After obtaining his degree in translation from the School of Translators and Interpreters at the University of Mons in 1985, Dimitri Stoquart started working in the industry as a freelance translator, mainly translating computer books for a Paris publishing house in the late 1980s.

In 1991, Dimitri founded Stoquart SA and progressively transformed his freelance activity into a well-established translation and localization company with a proven track record. ISO 9001:2000 certified for 7 years now, with an in-house staff of over 20 and collaborating with valued freelancers, Stoquart works both as an SLV to MLVs and as an MLV to its own client base, all on a partner-based relationship.

In early 2006, Dimitri co-founded and became one of the CEOs of the LETS Communicate European Economic Interest Grouping of translation companies.

In September 2007, Dimitri Stoquart will come full circle, returning to his alma mater to teach the use of CAT tools to third year students.

As a long-standing member of GALA, we consider the organization's work as one of the most profitable for the entire industry, from both client and supplier standpoints.

Whatever our size, we all have common goals. We must share our ideas and experiences - good and bad - and promote our industry's best practices.

The current shake-up of the CAT tool market is another challenge we all face now.

The translation and localization market is made up of several tiers and it is important that each of them - large MLVs, medium-sized companies and small SLVs - should have the opportunity to meet on an equal footing and exchange ideas to better understand each other and work towards our common goals:

• getting involved in university curricula to make them better suited to the industry's needs;
• educating clients;
• winning more recognition for our intellectual work;
• sharing our knowledge and expertise;
• increasing our industry's visibility.