The award which has been personally confirmed by HRH The Princess Royal, is given to those who demonstrate a standard of excellence in the delivery of training against the industry Hallmarks.
The Business to Business Sales Professional Apprenticeship is first level 6 sales apprenticeship that integrates workplace learning whilst undertaking a BSc degree in Sales Professionalism.
Royal Mail recognised the need to upskill colleagues in its Sales Teams and develop a talent pipeline to meet the needs of the uncertain environment and a changing customer profile. It created the first Sales Professional integrated degree apprenticeship as a way of attracting younger sales talent. The inspiring programme has led other large employers to look at using similar models.
Huthwaite played an important role in providing new innovative ways of sales training delivery that gave apprentices a solid foundation of sales skills and knowledge through a unique learning experience that would drive genuine behaviour change.
Confirming the award, HRH The Princess Royal said:
“You have further demonstrated that investing in your people through training and skills development has delivered real and tangible impact and benefits, and it is appropriate this will now be recognised though your award.
The commitment of your organisation to the development of your employees, especially during these acutely difficult times and as we aspire to recovery post Covid-19, demonstrates that you will be prepared to play your part on the nation’s economic recovery”
Royal Mail Commercial Sales Directors, Programmes team and Sales Apprentices were delighted to accept the award;
National Sales Director Peter Reed said:
“This is a great achievement and reflects the dedication and hard work of our Business to Business Sales Professional Apprentices in their learning and work place practice which is now resulting in successful Sales performance.”
Parcel Sales Director Jon Nicholson added:
“This fantastic award comes just as Royal Mail Commercial Sales is really pushing its forward its own journey in professionalising its sales team and is underpinning the development of our future talent in helping them gain valuable sales knowledge and skills”
Programme Leader André Lahiff said:
“After spending time producing our detailed submission and leading the Royal Mail panel interview to Sir John Armitt CBE Chair of the Council of the City and Guilds Institute, I am delighted that we have achieved this status for our programme.
The award is testimony to the hard work and dedication of all those involved, from the original trailblazer apprenticeship group, particularly our learning partners Consalia Sales Business School, Middlesex University, the Association of Professional Sales (APS) and Huthwaite International.
This is great recognition of the approach we are taking in the continued professionalisation journey of Sales, with the support of Royal Mails Sales leaders, Apprenticeship Programme teams and importantly the Sales Apprentices themselves who continually push the boundaries of learning and workplace practice to new heights – I am delighted HRH The Princess Royal has recognised the fantastic efforts made by our Sales Apprenticeship programme, in bestowing this award".
Read our case study, Royal Mail - delivering sales excellent for a new generation with SPIN training, here
