Our people
ITI is the professional home of translators and interpreters in the UK and internationally and serves as a meeting place for all those who understand the importance of translation and interpreting to the economy and society.
The Board of Directors sets the strategic direction of the organisation and the small staff team of seven is responsible for delivering our strategic priorities and providing membership services.
Our values
Professionalism
We champion professional excellence in all areas of translation and interpreting, helping our members develop their skills, knowledge and confidence.
Inclusivity
We are a welcoming and supportive community that values diversity and ensures everyone feels seen, respected, and represented.
Forward-Thinking
We embrace innovation and change, supporting our members to adapt and thrive in an evolving industry.
Ethical Practice
We act with integrity, transparency, and fairness in everything we do, building trust within the profession and beyond.
Community
We create meaningful connections among language professionals, nurturing a shared sense of purpose, belonging, and mutual support.
Staff team
For contact details, click on a team member's picture.
Sara Robertson
Sara champions the translation and interpreting profession and leads ITI's strategic direction, working with colleagues and stakeholders to deliver professional development and advocacy. As CEO, she ensures the institute operates effectively and efficiently, overseeing governance, financial and regulatory matters.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- 01908 325250
Claire Wardell
Claire oversees the ITI's programme of professional development courses and training, including webinars, workshops and other learning initiatives. She works closely with the Professional Development Committee to develop CPD strategy and plan content and supports the Digital Learning Officer to deliver engaging online learning experiences.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- 01908 325250
Lydia Chapman
Lydia is responsible for the ITI's marketing function, which covers aspects including social media, email marketing and the website. Lydia has a passion for branding, ensuring that the ITI brand is represented consistently across all aspects of the business, and also enjoys meeting members and building working relationships.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- 07491 200377
Hollie Renaud
Hollie is responsible for maintaining ITI's governance processes and operational efficiency. Working closely with the Chief Executive, she ensures smooth organisational procedures while supporting the Board, staff team, and ITI Networks.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- 01908 325250
Emily Warren
Emily is responsible for managing Qualified Member applications, supporting both new applicants and existing members pursuing upgrades. Her role includes reviewing submitted evidence, scheduling assessments, coordinating with assessors, and consolidating results. She also handles daily inquiries from applicants and members, maintains accurate membership records, and supports ongoing projects and committees.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- 01908 325250
Rachel O’Callaghan
Rachel is the first point of contact for member queries and for new membership enquiries. She plays a key role in ensuring our members' needs are met and in processing new applications.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- 01908 325250
Matthew Martin
As Digital Learning Officer, Matthew works with subject experts to create and manage course content, ensuring it is accurate and relevant. He is responsible for course creation and uploading courses to the learning management system, keeping it running smoothly, fixing technical issues and finding way to improve the learning experience and make it more engaging.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- 01908 325250
Board members
ITI is a Company Limited by Guarantee. Its elected board is responsible for all strategic, financial and membership aspects of the Institute. The ITI Board is made up of Sara Robertson, Chief Executive and the following ITI members (click on their picture to read more about them):
Fiona Gray MITI
Fiona Gray MITI helps brands and businesses based in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Luxembourg to find their voice in English through creative copy and compelling content that makes their German words travel.
She has over a decade of experience in the translation industry and has been freelancing since 2016.
She won the ITI Mentor of the Year Award in 2023 and was named Linguist of the Year at the ATC Language Industry Awards 2024.
Lloyd Bingham MITI
Lloyd Bingham MITI runs Capital Translations in Cardiff, Wales. He works from Dutch, German, French and Spanish into English, specialising in business, technology and education. Lloyd is a member of ITI and SENSE, a committee member of ITI Cymru Wales and is a former tutor on ITI’s Starting Up as a Freelance Translator course.
Anna Kerod MITI
Anna holds a master’s degree in biology but she found her true calling in professional language services. She worked for 17 years as an in-house legal interpreter and translator in a boutique London law firm providing services for the oil and gas industry. In 2017 Anna set up a company which focuses on translations and interpreting in commercial litigation and international arbitration, working in the private market.
She is passionate about upholding professional standards in interpreting and believes in building strong direct client relationships and mutually beneficial networks with her colleagues. In her free time she loves outdoor pursuits, skiing in particular, and the occasional bout of cooking.
Marian Dougan FITI
Marian has been a freelance translator for over 25 years, working from Italian and French into English. She lived in Italy for 24 years, and recently spent four years in Germany as an in-house translator/editor at the European Central Bank.
She is a member (and former committee member and Convenor) of ITI Scotnet, and a member of ITI-LIFTnet and the Italian Network.
