Schöffel Country have announced the appointment of a new brand director for the premium countrywear brand. Marcus Janssen joins the Rutland-based company, moving from Fieldsports magazine, where he was the editor for four years. His former roles have provided Marcus with a plethora of industry experience perfectly tailored for Schöffel Country’s premium game shooting and country clothing ranges. Born in South Africa, he grew up on a farm in rural KwaZulu Natal and after a spell in the safari industry, he embarked into his career in journalism and moved to the UK.
Marcus commented: “Game shooting has always been a passion of mine, so I intend to use my knowledge of the industry to drive the Schöffel brand forward, ensuring that we maintain the superb reputation we have established over the past 25 years, and remain the brand of choice for the discerning game shot who wants the very best performance in technical shooting gear with its reliability and quality.”
Corry Cavell-Taylor of Bradshaw Taylor commented: “We are delighted to have someone of Marcus’ calibre on board, especially in such an important year for the brand as we celebrate the 25th anniversary of Schöffel’s iconic Ptarmigan coat.”
Meanwhile, the CPSA has announced that CEO Nick Fellows will be leaving the association towards the end of March after seven years at the helm. He leaves the shooting industry to take on the CEO role at the British Equestrian Federation. Nick said: “As much as I have greatly enjoyed my time with the CPSA, a new challenge has arisen that I am excited to be taking on.
“I am delighted to leave the CPSA in much better shape than I found it when I arrived. Along with the launch of the new website, the exciting plans for an even bigger and better CPSA World Sporting championships at EJ Churchill in a few months’ time,exemplify the advances we’ve made. We have partners and sponsors lining up to work with us and this is largely down to the hard work and commitment of a great staff team over the past few years.
“Attitudes towards the Association have changed significantly for the better and the coming year will see the introduction of yet more new developments that have been the subject of recent planning and investment. The membership trend is upwards and we have taken more championship bookings after the first few days of February this year than shot in all of our championships (including the World Sporting) in 2012. The Association is poised to take a real leap forward this year and we also have a growing trend of proactive volunteers working at county level, helping to bring new shooters into the sport and the CPSA at the grass roots.
“There are some great people in the sport whom I’ve been privileged to work with and get to know and I would like to thank all our volunteers, the directors, our grounds, instructors, referees and most of all the staff at the CPSA for their support over the past seven years.”
The CPSA are now actively seeking a new chief executive officer. For questions regarding the position please contact Derek Wetter at Hafren Resourcing via the CPSA website or call 07786 563920.
BASC have been extremely busy. The growing organisation is gathering pace with the additions of Ian Bell as CEO (more on that next issue) and Matt Dutton as regional officer for the West Midlands. Matt, a former head keeper and gamekeeping lecturer said: “I’m looking forward to meeting current BASC members and enticing new ones as I get out and about. I’ve always loved any type of shooting and what it brings to people and I look forward to promoting and introducing people to BASC across the area.”
At the Gun Trade Association, Simon West is set to join as the new director designate. Simon, who finishes his 33-year career in the army this year, has been shooting since an early age and is passionate about shooting sports. He is an active deer manager and will take up the role in May this year. He will then take over the reins as director on the retirement of John Batley at the end of 2018.
For some 20 years, Simon has been casting bronze cannons for customers both at home and abroad. Simon is an RFD and a liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Gunmakers; his extensive operational experience in the military, during which he has spent much of his time as a weapons staff officer, will enable him to work closely with GTA members and the wider gun trade. He has considerable experience of many elements of the gun trade including both manufacture and proof.
Over the last few years he has also gained specialist knowledge in marketing and communication and looks forward to supporting GTA members in this area and further promote and protect the trade.
From one association to another, Ian Coghill will be stepping down from his role with the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust to spend more time on shooting and fishing.
Ian is the GWCT’s longest serving chairman, having held the position for eight years. His passion for the trusts work came across in his projects, interactions with staff and debates at game fairs. Speaking after the announcement was made, he commented: “It is impossible to list the GWCT’s achievements during the last eight years – they are simply too numerous, varied and multi-layered. The heart is the members and those who believe that the countryside should be run be people who understand it. I will miss it but it is the right time to step down.”
Stepping into Mr Coghill’s shoes will be Sir James Paice, following a unanimous decision by trustees. A long-standing member himself, Sir James previously held a long political career including two years as minister of state for DEFRA, and will bring invaluable political experience as Brexit looms. He will take the chair in July.
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