ALM – ATC’s Member of the Month – June 2025

This month, we’re delighted to showcase ALM Translations as our Member of the Month. Based in Warwickshire, ALM is a forward-thinking, women-owned language service provider founded by two employees-turned-CEOs known for its consultancy-led model, in-house tech capability, and people-first culture. We caught up with ALM’s former co-CEO Rachel Coleman and CEO Lisa Williams to talk about steering the business through challenging times and building for the future.

Towards new adventures

After 23 years of first setting up and then running ALM together, Rachel Coleman stepped away from the business she co-founded with Lisa Williams who now continues to steer the company towards new adventures as sole CEO.

“In 2002, Lisa and I founded our business with bold ideas and big energy. We were both senior project managers in the translation and localisation industry, thriving on the buzz of project work and the thrill of building something from scratch. But as our translation business grew, we realised that production and growth weren’t conducive – not while also managing everything else – sales, marketing, recruitment, HR, technology, supplier management, finance, quality control. With guidance from some trusted industry mentors, we shifted to a new business model just before the pandemic, stepping back from involvement in day-to-day production to focus on strategy,” says Rachel.

However, after more than 2 decades of building ALM side by side, Rachel and Lisa navigated one more important transition. For Rachel, it meant stepping back from the business as co-CEO with Lisa continuing to lead as sole CEO. 

Rachel now supports ALM in a new capacity, working one day a week as a Consultant. This shift maintains the continuity for ALM’s team while giving both co-founders the opportunity to focus on their personal goals. “Life is too short not to follow what feels right,” Rachel says..

Building strategic partnerships across sectors 

ALM sees translation and localisation as strategic enablers for global growth. Alongside traditional language support, over the years ALM has expanded into international market research, multilingual digital marketing, and multimedia content. Their services now include voice-over, subtitling, and innovations powered by new technologies such as AI-powered lip-syncing for multilingual video. In terms of sectors, ALM’s focus is broad, with deep experience in manufacturing, automation, software, automotive, life sciences, MedTech, e-learning and digital marketing.

ALM’s CEO Lisa Williams shares their recipe for success in pulling the company through some tough times: adaptability. “Adaptability is central to ALM’s success. Our workflows are built on the solid foundations of ISO 9001, ISO 17100 and ISAE 3000 Part II standards, which help us ensure quality and consistency at scale. But it’s the people and technology behind the process that makes the difference. Our in-house tech team customises platforms, builds connectors, and bridges gaps in third-party systems – creating seamless solutions that reflect each client’s goals. This approach has led to significant contract wins, not through low pricing, but through proven, client-centric thinking.”

Culture that drives performance 

People are at the heart of ALM’s progress. Recognised with a Breakthrough Culture award, the company has built an environment centred on connection, authenticity and purpose. Training is tailored to individual roles, supported by clear KPIs and expert-led development in areas like leadership and sales. Staff wellbeing is taken seriously, too – from regular one-to-ones and team lunches, to access to an Employee Assistance Programme. And yes, despite the havoc wreaked by the pandemic, company Christmas parties are still going strong!

“Our shift to a new business model also allowed us to create exciting new roles for our team,” explains Rachel. “We were and still are lucky to work with brilliant people, including our very first employee who started with us in 2007, who came to us as a fresh-faced trainee PM and is now the company’s COO. Watching and being part of her journey, and the journeys of all our other team members, has been highly rewarding.”

Embracing change, staying focused 

Despite market turbulence and external forces, ALM has continued to grow. By investing in consultancy and building a model designed to scale, the business now operates with a hybrid workforce that brings both stability and flexibility.

Looking ahead, the focus is on attracting more tech-driven clients, expanding into media and digital, and responding to localisation needs in the healthcare sector. With Lisa Williams now serving as sole CEO, ALM is entering a new chapter while staying true to the values it was built on.