Success in any language as firm seeks 1,000 linguists

The interpreting and translation company, owned by entrepreneur Larry , already works with 12,000 accredited freelancers across 72 countries.

The Leeds-based business is doubling its public sector revenue this year after contract wins in the UK and the United States.

These include four-year contract with the Home Office to provide face-to-face interpreting in 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.

The company’s US operation, which has offices in Wall Street, New York, and San Francisco, works with law enforcement, border controls and the education sector.

The company has opened a new office in Copenhagen this year to service the technology-intensive Scandinavian market.

Combined revenues for the nine global offices are expected to reach £42m by the year ending May 2012. The group employs nearly 500 people across the world.

In the UK, thebigword has taken advantage of Government initiatives to promote apprenticeships, recruiting 38 to date, with 11 winning permanent jobs so far.

It is working with the International School of Linguists and Leeds Metropolitan University to develop and implement professional training and accreditation for its linguists.

In the current financial year, the company has invested more than £1m in new technology to manage complex multi-lingual projects with greater ease and maximum security.

It is also launched a new online booking system to guarantee UK-wide coverage of interpreters from a single source.

Mr Gould said: “This has been a fantastic year for thebigword.

“Our combination of leading technology backed by top quality customer service and highly qualified linguists has resulted in public and private-sector growth around the world.”

The company has recently appointed two new directors to its board, Bernadette Byrne and Diane Cheesebrough.

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