The benefits of working with an ITI Corporate member

Find out why it makes sense to choose a Corporate member of ITI when you're looking for a translation or interpreting agency to work with. 

In today’s world, finding a translation or interpreting agency can be a daunting prospect, with so many options out there to choose from. How do you make sure you’re employing the services of a reputable company that follows professional best practice and has a strong focus on quality?

One way to pick out a professional, established translation agency is to check whether they are part of a recognised professional body or association, such as the Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI). ITI promotes the highest standards in the profession and ensures its members adhere to these high standards in the quality of the work and the service they provide.

What are corporate members of ITI?

ITI is the professional home for practising translators, interpreters and all those involved in supplying language services. Included in this final category are Corporate Language Service Providers (LSPs), which are businesses or organisations that provide translation, interpreting and associated language services, often referred to as ‘translation agencies’. An LSP can be a good choice if you have a large volume of work, multi-lingual project, or are looking for a translation company that specialises in a particular field. ITI has a public directory that lists all of its members, allowing both public and corporate entities to find a professional translator, interpreter or LSP.

All ITI members agree to adhere to and uphold ITI’s Code of Professional Conduct. Corporate membership is also an indication that the LSP has an ongoing commitment to professional development, as they can access ITI training that delves into various specialised fields and attend networking events to keep up to date with the latest developments in translation.

Standing apart from the crowd

LSPs can take their ITI membership one step further by becoming an ‘Accredited language service provider’ (ALSP). This category of membership is only available to organisations that demonstrate an ongoing contribution and commitment to the industry and to ITI, and are reaccredited every three years.

Corporate members can also have their say in how ITI is run, as there is a dedicated place on ITI’s Board of Directors for a Corporate Representative. In 2023 Amey Higgon, Head of Project Management at Surrey Translation Bureau, took up the mantle and began a three-year term on the Board. The Corporate Representative acts as the voice for other language service providers and corporate members of ITI. An LSP with a long-standing association with ITI is a marker of a company that champions the translation industry and constantly maintains a high standard of work.

Knowledge sharing with the industry experts

With regular training sessions and opportunities for continuing professional development (CPD), LSPs and their teams of in-house translators and project managers can regularly boost their skills across a range of areas through their ITI membership. From clear writing in English, to medical translation, to what translators can do about climate change, the vast array of CPD on offer all contributes to the work LSPs produce for clients, who can rest assured that their projects are in the hands of capable linguistic and project management teams.

Giving back to the linguistic community

Some ITI Corporate members take the chance to pay it forward and share the expertise they’ve gained over the years with the wider translation community. This may take the form of webinars, panel discussions or contributions to short courses such as Setting Up as a Freelance Translator (SUFT) where members can share their wisdom with newly qualified translation professionals.

Corporate members can also form part of committees as another way to both share and develop skills, “This also helps keep our finger on the pulse for trends in the industry and ensure that our freelancers continue to invest in their own growth, in turn offering our clients the very best quality services,” said Hannah Stacey, Head of Operations at Surrey Translation Bureau, who advises on ongoing professional development opportunities as part of ITI’s Conference Group.

Building connections

Another bonus of ITI membership for corporate members is the opportunity to attend events organised by the Institute, such as the ITI Conference, which takes place every two years. Conferences and other events held by ITI are one of the ways that LSPs can connect with qualified freelance linguists in the various fields their clients work in.

If  you looking for a professional translation company to entrust with your content, search the ITI Directory to find your new translation partner.