5 Things We Learned... Emma Powell

Emma Powell loves the great outdoors. If you’re in search of wild swimming, remote wanderlust, and a general appreciation for lush nature, she’s your first port of call. What makes Emma unique is her ability to thread this passion for wildness and nature into the spirit and stories of her hospitality clients. Scout is a bespoke digital, social, and print communications company for travel visionaries. Her clients offer distinctive travel experiences in destinations around the world.

Here are 5 Things We Learned about Emma.

What made you...you?

My mixed heritage. Growing up half Chinese in rural England ignited in me a desire to see the world outside my immediate surroundings, to explore and connect with other cultures. I’ve always loved to travel. My parents both have a creative background - my father in graphic design and my mother in fashion design - so I’ve always had an appreciation for art and design. I’ve managed to combine these interests in my work at the intersection of travel and design, for which I’m thankful every day.

When are you happiest?

On a hike in nature. Give me a mountain and some boots and I’m happiest. I recently read a book called “In Praise Of Walking” by the neuroscientist Shane O’Mara and a lot of his insight resonated with me. He talks about how when our bodies and minds are in motion, we can think more creatively, as walking unlocks our cognitive powers.

Would you rather have a muse or be a muse?

I’d never think of myself as a muse! But my partner Dan is a photographer and it goes with the territory that he takes lots of photographs of me! During the first lockdown when we were holed up at home in London together he took a lot of pictures capturing the small details of our repetitive days. Sometimes I didn’t realise he was taking my picture but when he showed me the body of work he’d made I was really glad to have such a strange time documented so tenderly.

Who do you admire?

Women blazing a trail in traditionally male-dominated professions.

What is important?

Kindness in everything.