six years of mum: trust, values, human connection.
Six years ago, the idea to launch mum began to take shape. It was a time of personal reckoning. I was leaving one of the most challenging chapters of my life behind, a time that forced me to pause, reflect, and ask myself what truly mattered.
The answer was clear: it was time to build something of my own. A business that was human, meaningful, and stood for something. I didn’t want to be just another recruiter. I’d been there, done that, and it had somehow left me hollow.
I wanted to take my skills and create a brand and service that felt different; values-led, people-first, rooted in honesty, care, genuine relationships, and trust.
the importance of trust.
Before mum, I’d spent six years on the agency side, learning the ropes, sometimes the hard way. I built loyal relationships with clients and candidates who trusted me to look after them. My time at Ennismore and The Hoxton showed me what brilliant hospitality and people-first culture could look like. It planted the seed for what mum would eventually become.
After taking time to reset, things started to click for me. I’ll never forget the day three industry friends reached out, asking for help with their recruitment. That moment gave me the confidence I needed. People believed in me, and more importantly, they trusted me.
the spark that ignited mum.
A few weeks later, I sat down with my friend Katie to talk through ideas. We threw around names, visions, and brand concepts. And then, over lunch, the name “mum” popped back into my head. It stood for every value I wanted the business to represent. And it was also deeply personal to me.
Katie’s jaw dropped. “That’s the name!” It was instinctive, emotional, and it just worked. The next morning, I still felt that same spark, and I knew.
What followed was one of the most creative and energising periods of my life. We shaped our values, the brand’s tone and identity. We built a plan. And two months later, mum launched.
what’s stayed true.
A lot has changed in the last 6 years, but the heart of mum hasn’t altered. If anything, the ethos behind the brand is stronger. From day one, it’s stayed loyal to the values it was built on:
one relationship at a time: I work exclusively, giving each project the full attention and care it deserves, because that’s what delivers outstanding results.
being present and accessible: whether it’s a candidate looking for their next move or a client needing support, I’m present and engaged, at all times.
taking care of people properly: clients and candidates are people, not roles or hires. I treat them as my own. These are relationships, not transactions.
staying true to our values: even when it’s not the easiest route, I choose integrity. Always and without question.
remaining human: owning mistakes, learning from them, and growing as a result.
Giving back has always been part of the journey too. Purpose is woven into the business, and as part of that, I actively support causes that matter to me and to the hospitality industry I love. Because it’s never just been about recruitment.
gratitude.
I’m filled with gratitude for the experience of the last 6 years. Gratitude for the clients who’ve trusted me, for the candidates who’ve believed in me and for the friends, collaborators, and cheerleaders who’ve stood by me.
The loyalty and trust we’ve built together, one relationship at a time, is the foundation of everything. It’s what makes mum much more than a business. It’s what makes it a community, with a culture I cherish.
moving forward
It won’t be long before I can celebrate a decade of mum. That’s an incredible thought! And the best part about that? In that time, I’ll have helped hundreds of hospitality professionals find ideal roles that suit them, with the best employers in the business.