The Institute of Sales Professionals (ISP) is pleased to announce that it has appointed Patrick Joiner to be its first managing director.
Starting in September, Patrick will be responsible for leading the UK division of the ISP which was formed after the merger of the Association of Professional Sales (APS) and The Institute of Sales Management (ISM).
Patrick has a background in sales and sales management in the publishing and exhibitions industries and was, between 1997 and 2003, the chief executive of The Institute of Sales and Marketing Management (ISMM) the forerunner of the ISM.
Since 2003, Patrick has been working as a consultant and trainer specialising in sales, sales management, and leadership. He has worked with many, major global companies, as well as within the SME sector to develop the sales capabilities of smaller, entrepreneurial businesses.
Patrick commented: “I am very excited to be joining the ISP at this formative stage as it brings together the best of both the ISM and the APS. The sales profession has a vital role in generating the commercial activity that will lead the UK economy through the post-covid recovery, and the ISP will be the standard bearer for the sales profession as it adapts to working in a greatly changed landscape.”
“We will support sales professionals and employers in defining and promoting best practice and the highest professional standards. This means developing expertise in sales, and sales management through our suite of professional qualifications and the sales apprenticeship programme, as well as working with training providers and running our own continuous professional development programme. We will continue to make the case to government, employers and the wider public about the vital importance of expert professional selling.”
Andy Hough, CEO of the ISP said, “We are delighted to welcome Patrick as our managing director. His experience as a former CEO of the ISMM and his work with sales professionals from numerous business sectors have given him a unique insight into the needs and aspirations of sales professionals.
“Patrick’s vision and passion for developing knowledge, skills, and ethical behaviour across our industry make him the perfect person to lead the ISP through the next phase of our exciting development as the voice of the sales profession.”