Northumbria entrepreneur speaks the language of success

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.