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.

Services offered: Translation, including certified French to English translation

Languages: French to English, Italian to English

Specialisms: Law, finance, insurance

Location: Near Norwich, Norfolk

Website: www.languageservices.org.uk and my LinkedIn page

Contact details: contact@languageservices.org.uk

Tel.: 07852501192

Could you tell us a bit about your professional background?

I am a linguist and non-practising lawyer, having obtained a French degree from the University of London and then gone on to qualify as a solicitor. I spent 10 years in legal practice working in insolvency, personal injury and insurance litigation and in 2006 moved into freelance translation, specialising in legal texts.

What services do you provide and in what areas?

I provide translation, proof-reading and editing of human and machine translations in the legal, finance and insurance fields. I also offer certified translations from French to English for official purposes, such as UK visa applications and university admissions.

What makes you stand out?

I have the advantage that I approach my translation work from a legal background. This gives me a clear understanding of terminology and context and means I can research foreign law and procedure when I need to.

What do you like most about your job?

I love the fact that every translation brings new challenges and that even after 20 years I am learning every day! I like the tricky parts of the job such as finding English expressions for French legal concepts which do not have an equivalent. And most of all I enjoy the fact that I am able to use my languages and legal skills to help clients achieve their objectives.

What do you do when you’re not working?

When I am not at my desk I enjoy yoga, cycling, walking and (most recently) keeping an eye on our new whippet puppy in the garden!

What’s your favourite part of East Anglia?

I am lucky enough to live just half an hour from the Norfolk coast where I can often get the beach to myself. I have a soft spot for Cromer with its traditional pier, New Years Day firework display and beautiful sea views in summer.

Services offered: Translation, revising, editing, proofreading, transcreation, localisation, linguistic checks and quality assurance.

Languages: French to English

Specialisms:  All aspects related to health, medical records and research. Open to culinary, tourism, agriculture, equestrianism and children’s illustrated literature.

Location: Norfolk, UK.

Website: Elfe Translation and my LinkedIn page

Contact details: ellena@elfetranslation.com

Could you tell us a bit about your professional background?

I’ve been a physiotherapist since 1988, working in a variety of specialisms, but latterly wanted to diversify my career to incorporate my love of the French language and culture to become a translator. This led me to gain a First Class BA(Hons) in Translation, Media and Modern Language from the University of East Anglia in 2024.

What services do you provide and in what areas?

I offer all aspects related to translation, such as, localisation and transcreation, as well as revising, editing and proofreading.  I am currently pursuing linguistic validation certification.

Beyond my extensive medical background, I have practical knowledge and experience of numerous other specialist areas of interest. So, as previously mentioned, I would love to explore these avenues too. A recent example, being the revising, editing and proofreading of a debut author’s children’s book. Aimed at anglophone middle grade readers, it’s an engaging narrative, which made it a thoroughly enjoyable commission.

What makes you stand out?

In addition to my affable nature, I think it is my extensive knowledge, perception of nuance and context within a text, as well as my general attention to detail, which are the aspects I receive most complements for.  (That sounds very boastful!)

I am working towards gaining full ISO 17100:2015 certification and full membership of the Institute of Translation and Interpreting to be able to reassure potential clients that my services are provided to recognised, accountable professional standards.

What do you like most about your job?

Variety. I’m a curious being, so enjoy learning, exploring new fields and facts through research. I also think seeing the world through another’s eyes and thoughts; so, trying to ensure that I’m conveying their message as they want to express it, whilst making suggestions to clarify or ameliorate aspects which may seem unintentionally ambiguous.

What do you do when you’re not working?

Besides spending time with family and friends, we are lucky enough to have a large garden, which keeps my husband and I very busy for three quarters of the year! We love walking, and also try to ski in the French Alps once a season. Obviously as physio’s I also aim to keep fit with a combination of yoga/Pilates/work-out sessions, all of which off-sets my love of cooking!!

What’s your favourite part of East Anglia? 

Ooh, a difficult one, since I’m born ‘n’ bred in Norfolk…but probably the Nar Valley around Castle Acre which boasts the ruins of a 12th-century priory, castle and bailey gate – and a chalk stream.

