Eilish McDowell
Managing Director.
Clearly a forward thinker, whilst a partner with Greyfriars Property Services, she introduced the concept of corporate social responsibility to the company and projects included staff fundraising through charity walks and selecting a charity to receive a Christmas donation instead of sending Christmas cards. Never one to shy away from a challenge she ran the New York Marathon for Capability Scotland.
Fast forward several years and she started working for Winning Leishman Fundraising Consultants where she learned how to fundraise for a wide variety of clients, focusing on specialist trust and foundation applications. During that time, she completed the Management Centre Arts Fundraising Course.
Through her success, Eilish was approached and later accepted a founding directorship at BTA and so moved into recruitment consultancy. Here, she specialised in executive search for universities and independent schools. Clients included Keble College, Oxford, University of York, University of the Highlands and Islands and George Watson’s College. Passionate about causes, Eilish returned to fundraising and took up further positions as Interim Director of Development at the Royal Lyceum Theatre in Edinburgh, Philanthropy Manager at Aberlour and Fundraising Manager at the Teapot Trust.
Inspired by these roles and the desire to help others, Eilish has become the Managing Director of Caithness Consulting, focusing on executive search for educational institutions.
Eilish has recently taken over the business as Managing Director and embraces the same values that Caithness Consulting has held over the many years. However, she is looking to build upon this legacy with a new business development and marketing strategy. She also embraces Diversity & Inclusion and one of her Associates, Cath Strachan works closely with Diversity Scotland advising on Best Practice recruitment processes and procedures embracing equality.
Eilish brings a wealth of experience and knowledge as a Recruiter with many years spent supporting both the Charity and Education sectors across the country, successfully introducing talented individuals across a range of Development/Fundraising/Alumni Relations roles from management to board level.
She has been engaged by numerous national and international Charities, prestigious Universities and Independent Schools and has grown a wealth of candidate contacts from all over the UK and internationally from within these specialist areas.
Past Experience
Eilish has worked as a senior fundraiser herself in the arts arena and with several charities.
She is one of the best-known and well thought of individuals in the sector. To further her professional development, she has also volunteered as a charity trustee and attained these positions:
• Vice-Chair of the Chartered Institute of Fundraising Corporate Special Interest Group (2011/2012).
• Special Adviser, Scottish Arts Council, (2000/2001).
• Mentor, Project Scotland, the innovative charity helping young people achieve their potential (2008/9).
• Institute of Sales and Marketing Management – Fellow.
• Recruitment and Employer Confederation (REC) – Full Member having attained the qualifying Diploma in recruitment practice.