Updated Chartered Image

The UK’s foremost association of exporters and importers has today revealed its new identity as the Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade.

The charity recently received a Royal Charter from His Majesty King Charles III and has today (10 July) rebranded to become the Chartered Institute in order to showcase this new status.

Its director general, Marco Forgione MCIEx, said today’s launch marks the “beginning of a new chapter for the Chartered Institute in its mission to empower global trade”.

‘Empowering global trade’

Forgione said that receiving the Royal Charter was the “highest accolade” that a professional organisation like the Chartered Institute could receive, and that it was a “mark of the trust” that has been placed in the organisation.

He added that it was also a reinforcement of the Chartered Institute’s belief that “free and legitimate trade is a force for good in the world”.

"We have been empowering global trade since 1935 and putting trust at the heart of trade has never been more important,” he said.

“With growing protectionism around the world, having an organisation that can evangelise for the greater good of international trade is essential.

“This is an exciting new chapter in our history, one that will allow us to continue to grow and develop our values, and our commitment to the international trade community.”

‘Integral role’

The charity’s chair, Terry Scuoler CBE MCIEx, also welcomed the new status, saying:

“The awarding of Chartered status demonstrates the integral role the Chartered Institute plays, not just in the UK, but in the global development and professionalisation of international trade.

“We remain committed to our members and reiterate our core purpose and mission to serve the whole industry.”

Special broadcast

To mark this milestone, Forgione will be speaking at a special broadcast at 2pm BST today (Wednesday 10 July), alongside advisory services director Kevin Shakespeare, senior customs and trade specialist Anna Doherty, and the chair of the academic board, Professor Sangeeta Khorana.

The broadcast, which will be accessible on the homepage of the Chartered Institute’s new website, will feature conversation about what becoming Chartered means for the organisation’s members, the importance of its mission to ‘empower global trade’ and why trusted expertise is critical for trade.

A recording will be made available after the 2pm broadcast.

Continually evolving

At the broadcast, Forgione will say that the Chartered Institute will continue to evolve to meet the changing needs of its members and the wider trade community.

To this end, he will discuss a range of new services that the Chartered Institute has been developing over recent months, including:

- A new suite of advisory services

- A collection of 'compliance toolkits' covering traders' most pressing regulatory challenge

- A new, free subscription service for the wider community to stay up-to-date on key trade news and developments, which you can sign up for here