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Kingsley Turns 18: From a Mountain Meltdown to a Business Milestone

This month marks 18 years since I founded Kingsley, and I’ve been reflecting on how it all began — and just how far we’ve come.

Back in 2007, I was working in recruitment in Manchester, having transitioned from my original career as a surveyor. After months (and months!) of deliberation, I finally decided to take the plunge and set up on my own.

I’d love to tell you it was all strategic planning and spreadsheets — but in reality, the turning point came somewhere far colder and more dramatic…

To celebrate a friend’s 30th, we went on a snowboarding holiday. I’d never snowboarded before, and after a spectacular fall, I found myself cold, bruised, and sobbing alone on the side of a mountain. I couldn’t go up, couldn’t go down, and I remember thinking: “How on earth am I going to run a business if I can’t even get off this mountain?” But sometimes clarity comes in the most unlikely places.

Once back at work, I decided to go for it. I handed in my notice three months later. The very next day, I met my now-husband Andy for lunch (he was working for a developer at the time), and I said: “I don’t feel great… I think I might be pregnant.”

That night, we took a pregnancy test. I couldn’t bring myself to look, but sure enough — two lines.

There was no going back now. And even though I was pregnant, setting up a new business, and about to enter the 2008 recession, I just had a gut feeling that I could make it work.

And somehow… it did.

There’s been a lot packed into the last 18 years — highs, lows, and some huge personal challenges. I now have two incredible children: Fraser (17) and Isla (15). Andy joined the business in 2011, and against all odds, we’ve managed to build a life, raise a family, and grow Kingsley into what it is today.

So what have I learned along the way?

 

Five Takeaways from 18 Years in Business:

1. Relationships are everything. Tech might evolve, platforms may change — but recruitment is and always will be about people. Our best partnerships are the ones we've built and nurtured over decades.
2. You don’t need all the answers to get started. If I’d waited until the perfect time, Kingsley wouldn’t exist. Sometimes the leap comes before the logic.
3. Tough moments shape your resilience. From economic downturns to personal setbacks, every challenge has taught me something about persistence.
4. Your background is your foundation. Andy and I both come from surveying backgrounds, and this shared experience continues to shape how we understand and support our clients across the built environment.
5. Work and life are messy — and that’s OK. Building a business while building a family has been far from perfect, but somehow we’ve made it work (most days!).

Here’s to everyone who’s been part of our journey — clients, candidates, colleagues, and connections. Thank you for believing in us. Whether you’ve worked with us from day one or only just crossed our path, your support means the world.

Here’s to the next chapter.