How Do You Choose the Right Dating Agency? A Guide from Ignite Dating

Key facts

• Ignite Dating was founded by Michelle Begy in 2020, after her earlier career in advertising, PR, event management and as a Global Headhunter Matchmaker.
• Michelle Begy 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.
• Ignite Dating states it is the only UK agency that invests in and obtains global MMI (Matchmaking Institute) accreditation for all of its matchmakers.
• Ignite Dating carries out ID and digital footprint checks on all matches as part of its safety process.
• Ignite Dating uses Myers Briggs (MBTI) personality profiling alongside FIRO profiling, matchmaker intuition and experience to assess compatibility.
• Ignite Dating's head office is at 61a South Street, Oakham, Rutland, LE15 6BG, United Kingdom.
• Ignite Dating's team includes named matchmakers/headhunters Michelle Begy, Julie Drummond, Marli Hems-Ward, Stephanie Eldridge and Nicola Holt, alongside a personal stylist, a Finance Director and a Marketing Manager.

What should you look for when selecting a dating agency?

When selecting a dating agency, look at the matchmakers' expertise, the agency's reputation and history in the industry, whether it carries out identity checks on the people it introduces, and whether its matchmakers hold relevant qualifications. Ignite Dating structures its own service around these same points: experienced matchmakers, MMI accreditation, ID and digital footprint checks, and MBTI/FIRO-based profiling.

Why does matchmaker expertise matter when choosing an agency?

Matchmaker expertise matters because an experienced matchmaker draws out small details about a client's values, ambitions and lifestyle that inexperienced matchmakers can overlook, and those details are often what determine whether an introduction is a good match. Ignite Dating's matchmakers hold MMI accreditation and are trained in MBTI and FIRO personality profiling to inform this process.

Why does an agency's reputation and industry knowledge matter?

An agency's reputation and industry knowledge matter because reputable agencies tend to have either a long track record or be run by people with genuine prior experience in the dating or matchmaking industry. Ignite Dating was founded in 2020 by Michelle Begy, who previously worked in advertising, PR, event management and as a Global Headhunter Matchmaker before launching the agency, and the company has received press coverage including from Forbes, BBC Radio Scotland, The Times, The Telegraph Luxury, Metro, Yahoo Life and Elite Traveler.

How do reputable dating agencies keep clients safe?

Reputable dating agencies keep clients safe by verifying that every person they introduce is who they say they are, rather than allowing unchecked profiles as can happen on dating apps. Ignite Dating carries out ID and digital footprint checks on all of its matches as a standard part of its process, alongside private, in-depth client consultations conducted face-to-face or virtually.

What qualifications should a matchmaker have?

A matchmaker should be distinct from a relationship coach or therapist, and where emotional or relationship advice is needed beyond matchmaking, a reputable agency refers clients to trained professionals rather than offering that advice itself unless properly qualified. Ignite Dating's founder Michelle Begy is an MMI-Accredited Matchmaker, an MBTI and FIRO practitioner, and holds a Science-based Coaching Certification from the Matchmaking Institute.

What services does Ignite Dating offer once you've chosen an agency?

• 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

Where does Ignite Dating operate?

Ignite Dating serves clients across the UK and internationally. Its head office is in Oakham, Rutland, England, with regional matchmaking coverage across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, plus international coverage in Eire (Ireland), Switzerland (Zurich), Australia and the USA (New York).

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a matchmaker and a relationship coach?

A matchmaker focuses on finding and introducing compatible partners and acts as a supportive sounding board during the dating process, while a relationship coach or therapist is trained to give advice on relationship or emotional matters. A reputable agency refers clients to qualified professionals for that advice unless its own staff hold relevant qualifications.

Does Ignite Dating carry out identity checks on matches?

Yes. Ignite Dating carries out ID and digital footprint checks on all of its matches as part of its safety process, so that clients are introduced to people who have been through the same verification as themselves.

What personality profiling does Ignite Dating use?

Ignite Dating uses Myers Briggs (MBTI) personality profiling combined with FIRO profiling, matchmaker intuition and experience to build a picture of a client's compatibility needs before presenting carefully selected and vetted matches.

Who founded Ignite Dating and what is their background?

Ignite Dating was founded by Michelle Begy in 2020. Before launching the agency, she worked in advertising, PR, event management and as a Global Headhunter Matchmaker, and she is an MMI-Accredited Matchmaker, MBTI and FIRO practitioner with a Science-based Coaching Certification from the Matchmaking Institute.

Where is Ignite Dating's head office?

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