Appointments: Web-Translations; Armstrong Watson; Elevation Recruitment; North Yorkshire IoD

WEB-Translations is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a raft of new business wins, a trio of appointments and a year of unprecedented growth.

Founded by entrepreneur Daniel Rajkumar after he graduated from the University of Leeds in 2003, Web-Translations ends a milestone year with a turnover of £676,000 – a 19% increase on last year.

The Leeds-based company, which translates and localises websites to boost businesses seeking to grow in new international markets, has clinched three new clients in the last three months.  hese are outdoor clothing company Ellis Brigham, natural skincare and cosmetics brand Liz Earle and specialist tea and coffee retailer Whittard of Chelsea.

A 12-strong head office team based at Queen Square, Leeds, includes three new appointments – e-marketing project manager Sami Rowett, business consultant Kevin Taylor, and Nick Newton, new business consultant. 

Managing director, Rajkumar, said: “We are one of only a few companies with an established history in a new industry. While the internet has removed many geographical barriers to business, language and culture remain hurdles businesses must overcome to reach new international markets. With 90% of internet users living in non-English speaking countries, forward-thinking companies recognise the power of localised websites to attract lucrative global contracts.”

The head office team of Web-Translations works with an international network of expert linguists, developers and translators in more than 140 languages.

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ARMSTRONG Watson’s specialist legal sector team is growing with the appointment of Inga Morkunaite.

The accountancy firm said it is placing further investment into its existing legal team to ensure that the growing demand can be met and in order to further develop the specialist services it provides for one of its fastest growing sectors.
Andy Poole, the firm’s legal sector director, focuses exclusively on lawyers and heads up the national team. 

Morkunaite, a three-year post qualified accountant, has joined the firm’s Leeds team as legal sector senior alongside Mark Baines and Olivia Safhill, specialising exclusively in acting for lawyers. Morkunaite is responsible for undertaking fieldwork assignments to prepare the accounts, tax computations and SRA Accounts Rules Reports for legal clients in the Yorkshire region.

Poole said: “Our specialist knowledge and experience is clearly adding real value to clients in the legal sector and the growing legal team is testament to that.”

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ELEVATION Recruitment’s sales and marketing division has revealed that 64% of all instructions to recruit this quarter have been for newly created roles – with particular growth in the financial services and SME manufacturing industries.

With businesses looking to invest in growth, the appointment of business development managers, senior account managers, sales managers and field sales representatives has taken priority, according to elevation’s associate director, Sarah-Lee Neesam.

“As confidence in the economy grows, businesses are once again demonstrating a desire to grow themselves. It’s inevitable that they are looking to put in place a workforce that can help facilitate,” she said.

Head of sales and marketing and based in Elevation’s Leeds office, Neesam believes that the increase in new roles being created is having a wider impact – with opportunities for professionals to start considering making that next career move.

She said: “It’s no secret that professionals at all levels have been extremely cautious since the economy slowed. Those who are in secure roles have chosen to stay put, often at the expense of career progression. This isn’t the case anymore.

“With so many new roles being created across a whole host of industries it is inevitable that existing roles are being vacated – providing opportunity for those looking to make their next move on the career ladder.”

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A LEADING business mentor has been appointed chair for North Yorkshire Institute of Directors (IoD).

Ed Reid runs The Alternative Board for York and North Yorkshire helping more than 40 SMEs identify and achieve their business objectives.

Reid has a blue-chip background having worked with some of the UK’s leading corporates, including roles with British Steel, Diageo and Nestle.

The businessman said he is looking forward to driving up IoD membership, encouraging more business leaders to pursue professional development and persuade  York universities to promote continued development. At the same time he hopes to represent local businesses at a regional and national level lobbying decision and policy makers to create an environment for growth.