Northumbria University graduate builds award-winning
translation company, from just £500.
Ahmed Elnazir, who graduated in 2020 after studying International
Business Management, launched his own translation agency, Global Translations UK during his final year at Northumbria, having secured £500 in funding. After
spending three semesters travelling, he put his skills and experiences to good
use and created a successful business upon his return to the UK.
Ahmed created a website and bought an email domain which led to him
generating a list of clients and winning long term business by delivering an
exceptional service. Despite the pandemic, recession and added pressure of studying
in his final
year at Northumbria, Global
Translations UK was recognised for its
first-class service and accurate translations, winning Translation Agency of
the Year 2020/21 at the North England Prestige Awards by CorporateLiveWire.
Based in Manchester, Global Translations UK offers media and document
translations in over 900 language combinations in 11 sectors. Having completed
projects in 18 countries, it has also achieved a five-star rating on Google and
4.7 rating on Trustpilot.
Ahmed commented: “When I finished studying in Mexico City and had completed
my placement year across Sudan and Greece, I couldn’t wait another year to
graduate and start my own business. I learned most of the skills which I use when
running the business, during my time abroad.
“I felt like the timing was right. I met with the Student and Graduate
Enterprise team at Northumbria who arranged a meeting with a fantastic lawyer
that looked at my business from a legal perspective, to make sure Global
Translations UK was protected. We discussed important documents that needed to be
added to the website and they offered great advice on getting the business name
trademarked.
“A few months later, I found myself in the midst of a pandemic and
recession. However,
some of the most successful companies in the world
were born during a recession. I encourage people to take that risk and go for
what they want.”
Ahmed hopes to inspire future entrepreneurs with his own journey
starting Global Translations UK, encouraging those with an idea to do what they
are passionate about and take the first step into launching their business.
Northumbria has been ranked among the top universities for graduate
start-ups in the UK, based on estimated turnover, including five years in first
place since 2011/12.
Find out more about how Student and Graduate Enterprise helps
aspiring entrepreneurs.
