Sales team boost to target growth

International language services provider Applied Language Solutions has strengthened its sales presence in Europe with a number of key appointments.

The move comes as the Saddleworth business implements a growth plan following a Capital for Enterprise investment earlier this year.

The investment was based on a solid growth strategy dependent on building the company’s sales function globally during the next 12 months.

The process has gained momentum significantly with the key appointments of several new sales people to the company’s UK head office at Riverside Court, Huddersfield Road, Delph.

Simon Patrick has joined as European sales director having worked in sales for almost 20 years within the petroleum, IT and telecoms industries, the last six years with software company Symantec, where he was enterprise sales director.

His new role will focus on expanding the existing team and developing additional routes to market.

In the longer term, Mr Patrick will be responsible for the growth of ALS’s sales presence in Europe and Asia.

A passionate Oldham Athletic supporter, he lives in Greenfield, with his wife and two children. He is also the FA-approved coach of the Chadderton Park Eagles Under sevens football team.

Three additional recruits to the sales team are Kris Smith as business development director, who joins from i-to-i.com where he was responsible for managing large accounts and securing new business; Steve Higgins, as business development manager, who has 10 years sales experience; and Paul Liversidge, as account director, responsible for working with existing customers to identify solutions to their language requirements.

Mr Patrick said: “Translation is a growing market and the people, relationships, technology and expertise that currently exist in ALS, coupled with our agility and can-do attitude, puts us in a great place to capitalise on this growth opportunity.”

Gavin Wheeldon, from Greenfield, ALS’s chief operating officer, said: “Having Simon on board is key to our continued rapid growth and his extensive experience of building and managing successful sales teams will be instrumental in our success over the next 12 months.”

Applied Language Solutions secured a £1.4 million investment from the Capital for Enterprise Fund in March this year. Increasing the sales presence globally is a vital component in reaching the company’s growth targets across its UK, US and India offices.