Laurence Corréard

Highlights

"I was appointed one of the official providers of interpreting services of the Portuguese Presidency of the EU in 2007, which represented a half-year challenge and a high point in my life as a consultant.

For over six months, including preparation and debriefing, I was on-the-go, available 24/7 for last minute requests, on-site changes, planning and foreseeing all scenarios. I worked hand-in-hand with the client, understood their needs and could monitor my teams accordingly. We developed a productive and collaborative pace of work that was highly satisfying along with a genuine appreciation, both personal and professional. The experience confirmed my life motto: there is only one way to look and that is looking ahead.

Over the years, due mainly to the location of Portugal on the Atlantic Ocean, I’ve gained a real expertise in all subjects related to the sea and maritime affairs, be they technical, political, strategic, environmental or EU-related. The REMPEC-SAFEMED seminars were a challenge due to their level of technicality but always very interesting and complemented the Fishing weeks, Atlantic Arc and EMSA meetings. We always came out “understanding a little more” about the big blue.

Interpreting for Council of Europe field missions to places where people are deprived of their liberty has always raised my adrenaline to high levels. Despite the challenge they always represent, these are by far the most rewarding assignments I’ve had from a personal and human point of view".

A few noteworthy projects

• Interpretation and Translation Service Provider and Interpreter, The World Bank’s Global Payment Week, Lisbon, October 2012.
  "A whole week of meetings on finance, in several rooms in parallel for a total of more than 50 interpreters-days."

• Interpretation Service Provider and Interpreter, EMSA, Lisbon 2009-2013.

  “Calliope-Interpreters, the only team of interpreters I’ve ever seen receiving a standing ovation, and well-deserved at that. After 4 years of nightmares organising interpretation for our meetings, we signed with Calliope, I’ve been sleeping like a baby ever since.”
  "The quote says it all. Through a successful call for tenders, I won over this difficult and demanding client for four years of regular board meetings at high-level to discuss EU policy on the seas. My dedication, careful attention to details, and ability to set up and lead proficient teams were a pivotal change for this organisation. I am proud to say that thanks to me, this client knows what real professional interpretation is."

• Interpretation Service Provider and Interpreter, EMCDDA, Lisbon since 2009.
  "Since 2009, following a process of selection, I have been appointed official provider of all meetings with interpretation for this EU agency, be they technical or political. The agency works with all EU languages, which can lead to complicated language combinations, sometimes at fairly short notice. Trust, responsiveness and reliability have been key for what has developed into a true partnership between client and service provider." 

• Interpretation Service Provider and Interpreter, Portuguese Presidency of the European Union – July-December 2007.

Testimonials

"Laurence Corréard has done an excellent job of organizing teams of interpreters with complicated language combinations involving the languages of the European Union, and she has done this in a highly professional manner and with the adaptability required to meet demands. The very high level of the interpreting skills of both Laurence Corréard and the members of her interpreting teams has contributed to the success of the meetings conducted by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction."
Gonçalo Felgueiras e Sousa- Head of Unit - Director’s Office – EMCDDA (2012)

"The services provided by Ms. Corréard have always been impeccable. Her profound knowledge of the interpretation market, her attention to detail, her efficiency, her professional and personal attitude have given our meetings a whole new dimension."
Manuela Tomasini, Head of Department Corporate Services, EMSA  (2011)

"Ms. Corréard has been outstanding in the provision of her service. Her punctuality, dedication, competence and the quality of the service she provided were highly appreciated by the team."
Marco Nicoli, Financial sector specialist, World Bank (2013)

Accreditations and memberships

• AIIC
• United Nations’ organizations
• Council of Europe
• ICF- International Coach Federation