News: Report

Introducing the Institute of Sales Professionals

24 June 2021  

Thursday 24 June 2021

Today, we are proud to launch the Institute of Sales Professionals (ISP), a single, united voice for the entire sales profession. 

The new organisation brings together the Association of Professional Sales (APS) and the Institute of Sales Management (ISM), led by one team, under one name, dedicated to setting professional standards in sales.

As one organisation, the Institute of Sales Professionals can focus on the interests of the whole profession, building standards and skills, and speaking with one voice to government and the wider business community.

By the end of this year, the Institute of Sales Professionals (ISP) is also planning to submit an application to become a chartered institute with the same status as other respected professional organisations.

In the meantime, the ISP will continue to:

:: Provide highly relevant events and insights to help sales professionals excel in an ever-changing world
:: Expand its list of nationally-recognised sales qualifications and work with the education sector to ensure those qualifications are widely available
:: Work with MPs, government and industry to ensure sales is given the standing it deserves as a true profession

As we look to the future, we are also launching the Emerging Professionals Network (EPN) to encourage and support people starting out in sales.

The EPN will be a vibrant and inclusive network for emerging salespeople to share their expertise, support each other and develop their skills and knowledge through tailored content and guidance.

To mark the launch of the Institute of Sales Professionals, we are building a new website, and starting to add content and develop the site’s design and functionality.

For now, the existing APS site will still be the go-to address to check on events and news, and for members to to log on.

New ISP site: https://www.the-isp.org
Existing APS site: https://the-aps.com

Andy Hough, CEO of the Institute of Sales Professionals, said: “Today’s launch of the Institute of Sales Professionals is a landmark moment for the sales industry.

“Our new organisation combines the distinguished history of the ISM with the progressive approach of the APS to provide a strong, forward-looking body for everyone who works in sales.

“Business-to-business selling is critical to the UK economy. It creates wealth, sustains millions of jobs and supports our hospitals, schools and other vital public services. Selling is skilled work, but too often it is overlooked, that’s why the Institute of Sales Professionals is so important to campaign on behalf of our amazing profession.

“Our dedicated membership is a credit to our profession and together we are building a revolution in sales.“



Institute of Sales Professionals