About us
About Jo, the founder of S.O.S.
I studied French and Italian at school and at the University of Salford, specialising in translation and linguistics. Whilst at uni, I spent 6 months in France working for a translation agency near Rennes and 6 months in Venice working for Generali Insurance in their translation and training department. I found a passion for finding the right words to get a message across. I also put a fair bit of energy into developing a love of pasta and prosecco.
After graduating, I worked in customer services using my language skills, then progressed into IT management roles within the financial services sector in London, working for the likes of the LIFFE stock exchange. Alongside work, I completed a postgraduate diploma in translation at the University of Bristol and achieved the Chartered Institute of Linguists diploma in translation, becoming a member of the institute. With long hours of work and study, and a busy social life, this was the Maccy Ds breakfasts and beer stage of my life.
My early career provided invaluable business experience and technical knowledge. I found I had a skill for understanding technical subjects and writing about them in a way that makes them accessible. My early career was also the perfect springboard to a new freelance career in localisation, which has fit brilliantly around having a family. There wasn't much drinking and going out for dinner around this time but I do have two lovely children to show for it!
I do a lot of US English to UK English localisation of UX for high-profile clients such as Apple, Pinterest and Netflix, and I'm now also focusing on developing this new area of the business – optimisation of websites and social media for small businesses.
I’m obsessed with detail and grammar, but I also know that language evolves. My passion is making your content sound natural and real for today and tomorrow – whatever you want it to achieve. I'm happy to report that I'm back enjoying prosecco and the occasional nice meal out with my family and friends.