Marco Forgione MCIEx, director general of the Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade, has announced that he will step down from his role at the end of 2026, following seven years at the helm of the organisation.
Since taking up the role in January 2020, Marco has led the transformation of the organisation, strengthening its position as an authoritative voice on international trade and as a trusted partner to government, business and international organisations. Under his leadership, the organisation has grown its membership, workforce, commercial activities and international engagement, and significantly increased its contribution to public policy.
A defining achievement of Marco’s tenure was securing the organisation’s Royal Charter in December 2023, marking a significant milestone in its long history and formalising its position as the UK’s Royal Charter body for international trade.
Over the last seven years the organisation has strengthened its financial foundations helping to secure its long-term future and providing a stronger platform from which to deliver its charitable purpose and support the UK’s international trade ambitions.
Commenting on his decision, Marco Forgione MCIEx, director general of the Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade, said:
“It has been an enormous privilege and honour to lead the Chartered Institute through such a consequential period for international trade and for the UK. When I joined, I could not have anticipated the scale of change that we would experience, from Brexit and the Covid pandemic to the evolution of the UK’s trading relationships and the return of tariffs and heightened geopolitical uncertainty.
“I am immensely proud of what the team and the Board have achieved together. We have grown the Chartered Institute, strengthened our voice and influence with government and industry, secured our Royal Charter and built a stronger and more sustainable foundation for the future. Most importantly, we have established the Chartered Institute as an organisation with an important role to play in empowering global trade.
“I step down at the end of the year, and what comes next is for another day, my sole focus for the months ahead is ensuring an orderly and successful transition.”
Terry Scuoler CBE, Chair of the Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade, said:
"On behalf of the Board, I would like to express our sincere thanks to Marco for the commitment, energy and leadership he has given to the Chartered Institute over the past seven years.
“He leaves an organisation that is stronger, more confident and better placed to fulfil its purpose, and he can take great pride in the part he has played in getting us here. We are enormously grateful for his service and wish him every success in the next chapter of his career.”
Notes to editors
The Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade is the UK’s Royal Charter body for international trade.
It is a registered charity whose purpose is to empower UK and international organisations and equip individuals with the expertise to trade compliantly, sustainably and commercially.
