Our story: Rooted in people. Built on connection. Driven by purpose.
Meet the founder – Victoria McDowell
“I live in Stirlingshire with my ever-patient husband, our two all knowing (at least in their minds) boys, Willow - our enthusiastic Australian Labradoodle, and Lily - the grumpy Tabby. Over the past 30 years, I’ve been fortunate to work across a wide range of sectors and business types throughout the UK and Ireland. What I’ve discovered in that time is this: I’m a connector. I bring people together, solve complex problems and see the interdependencies within a business. This lets me to create the conditions for growth - not just for businesses, but for teams, customers, and individuals. I’m passionate about helping others thrive, professionally and personally, and that passion sits at the heart of McDowell Partnerships.”
More details on my career history and experience is available at the bottom of this page.
How we came to be
"I was leading a large consultancy company - 24 offices, incredible people, important work - but I found the real magic happened when partnerships emerged and problems were solved collaboratively across organisations. That’s when I realised: I’m a connector. I see opportunities for growth and collaboration where others see silos. I am also deeply committed to making the customer the centre of decision-making. I founded McDowell Partnerships to make collaborative, customer-first growth accessible to more organisations."
Founder, Victoria McDowell
Who we are
We’re not a typical consultancy company. We’re partners in progress.
McDowell Partnerships is a small, agile team with a broad network of trusted experts. Whether working in-house with you or drawing on our wider network, we build bespoke solutions grounded in your reality.
Our partnerships are built on trust, shaped around your goals, and always focused on long-term, practical results.
Our why
“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much” Helen Keller
This quote sums up our philosophy. Today’s business challenges are too complex to tackle alone. Our founder, Vicky McDowell, saw how cost, risk, and a lack of access to the right people could block progress. McDowell Partnerships was created to remove those barriers. We build the right partnerships, unlock your potential, and stay for the journey.
Done right, this approach fuels:
Curiosity and possibility
Energised teams
Faster, customer-centred progress
Career History
Founder and Director, McDowell Partnerships, UK and Ireland: Started 2025
I founded McDP to provide consultancy support to public and private sector organisations in agri, rural and food based sectors. We work to strengthen the roots of the business in terms of the purpose, the operation and the financial structure in order to create growth whether that be of the team, the customer or the impact in the industry. We believe in partnerships and customer-centric models.
Head of Advisory Services, SAC Consulting, Scotland: 2020 – 2025
SAC Consulting is a 200 person multidisciplinary team, across 24 locations, generating revenue through rural business and agricultural consultancy and membership models. As a member of the Executive Leadership team I was accountable for advocacy, marketing, team talent and skills development, and organisational culture.
Commercial Sales Manager, Scottish Sea Farms, Scotland: 2016 - 2019
A Salmon farming business supplying major Global contacts. I negotiated and managed commercial contracts and led sustainable differentiation strategies with major retailers (Waitrose, M&S) and processors. Involved creating Partnerships with technical experts to co-develop value-aligned food production that appealed to the customer.
Commercial Development Manager, Glasgow Airport: 2008 - 2015
Reported to multiple boards in a regulated environment, responsible for contract negotiation, commercial and operational delivery of retail portfolio involving 50 Retail Partners across multiple products and services. Contributing member of the Management Team and Crisis Team, working daily with all departments to deliver customer and stakeholder expectations. Initiated strategic retail planning aligned with economic and customer policy, and created UK’s first Customer Charter.
Area Operations Manager, Tesco, Scotland and Northern England: 2003 - 2008
Worked across a varied selection of cross-functional store disciplines and head office functions across Scotland and Northern England. Sales, operations, training, new stores and refurbishments, space planning, merchandising, online ordering within ambient, grocery and non food. Delivered customer and financial outcomes.
Sales and Account Manager, Entertainment UK, Scotland: 2001 - 2003
Managed five major UK grocery retail accounts; achieving financial targets, operational standards and staff development.
Retail Store Manager, Seton Scholl Ltd, Edinburgh: 1999 - 2001
Assistant Store Manager, Dunnes Stores, Dublin: 1998 - 1999