The changing of the guard ...

Last week's Institute of Translation and Interpreting conference in Sheffield was a wonderful opportunity to catch up with translator (and interpreter!) colleagues from around the world, a lovely chance to chat with old friends and to meet new people who I knew only through Twitter, or by reputation. And what a super few days it was! My congratulations to the entire organising team, who did a brilliant job.

It is now six years since I completed my own term of office as Chair of ITI's Board. That was a busy time for me, and I was lucky to be surrounded by a group of colleagues who shared the same vision for ITI's future. Since then, I've had the pleasure of seeing Iwan Davies (who supported me so well as Vice Chair) lead our professional body for three years, and then Sarah Griffin-Mason (now Sarah Bawa Mason since her marriage last year) take the helm. Both did a brilliant job, and continued to build on ITI's reputation for professional excellence, and for supporting new translators and interpreters as they launch their careers.

At the Sheffield conference, Paul Appleyard took office as ITI's new Chair, leading a new Board who are full of enthusiasm and commitment. They also have expert guidance on governance issues, and the support of a superb group of staff in the ITI office in Milton Keynes. So Iwan, Sarah and I were delighted to sit back, watch it all happening around us, and to drink a toast to Paul's team and to the continued success of the Institute of Translation and Interpreting!