Case Study
The Start
JFM’s outsourcing story began small – a mother-and-son team supporting remotely, and later, their first South African hire in Durban. Her quality and professionalism sparked the idea that South Africa could play a bigger role.
Through the Durban remote team member, JFM met Amina Adam, an accountant running both a practice and an outsourcing service. Through her services, JFM built its own South African finance team. Some years later, having developed a large remote team and a trusted relationship, Amina was persuaded to join JFM herself full-time, subsequently rising to her current position of Finance Director.
Amina is now a co-founder of SA Konexion and fulfils the role she played in building JFM’s own team.
Amina Adam
Co-founder SA Konexion | Finance Director JFM
Case Study
Timeline
2021 – First hires in Durban
- 4 remote professionals onboarded: Credit Controller, Purchase Ledger Clerk, and two Client Accountants
- Fully home-based, reporting to a UK Accounts Team Manager
2022 – Rapid expansion & first relocation
- Team grew to 12 within a year following post-COVID growth
- First overseas relocation: Property Manager moved from Johannesburg to London
2023 – Diversifying roles & building connections
- Expanded beyond finance: added lease compliance, H&S compliance, and a PA
- Operations extended into Cape Town
- First 3-day Company Day conference held in Durban with ~20 SA staff + UK management team
2024 – Two-way travel & new Durban office
- July: Durban-based managers visited UK colleagues
- October: Second Company Day unveiled the new Durban office, home to ~22 staff
2025 – Recognition & continued exchange
- Regular cross-border exchanges established between UK and SA teams
- August: Credit Controller Desere Vermeulen shortlisted for “Unsung Hero” at the TPI ACE Awards in London
- September: 27 South African professionals employed across all major cities
Case Study
The Results
JFM’s South African expansion has become one of the company’s most successful strategic decisions. What began as a small four-person trial in Durban has grown into a fully integrated, 27-strong team spread across multiple cities, delivering measurable impact across the business.
Quality & Productivity – 100% of JFM’s client accounts team hold accounting qualifications – we’re certain not many managing agents can say that!
Cost Efficiency – Average annual cost per South African team member (including benefits) is approximately £14,000, far higher than the national average.
Stronger Retention – Loyalty and career commitment has been excellent, in turn reducing turnover and recruitment costs.
Scalable Growth – The ability to build new functions for less has allowed JFM to do things to stand out from its competitors, which it couldn’t otherwise have done.
Cultural Fit – Seamless integration with UK teams, supported by overlapping time zones and shared business values.
Employee Recognition – Team members have achieved industry recognition, with a Credit Controller shortlisted for the UK’s prestigious TPI ACE Awards in 2025.
Social Impact – By creating sustainable careers in South Africa, JFM has contributed to the local economy while fostering genuine gratitude and loyalty among its staff.
In Their Own Words
Joseph Mallon, MD of JFM Block & Estate Management:
“We’ve not looked back. Our South African team is first class, loyal, qualified, and fully aligned with our culture. It’s allowed us to scale faster, deliver better, and solve problems and services we simply couldn’t have achieved otherwise.”
Desere Vermeulen
Credit Controller based in South Africa Shortlisted for the Unsung Hero Award at the ARMA ACE Awards 2025.
In Summary
The South African partnership has given JFM a strategic advantage: faster growth, better client service, and a stronger, more resilient business model. What started with four remote hires has become a blueprint for success – and the foundation for SA Konexion’s mission to help other UK SMEs achieve the same
