International Women's Day is a time to celebrate the achievements of women in every industry, acknowledging their contributions, resilience, and leadership. As we mark this occasion, we turn the spotlight on Courtney, Operations Director at Alexander Steele Recruitment, a company that is leading the way in Food, Drink, and Consumer Goods Manufacturing recruitment. Her journey from aspiring journalist to business leader is a testament to the power of ambition, adaptability, and perseverance.

Courtney's career path was far from linear. After exploring various roles, from fashion PR to tabloid journalism, it was as an executive assistant that she discovered her passion for operations. Recognising her strengths in organisation and management, she took a bold leap alongside her partner, Richard, to establish Alexander Steele Recruitment.

“My initial role wasn’t Operations Director; it was Business Manager! Back then, it was just us and I wanted to put in the hours and build something that was deserving of the director job title.”

The recruitment space in the Food, Drink & FMCG Manufacturing sector was evolving rapidly, and Courtney saw an opportunity to bring a service-driven approach to the industry. While other agencies focused on placements, Alexander Steele prioritised building lasting relationships, understanding market trends, and delivering genuine consultancy alongside exceptional service.

“We wanted to create a place that we really wanted to go to work at and as a result hoped others would too; so, we thought... let’s put our heads together and do this!”

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Overcoming Obstacles

Starting a business at 27 came with its challenges. Courtney and Richard aimed to build a sustainable company with a dedicated team, office space, and robust systems. Securing funding and establishing credibility were major hurdles, but with the right mentorship and guidance, they navigated the early days successfully. Courtney tells us “We knew from the get-go that we wanted to establish ourselves as a serious player in this market and a growing business.”

Her approach to tackling gender biases is forward-thinking— Courtney acknowledges that gender bias remains an unavoidable reality in business, yet she sees a shift on the horizon. She believes that as younger generations rise to leadership, the focus should shift from trying to change the opinions of those resistant to change, and instead to focus on educating younger generations to embrace equality. In her team, many men view successful women as the norm—a clear indication that progress is being made. Rather than allowing negativity to detract from her vision, Courtney channels that energy into building Alexander Steele Recruitment into a thriving, inclusive business. Her journey, fuelled by a simple idea of doing things differently serves as a powerful reminder to all women—that barriers can be overcome, and success will ultimately speak for itself.

"I've lost count of how many times I've been mistaken for the office assistant. But instead of wasting energy on negativity, I channel it into growing Alexander Steele.”

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​Goals & Achievements

One of Courtney's proudest achievements was moving into Alexander Steele's headquarters in Edinburgh, a milestone that symbolised the company's growth and resilience—particularly after enduring the challenges of the pandemic. Courtney discusses the business's achievements by saying "There’s a statistic that says 60% of businesses fail within three years. In our third year, we moved from a serviced office space, took a lease on Edinburgh’s most sought-after commercial street and transformed it into a HQ that really reflects our brand.”

For Courtney, success is measured not solely by financial performance but by the energy and dynamism of her team. When every member is thriving, it creates an atmosphere of collective achievement that truly defines business success.

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Culture & Inclusion

At Alexander Steele Recruitment, inclusivity isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a guiding principle. The company embraces a flexible hiring philosophy, valuing ambition and a willingness to learn over rigid criteria. This approach has enabled them to attract a diverse range of professionals in the traditionally male-dominated FMCG manufacturing sector.

“If you have the right attitude; you are ambitious, willing to work hard, learn and want to see genuine career progression here, that is all the qualification I need.”

Women in the industry are encouraged to bring their strengths to the table. Alexander Steele’s commitment to diversity is clear in its proactive promotion of opportunities for women, ensuring recruitment in this field remains both inclusive and innovative. Courtney explains: Manufacturing recruitment is a male-dominated space, but this creates a ‘niche’ for women working here and we are continuously promoting this to women in recruitment considering a sector move.

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Looking Ahead

The future is bright for Alexander Steele Recruitment. The company is set to expand its contracts division, a move that presents both opportunities and operational challenges. For Courtney, 2025 is all about investing in the team, helping consultants develop into high performers, and embracing the learning curve that comes with scaling a business.

“Operationally, running permanent recruitment and contract recruitment divisions are very different and running contracts comes with a whole new set of learnings and challenges; so I should go and get busy!”

Her focus remains on continual growth and setting new benchmarks in the Food, Drink and consumer goods recruitment space. Courtney Steele’s journey illustrates that leadership involves resilience, innovation, and a commitment to uplifting others. As we celebrate International Women’s Day, her story serves as an inspiration to women across industries, proving that with determination and a clear vision, the barriers to success can be overcome.