Language company creates 100 jobs with £15m deal
LEEDS language services company thebigword has won a £15m contract to provide translation services to UK central government which will enable it to create 100 jobs.
Departments including the DWP, Home Office, MoD, UK Border Force, NHS and HMRC as well as local authorities and emergency services will be using thebigword’s interpreting services.
The contract will create 100 jobs as well as opportunities for local freelance linguists.
John Williams, switchboard manager at Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust, said: “When a patient who speaks another language walks through the door, we know we can get an interpreter who speaks one of 257 different languages on the phone in 30 seconds, thanks to thebigword.
“We make substantial savings, without having any negative impact on a quality patient experience, and receive a more flexible service.”
Larry Gould thebigword CEO, said: “I believe we won this contract because of our exceptional existing service levels to the government and because our linguists are highly skilled in handling sensitive issues. Interpreters may have to explain to a patient or family to prepare for end of life; describe horrific torture; help elderly or confused people to get the right benefits; or interpret challenging questions in a fraud case. This is about more than just language interpretation.”
Thebigword has operators and interpreters speaking 235 languages.
In Yorkshire, thebigword provides services to hundreds of organisations under this contract, including: Airedale, Doncaster and Scarborough hospitals; Barnsley, Rotherham, Kirklees and Wakefield councils and a number of local schools.
The preferred supplier contract has been awarded by Crown Commercial Service on behalf of the UK government. thebigword is the only company to have held all three government language service frameworks.
Established 36 years ago, thebigword is headquartered in Leeds, with additional offices in London, Germany, Sweden, Finland, the Netherlands, China, Japan and the US.
