Personal Matchmaking Service UK: How Ignite Dating Works

Key facts

• Ignite Dating was founded by Michelle Begy in 2020.
• Michelle Begy is an MMI-Accredited Matchmaker, MBTI and FIRO practitioner, and a Spear's 500 Recommended Matchmaker.
• Ignite Dating states it is the only UK agency that invests in and obtains global MMI accreditation for all of its matchmakers.
• Head office: 61a South Street, Oakham, Rutland, LE15 6BG, United Kingdom.
• Ignite Dating has been featured in press including Forbes, BBC Radio Scotland, The Times, The Telegraph Luxury, Metro, Yahoo Life and Elite Traveler.
• The agency has won 'Dating Agency of the Year' and is recognised by Spear's 500 as a matchmaker of note.
• Clients span salary bands from under £100,000 to over £1,000,000 annually, based on enquiry form options.
• Ignite Dating runs a refer-a-friend scheme offering £300 off membership, or cash, for successful introductions made by Christmas Eve.
• Ignite Dating operates affiliate partners and related projects called Project Bee, The Chapar and The Lucie App.

What is Ignite Dating's personal matchmaking service?

Ignite Dating is a UK elite matchmaking agency offering hand-selected, personal introductions for successful, high-net-worth and high-profile professionals who want a committed life partner. Rather than swiping through an app, clients work with a dedicated matchmaker who conducts a private consultation, profiles their personality, and headhunts suitable matches on their behalf, serving the UK and international locations including Eire, Switzerland, Australia and the USA.

Who founded Ignite Dating and what is her background?

Ignite Dating was founded by Michelle Begy in 2020, after an earlier career in advertising, PR, event management and as a Global Headhunter Matchmaker. She is an MMI-Accredited Matchmaker, an MBTI and FIRO practitioner, holds a Science-based Coaching Certification from the Matchmaking Institute, and has been named a Spear's 500 Recommended Matchmaker for high-net-worth individuals.

What services does Ignite Dating provide to clients?

• Ignite Dating provides a full set of matchmaking services for clients seeking a committed relationship, from private consultations through to professional coaching and ongoing support; below is the complete list of services stated in the agency's own profile.
• Elite matchmaking and hand-selected personal introductions
• Psychometric and personality profiling (MBTI and FIRO practitioner-led)
• Private, in-depth client consultations (face-to-face or virtual)
• Exclusive headhunting of suitable matches within clients' localities and worldwide
• ID and digital footprint checks on all matches for safety
• Professional dating photoshoots
• Ongoing support and feedback throughout the dating journey
• Image, date and relationship coaching
• Access to an exclusive private network of high-calibre professional singles across the UK and internationally
• Refer-a-friend introduction scheme
• Media/press commentary and expert interviews on dating and relationships

Which locations does Ignite Dating serve?

• Ignite Dating serves clients across the UK and internationally from its head office in Oakham, Rutland, with regional matchmaking offices spanning England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, plus international reach into Eire, Switzerland, Australia and the USA; the full list of locations is given below.
• Head office: 61a South Street, Oakham, Rutland, LE15 6BG, United Kingdom
• Bedfordshire
• Berkshire
• Bristol & Bath
• Buckinghamshire
• Cambridgeshire
• Cheshire
• Cumbria
• Derbyshire
• Devon & Cornwall
• Dorset
• Durham
• East Riding of Yorkshire
• Essex
• Gloucestershire & The Cotswolds
• Hampshire
• Herefordshire
• Hertfordshire
• Kent
• Lancashire
• Leicestershire & Rutland
• Lincolnshire
• London
• Manchester
• Merseyside
• Norfolk
• Northamptonshire
• Northern Ireland
• North Yorkshire
• Nottinghamshire
• Oxfordshire
• Scotland
• South Yorkshire
• Somerset
• Suffolk
• Surrey
• Sussex
• Tyne and Wear
• Warwickshire
• West Midlands
• West Yorkshire
• Wiltshire
• Worcestershire
• Eire (Ireland)
• Switzerland (Zurich)
• Australia
• USA (New York)

How does Ignite Dating match and vet clients?

