The roots of A4G

In the 60s & 70s

Before it was A4G’s headquarters, Kings Lodge was a biker’s haven known as Johnson’s Café, a hangout famous (or infamous) for rockers. Mods weren’t welcome, and the walls echoed with engine revs and rock ‘n’ roll. Today, our office still proudly displays memorabilia and photos from this era.

In the 80s

Kings Lodge became a nightclub, first as Oscar’s, then the notorious Kings Lodge Disco. Many now-respectable local businesspeople got their start here, perhaps even with their first (possibly underage) drink. DJ Pete Tong launched his career on its dancefloor. By the end of the decade, the disco closed and the building fell into disrepair.

The A4G Journey

1995

Malcolm Palmer is approached to take over a practice in Longfield called Taylor Roalfe which had traded for 26 years. The new business with Malcolm at the helm trades as part of a Medway based practice called Stephen Hill Partnership. It was this year that started the trend of taking on a new trainee every year.

1996

We move from our first office above a hairdresser’s (goodbye perming lotion) to larger premises just 50 yards away.

1999

With space running out, we acquire the derelict Kings Lodge in West Kingsdown. Two new trainees join us, one of whom is now Co Managing Partner, Emma White (née Finlay). The renovated offices are opened with a Johnson’s Café-themed launch party, inviting original regulars back for a ride down memory lane.

1999 to 2001

The practice goes through a spectacular period of growth doubling in size in less than three years.

2003

The practice launches the A4G Improve and Grow range of services to meet the eight needs and wants of owner-managers.

2004 & 2005

Board member Holly Smith (nee Startup) join as our new trainee.

2006

The practice purchases the compliance arm of QED Accountancy and partner Caroline Ward joins. One of the new trainees that year is now Co Managing  Partner, Josh Curties. The practice is re-branded as A4G LLP.

2008 to 2009

Despite the global recession, A4G earns a reputation for giving clear, calm advice to business owners when they needed it most.

2012

We expand our services by launching A4G Bookkeeping and A4G Payroll as sister companies.

2014

A4G continues to grow with the creation of A4G Growth (led by Will Richardson) and A4G Wealth, our financial services arm, furthering our mission to be the best all-round advisers to owner-managed businesses.

2015

We celebrate 20 years of uninterrupted growth.

2018

We launch A4G Legacy, our wills and probate service, completing our suite of in-house support for business owners and their families.

2020-2021

As Covid-19 disrupted lives and businesses worldwide, we launched the A4G Coronavirus Business Advice Hub on 16th March 2020. Every single day, we published new tools and guidance to help business owners adapt, survive and ultimately thrive. Some clients even said we were “ahead of the news.”

2025

A landmark year for A4G as we celebrate 30 years in business. We acquire Bennett & Co, expanding our team and client base, and announce Emma White and Josh Curties as new Managing Partners, marking the next chapter in A4G’s evolution while staying true to our owner-managed roots.

We promote two new partners, making us a 7 partner firm.