Our Story

At the Affinity Group, we’re really proud of how our business has developed and grown over the years since we first started back in 1995. Here’s how we did it…

SG Accounting set up
SG Accounting

SG Accounting set up by Richard Stilwell as one of the first fixed fee contractor specific accountancy firms. Growth through client recommendations and links with key agency partners.

Sarah Holland Joins
Sarah Holland

Sarah Holland joined the business as a Director

Moved in to our first office

Moved in to our first office in Winchester and created our group business – The Affinity Group

SG Umbrella was born
SG Umbrella logo

SG Umbrella was born, to deal with an increasing number of contractors needing an umbrella employment solution

Vantage Accounting was formed
Vantage Accounting logo

Vantage Accounting was formed in order to cater for a growing base of SME clients gained from contractor recommendations

Woodland Accounting merged with Vantage Accounting
Dan Mepham

Woodland Accounting merged with Vantage Accounting. Daniel Mepham joined as Managing Director and The Affinity Group was born. The group has 2,000 clients and 10 employees

The Affinity Group moved to Winchester
The Affinity Group Ringwood Office

The Affinity Group moved to prominent new offices in Winchester

Paul Ankers joined
Paul Ankers

Paul Ankers joined as Head of Vantage Accounting

Our second office opened in Ringwood

Our second office opened in Ringwood, Hampshire, with room for a further 40 team members

Aardvark Accounting is born
Aardvark Accounting logo

Aardvark Accounting is born, and headed up by Louisa Drewett. Set up to provide a fixed fee monthly accounting service to contractors based around the FreeAgent platform

Vantage Accounting acquired Price & Co

SG Group acquired Price & Co, Chartered Accountants in Alresford, Hampshire

Vantage Accounting acquired Martin Young Accountants in Southampton

Vantage Accounting acquired Martin Young Accountants in Southampton, with new offices in Totton

SG Accounting and SG Umbrella gain FCSA accreditation
FCSA Limited Company Accredited Member

SG Accounting and SG Umbrella gain FCSA accreditation

Zoe Brandt joined
Zoe Brandt

Zoe Brandt joined as Group Head of Marketing

Vantage Accounting acquires Bell & Co

Vantage Accounting acquired Bell & Co in Eastleigh

The Affinity Group has over 5,000 clients and 57 employees

The Affinity Group has over 5,000 clients and 57 employees

Jon-Marc Spatcher joined
Jon-Marc Spatcher

Jon-Marc Spatcher joined as Group Head of Operations

Vantage acquires Christchurch Accounting

Vantage acquires Christchurch Accounting LLP and Certax (Winchester) in the space of 3 weeks

Moving in to our new head office
Moving in to our new head office

Moved into our new Head Office!

Appointment of Amber Burridge as Finance Director
Appointment of Amber Burridge as Finance Director

Appointment of Amber Burridge as Finance Director

Appointment of Kerry Newman as Director of SG Accounting
Kerry Newman

Appointment of Kerry Newman as Director of SG Accounting

Appointment of Samantha Brown as Director of SG Umbrella
Samantha Brown

Appointment of Samantha Brown as Director of SG Umbrella

Vantage Accounting acquired BBS, Chartered Management Accountants, Ringwood

Vantage Accounting acquired BBS, Chartered Management Accountants, Ringwood

Purchase of TaxSmart Accounting with offices in Ferndown and Christchurch
Purchase of TaxSmart Accounting with offices in Ferndown and Christchurch

Purchase of TaxSmart Accounting with offices in Ferndown and Christchurch

Appointment of Ciaran Woodcock as commercial director
Appointment of Ciaran Woodcock as commercial director

Appointment of Ciaran Woodcock as Commercial Director