Services offered: translation, editing, proofreading

Languages: Italian and French into English

Specialisms: art and art history, fashion and clothing, interior design, patents, tourism, cosmetics, food and cooking

Location: Trieste

Website: My LinkedIn page

Contact details: consonni.ml@gmail.com, mary.consonni@protonmail.com, +39 349 3740280

Could you tell us a bit about your professional background?

After a few years teaching English abroad I enrolled on the postgraduate diploma course in technical and specialised translation at PCL (now the University of Westminster). This led to an in-house position in Italy lasting three years and the subsequent decision to go freelance as a translator.

Published translations include a series of Italian regional cookery books for Phaidon (The Silver Spoon) and volumes of Domus. The Very Best from the Seminal Architecture and Design Journal.

What services do you provide and in what areas?

Mainly translation from Italian into English. However, like most of us these days, a lot of my work consists of editing.

I’m currently working on translations of gallery text for an Italian fashion museum. Another recent assignment involved translating the script for a talking (and singing!) teddy bear. A career highlight.

What makes you stand out?

Living in Italy has given me a thorough knowledge of Italian, of that terminology not found in dictionaries, and a grasp of nuance. Experience counts, bringing a baggage of knowledge, accumulated expertise and confidence in abilities.

What do you like most about your job? I very much enjoy the variety of texts and learning something new from each assignment. Entering a different world with each new translation.

What do you do when you’re not working?

I have side hustles that masquerade as hobbies, or perhaps hobbies that masquerade as side hustles!

I’m an experienced cat sitter and have the scars to prove it.

I also love antiquing, or rather “car booting” in my case, seeking out vintage and antique items. Aside from these, I enjoy visits to the theatre, cinema and art exhibitions.

What’s your favourite part of East Anglia?

I’ll always have a soft spot for my hometown – Maldon, Essex. Missing the mud!

Services offered: Interpreting, translation, subtitling and proofreading

Languages: Indonesian-English, English-Indonesian and Malay to English

Specialisms: Court proceedings, law, human rights, literature (script or performance/spoken), medical

Location: Cambridge

Website: My LinkedIn page

Could you tell us a bit about your professional background?

I have a Bachelor of Art degree, level 6, and am a linguistic philologist. I have a level 9 qualification in psychology for the development of the gifted and special needs. I spent over a decade as a language specialist for the Australian embassy and the Australian federal police and I now work as an interpreter for the court of England.

What services do you provide and in what areas?

I currently translate for the Ministry of Justice, either via various agencies or via the Ministry of Justice directly. I translate legal documents and subtitle video recordings. I work over the cloud, as agreed with the court or law firms, or also work in person in London and elsewhere, depending on what has been agreed with the court.

What makes you stand out?

I translated about the molotov bomb before the age of 20 and was asked to help the Australian police force’s newly established Counter Terrorism Unit in Jakarta as an Indonesian language specialist before the age of 25. I also helped to set up the Indonesian Embassy’s school of Indonesian language for non-Indonesian speakers in the UK. I am trustworthy, accurate and sensitive to Aspergers/sensory issues.

What do you like most about your job?

I am a linguist. I like using languages to the best of my abilities. My current job is challenging but it suits me. I also love teaching.

What do you when you’re not working?

Reading, practising consecutive interpreting while listening/watching (it happens naturally now!), working in my garden, listening to music.

What’s your favourite part of East Anglia?

I have not visited many places yet, but I love my home and garden.

Despite knowing the importance of good posture and healthy habits, many of us could admit to spending countless working hours hunched over our desks with minimal breaks. We know we have some improvements to make to our work environment and habits, but sometimes we do need a little reminder! Earlier this month, the new ITI Network Coordinator Ellena Fox, also an experienced physiotherapist, led us in a session discussing the holistic effect of working posture and habits upon our general health and wellbeing.

Here are some key takeaways:

• A reminder on ergonomics – our working habits, conditions and environment. By giving these the attention they deserve, we can boost our effectiveness and minimise injuries and fatigue.
• Posture and the importance of alignment – Ellena gave us some top tips to evaluate and improve the way we sit and to help us to tweak our work stations.
• Breaks – how consciously are we building these in? Are we seeing these as key to protecting our productivity?
• Activity and movement – we really need to weave these into our day in bite sized chunks and with a focus on activities that we enjoy.
• Careful not to neglect strength, and particularly core strength, to support good posture and alignment.
• Resources – Ellena shared some super practical resources, including checklists for self-assessment in areas such as posture, screen display safety etc.