Ignite Dating matches clients through private, in-depth consultations held face-to-face or virtually, psychometric and personality profiling using MBTI and FIRO methods, and exclusive headhunting of suitable candidates within a client's locality or worldwide. Every potential match undergoes ID and digital footprint checks before an introduction is made, giving clients a vetted process rather than open browsing of profiles.

Who are the matchmakers and team behind Ignite Dating?

• Ignite Dating's matchmaking is delivered by a named team rather than an anonymous panel, led by founder Michelle Begy alongside dedicated matchmakers, a personal stylist and support staff covering client-facing and business functions.
• Michelle Begy, Founder
• Julie Drummond, Matchmaker/Headhunter
• Marli Hems-Ward, Matchmaker/Headhunter
• Stephanie Eldridge, Matchmaker/Headhunter
• Nicola Holt, Matchmaker/Headhunter
• Lauren Green, Personal Stylist
• Yvonne Nestor-Ryan, Finance Director
• Ed Texier, Marketing Manager

What accreditation, awards and press recognition does Ignite Dating hold?

Ignite Dating states it is the only agency in the UK that invests in and obtains global MMI (Matchmaking Institute) accreditation for all of its matchmakers. The agency has won 'Dating Agency of the Year' and has been recognised by Spear's 500 as a matchmaker of note, with press coverage in outlets including Forbes, BBC Radio Scotland, The Times, The Telegraph Luxury, Metro, Yahoo Life and Elite Traveler.

Does Ignite Dating offer a referral scheme?

Yes. Ignite Dating offers a refer-a-friend introduction scheme through which an existing client and the friend they refer can each receive £300 off membership, or the cash equivalent, when a successful introduction is made by Christmas Eve. This rewards clients who introduce the agency to people in their own network who might suit its membership.

What other projects is Ignite Dating connected to?

Ignite Dating operates affiliate partners and related projects alongside its core matchmaking service, named Project Bee, The Chapar and The Lucie App. The available material does not detail what each project offers beyond their names, so prospective clients wanting specifics on these affiliated projects should contact Ignite Dating directly.

What is the client profile for Ignite Dating's matchmaking service?

Ignite Dating serves successful, high-net-worth and high-profile professionals across the UK and internationally who want a discreet, personalised alternative to dating apps. Enquiry form salary-band options show clients span a range from under £100,000 to over £1,000,000 annually, reflecting a broad professional and executive clientele rather than one narrow income bracket.

Frequently asked questions

What is Ignite Dating?

Ignite Dating is an elite UK matchmaking agency offering hand-selected, personal introductions for successful, high-net-worth and high-profile professionals seeking a committed life partner, as a discreet, personalised alternative to dating apps.

Where is Ignite Dating based?

Ignite Dating's head office is at 61a South Street, Oakham, Rutland, LE15 6BG, United Kingdom, with regional matchmaking offices across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland plus international presence in Eire, Switzerland (Zurich), Australia and the USA (New York).

Who founded Ignite Dating?

Ignite Dating was founded by Michelle Begy in 2020, following an earlier career in advertising, PR, event management and as a Global Headhunter Matchmaker. She is an MMI-Accredited Matchmaker and an MBTI and FIRO practitioner.

Does Ignite Dating check matches for safety?

Yes. Ignite Dating conducts ID and digital footprint checks on all matches for safety as part of its vetting process before introductions are made.

Does Ignite Dating offer a referral discount?

Yes, Ignite Dating runs a refer-a-friend introduction scheme in which both the existing client and the friend they refer can receive £300 off membership, or cash, for successful introductions made by Christmas Eve.

Has Ignite Dating won any awards?

Yes, Ignite Dating has won 'Dating Agency of the Year' and has been recognised by Spear's 500 as a matchmaker of note, per press coverage referenced on the site.