Elite celebrates 20 years of change

20 years since its founding in Rochdale, Elite Language Services’ work reflects changes in the global economy.

Elite is a co-operative that was formed in 1989 to provide specialist language services for businesses involved in international trade and negotiation. This October the business is celebrating its 20th anniversary.

The business was established in Rochdale, so a fair proportion of its work involves translating and interpreting for the manufacturing and textile industries.

Over the years, the co-operative has maintained its core specialist areas of translation, interpreting and tuition, but it has seen significant changes in its work that reflect wider changes in the global economy.

As John Cottam, a founding member and a director, explains, “During the last 10 years, we have started to work in a range of oriental and Eastern European languages, in addition to the European languages of French, German, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish, which was the focus originally. Today the co-operative is just as likely to be translating Mandarin and Polish.”

These days, the co-operative also works with some of Manchester’s most successful multilingual, international businesses – its premiership football clubs. John Cottam, a member of the co-operative, tutored Eric Cantona in English, and the co-operative currently provides translation services for some star players.

The members have also worked in different ways for Rochdale’s most significant export – the co-operative movement – providing interpreting services at the World Co-operative Day 2007.

www.elitelang.co.uk