Healthy bodies and minds are essential for us to do our day-to-day work while staying fit and well.

ITI East Anglia members can watch this and other sessions back. You can find the recorded sessions in our webinar library. Watch this space for more upcoming events from the ITI East Anglia Network, including more on wellbeing for language professionals.

Contribution from Catherine Fox, who has also recently joined our committee as Co-Network Coordinator

Services offered: Translation, editing, proofreading, transcreation, localisation, subtitling, DTP, linguistic checks and QA

Languages: English and Spanish into Italian

Specialisms: IT and tech, motorcycling, commercial websites

Location: Cambridge, UK, and Rome, Italy

Website: LocalisationTeam.com (under refurbishment, will be published it soon)

Contact details: donatella@localisationteam.com

Could you tell us a bit about your professional background?

After 3 years of freelancing in Italy, I moved to Cambridge in 1999 to work in-house for a localisation company and acquire a deeper knowledge of all the aspects of localisation (which is the translation and adaptation of software, websites, apps, games…).

I later co-founded Localisation Team: we are two experienced professionals offering English and Spanish into Italian language services helping our clients reach their Italian audiences more effectively.

What services do you provide and in what areas?

I offer translation, editing and proofreading. Localisation was added soon after, and then transcreation (i.e. the translation of creative marketing texts) and copyediting: a task that flexes your brain muscles, which is a breath of “fresh air” for my brain. Subtitling is a passion and requires both creativity and a highly regulated process. And linguistic QA always guarantees a high-quality output.

Being curious and intellectually driven towards new areas, over the years we have explored and gained experience in IT, telecoms, media, motorcycles, fintech, life science and medical equipment, fashion and textiles, watchmaking and jewellery, tourism, food and beverage. It’s a lot, and we can give you more details of our experience in each sector! The upside is that we never get bored.

What makes you stand out?

Between the two of us we can offer you multiple services, for example translation and review by a second linguist to guarantee high-quality texts.

We are based in the UK and Italy, and we have first-hand knowledge of local trends and the evolution of language and style in both countries, so we don’t just “get” your message, but we also create an Italian equivalent that it is appropriate and engaging for your target audience.

Our attention to detail, nuance and context will benefit the Italian copy (and even your English original), while a smooth, professional service will solve your translation headaches.

I am ISO 17100:2015 Certified, a Full Member of the Institute of Translation and Interpreting, and a CIoL Chartered Translator (all these qualifications are granted after thorough vetting and examination processes), so you can rest assured that our services will be provided with confidentiality, expertise and high standards, always on time and on budget.

We have a collection of clients’ testimonials to prove it. And case studies for you to browse.

What do you like most about your job?

We like the constant learning about what’s new, exploring new fields and facts through research, the variety of texts to translate, exploring the world and interests of different clients, the intellectual challenge of achieving what is ideal for the clients we work with. And we don’t stop until you are happy.

What do you do when you’re not working?

I try to keep active as much as possible: walking, cycling and swimming. Travelling to Italy and other countries is also high on the list. And you can find me at the pool volunteering for City of Cambridge Swimming Club or on the river cheering for the rower in the family.

What’s your favourite part of East Anglia? I have fond memories of Woodbridge, and I always hope to have some time to explore more of East Anglia!

The ITI East Anglia Network we rounded the year 2025 off in the best possible way: by getting together in Ely for our Christmas Crafts and Potluck celebration! As always, there was plenty of laughter, interesting conversations and a lovely chance to reconnect before the festive break.

This year we mixed creativity with good food. Alongside crafting sessions which included making beautiful origami stars and a hands-on introduction to weaving with mini belt looms, we enjoyed a truly international feast. The table was full of British, German, Turkish, Swedish, Italian and Hungarian dishes, with lots of vegan options too, plus a memorable bit of culinary fusion in the shape of Bombay potato focaccia. Naturally, no translators’ get-together would be complete without a linguistic detour, and we even found ourselves puzzling over a bit of Plattdeutsch along the way!

