Six Years of MDR Consultancy: A Conversation with Michelle

We’re not really the type to shout about anniversaries. But six years of running a business feels worth pausing for - not just to celebrate it, but to reflect on how it’s changed, grown, and stayed true to what it set out to be.

We sat down with Michelle to talk about what’s shaped MDR so far - the decisions, the lessons, the people, and the thinking that’s brought the business to this point.

And because we all enjoy a good conversation (and knew this one could easily run away with us), we kept things focused with six themes - one for each year - to help tell the real story of how the business has grown.

Why It Started:

“I’d worked in recruitment for years and knew there had to be a better way. Too often, it was about ticking boxes, chasing speed, and missing the human part of the process.”

Michelle didn’t want to build something bigger. She wanted to build something better - and more honest. That meant making bold decisions early on, like turning down work that didn’t align with her values.

“I didn’t know it was the right time. I just knew I was ready to back myself.”

The aim wasn’t to grow quickly. It was to build something that people could trust - and to protect that trust from the start.

Lessons Learned:

Six years in, some lessons have stuck more than others. The most important? Listen to your instincts.

“Every time something didn’t feel quite right, I was eventually proved right. Ignoring it is always the mistake.”

There’s also the lesson that growth doesn’t always feel good. Sometimes it looks like discomfort. Sometimes it means saying no to what looks easy. And sometimes it’s just about backing the long game, even when the short-term would be simpler.

“Growth is uncomfortable. But that’s part of it.”

Working with Clients:

Some of MDR’s best work has come from long-term client relationships. The kind built on mutual respect, not just transactions.

“What stuck with me most was when a client said, ‘You listened. You didn’t just sell us a CV.’ That felt like everything we’d set out to do.”

The business has shifted from one-off hires to becoming a genuine partner for clients - someone they can rely on not just to fill a role, but to help shape it. And sometimes, to challenge it.

“It’s okay to say no. The right clients get it.”

Building the Team:

The team has grown - and so has the understanding of what it really means to lead one.

“We look for curiosity, self-awareness and integrity. Skills matter. But values matter more.”

Building a team isn’t just about hiring. It’s about creating space for people to grow - and sometimes, supporting them when they decide to move on. It’s not always easy. But leading a team means staying honest, staying steady, and doing what’s right for the business and the people in it.

“The proudest moments have come from watching people back themselves. And each other.”

Culture here is built day by day. It’s in how we speak, how we support each other, in decisions, conversations, and for the clients and candidates we work with.

The Personal Side:

Running a business is personal, whether you plan for it to be or not. There’s pressure. Expectation. And the constant challenge of working out how to lead without losing yourself in it.

“I’ve had to learn boundaries. They’re not selfish. They’re necessary.”

Finding balance isn’t always about switching off. Sometimes it’s just about stepping back far enough to see the full picture - and then deciding what to do next, not just reacting.

“What keeps me going is the belief that the work we do makes a real difference.”

The Road Ahead:

Six years in, and the core of what we do hasn’t changed. We help businesses find the right people - people who fit the role, the team, and the purpose. Whether it’s a long-term leader or a short-term contract, it’s always about finding the right match.

That’s what we’ve always done. And it’s what we’ll keep doing.

What has evolved is how we think about our role in supporting the business we work with. We’re not just here to react to vacancies. We’ve found our space as consultants - people who guide, support and challenge hiring decisions in the right way.

We work best when we’re brought in early. When clients are open to hiring well - not always fast, but with clarity and intention. That doesn’t mean we can’t move quickly, of course we can. It just means we don’t cut corners.

We’re not chasing growth for the sake of it. We’re focused on doing great work with people who care about getting it right. That might mean expanding what we offer. It might mean deepening what we already do. Either way, the direction is steady.

“I’d like us to be remembered for making recruitment feel human again.”

Thank you!

Seriously, thank you, to every client, candidate, collaborator and team member who’s been part of MDR so far. The business has grown because of you - and it keeps growing because of what you bring to it.

"We’re proud of what’s been built. And we’re ready for what’s next."

Michelle Denny – Founder – MDR Consultancy