The combination further strengthens Affinia’s position as one of the UK’s Top 20 accounting firms, unlocking broader sector expertise and additional specialist advisory capabilities, particularly in the international ultra-high net worth category. With RedBird’s ongoing support, the combined organisation will continue investing significantly in its team, client services and shared technology platforms, while expanding its offerings across a wide range of tax and business advisory services.
The Group will also benefit from continued partnership with RedBird X, RedBird’s proprietary artificial intelligence platform, to further the responsible implementation of AI-powered tools and capabilities that support streamlined operations and an improved experience for clients and colleagues alike.
Wilson Partners‘ philosophy of “Making Life Count” closely aligns with Affinia’s people-first culture and purpose-led approach, creating a strong cultural fit. By combining this shared focus on people with continued investment in AI-powered tools that enhance the client experience, the Group will empower its teams to spend more time building relationships, providing trusted advice and supporting clients to achieve their ambitions.
Darren Redmayne, Group CEO of Affinia, said:
“From the very beginning, our goal has been to build a new kind of accounting services firm that leads with purpose, invests in its people and embraces technology responsibly. Wilson Partners shares that philosophy, joining with an outstanding reputation for exceptional client service, entrepreneurial thinking and a people-first culture. Together, we are creating a firm with the scale to invest, the capability to support increasingly complex clients and, most importantly, a culture that remains genuinely entrepreneurial, collaborative and dedicated to championing the businesses that are the beating heart of the UK economy.”
Allan Wilson, Founder and Managing Director of Wilson Partners, said:
“For nearly twenty years we’ve built Wilson Partners around a simple belief: business should make life count for our clients, our people and the communities we serve. From our first conversations with Affinia, it was clear we shared the same values and long-term ambition. Joining Affinia creates exciting opportunities for our people, broadens the expertise and international opportunities available to our clients, and gives us an even stronger platform for future growth while staying true to what has always made Wilson Partners different.”
Since inception, Affinia has pursued a distinctive strategy within the UK accounting space, building a fully integrated UK business with common leadership, shared technology, a consistent client experience and a single culture centred around its shared purpose. With 33 offices, around 1,600 colleagues, over 25,000 clients and annual revenues over £160 million, the enlarged Group brings deep local roots with national scale and international reach, while retaining a clear focus on serving owner-managed businesses, entrepreneurs and mid-market organisations.
Mike Zabik, Partner at RedBird Capital Partners, said:
“Affinia continues to demonstrate that purpose and performance go hand in hand. Since our initial investment we have been impressed by the quality of the leadership team, the pace of integration and the consistency with which the Group has executed its long-term strategy. Wilson Partners is a strong addition to the platform and further validates our conviction in the opportunity to build a genuinely differentiated advisory firm headquartered in the UK and able to deliver solutions for its clients globally.”
Affinia and RedBird Capital were advised by Continuum, KPMG, K&E and DWF. Wilson Partners and Fordhouse were advised by Ardea Partners, Cooley , Moorcroft and EY. Management were advised by Jamieson.
Main picture shows: Chris Annis – Chief Commercial Officer, Affinia / Vanessa Emens – Chief People & Operations Officer, Affinia / Allan Wilson – Managing Director & Founder of Wilson Partners / Ellie Burfrod – Director of People, Affinia / Subarna Banerjee – Managing Partner of UHY Hacker Young
