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Buying Solutions Press Release

Feb 21st 2011



Prestige Network helps the Government save money on Face-to-Face Interpreting.


Nationwide language company Prestige Network is to help the Government save money each year on its Face-to-Face Interpreting bill for UK public services – crucial news at a time when the public purse is under such scrutiny.

The company has won a place on a new nationwide framework agreement to provide Face-to-Face Interpreting services at low fixed rates 24/7 after a rigorous tendering process by Buying Solutions, the national procurement partner for UK public services.

It means that a range of public sector organisations from central government to local government and other UK public services can take advantage of low, fixed prices for Face-to-Face Interpreting at any location within the UK.

The agreement is valid for three years until January 2014, with a one-year extension option. Prestige Network scored highly on delivering overall value for money, with prices offered by Prestige Network under this framework agreement lower than the prices offered by the company elsewhere in the public sector, as it fought off stiff competition to be awarded a place on the framework agreement.

Shawn Khorassani, Prestige Network’s Strategy and Business Development Director, said: “The whole remit of this tendering exercise was that we are saving money for the Government. This was a rigorous tendering process.

“This framework agreement means that all UK Government departments and public bodies can benefit from low, fixed rates 24 hours a day 365 days a year. It is hugely important for Prestige Network in terms of reputation, profile and service provision to be part of this.”

The framework agreement provides a route for provision of Face-to-Face Interpreting Services (simultaneous, consecutive and whispering). Conference interpreting is also included and services can also be provided for assignments which are outside the UK.

Language specialisms include, but are not limited to: legal, medical, pharmaceutical, financial, IT, media, trauma, children, education, mental health, transportation, engineering, procurement, marketing, housing, benefits, immigration, defence, security, technical and Government (central and local).

Shawn said: “The tendering process was very strongly motivated by the economic need to drive down costs, whilst still providing a stable and reliable service for the next three years. We feel privileged to be in a position to provide interpreting services to all UK Government Departments and public bodies.” 

He added: “Ultimately, social cohesion is what Britain today is striving for. This framework agreement recognises that specialist language services such as ourselves work in a positive way to meet the requirements of today’s multicultural society - interpreting is a valuable tool in helping social cohesion to take place.

“Some of these bookings could be time-sensitive and also very involved and we are happy that we can make a significant contribution towards helping the Government in this way. The sense of achievement at winning a place on this framework agreement is tremendous.”

More details about Prestige Network are on www.prestigenetwork.com or 01635 866888.

 

END

Note to editors:

 

·          This framework agreement provides a route for provision of Face-to-Face Interpreting Services at any location within the UK:  Western European languages; Eastern European languages; Asian, Arabic and Oriental languages; African languages; other specialist/rare languages; British Sign Language; Finger Spelling; Sign Supported English; Notetaking; Speech to Text Operator; Lipspeaking; Deafblind Communication.

 

·          Company overview: more than 25 staff, 5,000 linguists, 200 languages and dialects.

 

·          Formed in 1991, Prestige Network is a specialist language services provider based in Thatcham, Berkshire.

 

·          Prestige Network provides a full UK wide service in all languages.

 

·          It can cater for all language and communications needs in the public sector, including government departments, the NHS, charities, the police, local authorities and other public organisations.

 

·          Prestige Network was recognised in the Thames Valley Small Business Award 2009.

 

For more information, contact Susan Tolman (PR Consultant) at Prestige Network on 01635 866888.

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Recent Customer Feedback




BRITISH GOVERNMENT DEPT
Prestige Network was chosen for a number of reasons. The company was extremely technically competent, both in its tender submission and presentation. The company’s tender submission was also competitive in terms of cost. We felt that Prestige Network’s approach showed that their staff best understood our requirements - we are confident that they will be a safe pair of hands.


BPS LAW
We required translations services within 24 hours due to a dealine and Prestige did the job on time and we would definitely recommend them to our clients in future.


DEBENHAMS OTTAWAY
I am totally satisfied with the service received from Prestige Network


DARI WEBSITE
Thanks again for all your work on this.  The work has been of such high standard that we have recommended your crew to colleagues in Kabul.


INTERPRETING SERVICE
The service was fantastic at such short notice! Thank you very much. I have received your promo. Pack and I will brief my firm to instruct you should the need arise in future.


DWP INTERPRETING
This is the first time I've had to use an interpreting service to interview someone and Prestige came highly recommended by a colleague of mine.


INTERPRETING
I'll definitely keep you details on file, as anyone who can find one interpreter at such short notice deserves to be remembered and reused as required.


POLISH INTERPRETING
I was most impressed with the service we received from the team at Prestige Network.  We received a friendly and helpful response to our requests. Particularly impressive was the fact that you were able to find a Polish interpreter for us within an hour, therefore helping our client to maintain the highest possible standards in their work.


TRANSLATIONS AND MORE
Thank you for the translation, I was impressed with the quality. I now have your contact details and would contact you with any further requirements.


AVON JAPANESE TRANSLATOR
I would like to say a big thank you for your help is arranging AN interpreter to interpret for our Japanese visitors last week at such short notice.  We were more than happy with the services provided.  I have worked for Avon for 9 years now and this is the first time I have been asked to arrange an interpreter.  If I am every asked to recommend anyone, your company will be the first one I suggest.

SCOTTISH COUNCIL
I would like thank you for all your extremely helpful advice. We were very pleased with the work Prestige did for us recently and would hope to be able to work with you again in the future.


FRENCH INTERPRETER
My colleague in Personnel rang to say how impressed he was by the French interpreter and that not only was she waiting at the venue before everyone arrived, but she handled a very difficult situation extremely well. Please pass on our thanks to her for such a good service, and indeed to yourselves for organizing the interpreter at such short notice.


INTERPRETING SERVICE
I couldn't fault the service - I was connected to a interpreter within 30 seconds and the interpreter was very pleasant and really helpful.


HULL COUNCIL
We had looked at a variety of sources and short listed a couple. We invited Shawn along to a senior meeting to discuss the service, what we expect and if they could meet our needs.  We were extremely impressed with what the service could offer and it was particularly value for money. We decided to go with Prestige Network and it has been operating for a number of months now.


KETTERING BOROUGH COUNCIL
I've just been and spoke to one of my colleagues about Telephone interpreting service you provided us with and she is full of praise for Prestige.  Her comments were that it was really easy to use and that your staff was really friendly and helpful.  Most importantly she was able to use the interpreter service to explain to her customer how vital it was that she kept her appointment with our Benefit Enquiry Officer. The customer did duly come back so a positive result.  Thank you.


APPEALS SERVICE
I looked very closely at all the providers who were on the Frame work Agreement which was recently awarded by Department for Work and Pensions. It quickly became apparent that Prestige was the only supplier who could provide coverage for the whole of our geographical area. I was impressed, not only by their friendly and knowledgeable representatives, but also by their proposal. They demonstrated that they had proven experience in delivering the service that we need.