It’s no secret how dramatically the dating sector has evolved over the last 25 years. Rarely were dating services even talked about in the media before the noughties, fast track to 2024 and we are looking at a global multi-billion-dollar industry.
When online dating sites started to emerge in the 90’s most people were really sceptical, rarely would anyone admit that they had met their partner via a dating service. In those days there were a handful of very traditional matchmaking services, mostly used by older divorcees and the next best thing would be the classified ads at the back of the newspapers. Most ads would consist of abbreviated messages WLTM (Would Like to Meet) someone with a GSOH (Good Sense of Humour) etc.
When my company Gorgeous Networks, first launched Speed Dating in 2000 it completely disrupted the industry. The media suddenly had a thirst for writing dating articles. Gradually, using a dating site or going to a singles dating event became more and more popular.
There was always still a bit of a stigma attached to seeking help finding love, right up until 2013 when the first dating apps started to emerge, now days it is rare to find anyone who is single who has not tried dating apps.
However, once again singles are shifting in their preferences of where to spend their time and money to seek a meaningful relationship. Over the last five years, probably because singles have increasingly become completely disillusioned with their dating journey via dating apps – the fake profiles, the scammers, the lack of intention to organise an IRL (In real life) meeting – matchmaking services have suddenly become massively popular.
In the early noughties there were only a handful of ‘dating agencies’ – today there are over a hundred and that number is increasing month on month. Many agencies are small and targeted to specific locations or age demographics, however some have grown to become national and even multinational global businesses.
This is the time of the year when most singles reflect on their situation and make a plan for tackling their dating journey. So the www.the-datingdirectory.com has done a roundup of the best matchmaking services around the UK.
London and South
www.mutualattraction.co.uk
Mutual Attraction has been established for many years which gives clients that certainty of a quality service. The age range is typically 30’s through to 50’s made up of busy professionals. Bright, interesting, and engaging people all with something to offer. The fees are mid-range.
Mutual Attraction’s sister company ‘Your Matchmaker’ – which covers areas such as Sussex, Surrey, Southwest, Berkshire, Hampshire, Bristol & Bath – means the agency have an extensive private client network. Combined with their matchmaking expertise Mutual Attraction is one of the standout London and Southern agencies.
Mutual Attraction has built up a sound reputation as an agency that will support all your needs during your journey. Their membership includes completing a profiling questionnaire in addition to information from your initial consultation to provide the basis for your personal profile which will be shown to a compatible match. They also use both Myers Briggs and Helen Fisher personality tests to facilitate your own self-understanding and enable relationship development.
North West of England
www.Intro-nw.com
Intro Northwest have been established for many years as one of the North Wests premier and busiest agencies. Clients typically range from 30’s through to 70’s and fees are extremely reasonable given the level of service. The INTRO NWstyle is personal, friendly and very professional, the agency make you feel completely comfortable and therefore able to ask anything. Everyone is met personally or via a video call.
For singles whose time is precious, that are seeking to meet real, like-minded people this is the North West’s ‘go to’ agency. So often people that may live outside of the big cities, feel that all their friends are in relationships and that they simply don’t have the opportunity to meet new single professional people. Especially if they have children and/or a busy career or perhaps elderly parents to care for. A matchmaking agency such as Intro Northwest can make a huge difference to someone’s life. Knowing you have someone in your corner who is constantly on the lookout for compatible matches gives you space to actually enjoy your dating experience instead of it feeling like a chore.
Intro NW covers locations such as Manchester, Liverpool, Cheshire and North Wales, they have an extensive network and their Elite membership packages include a headhunting service for clients who have a niche criteria.
Yorkshire – And the North
www.YLIntroductions.co.uk
When Yvette Langton bounced into the matchmaking sector five years ago, launching YL Introductions she made a big impact. Especially in her residing location of York. Yvette has a warm, empathetic and friendly nature that instantly makes her clients feel at ease. She wraps a nurturing arm around the shoulders of all her members and guides them towards like-minded and appealing matches. Word of mouth has expanded rapidly and so has the agency’s reach; she now has an extensive network of clients not just all over the northern territory but much further afield too including London.
One of the most appealing aspects of YL Introductions is that all members have access to the most glamorous exclusive high-end events, as Yvette has created an ‘in’ to some of the UK’s top event organisers. Which means members have the added opportunity of not only being personally introduced to a potential suitor from Yvette’s large network of very appealing singles, but also additionally, can meet people at exclusive sporting, classic car, dinner and celebrity events, that Yvette also personally attends to ensure everyone feels comfortable and included. Members typically fall in the age range of late 20’s – to early 60’s, all clients are personally met and vetted in a lengthy consultation to understand what they are looking for in a future partner.
Though this agency definitely falls in the ‘high end’ category in terms of members, the fees are quite reasonable given the access to such exclusive events and the very personal service the delightful Irish born founder extends.
