “go to people” that you can approach when you need help or advice. Make friends at work if you can; while we may be at different companies now, in some cases, different countries, I met some of my closest friends through work.
What is the greatest challenge you have faced either personally or in your career?
While it was a long-time ago now, but having the confidence to make the switch from administrator to investment manager and taking my professional qualifications. I was lucky that my male boss supported me, but a senior female colleague was a great inspiration and her high standards gave me something to strive toward.
How do you approach and deal with challenges?
Break large tasks and projects into small manageable parts and set aside an hour a day to complete a section at a time. Rather than putting off tasks that you don’t want to do, complete them first, then you feel good for the rest of the day!
Why do you love what you do?
I enjoy meeting people and I’m captivated by other people’s stories. We have some fascinating clients. The mother of one of my clients was the first woman to fly solo from the UK to Africa, while another is a USA BBQ Champion! We need to understand our clients in order to provide them with the most suitable and appropriate investment solution, so getting to know them and understanding their background and circumstances is key to this.
Why is it important to support women-led business?
Despite being 51% of the population, women are underrepresented across all walks of life and this needs to change. We need to be each other’s greatest support to make a difference. To quote Madeleine Albright (former US Secretary of State) “There is a special place in hell for women who don’t help other women”.
My inspiration is...
Is my yoga teacher.
My greatest fear is...
Boredom.
The most courageous thing I’ve ever done is...
Is stop dying my hair, but completing the Investec Ashes 2015 Cycle Challenge comes a close second.
I'm most proud of...
Passing my driving test on the first attempt.
Guiltless pleasure?
Good coffee.
Mantra you live by?
“Keep moving forward”.
Female role model?
Karen Ward – Chief Market Strategist for EMEA at J.P Morgan Asset Management.
Women-led brand you love?
Wyse London.
Top productivity tool?
The lists in my note books!
I am passionate about delivering the best possible service that I can to my clients
and being a team player.
What I feel passionate about both professionally and personally…
Professionally it would be delivering the best possible service that I can to my clients and being a team player. On a personal level I practice yoga and have been amazed by the physical and mental health benefits which come from regular practice.
How do I stay motivated at work and at home?
I make lists and have a selection of notebooks for work and home. Despite my husband’s best efforts to encourage me to use my phone, there is nothing more satisfying than physically crossing through an item on the list!
Connect with:
Rachel Kerr
Email address
Rachel.Kerr@Rathbones.com