She is very interested in outreach activity, and she loves sharing her enthusiasm for translation with pupils at local schools, through talks and participating in career days.
Dean Evans MITI
Dean Evans MITI is a freelance translator working from German, French and Spanish to English. A patents and IP specialist, he provides translation and editing services to IP firms, international patent organisations and specialist translation agencies. He is chair of the Nominations Committee and a committee member of the ITI French Network. As a Board member Dean is keen to support members to develop resilient, future-proof businesses.
Laura Byrne MITI
Laura worked as a multilingual financial analyst for a decade before becoming an in-house financial translator in Frankfurt in 2011. In 2013, she returned to the UK and went freelance. She has a BA in German studies.
Laura translates from German and Dutch to English, with a focus on financial, business and legal translation. She has mentored several fellow ITI members in financial translation.
JC Penet
JC is a Reader in Translation Industry Studies at Newcastle University and a certified Personal and Executive Coach (PG Diploma, University of Warwick). He is the author of Working as a Professional Translator (Routledge, 2024).
As an academic, JC researches the impact of recent developments in the translation industry on the financial, physical and psychological well-being of (trainee) translators.
As a Coach, he loves helping (trainee) translators become more aware of their own unique talents and resourcefulness, so they don't just survive - but also thrive - in today's highly competitive language industry.
Simona Manca MITI
Simona is an Italian MITI translator living in Scotland for over 20 years, who specialises in two areas: creative work, including video game localisation, children’s books, and the arts, and technical support for businesses and individuals with bureaucracy. Her experience in events management for an Italian government institution enhanced my business skills. Simona has since returned to full-time translation and is a member of the ITI Italian Network and ITI ScotNet.
Isabelle Perrett
Isabelle Perrett FCIPD is an experienced board member and executive leader with over 30 years shaping organisations across education, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, and social enterprise. A linguist by training and the daughter of a lifelong translator, she brings deep respect for language and communication alongside robust governance expertise. Isabelle has Non-Executive Director experience for several commercial organisations in the education section, where she has supported strategic growth, risk oversight, and CEO accountability. She is skilled in navigating change, aligning purpose with performance, and influencing policy in regulated environments. With a values-led approach and commitment to professional standards, Isabelle contributes thoughtful challenge and support, cultural insight and a collaborative mindset—helping mission-driven organisations like ITI adapt and thrive in a rapidly changing world.
Committees
ITI currently has the following committees:
Membership
Purpose:
- To oversee ITI membership applications based on the Institute's bylaws and quality standards
- To propose appropriate amendments to the bylaws and to create and update literature for applicants and their referees
Chair: Cate Avery FITI
Download the Membership Committee Terms of reference.
Fellowship
Purpose:
- To consider applications from Qualified Members (MITI) for Fellowship of the Institute and to advise the Board on such proposed appointments
Chair: Francesca Matteoda FITI
Nominations
Purpose, to take the lead in identifying:
- Potential candidates for election to the Board
- Chairs of the Membership, Fellowship, Professional Conduct, Appeals, and Professional Development committees
- Members of the Membership, Fellowship, Professional Conduct, Appeals, and Professional Development committees
Chair: Dean Evans MITI
Download the Nominations Committee Terms of Reference.
Professional Conduct
Purpose:
-
To implement Article 5.5 of ITI’s Articles of Association: to advise the Board on maintaining, promoting and enforcing the Institute’s standards for professional conduct among its members.
Chair: Dr Joanna Waller FITI
Download the Professional Conduct Committee Terms of reference.
Professional Development
1. Purpose
To provide the input of expert linguists into ITI’s professional development strategy, policies and programmes.
2. Responsibilities
The Professional Development Committee (the PDC)
- Promotes ITI’s understanding of professionalism in translation and interpreting and encourages members to act professionally
- Steers ITI’s CPD programmes so that they provide a structure that enables members to develop as professionals throughout their careers
- Holds the training and development team to account with regard to its CPD programme, ensuring that the outputs are high quality
- Uses its members’ expert knowledge of the profession and its environment to ensure that ITI responds effectively to the changing context in which members work
- Benchmarks ITI’s CPD policy, processes and activities against those of other professional associations.
- Participates in relevant external fora and other meetings such as the UK BSI committee (TS1)
Chair: Jo Durning MITI
Remunerations
Purpose:
- Set the company's remuneration policy
- Determine the Chief Executive's total individual remuneration package
- Set the targets for any performance-related pay
The committee members are the Chair of the Board, the two Vice Chairs, and Mark Robinson (ITI's accountant).