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Clare Suttie

Founder & Director

Here’s the Tea on Clare Suttie

Clare founded Atlas Translations in 1991 and has spent 35 years helping people and organisations communicate across languages. She knows that a successful project takes more than finding someone who speaks the language. It takes the right specialist, a clear understanding of who the message is for, and the confidence to ask questions before a small misunderstanding becomes a costly one.

That experience shapes how Clare leads Atlas today. She works with the team to solve unusual or complex language challenges and advises clients on the best approach for their audience, budget and purpose. Her knowledge spans translation, interpreting, localisation and the many practical details that surround them, from terminology and document layout to accessibility and quality assurance.

Clare is particularly interested in work where getting the language right has real consequences: patient information, legal documents, technical content and communication that people need to understand and trust. She believes good language services begin with listening. Sometimes the most useful thing Atlas can do is ask a client one more question.

She’s also a longstanding advocate for the people behind the work. She served as the corporate representative on the board of the Institute of Translation and Interpreting from 2013 to 2020 and regularly shares advice with translators and interpreters. At Atlas, she has built a team and supplier community around professional skill, careful project management and strong working relationships. In 2019, she introduced a four-day working week for the team.

Outside Atlas, Clare brings the same organising energy to community fundraising, including St Albans Postboxes and Exmouth Mail Trail. She lives in Devon with her family, remains very fond of a cup of tea, and is always happy to talk through a language challenge.

Find Clare on LinkedIn.

Need a sounding board for your next project? Get in touch with Atlas.

Thank you for your kindness, help, and prompt efficient service.

Jean Zambrana (feedback for Charlie)

Just wanted to say that it was a pleasure to work with you and hopefully we will liaise again in the future. Top man!

Mirela Watson (feedback for Jim)

Clare’s review of my CV was incredibly helpful, thorough, and added a lot of value to it. She also gave a good look at my LinkedIn profile and website, pointing out their strengths and weaknesses, from the point of view of an experienced professional who runs a successful LSP. And she did all that while raising funds for the Fairlynch Museum! I am very grateful for Clare’s comments and a huge admirer of the work she does helping translators and her community. Thank you, Clare!

Claudia Torres (feedback for Clare – CV Clinic)

I highly recommend Atlas translations. James turned around a complicated set of legal translations quickly and professionally. Excellent service at a reasonable cost.

Chloe Dawes (James)

I highly recommend Atlas Translations. They helped me out with the translation of tax documents. They provide a quick and reliable service. And I would 100 % use them again next time I need a document translated. Special thanks to Stefania who has been of great help.

Chiara (feedback for Steffi)

ISO 17100 – ISO 17100:2017 for Translation Services (since this standard began, in 2008, externally audited annually).

Mindful employer

Mindful Employer Plus – As a Charter member, our team have access to an Employee Assistance Program with 24/7/365 support, as we work toward achieving better mental health at work.

Atlas Translations has been accredited by the Fair Tax Foundation since February 2024. The Fair Tax Foundation is a not-for-profit social enterprise developed by a team of tax justice, corporate responsibility, and ethical consumer experts. It was launched in 2014.

We’ve been registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) since 2004. Go to https://ico.org.uk/ for more information.

We hold a full membership in the Association of British HealthTech Industries. The ABHI supports the HealthTech community by providing products and services that help people live healthier lives. As the voice of the industry, we show the value of health technology and overcome barriers to people benefitting from it now and in the future.

Certified since 2003, externally audited annually. ISO 9001:2015 is the international standard for Quality Management Systems (QMS), applicable across all sectors. ISO 9001 provides a framework to respond to changing quality requirements in line with changing demands across society, economics and the environment.

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Disability Confident Committed is creating a movement of change, encouraging employers like ourselves to think differently about disability and take action to improve how we recruit, retain, and develop disabled people. Being a DCC employer is a unique opportunity to lead the way in our community and show that we’re a disability inclusive employer.

CIEP: We’ve held Corporate membership Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading since 1993. CIEP are an international membership organisation that offers training and community for editorial professionals (copy editors and proofreaders) while helping members develop business confidence.

Living Wage Employer: As a living wage employer, we believe our staff deserve a wage which meets everyday needs. The Living Wage Foundation has a mission to encourage employers to play their part in tackling in-work and post-work poverty and provide a decent standard of living by paying the real Living Wage, adopting Living Hours and Living Pensions as well as wider good employment practices.

4-day week

Proudly a 4-Day Week Employer since 2019. Amongst other items, the 4-Day Week initiative calls for a reduction to the maximum working week from 48 hours per week to 32 hours per week by 2030.

 

GBC_Accredited_Logo

A member of the Good Business Charter since 2022. The GBC is a simple accreditation that organisations of all sizes in the UK can apply for in recognition of responsible business practices.

PIF

We’re a proud member of the Patient Information Forum (PIF), a membership organisation for anyone producing health information and support. PIF promote access to trusted, evidence-based health information for patients, carers, the public and healthcare professionals.

The Fair Payment Code (FPC) sets standards for best payment practices and is administered by the Small Business Commissioner on behalf of the Department for Business and Trade (DBT). The Gold Award is awarded to those paying at least 95% of all invoices within 30 days.

Cyber Essentials is a Government-backed certification scheme that helps protect organisations’ and customers’ data from cyber attacks. The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) recommends Cyber Essentials as the minimum cybersecurity standard for all organisations.

We’re a proud Sedex Supplier Plus member, demonstrating our leadership in sustainable and ethical business practices. This premium membership recognises organisations that go beyond basic compliance to embrace continuous improvement in environmental, social, and governance standards. As a Supplier Plus member, we have access to advanced ESG learning resources, enhanced visibility to global buyers, and official recognition of our commitment to responsible business practices. Our Supplier Plus status reflects our dedication to transparency, ethical labour practices, environmental stewardship, and responsible business conduct throughout our operations and supply chain.

Corporate membership of the ITI (Institute of Translation and Interpreting) since 1994. Corporate Member of the Year 2021. ITI is the only UK-based independent professional membership association for practising translators, interpreters and all those involved in the language services sector.

ATC: We hold full membership with the Association of Translation Companies, a trade association representing the interests of language service companies in the UK and internationally. It is the leading voice for companies operating in the UK’s language services industry.