The team at Southampton-based HWB is celebrating as the firm marks a major milestone - a quarter of a century in business.

The company's six directors led the silver anniversary celebrations which mark a hugely successful 25 years for HWB that have earned the company a position in the top 100 UK accountancy firms and a ranking as one of the largest independent practices in the region.

Launched in 1985 by Mike Hopper, Alan Williams and Arthur Bell, HWB has seen continued growth since the days of a small  team based in Southampton; now employing more than 50 staff at offices in Chandlers Ford.

The business was built, not only on excellent accountancy and taxation skills, but on working closely with clients acting as essential business advisors.  This strategy - of working hand in hand with clients as they build their businesses - has been the cornerstone of HWB throughout the years.

The firm now offers the full gamut of accountancy and taxation services from annual compliance services to corporate finance and specialist tax advice.

Managing director Alan Williams says: "Having a quarter of a century of business under your belt is a tremendous achievement for any company and I'm extremely proud to have been there from the start.

"The hardworking and professional ethics that HWB was built around all those years ago have stood the test of time and enabled the company to thrive; to the point that we are now one of the largest independent accountancy firms in the region.

"In those 25 years we have built a strong reputation, good team and loyal client base, meaning we're now looking forward to the next 25 years which we hope will be just as successful!"