Success in any language as 92 jobs are created

A YORKSHIRE-based translation firm has created 92 jobs after experiencing soaring demand for its services around the world.
Larry GouldLarry Gould
Larry Gould

A YORKSHIRE-based translation firm has created 92 jobs after experiencing soaring demand for its services around the world.

New contracts with a total value of £12m have been secured by thebigword in the UK, Europe and the US.

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According to Larry Gould, thebigword’s chief executive, there is an “urgent need” for staff to work in thebigword’s linguist recruitment, customer service, logistics and IT operations.

Thebigword, which is based in Leeds, is recruiting 41 permanent staff, plus 51 temporary staff who will be employed until the end of April. The company expects many of the temporary posts to become permanent.

Mr Gould, who founded the business in 1980, said yesterday: “This is a great success story for the UK and especially for Leeds. We now employ people from 73 countries in 12 offices across nine locations and our Leeds HQ is at the centre of a huge global operation”.

“We’re delighted to be able to bring new business to Yorkshire and offer great opportunities for local people.”

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Mr Gould praised the “great work ethic” of his Leeds-based team, which was helping the business to win more work.

Mr Gould said investment in technology was driving opportunities for thebigword around the world.

Thebigword employs 400 staff in Leeds. Worldwide, the company has around 550 staff, and 4,000 contract workers.

Thebigword has continued to grow during the recession, due to the demand for global trade and the need for the UK public sector to communicate with people speaking different languages.

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Mr Gould said: “People are realising that you can’t just deal with local markets.

“You need to talk to customers in other markets.”

Thebigword translates 380 million words each year and interprets 14.6 million minutes of speech over the telephone, as well as completing 122,000 assignments for face-to-face interpreters.

The company achieved turnover of around £42m over the last financial year, and Mr Gould hopes to double the turnover over the next three years.

Last year, it was revealed that thebigword was playing a role in helping the UK military to achieve a peaceful departure from Afghanistan.

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In June 2012, Thebigword fought off global competition to secure a contract with the Ministry of Defence to provide interpreters to support UK operations in Afghanistan.

The three-year contract covers the period of planned withdrawal of combat troops by NATO and the handover to Afghan security forces.

The interpreters work under the leadership of UK Military Commanders and accompany British troops on patrols.

They help to improve communications between the troops and the local population, the Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police. Thebigword linguists also provide interpreting and translation services in UK bases.

Thebigword won the contract in a competitive tender.

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Speaking last year, Mr Gould said: “We have got a really good reputation with the UK Government. This contract does put our soldiers in a safer position, because there’s a lot of emphasis on relationship building with the people of Afghanistan.”

The company is responsible for the recruitment and security clearance of interpreters. It has formed a partnership with the International School of Linguists to provide specialist training. Interpreters are fluent in Pashto, Dari or Baluchi.

Leeds Metropolitan University’s school of languages had helped to devise the training programme for the interpreters who will serve in Afghanistan.

Thebigword doubled its public sector revenue last year after contract wins in the UK and the United States.

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These included a four-year contract with the Home Office to provide face-to-face interpreting in more than 250 different languages and dialects.

It has also won preferred supplier status for interpreting services to 12 London NHS trusts.

Private sector growth has come from technology, manufacturing and life sciences sectors where accurate translation is essential to marketing and customer communications.

Yesterday, Mr Gould said his message to the business community was: “Don’t be depressed, there’s lots of work out there.”

Staff enjoy some sweet moments

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Translation company Thebigword is offering its staff some sweet moments to improve their health and ensure they spend more time getting to know their colleagues.

When thebigword conducted research into staff morale, it found that those who smoked took, on average, three breaks per day, of between seven and eight minutes each.

The social aspect of these breaks meant they were in “a heightened positive frame of mind” when they got back to their desks, the research found.

Thebigword’s CEO, Larry Gould, came up with an idea that should ensure non-smokers have similar opportunities for socialising. The company has set up Sweet Moments, which are sweet and fruit counters for them to gather around.