Professional body, the Strategic Mailing Partnership, comprising of over 150 mailing houses across the UK and supported by Royal Mail Wholesale, has welcomed its first ever Scotland-based industry expert onto its Board.

Isla Munro, Managing Director of Edinburgh-based direct marketing specialists, The Dragonfly Agency Ltd, has been appointed onto the organisation’s Board to continue its mission of protecting, and representing, the interests of UK mailing houses.

Isla brings more than 15 years of experience of marketing, commercial insight and new business conversion to the SMP board, as well as an intrinsic understanding of mail – for example, Dragonfly issued over 40.5 million items via Royal Mail last year alone.

Appointed as Managing Director of Dragonfly in May this year, Isla said: “I’m really honoured to be part of the SMP. I believe in mail, I believe in post. There is something exciting about receiving mail. It has the power to make people feel good and so it shouldn’t be a dying breed. It should be celebrated and encouraged.

“Having been involved in many marketing campaigns, there’s no doubt that print plays a vital part in communications and the customer journey. It’s at the heart of our business and we love what Royal Mail and post has been able to do for us and our customers.

“SMP’s passion for mail and encouraging more to use it was a massive drive to joining the Board and I hope I can get a positive message out there to my peers on both sides of the border to highlight the importance of reinvesting in this medium.”

Print, production and postage marketing expert, Dragonfly, is the only agency in the UK with an agreement with Royal Mail allowing them access to the postal stream at varying points, allowing them greater efficiency and flexibility. This unique relationship brings a fresh perspective to the SMP Board – an organisation with the largest group of mail and print suppliers and service providers in the UK and which continues to help the Royal Mail and UK mailing houses to work collaboratively.

As well as GDPR confidence and the developments created by the Joint Industry Committee (JICMAIL), Isla believes 2019 presents many opportunities for mail – particularly how the industry can enhance efficiency in the ways in which customers receive post.

Isla joins the new-look SMP Board alongside Ben Snutch, Group Sales Director from GI Solutions, and Williams Lea Tag’s European Senior Category Manager, Michael Gray, as the trio drive forward the organisation’s mission to promote better mail for all.

Judith Donovan CBE, Chair of the SMP, across the UK, said: “Having members from all over the country is an exciting prospect for the SMP, but we have admittedly been lacking voices from north of the border.

“I’m thrilled that we now have Isla on board to represent Scotland and I hope her appointment will serve to inspire more from the area to join our organisation.

“All three new additions have a fantastic level of experience covering a wide range of aspects across the industry. Their input will be valuable in helping to shape the SMP’s future and we look forward to having their voices on the Board to keep protecting the futures of our mailing houses.”

For more information about the SMP, visit: www.thestrategicmailingpartnership.co.uk