Wilson Partners buys Afford Bond in UK growth push
BERKSHIRE and CHESHIRE, ENGLAND — Wilson Partners, a provider of outsourced financial functions, has significantly expanded its national footprint by acquiring Afford Bond, a North West accountancy firm.
The move brings together approximately 460 professionals across offices stretching from the South of England to Manchester, Wilmslow, and Nantwich, strengthening the group’s ability to serve business owners and private clients nationwide.
Wilson Partners’ UK expansion and outsourced finance services
Wilson Partners was established in 2008 in Maidenhead and has built its reputation on developing ambitious businesses and talented people while offering outsourced financial services in strategy and advisory, payroll, audit, and tax.
On the other hand, Afford Bond has served the North West since 1929. The firm combines traditional technical expertise with a forward-thinking, solutions-based approach in outsourced payroll and accounting services.
The acquisition of Afford Bond’s operations enables the group to expand its ability to provide a range of services, including accounting, tax, audit, and corporate finance, to a broader United Kingdom market.
According to Allan Wilson, the Managing Director of the Wilson Partners, the integration has a strategic character, as he called Afford Bond a highly reputable company with a proud history.
“This acquisition marks our first move northwards and is a significant step in the evolution of Wilson Partners as a national firm. We share a common focus on quality, client service, and long-term relationships, which makes this a very natural fit,” said Wilson.
Afford Bond acquisition: Client continuity and SME support
The North West company will continue operating from its current offices, and the current leadership team will remain in place to provide continuity of service to existing clients.
Peter O’Malley, who serves as Director at Afford Bond, emphasized that the impetus to join Wilson Partners was not only financial need but also shared values.
“Afford Bond has been part of the North West business community for nearly a century, so it was important for us to join a firm that genuinely respects our history, our people, and our clients,” said O’Malley.
O’Malley was optimistic that Wilson Partners has the size and desire to pursue future expansions, though these expansions will not compromise the quality of service clients have become accustomed to.
The two leadership teams of the two firms see the integration as a logical extension of bringing together technical skills with a true desire to champion small and medium enterprises (SMEs), entrepreneurs, and individual clients throughout the UK. This support comes at a crucial time, as SMEs currently account for over 99% of the UK business population, making them the backbone of the region’s economic growth.
