ATC selects Leeds for first Brexit networking event for 2019

The Association of Translation Companies (ATC) is hosting its first networking event of 2019 in Leeds on 26 February.  Focusing on How to safeguard your existing and future EU staff through Brexit and hosted by ATC member thebigword at its new training centre, TheBrainworks, the event is open to members and non-members alike. The networking event starts at 10:30 am and finishes at 2 pm.

ATC Chair, Ruth Partington said: “The question of how EU citizens and UK businesses should be supported throughout the upheavals and uncertainties of the Brexit process needs to be addressed and this event by the ATC will endeavour to raise awareness, improve confidence and understanding for our members and language businesses throughout the North of England.”

Guests include Sandy Needham, Chief Executive of North and West Yorks Chamber of Commerce, and Lesley Batchelor, OBE, Director General of the Institute of Export.

ATC’s Chair, Ruth Partington will introduce the programme, and Chief Executive Raisa McNab will provide an Introduction to ATC Proposed Lobbying on Brexit, outlining the likely immigration scenario affecting LSPs recruiting from outside the UK, post-Brexit, and how the ATC is looking to get the best deal for the UK language industry.

Commenting on the event, ATC CEO Raisa McNab said: “We are delighted to welcome Lesley Batchelor, OBE and Sandy Needham to our networking event in Leeds, and pleased to have the support of thebigword with our efforts to obtain special provisions for interpreters and translators, who play a vital role in many of our public services. This event, focusing on Brexit, will be invaluable for all LSPs and translation businesses to find out how the ATC will be lobbying on your behalf to secure future immigration of translators and interpreters into the UK and how they can support their own employees and contracted freelancers.”

The programme will continue with two sessions running in parallel.  The first will feature Leeds-based Blacks Solicitors immigration lawyer Louis MacWilliam’s overview on how Brexit will affect EU nationals currently in the UK, and how LSPs can safeguard their current staff through these changes.

The second will see a Brexit round table discussion, hosted by Raisa McNab, on the direction and channels ATC Brexit immigration lobbying should take, to encourage and engage ATC members to join the battle.

The morning will conclude with lunch, and networking with invited guests and ATC Council Members, followed by a closed council meeting in the afternoon for all ATC Council Members.

Interested companies can register for the event on the ATC website here or by contacting the secretary@atc.org.uk.