I am excited to add a new hat to the mix with my new role as Member of Council to the Chartered Institute of Linguists (CIOL).

This was officially announced a few weeks ago and I knew for a few more now.

It’s been hard keeping it under wraps.

CIOL is the UK’s Royal Charter membership body for language professionals. It aims to enhance and promote the value of languages and language skills in the public interest and provides regulated qualifications through CIOL Qualifications. Learn more about CIOL.

CIOL’s purpose is to contribute towards international goodwill by encouraging the effective study and practice of languages, promote the exchange and dissemination of information on matters of interest to linguists and persons interested in the study of languages and to provide means of recognising persons who are qualified as linguists in the professions, the arts, the sciences, industry, trade and commerce.

CIOL is served by honorary officers and is governed by an elected Council, which meets five times a year.

Council is made up of a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 15 elected members. Its primary role is to define CIOL’s strategic objectives and monitor their implementation. Council reports formally to members at the AGM in March.

The honorary officers of CIOL are the President and Vice-Presidents.

Certain responsibilities – for example, membership applications, implementation of CIOL’s disciplinary procedures, The Linguist journal and Chartered Linguist admissions – are delegated to committees of Council.

As part of my new role, I have been taking GDPR, and Equality, Diversion and Inclusion training.

I feel honoured and look forward to serving my profession alongside my fellow Members of Council and our Chair.