25 Years of MorePeople: A Conversation Between Co-Founders Guy Morton and Peter Hunt
As we celebrate 25 years of MorePeople, we couldn’t think of a better way to mark the occasion than with a special edition of The MorePeople Podcast - featuring not just one, but both of our co-founders: Guy Morton and Peter Hunt.
In this heartfelt and reflective episode, Guy and Peter revisit the early days of MorePeople, share the lessons they’ve learned, and reveal what it really takes to build a sustainable, specialist recruitment business from the ground up. If you're a client, candidate, recruiter, or entrepreneur, this is an inspiring story of vision, partnership, and resilience.
The Early Days: A Chicken, a Chance Meeting, and an Idea
Peter's journey began in accountancy within the food industry, eventually leading him to sunny Lincolnshire, "because of a chicken," as he puts it. There, he met Guy while working at Redbridge, where their complementary skills quickly became apparent: Guy on the commercial side and Peter on the numbers. A strong professional bond formed - one based on trust, respect, and a shared desire to step away from the corporate world.
Before founding MorePeople, they explored several consultancy avenues, but one client request changed everything: "Can you help me find someone for this role?" That one question sparked an idea that evolved into MorePeople, a recruitment business built by people from the industry, for the industry.
From Startup to Specialist
Recruitment businesses were plentiful at the time, but few offered what Peter and Guy could: deep-rooted sector experience and genuine understanding of their clients’ needs. Unlike the generalist agencies or recruiters with no hands-on industry knowledge, Guy and Peter brought real credibility to the table.
As Guy puts it, “The challenge was to prove that we weren’t just people who could talk about the sector, we could actually deliver results.”
Within a year, they decided to focus solely on recruitment, moving into a small office in Stamford and eventually hiring their first employee. But like most startups, the real confidence didn’t come overnight.
“You only really know if you’ve got something special after four or five years,” says Peter. “That’s when the clients start coming in that you didn’t know before. That’s when it feels like a real business.”
Building a Business - Not Just a Job
One thing that always set MorePeople apart was Peter and Guy’s long-term vision. From day one, they planned not just to create jobs for themselves, but to build a business with the structure and resilience to outlast them.
They didn’t rely on promises from friends or old contacts, instead, they built a business model based on quality delivery, industry insight, and the ability to sell. As Peter explains, “You can’t survive as a small business if you can’t sell. Full stop.”
And survive they did - even through turbulent times like the 2008 financial crisis and more recently, the COVID-19 pandemic. The core values of trust, resilience, and adaptability have remained at the heart of MorePeople throughout.
The Power of Partnership
The episode also sheds light on something often overlooked in business success: the power of a great partnership.
Peter speaks openly about what it was like working with Guy for over two decades, “entertaining” was one of the words he used, but more importantly, he emphasised the deep mutual respect and trust they built over the years. “You don’t have to like everyone you work with, but you do have to respect them. And we always did.”
Succession and the Next Generation
Crucially, Peter and Guy always had one eye on the future. Succession planning wasn’t an afterthought, it was baked into the business model from early on.
This long-term thinking led to one of their most pivotal decisions: hiring Andrew Fitzmaurice, now CEO of MorePeople. Initially, he didn’t fit the traditional mold - a recruiter without direct industry experience but Peter persuaded Guy to meet him. The result? What Guy calls “the best business decision I ever made, apart from starting MorePeople with Pete.”
Looking Back, Looking Ahead
As Peter reflects on his time with MorePeople, his pride is evident. “What am I most proud of? The foundations we laid. The culture. The resilience. The people we’ve brought in. The fact that the business is still growing and in safe hands.”
For Guy, the sentiment is mutual: “Pete, it’s been an absolute pleasure. You’re a mate, and you’ll always be a mate. Thank you for everything.”
Final Thoughts
This episode isn't just a celebration of 25 years. It's a masterclass in business-building, leadership, and staying true to your values. MorePeople has grown from a two-man consultancy into a market-leading specialist recruiter, helping thousands of people and businesses find the perfect fit.
Whether you're a jobseeker, a client, or an aspiring entrepreneur, there’s something in this story for you.