The afternoon was a perfect reflection of what we do as translators every day: building connections, sharing skills and bringing different worlds together – in this case, language, craft and community.

On a mild November day, after refuelling with delicious food, drinks and catch-up chats, the ITI East Anglia Network contingent arrived at the University of Essex to meet a group of students for the now bi-annual Meet the Professionals event.

Starting with a brief introduction of the ITI, the East Anglia Network and our individual professional experience, we then spoke to the various groups, answering all their questions.

The students were a mix of both postgraduates and undergraduates, studying languages, translation and interpreting, and linguistics. Their interests ranged from the best career moves and lifestyle choices for the future to very practical advice on day-to-day translation and interpreting practice.

We were asked if a Master’s degree in T&I is really needed to find work and what qualifications are best to have; if working in-house or freelancing is better at the beginning of your career; how working in-house first could help to establish yourself later as a freelancer; what it is like being self-employed with children, and how a career in translation could fit in with the digital nomad lifestyle.

On a more practical note, we answered questions about different ways of charging for the services provided (per word/hour/minute, or on a project basis), how the minimum fee rate is advisable but not always accepted, how to choose our specialisms (and how sometimes they choose us or we stumble upon them in any given moment), how to consider the professionals from other industries that are in our lives as consultants, or even proofreaders if they know our languages and have worked abroad in their field, and how hobbies and our knowledge can pave the way to a new specialism.

Finally, the inevitable AI/MT question popped up and curiosity about if/how to use AI for ancillary tasks, how to manage, leverage and control the online information available. We also touched on how to manage the widespread misconception that AI is good enough without a proper language professional’s intervention, and the pressure our industry is facing, focusing on the perceived positions of clients, agencies and LSPs, and translators and interpreters.

Underlying the importance of always providing the best quality, using the best resources, thoroughly researching the subject of every job at hand, and always honing your research skills for every university assignment now and for every job in the near future, we hope to have equipped the students with useful tools to start their career with the best foot forward.

Thanks to our member Donatella Fornari for her blog post about this amazing event and also a big thank you to Natalia Rodríguez Vicente from the University of Essex and our Outreach Coordinator Frances Clarke for their organisation!

On 15th October, the ITI East Anglia Network met in Norwich for our AGM. We met in the private dining room of the incredible YALM food hall in Norwich’s Royal Arcade, which meant that we also got to enjoy lunch together once the formal proceedings were over.

The first ITI East Anglia event I attended was last year’s AGM in Ely. Back then, I was just a new member but I left last year’s meeting so impressed by our local ITI community that I decided to volunteer on the committee when the chance to become website coordinator came up earlier this year. So, this year’s event was the first time I had a glimpse into all the behind-the-scenes organisation that goes into an AGM.

We are incredibly lucky to have a strong committee in East Anglia—made up of an events coordinator, outreach coordinator, social media and website coordinators and two co-chairs who also act as treasurer and secretary—so the workload of preparing the various reports was quite evenly spread. However, extra props must go to our events coordinator Katy Bryce for organising such a great venue and event!

Our reports showed that, while the turbulence within our industry is inevitably affecting some parts of our network, we are working hard to combat this with plenty of outreach work and events with the two universities within our region as well as a big push on our LinkedIn page and website. Our network is also very active and regularly hosts guest speakers on a wide range of topics relevant to our work. The hope is that we can line up some great talks for the year ahead. Attendees had the chance to suggest ideas for upcoming chat topics and event speakers. There was also talk of a potential wellness workshop in the new year, including tips on how to breathe!

Once we had wrapped up all the matters on the agenda, talk turned to the now-traditional topics of AI, how we use it or try to avoid it, and whether the bubble is going to burst or not. One of the many benefits of being part of an ITI network is remembering that you are not alone in the struggles of being a translator in this climate. Chatting to others in the same boat helps to relieve some of the pressure we may feel and is a great way of boasting morale if you’re in a bit of a slump.

Autumn often feels like a time to refresh with the start of the new school year, and so too, our AGM was a lovely opportunity to reflect on the success of the past year and look forward to exciting things ahead. And who can resist a chance to get out of the house, chat with other like-minded translators and enjoy some delicious food as well? If you are interested in joining us for one of our upcoming events, please get in touch via our Join Us page!

Post written by Beth Skinner