FAQs

We begin with a one-to-one consultation to gain a detailed understanding of your lifestyle, values, preferences, and relationship goals. From there, we carry out a bespoke search and personally curate each introduction, providing full profiles and arranging initial contact. Many introductions begin with a phone conversation, followed by a relaxed, informal meeting at a time and place that suits you.

Our members are introduced through referrals, direct applications, targeted search, and longstanding networks. Each individual is carefully vetted. We verify identity, confirm intentions, and assess compatibility across a range of criteria, including career, lifestyle, personality, and values, so that introductions feel well-matched and meaningful.

Membership fees vary depending on the service level selected. Most of our clients choose to work with us because they value a discreet, highly personalised approach that removes the guesswork and frustration from modern dating. You can read more our packages on our membership page by clicking here.

Our members typically lead busy lives and prefer not to rely on online dating. We offer a professional, private, and highly efficient alternative. With a focus on quality over quantity, we ensure introductions are tailored, sincere, and appropriate.

Timings vary depending on your preferences and the complexity of your search. Most clients receive their first introduction within a few weeks of joining. We aim to present a new potential match every few weeks, but this is never rushed. Our focus is on suitability, not speed.

We are highly selective when accepting members to ensure we can support their goals. While no service can guarantee the outcome of a relationship, we work closely with you throughout the process to adapt and refine the search. Refunds are not offered, but every effort is made to deliver a fulfilling and valuable experience.

Yes. While many of our members are based in London or the South East, we also work with clients across the United Kingdom and internationally. If you are open to long-distance introductions or travel, we can broaden the search accordingly.

Yes. Many of our clients are navigating the early stages of dating after divorce or a long-term relationship. We offer a supportive and structured process, with guidance at every step, helping you approach introductions with confidence and clarity.

It is entirely natural to feel apprehensive, particularly after a difficult experience. Our team is experienced in supporting clients through these feelings. We take time to understand your concerns and will proceed at a pace that feels comfortable.

Our vetting process is thorough, and we are highly attuned to signs of insincerity. Each member is known to us personally, and our relationship with both parties allows for an additional layer of oversight and trust. All clients also sign a confidentiality agreement as standard.

Not at all. Many clients initially feel hesitant. In reality, choosing a matchmaking service reflects a discerning and proactive approach to finding a long-term partner. Discretion is central to everything we do, and your privacy is always protected.

Yes. Our service is designed with busy professionals in mind. We manage all logistics around introductions and adapt to your availability. Providing feedback can be done at your convenience and need not be time-consuming.

Yes. If you are travelling, wish to pause to explore a new relationship, or simply take a break, you are welcome to freeze your membership. We simply ask for this to be requested in writing.

No two searches are the same. We work with a broad range of individuals and take pride in our ability to think creatively and compassionately when curating introductions. The more honest and open our conversations, the better we can support you.

We do encourage feedback after each introduction, whether by phone or email. Your thoughts help us build a clearer picture of what works best for you and ensure continued progress.

That is entirely up to you. Some members prefer to focus on one introduction at a time, while others are open to parallel conversations. We tailor our approach to your preferences and schedule.

Yes. We are selective when choosing whom we work with. If we feel we are not the right fit for you, or cannot support your goals, we will always be honest.

We are a modern dating agency built on traditional values. Where many agencies rely on algorithms or shortcuts, we focus on genuine connection. Every member is met in person, and we take time to truly understand their life and aspirations. We match people, not profiles.

Regular communication is central to what we do. We stay in close contact throughout a member’s journey, often speaking weekly, so every introduction is guided by care and intuition.

Our success speaks for itself: over 75% of members begin a relationship lasting longer than six months. Most of our new clients come through personal recommendation, which is something we are proud of.

We also believe in transparency. Unlike many agencies, we share photographs as part of our introduction process. And rather than compete, we collaborate with a small network of like-minded matchmakers to broaden the pool of high-calibre individuals available to our members.

