Rob Spence awarded Ethics in Sales certificate by the ISP
Paragon Sales Solutions founder gains Institute of Sales Professionals recognition for ethical selling, as the agency pushes the standards conversation in an industry with an image problem.
COUNTESTHORPE, Leicestershire — 4 September 2026 — Rob Spence, founder and Managing Director of Paragon Sales Solutions, has been awarded a certificate in Ethics in Sales by the Institute of Sales Professionals (ISP), the membership body and representative voice of the sales profession.
The certificate recognises that Rob follows, adheres and understands laws, legalities, and moral practices around sales and selling; confirmed by an indepth exam held earlier this month. It follows Spence’s recognition as a sales leader by the Institute earlier this year.
“Sales has an image problem, and it earned it,” said Spence. “Everyone has been rung at teatime by someone reading a script who won’t take no for an answer. That behaviour is why people flinch when you tell them what you do for a living — and it doesn’t even work. Pressure gets you one sale and no second conversation. Ethical selling isn’t the soft option. It’s the version that produces customers who come back.”
Why ethics matters commercially, not just morally
The distinction matters particularly in telemarketing, where Paragon makes calls on behalf of client businesses. Every conversation carries the client’s name and reputation, not the agency’s.
“When we pick up the phone, we’re not representing Paragon — we’re representing whoever’s paying us,” said Spence. “If we push someone into something they don’t need, our client wears the consequences long after we’ve moved on. Getting ethics right isn’t a nice-to-have in this business. It’s the entire basis on which anyone should be willing to hire you.”
Paragon recently created a Head of Telemarketing role, appointing Owen MacKinnon to bring campaign delivery, call quality and team development under a single remit, alongside the company’s existing Head of Training and Quality.
Part of a wider body of work on sales standards
Spence founded Paragon Sales Solutions in 2018 and has written three books on selling — Relationship Selling, The Paragon Mindset and A Month to Improve Your Sales. His online sales courses have been taken by more than 12,000 learners worldwide, and he hosts the Sales Circle podcast, which brings sales leaders and business owners together to share what works.
Businesses interested in sales training, sales consultancy or telemarketing can find out more at paragonsalessolutions.co.uk or by calling 0116 502 3900. More about the Institute of Sales Professionals is available at the-isp.org.
About Paragon Sales Solutions
Paragon Sales Solutions is an award-winning sales and marketing agency based in Countesthorpe, Leicestershire, founded by Rob Spence in 2018. The company provides telemarketing, lead generation, appointment setting, sales training and sales consultancy to B2B businesses in the UK and internationally. Rob Spence is the author of Relationship Selling, The Paragon Mindset and A Month to Improve Your Sales, hosts the Sales Circle podcast, and teaches sales online to more than 12,000 learners worldwide.
Media contact
Rob Spence Managing Director, Paragon Sales Solutions rob@paragonsalessolutions.co.uk 0116 502 3900 7 Leicester Road, Countesthorpe, Leicester LE8 5QU paragonsalessolutions.co.uk