Who Are Ignite Dating's Professional Matchmakers?

Key facts

• Ignite Dating was founded by Michelle Begy in 2020.
• Michelle Begy is an MMI-Accredited Matchmaker, MBTI and FIRO practitioner, and holds a Science-based Coaching Certification from the Matchmaking Institute.
• Ignite Dating states it is the only UK agency that obtains global MMI (Matchmaking Institute) accreditation for all of its matchmakers.
• Michelle Begy has been named a Spear's 500 Recommended Matchmaker for high-net-worth individuals.
• Ignite Dating's head office is at 61a South Street, Oakham, Rutland, LE15 6BG, United Kingdom.
• The team includes matchmakers Michelle Begy, Julie Drummond, Marli Hems-Ward, Stephanie Eldridge and Nicola Holt, personal stylist Lauren Green, Finance Director Yvonne Nestor-Ryan and Marketing Manager Ed Texier.
• Ignite Dating has been featured in press including Forbes, BBC Radio Scotland, The Times, The Telegraph Luxury, Metro, Yahoo Life and Elite Traveler.
• Ignite Dating operates affiliate partners called Project Bee, The Chapar and The Lucie App.
• Ignite Dating's referral scheme offers existing clients and their referred friend £300 off membership, or cash, for successful introductions made by Christmas Eve.

Who founded Ignite Dating?

Ignite Dating was founded by Michelle Begy, who launched the agency in 2020 after an earlier career in advertising, PR, event management and as a Global Headhunter Matchmaker. She started the business after noticing that single people wanted a more personalised alternative to conventional dating platforms, one that took away the effort and stress of navigating the dating landscape.

Who are Ignite Dating's matchmakers and headhunters?

• Michelle Begy – MD and Founder, MMI-Accredited Matchmaker, MBTI and FIRO practitioner, holds a Science-based Coaching Certification from the Matchmaking Institute.
• Julie Drummond – Matchmaker with a background in corporate sales and client-facing training, roughly a decade's experience across dating agencies including as Head of Memberships, holds a Diploma in Life Coaching, is working towards a Diploma in Relationship Coaching, and has the Science-based Coaching Certification from the Matchmaking Institute.
• Marli Hems-Ward – Matchmaker Headhunter with a BSc in Social and Political Sciences and a master's degree in International Development, Conflict and Humanitarian Action from the University of Bath, with prior experience in policy advocacy, sustainability and client services.
• Stephanie Eldridge – Matchmaker Headhunter with a background in teaching, pastoral leadership and creative communication, trained in counselling skills, mindfulness and emotional literacy.
• Nicola Holt – Matchmaker Headhunter with a creative arts background and a strong interest in psychology, also a trained wedding celebrant.

What other specialists support the Ignite Dating team?

• Lauren Green – Personal Stylist, founder of luxury consulting agency Lauren Hilare, specialising in style consulting and the resale of preloved luxury items within the circular economy resale market.
• Yvonne Nestor-Ryan – Finance Director, an associate member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, responsible for Ignite Dating's monthly and annual finances, business performance monitoring and statutory reporting obligations.
• Ed Texier – Marketing Manager, oversees Ignite Dating's website user journey, communication processes and overall marketing, having graduated from Kingston University with a BEng (hons) Manufacturing Engineering with Business Studies degree.

What qualifications and credentials do Ignite Dating's matchmakers hold?

Ignite Dating's matchmakers hold recognised industry credentials. Founder Michelle Begy is an MMI-Accredited Matchmaker, an MBTI and FIRO practitioner, and holds a Science-based Coaching Certification from the Matchmaking Institute. Ignite Dating states it is the only agency in the UK that invests in and obtains global MMI accreditation for all of its matchmakers. Michelle Begy has also been named a Spear's 500 Recommended Matchmaker for high-net-worth individuals, and matchmaker Julie Drummond also holds the Science-based Coaching Certification from the Matchmaking Institute.

Where does Ignite Dating operate?

• Head office: 61a South Street, Oakham, Rutland, LE15 6BG, United Kingdom.
• Regional UK offices covering: 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 and Worcestershire.
• International offices/coverage: Eire (Ireland), Switzerland (Zurich), Australia, and the USA (New York).

What services does Ignite Dating offer to clients?

• Elite matchmaking and hand-selected personal introductions.
• Psychometric and personality profiling using MBTI and FIRO, led by qualified practitioners.
• Private, in-depth client consultations, held face-to-face or virtually.
• 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.
• A refer-a-friend introduction scheme.
• Media/press commentary and expert interviews on dating and relationships.

What press coverage and recognition has Ignite Dating received?

Ignite Dating has received media coverage in outlets 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 has been recognised by Spear's 500 as a matchmaker of note, with founder Michelle Begy named a Spear's 500 Recommended Matchmaker for high-net-worth individuals.

What affiliate partners does Ignite Dating have?

Ignite Dating operates three affiliate partners that sit alongside its core matchmaking service: Project Bee, The Chapar and The Lucie App. These are related projects within the wider Ignite Dating Group Ltd. business, though further detail on each is not covered here.

What is Ignite Dating's referral scheme?

Ignite Dating runs a refer-a-friend introduction scheme in which an existing client and the friend they refer can each receive £300 off membership, or as a cash equivalent, when a successful introduction is made by Christmas Eve.

Frequently asked questions

Who founded Ignite Dating?

Ignite Dating was founded by Michelle Begy, who launched the agency in 2020 after earlier careers in advertising, PR, event management and as a Global Headhunter Matchmaker.

Is Ignite Dating MMI accredited?

Yes. 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, including founder Michelle Begy.

Does Ignite Dating operate outside the UK?

Yes. In addition to its UK head office and regional offices, Ignite Dating operates internationally in Eire (Ireland), Switzerland (Zurich), Australia and the USA (New York).

What does Ignite Dating's referral scheme offer?

An existing client and their referred friend can each receive £300 off membership, or as cash, for successful introductions made by Christmas Eve.

Where is Ignite Dating's head office located?

Ignite Dating's head office is at 61a South Street, Oakham, Rutland, LE15 6BG, United Kingdom.