The company was founded by Hayley Bystram, who wanted a personal connection to its name. Bowes-Lyon is a family name from her Scottish ancestry. It reflects the discretion, heritage and calibre we uphold, and quietly conveys the standard of the members we work with.

Yes. Bowes-Lyon Partnership is accredited by the Matchmaking Institute, a global organisation that upholds professional standards and ethical codes within the industry. Membership is by application only, and includes an interview process and a review of our contracts and service structure.

We have considered joining the Association of British Introduction Agencies in the past, but some of their requirements did not align with our personalised approach. For example, they encourage agencies to set a fixed limit on the number of introductions offered. We believe this structure does not serve our members well and prefer to tailor the pace and number of introductions to each individual.

That said, we understand the ABIA may have recently revised this policy, so it is something we may revisit. As we work with clients across the United Kingdom and internationally, we currently find the Matchmaking Institute’s global accreditation more relevant to our approach and the calibre of our membership.

For many of our members, working with a matchmaker is about peace of mind and purposeful introductions. While dating apps can be entertaining, they often become time-consuming, unpredictable and surprisingly unrewarding for the effort involved. Our approach is different. We offer discretion, genuine compatibility and a highly personalised experience, with introductions curated by someone who truly understands you, rather than an impersonal algorithm.

We also save you time by doing the hard work on your behalf. We carefully vet, filter and select potential matches, so you are only meeting people who are genuinely aligned with you. There is no endless cycle of coffees and dinners that go nowhere, or the quiet fatigue that can come from online dating. Our members find it to be a far smarter investment of their time, energy and emotional wellbeing.

Our members typically receive their first introduction within the first couple of weeks of joining us. There is a little preparation involved at the beginning, including creating a personalised profile and arranging a professional photoshoot, after which introductions begin promptly.

Introductions are then offered on a rolling basis, usually every two to three weeks. This can vary depending on personal preferences, availability and the complexity of the search. We take great care to ensure each introduction feels thoughtful, timely and carefully tailored to your criteria, while always maintaining a sense of momentum and consistency throughout your journey

Every potential member is interviewed in depth by one of our senior team. We always ask for formal identification, verify intent, and require all clients to sign a confidentiality agreement before joining.

We also carry out further checks using secure, third-party verification tools and professional platforms, giving us an additional layer of insight into a client’s background. This allows us to cross-reference the information shared in the initial face-to-face meeting, with publicly available records in a responsible and non-intrusive way. Beyond this, we assess character, values, relationship goals and lifestyle fit to ensure each introduction is made with care and consideration. Our process is discreet but robust, designed to protect the integrity of our membership and ensure that everyone we work with shares genuine intentions.

We offer three core membership options: Classic, Premium and VIP. Each is thoughtfully designed to suit different lifestyles, preferences and levels of support.

It is important to note that our memberships are not hierarchical. They are simply tailored to fit around individual circumstances, time commitments and dating preferences. Members can be introduced to others across different membership types, and we encourage clients to choose the option that feels most aligned with how they live and what they need.

All memberships include a personal consultation, a dedicated matchmaker who becomes your trusted point of contact throughout the process, full written profiles with professional photographs, and a complimentary photoshoot with one of our preferred photographers.

Higher-tier memberships include enhanced search capabilities, weekly matchmaker calls, dating coaching and additional services such as in-depth profile writing and concierge-style support. We do not limit the number of introductions and never charge per introduction.

Each membership also includes a hold period, with the length depending on the package selected. For those who travel frequently, the VIP option offers an unlimited hold period, providing maximum flexibility.

We would be delighted to talk you through the options in more detail during a private consultation.

Yes. Many of our clients are in the public eye or hold senior positions in their professional lives, including actors, members of government, sports personalities, television figures and high-profile business leaders. Discretion is one of the foundations of our work, and we take great care to protect our clients’ privacy at all times.

Introductions are conducted using first names only, and no personal or identifying information is ever shared without explicit consent.

We are often described as the “Raya of matchmaking”, offering a private, selective and highly personal alternative to public-facing dating platforms.