AaGlobal was shortlisted in the Best Business Progression category and, although the company was pipped at the post by tech and gadget specialists Stuf, CEO Kirk Akdemir said the celebration was a symbol of a memorable year. He said: “We’ve increased our staff to more than 30, with around 25 based in Hull, we’ve built an international team of around 14,000 translators and interpreters covering more than 500 languages and dialects, and we’ve relocated our office into the heart of the city centre. “That all adds up to a year of achievement first and foremost because it translates into a better and more focused service for all of our clients. It was great to earn some recognition in the HullBID Awards. We were proud to reach the final and we congratulate the guys from Stuf who have built a remarkable business.”
The judges heard how AaGlobal arrived in Hull in 2011 with just two people, having expanded from its headquarters in Worcester. Now, all but five of the staff work in Hull as AaGlobal assists major clients in the public and private sectors with services which include translating, editing and proof-reading documents and online content and interpreting face-to-face, by phone and in a live environment at conferences. Kirk admitted the initial move to Hull was a tentative step, but now the business is thriving and he has moved to the area along with his partner Carol Jones, a senior member of the AaGlobal management team. He said: “A key factor was the warmth and openness of the regional business community and citizens and that shone through at the HullBID awards. We would like to congratulate everyone who took part and made it such a fantastic occasion.