Back bedroom to a royal honour!

A TRANSLATING and interpreting company which started in a bedroom is celebrating a royal honour.

Applied Language Solutions in Riverside Court, Delph, has received a Queen’s Award for Enterprise, the highest accolade that can be bestowed on a UK business.

It recognises the company’s growth since it was established seven years ago by chief executive officer Gavin Wheeldon (33) who lives in Greenfield.

He has taken it from a back-bedroom operation to an international organisation boasting customers such as Nike, Google, Caterpillar, the United Nations and the NHS in 91 counties.

More than half of sales last year were foreign and Gavin said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have won this award which brings a huge amount of credibility to our business due to its prestige.

“This is particularly important to us as we operate in a highly-competitive, global market and an award such as this is recognised as a sign of quality and professionalism across the world.”

Gavin appeared on BBC’s “Dragons’ Den” in 2007 and on Channel 4’s “Secret Millionaire” in 2008.

The company has offices in countries including India, Bulgaria, the US and Guatemala.

More are planned and the former Mossley Hollins High School pupil added: “Understanding local cultures can be the biggest barrier to international growth for businesses.

“Having people on the ground in offices around the world has definitely helped us to engage better with our customers.

“There is so much support out there for business looking to expand overseas, particularly using an online presence, and things like language and cultural differences don’t need to be seen as a barrier to growth.

“In addition, the more UK companies that export their products and services, the better chance we have to tackle the existing trade deficit.”