[GALA Valencia 2024] Astro-linguistic Emoticon Whisperers, Phrenologists, Leech collectors need not apply. How will localization jobs be transformed by AI in the coming years and avoid inexistence?

Having completed her studies in Marketing at University, Annette went on to develop a multiyear career in Sales & Marketing for global Media and Software organizations. While selling software and services, Annette realized her true passion was people, connections and finding synergies between the two, so after interviewing with a leading recruitment agency in Boston, she successfully transitioned to the world of Talent and Recruitment. After many amazing years in the USA, Annette returned home to Ireland, started a family of three kids and one company! Izzy, Noah, Ellie, and Lion People Global, a Localization specific recruitment, talent and related business services company. Like her kids, Lion People has grown up too, and now provides Growth Services through its Talent, consulting and M&A Solutions practices, focusing initially on Language Services, and extending to Data and AI, Digital Marketing, and Software Industries. Annette’s other passions include growing personal wellbeing through running, sea swimming, yoga, walking, cooking, and mindfulness, and as a business founder, developing a company culture of wellbeing. “Lion people Global” is an authentic “people first” company, both for our staff and our clients.

Barnaby Wass, Chief Business Officer at TransPerfect, is based in Barcelona, and has more than 25 years of experience in the language solutions industry. , and has more than 25 years of experience in the language solutions industry. He joined TransPerfect in 2001 and established its Barcelona office in 2004—now the company's biggest office worldwide. Barnaby oversees 25 global offices, providing high-quality services across multiple fields and industries worldwide. In addition to execution and delivery, he focuses on internal ventures, whether organic or supported by M&A. Barnaby actively drives the expansion of TransPerfect's media and entertainment enterprise and plays a significant role as a board member of the Entertainment Globalization Association.

Barnaby holds dual British and French nationality and graduated from the Executive Translation and Interpreting School (ESUCA) in Toulouse, France. Besides his professional achievements, he supports various charities through numerous fundraisers and events. Notably, he is involved with AFANOC, a Barcelona-based non-profit that helps families with children affected by cancer. Since 2022, Barnaby has proudly served as a member of AFANOC’s board of directors.

Executive with long experience of building organizations, teams, platforms and business through strong people and customer focus and strategic thinking.

Georg Ell, CEO of Phrase, has more than 15 years of leadership experience in the technology industry and previously held leadership positions at Smoothwall, Tesla, Yammer, and Microsoft. He studied Political Science and Management Studies at St. John’s College, Cambridge, and lives in London with his wife Katie. Georg is an angel investor and sits on the board of Family Zone (ASX).