National -Across the whole of the UK
Multi award winning matchmaking agency Matchmaker UK entered the dating sector several years ago. As one of the more recent matchmakers their founder Lara Besbrode has made a huge impact to the industry and has expanded from an office in Manchester to offices all over the UK.
Enquiries first step on their journey to find lasting love and fulfilment will be met with a warm welcome and discovery call with a member of the Matchmaker UK matchmaking team. To ensure peace of mind, a comprehensive client identification procedure takes place at the outset, where each prospect is vetted and verified, either in-person or electronically.
Once onboarded, their in-house profiling and psychology team works to develop each client’s unique, introductory personality profile courtesy of a profiling system, enabling the team to learn more about each client’s compatibility and preferences. The Matchmaker UK rely on a 30-point profiling system to ensure a reliable profile, strongly positioning them to recommend suitable matches, guided by leading psychology-based matchmaking principles.
The Matchmaker UK fees are mid-range, they do also offer VIP packages.
National and International – Servicing across the whole UK and also Globally
www.berkeley-International.com
Berkeley International is one of the longest most established, elite dating and personal introductions consultancies. They offer an exclusive matchmaking service to help find the perfect partner and soul mate for their discerning and affluent members.
They are known as the ‘haute couture’ label. Their attentiveness and personal approach is what sets Berkeley apart. They are considered nationally and internationally as one of the most exclusive introduction consultancies. Their attentiveness is unsurpassed. The team get to know all of their members personally, understanding their busy lives and complex requirements.
Many of Berkeley clients are very well-known personalities within their field or generally. It is for this reason that they seek confidentiality and discretion and that is precisely what Berkeley provide.
The team is led by Global Director Mairead Molloy. She is ably supported by a dedicated team of highly experienced relationship professionals.
Berkeley International has been making successful introductions for over 20 years. Their consultancy is constantly evolving as the world changes and is now regarded as one of the premier introduction consultancies in the global matchmaking industry. Berkeley is without doubt at the upper end of the sector, for clients of all ages wishing to meet equally accomplished worldly individuals, this is definitely the agency to opt for.
Dating Tips – www.the-datingdirectory.com asked these matchmaking companies:
“When using a matchmaker, should members be tapping into the matchmaker’s expertise and meet everyone their matchmaker suggests? Or should they only meet the people that meet all their own personal preferences?”
Tiffany Thomas – Founder of Intro Northwest
“When using a matchmaker, you are investing in their expertise. We like to gently encourage rather than pressurize all of Intro’s clients to be open minded with our hand-picked profile selections. Different eyes see different things and very often I have found this is where clients can be pleasantly surprised and start to develop a long-lasting relationship.”
Mairead Molloy – Global Director Berkeley International
“Effective communication is crucial in dating, especially when sharing your preferences with your matchmaker to make sure they select the right people for you to meet. Always ensure on your date that you are a good listener, giving your date the space to express themselves. Share your thoughts openly and honestly, to create a deeper connection. These are things you should be mindful of when deciding upon what types of people you will best connect with. Discuss expectations and boundaries to establish mutual understanding. Communication is a two-way street, so when on a date, encourage them to share their feelings as well. Embrace vulnerability, as it helps with trust and intimacy. Remember, effective communication lays the foundation for a healthy and lasting relationship”.
April Ashby – CEO Mutual Attraction Matchmaking
“Members should be guided by their matchmakers when a match is suggested to them. Clients very often talk about ‘a type’ which they have been attracted to in the past and they don’t want to let go of this idea. Unfortunately, however, relationships with said ‘type’ have not always worked out so it makes complete sense to try something different if and when this is suggested!”
Yvette Langton – Founder YL Introductions
“At YL Introductions we learn as much as we can about our clients and then go and find the most suitable and compatible people who match as closely as possible to our clients’ preferences. Obviously, we try to keep our clients’ expectations realistic. So, when we suggest a profile, our clients would mostly take our recommendation”
Lara Besbrode – Founder and CEO of The Matchmaker.uk
“Trust The Matchmakers expertise who have experience and knowledge in matching base on compatibility factors. It’s beneficial to trust our judgement and knowledge, and be open to meeting people we suggest, even if they don’t meet all your personal preferences. We often have insights, and perspectives that you may not have considered. Be open to new experiences, because even though someone may not fit your exact preferences, the potential introduction can still lead to a meaningful connection. Sometime Chemistry and compatibility can surprise you”.
Lorraine Adams – Founder of Gorgeous Networks and The Dating Directory:
“Having a good rapport with your matchmaker is vital and The Dating Directory totally advocate meeting or having a video chat with several potential matchmakers, so that you feel completely at ease with your choice before deciding on where to make your investment. Once you have ensured that you have chosen a matchmaker that really gets you, we believe that you should rely mostly on their expertise in selecting your matches”.
