4 min read

Home
The Ruralist
Meet the team | Episode 1: Isobel McEuen

Meet the team | Episode 1: Isobel McEuen

In the first of our new series, we chat with Issy about her love of country life, what she enjoys doing when not at work, her favourite Schöffel products, and the best parts of her role as an account manager in our sales team.

How long have you been with Schöffel Country and what does your role entail?

I have been with Schöffel Country for five and a half years. I started in customer services, then moved to marketing and I now work in sales as an account manager. I am responsible for managing and developing key accounts within my territory. My role involves building strong relationships with customers, driving sales growth and ensuring a successful sell-in and sell-through of the Schöffel Country range.

Issy with her young lab, Major, who she hopes will be making his debut in the field this coming season.

Away from the office, how do you like to spend time in the countryside?

Away from the office, you will either find me with my horse, Hero, or our black Labrador, Major. Hero is a 16.2hh Irish sports horse who we brought over from Ireland when he was five years old. At the moment, I don’t have the time to compete him, but I love taking him for long hacks, exploring all the bridlepaths and popping the odd jump on the way.

Major is nearly two and I am hoping to do some picking up with him next season. Our absolute favourite thing to do is a day out on Brancaster beach with lunch at the White Horse afterwards. I also have five sheep, who are all very tame because I have had them since they were cade lambs, so you might find me in the field giving them a scratch!

Horses have played a big part in Issy’s life; away from the office there’s a fair chance you’ll find her with Hero, the Irish sports horse.

Do you have a favourite time of year in the countryside?

My favourite season is autumn. Cosy evenings by the fire or in the pub after a busy day outside shooting, riding or walking the dogs are the best. I love the autumnal colours and being able to wear warmer clothes again!

What event in the countryside calendar do you look forward to most?

I love Burghley Horse Trials. I grew up half an hour away from Burghley House and I belonged to the Burghley Pony Club. We had pony club rallies and camp right next door to the iconic Leaf Pit Drop. I was also lucky enough to compete in the Pony Club Show Jumping at Burghley Horse Trials and jumped a double clear on my horse Murf. Not only is going to Burghley an opportunity to see some world-class horses and riders in action, the shopping is fantastic with so many retailers, big and small. It is always a hugely social event and an opportunity to catch up with lots of friends.

Issy competing in the Pony Club Show Jumping at Burghley House when she was younger. Burghley Horse Trials is right up there for her as a standout date in the calendar.

Suppose you could do anything, anywhere in the countryside for a day – with no constraints – what would that day look like?

If I could do anything in the countryside for a day with no constraints I would love to catch a salmon on the River Helmsdale first thing in the morning, then make my way to College Valley in Northumberland to spend some time on the grouse moor before finishing the day jumping some hedges on Hero in the beautiful rolling Leicestershire countryside.

Issy’s perfect day would feature dogs and horses, but it would start with a salmon rod in hand.

What’s your all-time favourite product from the Schöffel Country range?

My all-time favourite product from the Schöffel Country range is the Portree Tweed Jacket. I got one when it first launched in the Loden Green Herringbone Wide Tweed and loved it so much that I had to add the Cobblestone Tweed to my wardrobe as well! It is a timeless jacket, and I love the Nehru collar. The fit is beautiful and it elevates every outfit. The Portree Tweed Jacket is also incredibly versatile – you could wear it to Cheltenham for the racing one week and to London the week after!

Issy on a team Schöffel simulated game day, showing quite how versatile our tweed waistcoats with Nehru collars can be.

And if you had to pick a favourite piece from the SS26 collection?

My favourite piece from the Spring Collection is our Leyburn Jumper in Dove. It is made from a supersoft pima cotton, which is perfect for the changing seasons. I love the delicate pointelle detailing down the arms with the scalloped collar, cuffs and hem. These extra details really set it apart from other jumpers in the range. From the Summer Collection, my favourite has to be our Fleur Linen Dress. It is made with a soft linen-mix fabric, which is perfect to wear on those warmer days, and the wrap design makes it fully adjustable and incredibly comfortable to wear.

What’s your go-to pairing from the Schöffel Country range – which two pieces do you often wear together?

My go-to combination from the Schöffel Country range is one that I wear time and time again – a Fakenham Shirt worn with our Millport Tweed Nehru Waistcoat. The pie-crust collar of the Fakenham Shirt and the Nehru collar of the Millport Tweed Nehru Waistcoat is a perfect pairing!

Issy enjoying a country walk with Major as a pup.

Finally, what part of your role do you enjoy most?

What I enjoy most about my role is the people, experiences and variety that it brings every day. We are incredibly lucky to have such a wonderful team who are genuinely passionate about Schöffel Country and care so much about the brand. I also really value the strong relationships that I have with our fantastic retailers, who do such a brilliant job of representing Schöffel Country in their stores. Another highlight is getting out on the road and exploring different parts of the South of England. And of course, being able to wear such beautiful clothing every day!