The Chartered Institute of Export & International trade held a celebration to mark its 90th year of supporting international trade in London yesterday evening (4 June).
At an event held in London’s Hotel Café Royal, stakeholders from industry and government convened to look back at the organisation’s history and celebrate its role in “empowering global trade”.
Director general Marco Forgione welcomed guests from industry and government, and looked ahead to “the next 90 years”.
‘Where will we be’?
Considering the future of trade and asking, “Where will we be in 10 years’ time, when the Chartered Institute turns 100?”, he said that “by 2035, I hope the Chartered Institute will have played an instrumental part in three key areas”.
The first of these, he said, is “modernising trade”, and Forgione expressed that he hoped to realise the potential of AI and virtual reality, digital trade corridors and see “full utilisation” of the Electronic Documents Act.
“Supporting small businesses to trade more” is also key to unlocking UK growth, and he said it was vital that we “get beyond the fluctuation of 9–11% of SMEs” which currently export.
Finally, he emphasised the need to move towards “equality in trade”, encouraging young people and women into trade.
He concluded that trade can be “a force for good in the world”, and added that businesses that trade are “more innovative, more profitable and sustainable”.
Not just ‘about moving goods’
Picking up Forgione’s point about the value of trade to young people, Andrew Pakes, MP for Peterborough, highlighted that trade wasn’t “just about moving goods, but also about people”.
In his role as chairman of the Apprenticeships All-party Parliamentary Group (APPG), he highlighted the value of the organisation’s mission to boost skills within trade.
He added trade has an important role to play in providing skilled good jobs and meaningful work.
Past to present
Chartered Institute president Lord Stephen Green of Hurstpierpoint looked to organisation’s history, highlighting the support it has offered traders over the past 90 years.
From navigating post-World War II trade imbalances to the current “reverberations from Brexit, the pandemic and ongoing wars”, the Chartered Institute “has been here through it all” and “will continue to be here through all the crises, and opportunities, to come”.
Board chairman Terry Scuoler CBE thanked the “dedicated partners, members and policymakers” who were there to celebrate the evening, and spoke of the privilege of collaborating with and supporting so many from the world of trade.
He said it was an honour to still be a “trusted source of advice for businesses [and] a trusted interlocutor with national and devolved governments”, as well as a “trusted voice to call in times of crisis”.
Warm words
Ahead of the event, trade minister Douglas Alexander said that:
“For 90 years, the Chartered Institute for Export and International Trade has been a cornerstone of the UK’s trading community, driving enterprise and innovation.
“At a time when trade is more important than ever, its mission remains vital—empowering businesses, fostering global partnerships, and ensuring the UK remains a leader in international commerce.
“This is a historic milestone, and I look forward to continuing our work to create jobs and opportunity across the country.”
Trade Champions
The event also publicly marked the organisation’s new “Trade Champions” social campaign to raise awareness of the opportunities for firms in global markets, support greater education in the area, and promote the economic and social benefits of trade.
Representatives from the first firms to have become Trade Champions were in attendance.
Marco Forgione, reflecting on the parallels between the “backdrop of rising protectionism” against which the Chartered Institute was founded in 1935 and today, said that he invites other organisations to become a part of “the mission” to champion trade “as a force for good”.
The Chartered Institute will be hosting its annual Import Export Show on 19 November, a chance to network with trade professionals, and hear experts insights on practical challenges and global trade trends. You can book your ticket here.
