Name: Beth Skinner
Services offered: Translation, editing of both human- and AI-written texts, proofreading
Languages: German>English, English proofreading
Specialisms: Sustainability reporting, marketing and technical documentation for the automotive & tech sectors
Location: Colchester, Essex, UK
Website: https://www.bethskinnerenglish.com/ (German) & https://www.bethskinnerproofreading.co.uk/ (English) plus my LinkedIn page
Contact details: beth@bethskinner.co.uk
Could you tell us a bit about your professional background?
I started my career as an in-house translator at Volkswagen in Wolfsburg and worked there for several years on and off between 2008 and 2014 (I also gained my Masters in Language, Culture and Translation from Mainz University in Germany during this period). While I was there, I translated a variety of texts, mostly in the areas of marketing, user documentation and corporate comms and also worked closely with their risk & compliance departments. Since going freelance, I have continued to maintain close ties with VW and also translate for other car makers, as well as branching out into a number of different areas, such as winter sports and most recently sustainability reporting in accordance with new EU standards. I also relish any chance to showcase my more creative side. One of my favourite ever jobs was to translate rhyming couplets for a pet food company!
What services do you provide and in what areas?
My first love is obviously pure translation, but I also edit human- and AI-written texts. I also proofread texts in English for customers based here in the UK
What makes you stand out?
My time at VW gave me a great insight into both the technical side of things (I once did a two-day course on how a car actually works) and also corporate operations, which taught me how to be flexible as well as advancing my subject knowledge. And my 6.5 years spent living and working in Germany gave me a strong foundation in the language and culture, but I think that returning home to the UK has kept my English fresh and up-to-date, so I can always find the phrasing best suited to the English-language market.
What do you like most about your job?
It is never boring! I have learned so much from the texts that I work on and they have even led to new hobbies and interests. For instance, I have been translating reports for the bobsleigh and skeleton federation for the past 10+ years, which has made me a huge fan of the sport – I even went to the 2026 Winter Olympics to watch the races live for the first time!
What do you do when you’re not working?
When I am not actually translating, I try to promote our profession as best as I can. I run this website and the ITI East Anglia network’s social media and also recently took on the role of social media coordinator for the ITI German Network, which has led to me talking to myself on LinkedIn sometimes! The ITI East Anglia network also hosts events at local universities to talk to students about our careers. Aside from that, I am always busy with my two children, reading, book clubs, theatre trips, walking and sports.
What’s your favourite part of East Anglia?
Despite being born and bred in the West Country, I have fallen in love with this part of the world! Colchester has so much going on all the time and is only a short drive from the coast, which is the cherry on the top for me. My family and I love going to Clacton for a classic seaside day out and Holland-on-Sea for a swim in the sea.
