The Colombo Institute of Sales & Distribution (CISD) is proud to announce that it has officially received Centre Approval from ATHE (Awards for Training and Higher Education), UK.

This milestone confirms CISD’s status as a recognised ATHE Centre, reinforcing the institute’s commitment to delivering internationally benchmarked education supported by strong academic governance, robust quality assurance, and consistent learner outcomes. The approval represents an important step in CISD’s long-term mission to elevate sales and distribution from a job-based skillset into a respected professional career pathway with standards, ethics, recognition, and progression.

ATHE is a globally recognised awarding organisation based in the United Kingdom, working with approved centres across multiple countries and maintaining rigorous academic and operational expectations. CISD’s centre approval enables the institute to move forward with increased credibility and confidence as it builds Sri Lanka’s specialist ecosystem for sales capability development.

As part of this partnership, CISD is also actively progressing with ATHE the development of bespoke, Ofqual regulated UK qualifications in Sales and Distribution, designed specifically to meet the needs of the Sri Lankan market while aligning with international standards and contemporary industry demands. These specialised programmes are being prepared for formal approval and UK listing, enabling CISD learners to pursue structured, industry-relevant qualifications with strong global credibility.

This achievement reflects CISD’s focus on building a future ready model of professional learning one that blends modern sales capability, customer experience thinking, ethical practices, and leadership readiness. It also supports the institute’s wider goal of developing a new generation of sales and distribution professionals equipped to deliver sustainable growth for organisations while representing the profession with integrity.

Comment from ChathuraKotagama, CEO – CISD

“Receiving ATHE Centre Approval is a defining milestone for CISD. It validates the standards we are building and strengthens our credibility as Sri Lanka’s specialist institute for sales and distribution education. We are proud to now take the next steps with ATHE in developing bespoke UK qualifications tailored for the Sri Lankan market — creating real progression pathways for our learners and raising the benchmark for the sales profession in our country.”

Comment from Alex Birks, CEO – ATHE, UK

“I’m delighted to welcome CISD to the ATHE global network of recognised centres, having met our robust quality assurance standards during the recognition process. From the outset, the team at CISD has demonstrated consummate professionalism and diligence in their work with us, and I look forward to a successful long-term business relationship in meeting the needs of the sector in Sri Lanka – and to meeting the team in person in my forthcoming visit to Colombo.”

About CISD The Colombo Institute of Sales & Distribution (CISD) is Sri Lanka’s specialist institute dedicated to professionalising sales and distribution through structured, ethical, and globally aligned education pathways. CISD focuses on developing capability driven learning routes that strengthen performance, confidence, leadership identity, and long term career progression for sales professionals at every stage.

About ATHE (UK) ATHE (Awards for Training and Higher Education) is an internationally recognised UK awarding organisation offering regulated qualifications across a range of disciplines through approved centres worldwide. ATHE supports professional education and skills development through quality-driven frameworks and global recognition.

For media inquiries and partnership opportunities: Colombo Institute of Sales & Distribution (CISD) Email: info@colomboinsitute.com Location: Colombo 04, Sri Lanka.