Rachel Reeves MP
Rachel Reeves MP Addressing Staff
thebigword Prepares for Brexit
Leeds, United Kingdom, 14th January 2019. With less than 80 days until Britain’s expected departure from the European Union, Global Language Services provider thebigword has been putting in place plans for all eventualities.
thebigword works with a network of over 15,000 linguists many of which are EU nationals living in the UK. To support our partners in the linguist community, thebigword is also working with the Association of Translation Companies (ATC) to campaign for priority status for the linguist community living in the UK and providing interpreting for vital Government agencies and the National Health Service.
As part of the campaign Nihat Arkan, thebigword’s Global CEO and Larry Gould, Executive Chairman, have met with Rachel Reeves MP who chairs the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee in Westminster. They shared concerns about the uncertain status of linguist and the company’s campaign for priority status.
Rachel Reeves MP said: “Leaving the European Union will be bad for business and threatens the security of jobs and investment in our country. Local businesses like thebigword are really important for jobs and investment here in Leeds West. Many specialist skills, like those offered by linguists, are essential for thebigword and I hope the Government starts listening to businesses who are worried about Brexit and what it means for jobs and skills.”
Chief Executive Officer of the Association of Translation Companies, Raisa McNab added: “We are pleased to have the support of thebigword in our efforts to obtain special provisions for interpreters and translators who play a vital role in many of our public services. We will continue to work with thebigword in the coming weeks and months to ensure that the linguist community are supported”
Rachel Reeves MP also met with employees including staff members from other EU countries living in the UK. A key priority for thebigword has been to take steps to support the 57 EU nationals who are understandably concerned about their status in the UK. Having put funds aside, thebigword plans to sponsor their applications for settled status and support them throughout the process.
thebigword have also formed a Brexit Committee led by the company’s Global Director of Operations, Mark Daley. With the shape of Brexit still to be defined, the committee has been tasked with preparing for every possible outcome. The Brexit Committee are charged with establishing the risks to employees, the global linguist community and the business in general. The company has taken steps to hedge funds and put aside a contingency fund to address any rising challenges upon EU exit.
Nihat Arkan, Chief Executive Officer at thebigword said: “We were delighted to welcome Rachel Reeves to our office, and we welcome her support in our campaign including writing to the Secretary of State. We want to ensure that our employees, linguist community and clients are reassured that thebigword is ready.”
About thebigword:
thebigword is the largest interpreting services provider in Europe and is among the top 15 language and translation companies in the world.
The company is the fastest growing interpreting centric Language Service Provider in the world with 28.33% growth in the last year.
It works with many of the world’s biggest and best-known brands and a growing number of large US and UK government organisations,
The group has 12 offices around the world, employs over 600 staff and works with a network of more than 15,000 linguists.
Every month, thebigword handles one million minutes of telephone interpreting, 17,000 face-to-face interpreting assignments and half a billion words of translation.
For more information, visit http://www.thebigword.com