Congratulations to Gail Owen on her promotion to Account Manager. Gail joined the Birmingham team in April 2006 as Sales and Marketing Administrator and has since developed her project management skills by deputising for Jasmin Schneider and Robert Bally in the Birmingham office.

Gail Owen, Account Manager, Birmingham

Liz Athey, Operations Manager commented: “Gail has proved herself to be an extremely capable and conscientious member of staff and her promotion is thoroughly deserved.”

Gail will now be focusing on developing her own client base and managing projects, whilst continuing her work on developing the translation division website.

After spending five years in the UK, Tino has decided to return home to his native Belgium where he has secured a position as translation co-ordinator for an industrial company. Marsailidh on the other hand, has decided to pursue a career in Human Resources. We wish them both all the very best in their future careers.

Alan White

On 29th April, a charity football event was staged at Manchester City’s Youth Academy training ground. Roevin Rovers, who had previously struggled to make an impact in their local league, seized the chance of taking on a cup competition that would perhaps represent their only chance of silverware this season.

On a baking hot day, the team, comprising staff from the translation, contract, payroll and accounts departments, took part in a mini league, which would decide the team’s stream for the knockout stages.

Once the knockout tournament began, the tension was unbearable as the slightest slip-up could mean the end of the road. Thankfully, Roevin cruised past their second round and quarter final opponents, despite some of the players taking knocks and only being able to take on minor roles. A much tougher test awaited them in the semi finals, where a 1-1 stalemate was brought to an end by a long range top corner strike from the manager of Manchester’s translation office, Alan White, which surely would have won goal of the tournament, had there been such an award!

After the gruelling semi-final in the sun, legs were weary for the final, especially as the opponents had just put 7 past their semi final opponents, but against the odds, the Rovers fought through the pain barrier and cruised to victory in the final, with some splendid goals and individual efforts. The awards were presented by Everton and England legend Trevor Steven, who was heard muttering that Alan White’s skills were reminiscent of his own, although it is believed he meant his current abilities, rather than his heyday!!

Joanne Clarke, Account Manager, Manchester.

Roevin welcomed Joanne Clarke as a part-time Translation Account Manager to its Manchester office at the beginning of May. Having graduated from the University of Sheffield with a BA (Hons) in French Studies in 2005, she spent a year working as a buyer for a European travel operator before deciding to continue her linguistic training at the University of Manchester in 2006. Joanne is currently at the dissertation-writing stage of her MA in Translation Studies in which she is exploring foreignisation and the role of the translator through the translation of a contemporary French novel. Upon graduation Joanne wishes to pursue a career as a full-time translator and eventually move to France where she has studied and worked previously.

… and Natasha Williams

Roevin is working alongside universities and translation companies across the country and in collaboration with the Association of Translation Companies and the National Centre for Languages as part of a steering group for the National Graduate Apprenticeship Scheme. This scheme offers postgraduate students the chance to gain valuable work related skills and put their knowledge of translation into practice in a professional environment.

Natasha Williams, Graduate Apprentice, Manchester

Aston University student, Natasha Williams, has joined the Manchester branch for a three week work placement as part of the scheme. She has recently completed the taught element of the Masters in Translation in a European Context and will be working on her dissertation over the summer. Natasha specialises in German to English translation and spent a year studying translation in Vienna as part of her undergraduate studies at the University of Birmingham. She returned to Austria after graduating to work for the German holiday company TUI and to perfect her skiing technique! During her time at Roevin, Natasha has been gaining experience of the project management side of the industry as well as practising her translation skills.