Isabel Oakeshott is annual Summit keynote speaker

Award-winning political journalist and commentator Isabel Oakeshott will be giving a keynote speech on Brexit at our 2018 Language Industry Summit.

This year’s must-attend event for language industry professionals, which takes place from 20-22 September at the Hilton Hotel in Cardiff, is set to be a Summit like no other with its spectacular line-up of speakers and series of innovative master classes.

Isabel Oakeshott, a panellist on BBC1’s Sunday Politics show as well as a regular guest on BBC1’s Question Time and Radio 4’s Any Questions, will address delegates from around the UK and across Europe on the hot topic of Brexit during the Summit’s second day.

As former political editor of the Sunday Times and co-author of the controversial ‘Call Me Dave’ biography of David Cameron, which attracted global publicity when it was released in 2015, her speech is bound to offer a thought-provoking insight into an issue which is crucial to the nation’s future prosperity.

This year’s overall Summit theme is: ‘Changing Landscape: UK language industry 2020 and beyond’, with speeches and panel discussions covering other topics including transnational organised crime and translation, and an insight into the European Parliament.

Our prestigious event opens with a Pre-Summit Drinks Reception on 19^th September at historic Cardiff Castle, sponsored by Barclays Bank, and there will be a Gala Dinner and Awards Evening with entertainment on 20^th September.

Following the Summit’s first day Welcome by ATC Chair, Roy Allkin, the conference will tackle the ‘business case for professional language services’. Keynote speaker Lesley Batchelor OBE, Director General of the Institute of Export & International Trade, will open the debate followed by Professor Dylan Jones-Evans OBE, Pro Vice-Chancellor of South Wales University. A panel discussion led by Jarmilla Whittakerova and Tom Skinner, who work in Support & Technological Services at the European Parliament, will conclude the session.

Delegates will also get the chance to learn about new technologies and discuss the pressing matters of the day affecting the language industry, including the issue of ‘Man versus Machine’ with Business Consultant Olga Blasco speaking on artificial intelligence and the future of human talent management.

Aston University research student Ankita Tibrewal will explain how her ATC-backed PhD project is hoping to prove language skills are vital for any UK business planning to expand into global markets, while Jo Drugan, Senior Lecturer at the University of East Anglia, will offer an insight into transnational organised crime and translation.

The Summit’s second day will finish with the theme of ‘Working Together’, with ITI Chair Sarah Bawa Mason speaking on how ‘Together we are stronger’, followed by a panel discussion and then summing up by Roy Allkin.

This year, for the first time, we are also holding a Small Business Initiative on 22^nd September, which consists of a dedicated session of mentoring for small business owners.  Among those offering expert business insight will be Helen Provart, Managing Director of Peak Translations who will cover the issue of ‘Changing Landscape’.

With the addition of three challenging master classes, the conference has plenty of thought-leading knowledge to offer all language industry professionals and early booking is recommended to avoid disappointment.

Ruth Partington, chair of the ATC Organising Committee, said: “We want to truly inspire and inform the language industry and believe this year’s programme, including the appearance of Isabel Oakeshott, sets the event apart from other industry conferences.

“The Summit will focus on looking ahead at the language sector’s fast-moving landscape and there will also be tremendous networking opportunities. We’re looking forward to welcoming delegates from across the globe.”

To find out more about our 2018 Language Industry Summit click here: https://atc.org.uk/events/language-industry-summit/ , or please email summit@atc.org.uk.