Who We Are
Waugh McDonald is an independent wealth advisory firm built around planning, structure and long-term stewardship.
We work with individuals and families whose lives, assets, and responsibilities are often spread across more than one jurisdiction. Our role is to bring clarity and coherence to complexity, and to support sound decisions over time.
Our advice is grounded in process rather than prediction and in discipline rather than reaction.
Independence and standards
Waugh McDonald is licensed by the Capital Markets Authority of Kenya.
We are independent and do not receive commissions or incentives from product providers. All fees are transparent and aligned with our published fee schedule.
Client assets are held with regulated third-party custodians. We do not hold client money.
Our investment governance and portfolio management are delivered through established institutional platforms, including our strategic partnership with Morningstar Wealth.
Our Team
Waugh McDonald is led by experienced advisers who work directly with clients and are closely involved in the long-term stewardship of the firm.
Who We Are
Waugh McDonald is an independent wealth advisory firm built around planning, structure and long-term stewardship.
We work with individuals and families whose lives, assets, and responsibilities are often spread across more than one jurisdiction. Our role is to bring clarity and coherence to complexity, and to support sound decisions over time.
Our advice is grounded in process rather than prediction and in discipline rather than reaction.
Independence and standards
Waugh McDonald is licensed by the Capital Markets Authority of Kenya.
We are independent and do not receive commissions or incentives from product providers. All fees are transparent and aligned with our published fee schedule.
Client assets are held with regulated third-party custodians. We do not hold client money.
Our investment governance and portfolio management are delivered through established institutional platforms, including our strategic partnership with Morningstar Wealth.
Finding a trusted advisor can be daunting. That's why our clients rely on our world-class expertise and highly personalised service, founded on competence, reliability and transparency. We're committed to safeguarding their wealth as a trusted partner in navigating the complexities of wealth management.
The Principals
Richard Waugh Chartered MCSI, CFWA, CFBA
Richard brings operational excellence to his role as Managing Director at Waugh McDonald Wealth Management. A Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investments (Chartered MCSI), Certified Family Wealth Advisor (CFWA) and Certified Family Business Advisor (CFBA), he has earned widespread respect for his ability to discern the optimal path forward in complex scenarios.
Known for his efficiency, meticulous attention to detail, and unwavering dependability, Richard oversees the implementation of sophisticated structures and systems that uphold our rigorous professional standards. His expertise ensures our operations consistently deliver the excellence our clients have come to trust.
Richard is held in high regard within the community, our practice, and by our clients alike. His commitment to operational excellence provides the foundation upon which our client relationships thrive.
When not enhancing our service capabilities, Richard enjoys family time, playing golf and contributing his expertise to numerous charitable organisations.
John McDonald Chartered MCSI, CFWA, CFBA
John brings visionary leadership and systems thinking to his role at Waugh McDonald Wealth Management. As a Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investments (Chartered MCSI), Certified Family Wealth Advisor (CFWA) and Certified Family Business Advisor (CFBA), he consistently introduces progressive ideas that position our practice at the forefront of wealth management practice.
Known for his modernistic approach and keen foresight, John drives the conceptual development of our practice, ensuring we remain responsive to the evolving needs of sophisticated clients. He excels at helping families navigate complex wealth challenges through carefully structured frameworks that align with proven practices, their unique values and objectives.
John's strategic vision has been instrumental in establishing the high-functioning wealth management systems our clients rely upon for multi-generational success. His forward-thinking perspective continuously enhances our service capabilities while maintaining our commitment to time-tested principles.
Outside the office, John dedicates time to outdoor pursuits with his family, and serves on the board of Forever Wild, a charitable initiative focused on developing systems to protect large scale wilderness landscapes.
John McDonald shapes how Waugh McDonald works with individuals and families. His focus is on planning, structure and governance, designing the frameworks that bring clarity to complexity and support sound decision-making over time.
Richard Waugh works closely with clients day to day and leads investment governance and implementation. He ensures agreed strategies are executed with discipline, monitored carefully and kept aligned as circumstances and markets change.
Strategic Partnership
Our exclusive strategic partnership with Morningstar Wealth marks a significant milestone in our commitment to delivering world-class wealth management services in Kenya. This landmark collaboration, the first of its kind between Morningstar and a wealth management office in Africa, enhances our ability to provide sophisticated, holistic solutions to our clients.
This strategic alliance with Morningstar Wealth reaffirms our dedication to excellence and positions us at the forefront of wealth management in Kenya and across Africa. It enables us to deliver an integrated wealth management service that truly stands as a testament to world-class standards.
Why We Exist
We founded Waugh McDonald to set a new standard for wealth management in Kenya and beyond. Our purpose is to give clients clarity, confidence and control over their financial lives. Every client deserves advice that is personal, honest and grounded in professional standards.
Your plan is built around your life and goals. We use only regulated, transparent and cost-efficient solutions. Our platforms and portfolios are modern, robust and designed for long-term stewardship. We are your partner for the journey. We listen, explain and act in your best interest.
Blue Company Certified
Waugh McDonald Wealth Management is proudly certified as a Blue Company, demonstrating our commitment to ethical business practices and anti-corruption measures. The Blue Company project is an initiative of volunteer corporations and institutions dedicated to promoting the public interest by fighting corruption in all its forms.
Our certification signifies our pledge to:
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Maintain a zero-tolerance policy on bribery and corruption
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Ensure transparency in all business transactions, gifts and donations
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Uphold a workplace free from favouritism based on tribe, gender, religion or any other factor
As a Blue Company, we contribute to reducing the cost of doing business, promoting economic development and creating a more equitable business environment in Kenya and beyond.
British Chamber of Commerce Kenya
Waugh McDonald Wealth Management is recognised on the British Chamber of Commerce Integrity Index, reflecting our dedication to the highest standards of business ethics and corporate governance.
This recognition acknowledges our commitment to:
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Transparent financial practices and ethical conduct
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Maintaining trust and integrity in all client relationships
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Upholding international best practices in wealth management
Our inclusion in this respected index serves as independent validation of the ethical values that guide every aspect of our operations, providing clients with additional assurance of our unwavering commitment to professional integrity.
