AA Global investing to support exporters in post-Brexit Britain

Kirk Akdemir (centre), CEO of AA Global, with his senior management team

AN expanding language services company is strengthening some of its key overseas territories to provide a platform for businesses looking to spread their wings in a post-Brexit Britain.

AA Global Language Services is investing in providing a more comprehensive service in growth markets including China, India and Russia and in a more robust IT system which will increase capacity and improve security for clients worldwide.

Kirk Akdemir, CEO of the company which was launched in Worcester more than 25 years ago and is now based in Hull, said the measures are part of the preparations for helping businesses looking at new markets.

In addition to the staff of 30 who work across the two offices, AA Global employs around 14,000 translators and interpreters who cover 500 different languages and dialects.

In the UK, much of the company’s work is in the public sector, but AA Global’s roots are in the private sector and the company is highlighting the communications and cultural issues around operating in unfamiliar countries.

Kirk said: “Three places which come to mind immediately are China, India and Ukraine. We have been working in those countries for many years, they are home to some of our key partnerships which are managed by some of our most experienced people.

“We have been busy providing extra support to those staff and others, including introducing a new IT system which brings greater capacity and protection, and the outcome is that we are ready and waiting for those companies who want to reach out further afield.

“We can help to introduce businesses to the new markets in the languages that open the doors to potential customers and we can also provide essential advice about cultural matters and the different ways of doing business, because it is important for people to understand that communication is about more than conversation.”