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Navigating a hearing disability: how one business owner channelled challenge into success
Colleen Morrison, Director of MRB Recruitment Services, has built a successful family-run business while overcoming the challenges of profound deafness. With more than 40 years of experience in recruitment, her resilience and perseverance, along with support from Lloyds, have been key to the company’s growth.
Read time: 5 mins Added: 13/11/25
From bedroom start-up to family business
MRB Recruitment Services began in 1982 when Colleen and her then-husband launched a small recruitment firm specialising in hiring emergency engineering staff and technical project support from their home office in Essex. With just one client, two engineers, and no office, every day was a test of resourcefulness and determination. Colleen worked unpaid for 18 months, while using personal savings to pay staff wages, as her former husband maintained a full-time job to support the household.
As the business began to grow, Colleen’s children, Chris and Janet, joined the business, helping it expand into other sectors. Following her divorce, Colleen retained the non-engineering side of the company and expanded into transport logistics, green and blue-collar manufacturing, IT, recycling, warehousing, and food production - sectors where skilled staff are always in demand. This diversification allowed the firm to maintain resilience even as market conditions fluctuated.
Adapting to a changing labour market
During the last four decades, MRB Recruitment has successfully navigated a labour market that has changed significantly in response to economic, political, and social factors. Blue-collar roles have always experienced fluctuations, influenced by economic cycles, government policy, and wider industry trends. Yet the demand for skilled staff has remained consistent, particularly in transport, logistics, and technical roles.
In recent years, green-collar positions, including recycling and environmental services, have seen a notable rise in demand. The team has adapted its recruitment strategy, accordingly, using its deep industry knowledge to match skilled candidates with employers efficiently. Colleen emphasises that flexibility is key: “Despite recessions over the years, there has always been demand for skilled workers. We have had to adapt our plans many times, but resilience and persistence have always paid off.”
Thriving with disability
Colleen’s personal story adds another layer of determination to MRB Recruitment’s success. Partially deafened by measles at age four, she later lost almost all hearing and now relies on hearing aids, lipreading, and strong cognitive skills.
Colleen’s hearing loss has influenced how she communicates and runs the business. Face-to-face meetings and written messages are her preferred methods, while her family and staff assist with phone calls. Despite these challenges, Colleen has earned the respect of clients, candidates, and colleagues alike. “I can hold normal face-to-face conversations, but I can’t use a phone. Our clients respect me for overcoming my deafness, and I value their respect in return.”
Colleen’s determination extends beyond business. She has been a lifelong campaigner and served her local community as a Harlow councillor, balancing entrepreneurship with public service.
Colleen Morrison Director, MRB Recruitment ServicesI love my job and my family. I’m proud to be a businesswoman who, with the support of my family and Lloyds, helps me overcome deafness every day.
The value of a supportive banking relationship
Banking support has been central to MRB Recruitment’s growth. Colleen has banked with Lloyds for more than 30 years, and when the business needed Invoice Finance back in 2016, she turned to a bank she trusted. The bank provided a Confidential Invoice Discounting facility that suited the business, and an essential for paying weekly staff wages where customers can sometimes take up to 60 days to settle invoices. Colleen also had the reassurance of a team who understood her needs as a deaf entrepreneur.
Colleen highlights the personal support she receives from the Invoice Finance team at Lloyds, which includes Mark Williams and Abby Shaw. Their guidance has helped her navigate online reconciliations, manage finances efficiently, and feel confident despite the closure of her local branch. “Although I have a disability, it doesn’t have me.” she says. “Mark and Abby understand that completely, and their support has been invaluable.”
This support allows the firm to focus on growth, recruitment, and client service rather than being bogged down by administrative or financial hurdles. The ability to rely on a responsive banking relationship has been crucial in enabling Colleen to continue providing skilled staff across sectors, even when challenges arise.
Why accessibility matters
For Colleen, the importance of accessible banking goes beyond her own experience. Around 16 million people in the UK live with disabilities1, and 5.6 million of them are employed2. Supporting disabled business leaders not only enables them to succeed but also strengthens the wider economy.
Colleen Morrison Director, MRB Recruitment ServicesHelping disabled people achieve goals benefits everyone. Financial institutions must deliver services that are inclusive, respectful, and effective.
Every day brings pride for Colleen, who continues to run MRB Recruitment alongside her family.
Looking ahead, the team plans to continue thriving despite economic uncertainty, maintaining its strong relationship with Lloyds. “I see MRB Recruitment surviving today’s challenges with Lloyds by our side. Their guidance gives me confidence for the future.”
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1UK disability statistics: Prevalence and life experiences - House of Commons Library
2The employment of disabled people 2024 - GOV.UK
Invoice Finance facilities may be provided by one or more of Lloyds Bank Commercial Finance Limited, Lloyds Bank plc and Bank of Scotland plc. Lloyds Bank Commercial Finance Limited. Registered in England & Wales no. 733011. Registered office: No.1, Brookhill Way, Banbury OX16 3EL. Bank of Scotland plc. Registered in Scotland No.SC327000. Registered Office: The Mound, Edinburgh EH1 1YZ. Bank of Scotland plc is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority under registration no. 169628.