Hi, my name is Sue Leschen and I have lived “Up North” now for 20 years and am married to a native. My husband is born and bred Manchester (pronounced MAN… CHES… TA). When I first came to live here I had to familiarise myself with the local dialect and culture. I remember being asked if I liked Corrie? I didn’t know then that Corrie is short for Coronation Street or that “do you want a lift?” means “do you want a hand to do something?” or that a “brew” means a cup of tea and that a “butty” is a sandwich. My husband says that he works “nine while five” (not nine until five) and eats “dinner” at lunchtime - it was initially all very confusing! (He is now trying hard to adapt to Breton culture!).

Having survived my immersion into Northern life, I eventually set up my legal and commercial French interpreting and translation business. As I am also legally qualified I have something of a niche market. I also serve on ITI’s Professional Conduct Committee and recently helped to staff the ITI stand at the London Language Show (more interpreters should help out - only translators appear to sign up?).

As regards the conference, I am particularly looking forward to the business support aspects as this is an area of our work and training that, until quite recently, has been somewhat neglected. From time to time I run ad hoc workshops and it never ceases to amaze me just how much colleagues without business backgrounds really need all the help that they can get to set up a business and then to make it pay.

So, looking forward to meeting new and old friends in Newcastle - one word of advice though, bring warm clothing - the temperature drops a lot North of Watford!