Sales leaders to meet international trade minister

In a significant moment for the selling profession, sales leaders are being given the opportunity to take part in a meeting with a minister from the department for international trade.

The minister – scheduled to be either secretary of state Anne-Marie Trevelyan MP, or the government’s exports minister Mike Freer MP – will be joining a meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Professional Sales.

The online video meeting will be hosted by APPG chair Mark Pawsey MP and members of the Institute of Sales Professionals (ISP) are invited to attend.

The meeting takes place at 17:00 on Tuesday 23 November. Places are limited, but if you would like to attend, please email appgsales@the-isp.org to book your place on the call.

During the session, MPs and sales leaders will discuss: the opportunities and challenges of conducting international business; the importance of having expert, business-to-business salespeople to drive global trade; whether SMEs are at a particular disadvantage to win export business; and the support needed to help UK businesses close more deals with international partners.

Patrick Joiner, managing director of the Institute of Sales Professionals, said: “International sales are vital for the UK’s post-pandemic recovery so we are delighted that a government minster from the department for international trade is taking time out of their busy schedule to meet sales leaders and MPs on the all-party group.

“The campaign by the Institute of Sales Professionals to develop skills, knowledge and ethical selling across our industry will help the UK’s business-to-business sales professionals forge new deals in tough and competitive global markets. Expert selling skills can be the UK’s unique calling card, marking us out from the competition and showing that we are committed and trustworthy business partners.”

The APPG is supported by the Institute of Sales Professionals which provides its secretariat and research. The group was set up by ISP founding fellow, Stephen Kerr in 2018, when he was MP for Stirling. The group aims to: improve the global recognition of the importance of sales and its impact on the UK economy; promote and advance the sales profession; and boost the success of British industry, especially in international trade.