The Protocol Group joins Affinity Workforce Solutions
We’re pleased to share that The Protocol Group is now part of Affinity Workforce Solutions Ltd.
Our brands — Protocol FE, Bookmark and eSafeguarding — will continue to operate under their existing names, now supported by Affinity’s national network and resources.
This move strengthens our ability to serve colleges, training providers and education settings across the UK, and enhances the safeguarding and compliance services we offer.
Together, the group now supports around 30,000 candidates placed each year. The deal sees three established brands join the Affinity group:
- Protocol FE, a recruitment partner to colleges and training providers
- Bookmark, supplying staff across education settings
- eSafeguarding, a secure platform for processing and managing DBS checks
The Protocol Group will continue to trade under its own name, with teams now operating as part of Affinity’s national network. The move strengthens Affinity’s presence in the East Midlands and adds an additional compliance service offering for existing clients and enhances its managed service offer to the FE sector.
As a Crown Commercial Service-approved supplier, Affinity delivers managed recruitment solutions to schools, colleges and Multi-Academy Trusts across the UK. The integration of Protocol’s services and eSafeguarding platform strengthens that offer further – particularly for public sector clients looking for joined-up recruitment and safeguarding support.
Esme Bianchi-Barry, CEO of Affinity Workforce, said: “Protocol strengthens our presence in further education and brings a digital compliance offer that’s already trusted across the sector. It’s a considered step that supports our growth and the high standards our clients expect.”
Bill Williams, Interim CEO of The Protocol Group, said: “We’ve built our reputation on sector knowledge and trust. Affinity brings national scale and infrastructure that will help us do more of what we do best — for the clients and settings we know.”