About LEaF Translations
What is LEaF Translations?
LEaF (Language Expertise and Finesse) Translations is a York UK translation and localisation agency founded in 2017 by Lucy Pembayun. The company specialises in "website, marketing and SEO translation services" for SMEs, digital marketing agencies and public institutions wanting to grow their international audiences. From a German-to-English freelance practice, founder Lucy has grown LEaF into a "fully accredited translation company offering professional translation services for languages including French, Spanish and Portuguese" — every translation is delivered by a qualified native-speaker translator and proofread by a second language expert as standard. Lucy is a qualified member of the Institute of Translation & Interpreting and a passionate advocate for ethical business and sustainable living. LEaF Translations Ltd is registered in England and Wales (No. 13312213).
In February 2024, LEaF became an officially accredited member of the Association of Translation Companies (ATC) following "rigorous background checks for financial and operational viability and quality management practices". The agency was a finalist at the 2024 ATC Language Awards (New Member of the Year category) and shortlisted as one of three small businesses for Best Small Business at the 2024 York Press Awards. 2024 client engagements verbatim from the year-in-review: Allianz, the HALO Trust, Planable, VIVANI and Wallpaper Direct (Spanish-market localisation).
Where will I work?
LEaF works from Popeshead Court Offices, Peter Lane, York YO1 8SU. The office closes from Christmas Eve until 2 January each year, per the 2024 year-in-review blog post by founder Lucy.
What is the LEaF Translations team like?
LEaF's in-house team is 4-strong (per /meet-the-team/): founder & CEO Lucy Pembayun, Business Development Angela Bray, Project Manager Mélanie Mós, and Well-Being Officer "Indy". The in-house team partners with "a small pool of expert, native-speaker translators" — Lucy herself stays in touch with all clients personally.
Values are framed as a 5-point mission statement: "#1 To be the best translation company around / #2 To be a force for good / #3 To help other great businesses / #4 To lift people up / #5 To support the next generation". On lifting people up: "We believe in collaboration not competition. We treat our clients and our colleagues as partners and ensure that everyone who works with LEaF is paid fairly and on time." On supporting graduates: "High youth unemployment, high rent and extortionate house prices mean that life is harder than ever for graduates. We are supporting the next generation through paid internships and (fairly) paid work experience."
Work-Life Balance
LEaF was officially named a Four-Day Week Employer in June 2024. Founder Lucy verbatim from the 2024 year-in-review: "Being officially recognised and listed as a Four-Day Week Employer is a really proud achievement for me and I hope that by adopting the four-day working week, we can encourage and inspire other companies to follow suit. For us, there is no drop-off in productivity, instead it means we are fully motivated and have the energy and focus to make the most of our four working days in the knowledge that we have a full three days to relax, recharge and get through some of that life admin…" Employee well-being is one of the ten cornerstones of the Good Business Charter, of which LEaF was the first UK translation company to sign up (2021).
Perks and Benefits
LEaF's benefits are framed around its founding values rather than a bullet-list package. Confirmed benefits:
- Four-day working week (officially accredited June 2024) — "we are fully motivated and have the energy and focus to make the most of our four working days in the knowledge that we have a full three days to relax, recharge and get through some of that life admin"
- Christmas closure — office closed from Christmas Eve until 2 January each year (verbatim 2024 year-in-review)
- Paid training and internal programs — founder Lucy speaks at industry events (Green Business Forum York 2024, Net Zero Business Summit, New Era for Women in Business at York Guildhall)
- Ethical-business culture — first UK translation company accredited to the Good Business Charter (2021); SME Climate Hub net-zero commitment; member of 1% for the Planet model via Ecologi partnership since 2020 (3,250+ trees planted, with 10 additional trees planted in honour of each new client)
- Career path for graduates — paid internships and (fairly) paid work experience for new entrants
Applications for roles at LEaF Translations are currently closed; the careers page notes "Applications will reopen later in 2025. Please keep an eye on our LinkedIn and Instagram channels for all the latest updates on vacancies at LEaF Translations."