Alun was born and raised in Anglesey and graduated in archaeology from the University of Leicester in 1990. He worked as a field archaeologist before switching to museum curatorship and led Anglesey’s Museums and Arts service for many years, before spending six years as Head of the Communications and Education department of Snowdonia National Park. During this time Alun secured an M.A. in Museum Studies at the University of Leicester and an ILM Level 7 in Management at Bangor University’s Business School.

Alun also completed Welsh translation qualifications whilst in the museum profession, becoming a member of the Association of Welsh Translators and Interpreters and completing the Translation Certificate at Aberystwyth University, to support his work on private translation projects in his spare time.

More recently, following his full-time move into the translation profession in 2013 and the establishment of Bla, Alun has attained the MITI from the Institute of Translation and Interpreting and has overseen Bla Translation’s successful development as one of the busiest translation companies in Wales, as an ATC and ITI accredited company. He increasingly contributes to professional translation journals and has spoken at national and international conferences within the translation profession.

Anna joined our team in June 2018, having achieved a First Class honours degree in Welsh from Bangor University. Whilst working full time here at Bla, Anna continued her professional development by attaining a First Class Masters degree in Welsh from Bangor University, focussing her research on translation and bilingualism in business. Anna is a Qualified Member of the Institute of Translation and Interpreting since 2021. In 2023, she completed a certificate in Leading Growth with the Institute of Leadership at Bangor University. Having spent five years as a Translator and subsequently a Senior Translator here at Bla, Anna is now the company’s Business Manager. There is no doubt that she thrives when contributing to the company’s ongoing and growing success.

Anna was raised on Anglesey and is proud of her Welsh background. Although a home bird at heart, she enjoys visiting new places, hearing new languages and is also partial to a spot of retail therapy!

Ceri joined our team in May 2018. Ceri offers project managing experience having worked within the Welsh Language Unit at HMCTS as Office Manager/Projects Manager since 2001. Ceri is now our Translation Manager (Systems) who works closely with Nerys (Translation Manager – Quality) and Anna (Business Manager). She is our main contact point for customers, provides quotations, negotiating timescales and allocating translation requests to the relevant translator. Her role also involves reviewing processes, software we use, improve the overall running of Bla for a smooth and stress-free process for the team and customers. Ceri has certificates for Adobe Acrobat Professional, Adobe Indesign and an ILM Level 7 Award in Strategic Leadership and ILM Level 7 – Managing and controlling project programme.

Nerys began her career in translation in 2005, working as a translator for two secondary schools on Anglesey. She went on to work as a translator for HM Courts & Tribunals Service, and then as a senior translator for the Welsh Government Translation Service. She joined Bla Translation in May 2017 and is now the company’s Translation Manager (Quality). Nerys is responsible for ensuring the highest possible quality standards in our work. This involves ensuring that robust processes are in place for reviewing work, assisting and encouraging staff to continuously develop their knowledge and skills (including language technology skills), contacting clients to discuss their needs with regard to terminology and style, developing our internal terminology base in order to ensure consistency, and developing clear translation guidance for the company.

In terms of qualifications, she has a first class degree in Welsh Language and Literature from Bangor University, a postgraduate qualification in translation (University of Wales Certificate in Translation) and a Level 7 ILM Award in Strategic Leadership. She is also proud to be a full member of the Association of Welsh Translators and Interpreters.

Ffion joined us in the Autumn of 2021 as our Finance Officer, bringing a wealth of administrative experience from the education and public sectors. Having attained an Accountancy qualification, she plays a crucial role in managing daily invoicing and payments within the company.

Ffion also handles financial interactions with our accountants and clients, ensuring smooth communication and resolving any financial queries promptly and effectively. Her dedication and expertise contribute significantly to our operational efficiency and client satisfaction.

Nia is originally from Anglesey and currently lives here in Llangefni. After graduating from the University College of North Wales, Bangor and then completing the PGCE course, Nia moved to live and work in South Wales. She worked as a primary school teacher in Pontypridd and Barry before returning to Anglesey in 2002. She continued to teach across Anglesey and Gwynedd until recently deciding on a change of career.

Nia was promoted to a Senior Translator position at Bla in January 2024.

Sian joined the company in January 2022. She graduated from Bangor University in Welsh and Educational Studies, then earned an MPhil and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education. Sian was a teacher and Head of the Welsh Department in a secondary school on Anglesey for over twenty-five years before moving to a career in translation at Bla where she is thrilled to work in a busy, homely office. Sian is also a qualified member of the Association of Welsh Translators and Interpreters.

Sian has lived across North Wales but is now settled on Anglesey. She loves walking to work every morning from the top of Llangefni. In her free time, she enjoys watching sports, TV series, dining and going on trips in the motorhome. She tries to play golf… enough said!

Elena has been passionate about linguistics and promoting the Welsh language throughout her career. She has worked as a Language Tutor for university students and Welsh for Adults tutor, and has been active in the creative industry for several years. Elena has held editorial posts at various Welsh publication houses and worked as a freelance Translator and Editor. Recently, she created content for the National Library of Wales.

Elena graduated from Bangor University with a First Class in Welsh and a Masters in Modern Welsh Literature. Now relocated to Anglesey, she enjoys visiting different places, singing, reading, and listening to live music and poetry.

We welcomed Mari to the company in April 2020, having earned a First Class Degree in Welsh and a Postgraduate Certificate of Education from Bangor University. Having spent a few years as a Welsh teacher at a local high school, Mari decided that she wanted to pursue a career in translating, and she’s in her element working within the friendly office team here in Llangefni. In 2023, Mari completed a Professional Translation Studies Postgraduate Certificate at Aberystwyth University, where she enjoyed studying a range of modules, from Translation at Work to Developing Translation Skills and an Introduction to Simultaneous Translation. When she’s not translating, Mari enjoys travelling, reading and singing as a member of Côr Dre.

Bethan joined the Bla team in September 2024. Originally from Porthmadog, she was educated in the town, before going to Bangor University, where she graduated in Welsh. She then went on to complete a Postgraduate Certificate in Education. She has been a teacher in Penygroes, Llanddona and Llangefni for many years. Recently Bethan decided on a change of career, leaving education behind, and joining Bla as a translator. She loves walking, shopping, travelling and socialising!

Sioned joined the team as a part-time Translator in November 2024, after working as a Freelance Translator. She graduated from Bangor University in 2020 with a First-Class Honours degree in Linguistics, before going on to work as a Translator for Anglesey County Council. She’s also a standard member of the Association of Welsh Translators and Interpreters (translation from English into Welsh and translation from Welsh into English).

Originally from Pen Llŷn, she now lives in Caernarfon. When she isn’t translating, she enjoys being creative, with a specific interest in oil painting.

Elliw joined the team in October 2024. She graduated from Bangor University with a First Class Honours degree in History and English Literature, before going on to complete her Primary PGCE course. After teaching for a few years, Elliw decided it was time for a career change, and now works as a Business Officer here at Bla.

In her spare time, Elliw loves sight-seeing, spending time with friends and family, attending fitness classes, and catching up on her favourite TV shows.

Following achieving a First Class Honours degree in Biology from Bangor University, Elin worked in the conservation sector. Elin joined the team in October 2024 after deciding to pursue a translation career, which enables her to put her appreciation towards the Welsh language into practice! She is very much looking forward to developing and strengthening her translation skills while working.

Elin grew up on a family farm in Anglesey, where she enjoys helping out in her spare time. Surrounded by a wealth of nature and wildlife on Anglesey, she spends the remainder of her spare time admiring and appreciating her homeland.