Language.
Culture.
Growth.
Expert-led training and consultancy to help you communicate better & grow your business globally.
Consultation services
Language training
Bespoke courses to improve communication with colleagues and clients, built around what you want to achieve, taught your way.
Cultural intelligence courses
Training that opens doors to new markets, improve client conversions and unite teams, built around your business growth strategy.
LSP business growth
Objective perspectives to future-proof your BD strategies, remodel service packages, sharpen positioning, and plan an efficient exit/sale.
Why work with me?
Communicate better. Do business better. Learn from a linguist who’s built and sold a language business.
Language Service Providers
I help you step away from reactive selling and create a clearer, more focused route to growth - identifying the right opportunities, strengthening your proposition and developing client relationships that deliver long-term value.
Global Business Professionals
I provide language and cultural intelligence training that’s fit for purpose - that will focus entirely on your goals and accelerate your learning through relevance. I also help build cost-effective, targeted language strategies for export growth, using AI where appropriate.
Here’s how I’ve helped clients over the past 30 years…
Language training
Connect. Communicate. Belong.
Gain kudos by engaging with clients and colleagues in their own language.
Build stronger relationships with international colleagues, teams and clients.
Communicate with greater confidence and credibility.
Relocate, travel and integrate more successfully.
Broaden horizons and opportunities.
Develop a skill that creates lasting personal as well as professional value.
Expand your world - professionally and personally.
Cultural intelligence courses
Understand. Adapt. Build trust.
Build trust faster across cultures.
Avoid costly cultural misunderstandings.
Communicate and negotiate more efficiently.
Rebuild and strengthen fractured, dysfunctional multicultural teams.
Relocate and integrate more successfully.
Strengthen international teams and collaboration.
Navigate different expectations, behaviours and ways of working.
Turn cultural difference into a business advantage.
LSP Business growth
Focus. Differentiate. Grow.
Turn business development into clear, achievable growth strategy.
Restructure service models for future-proofing.
Sharpen positioning and standing out in a crowded market.
Develop a more strategic approach to servicing current clients and prospects.
Bring an experienced external perspective to your commercial strategy.
Build and execute a successful exit plan.
Build sustainable growth without a bigger sales machine.
The big thing that drives my consultancy? Relevance. If it’s not relevant to your aims, there’s no point - you’ll start off with good intentions and then probably nod off!
So, be assured what you’ll get with me is a focus on you, your needs, your passions and your learning style.
At the start of my engagement with you I’ll spend time to listen, to understand and to build a picture of you, your needs and where you want to go. I’ll then devise a plan to navigate you there.
My approach
About me
Well, hello, ciao, servus, privyet and welcome.
When I was one, my parents headed for Turkey in a Herbie on a new adventure that would shape my future too. My first word, ‘simit’ not only enabled me to eat, but fuelled a new passion for languages (and food)! I dedicate this consultancy to them. To their fascination in and deep respect for other cultures and languages which has never left me - as well as their undying thirst for adventure, which led me to live and work in four countries as an adult.
After completing a BA in Russian & German at the University of Bath I qualified as a language trainer and then translator through the Institute of Translation & Interpreting. Since then, I’ve founded a boutique language company, acquired another language services provider and helped build and sell Dialogue Language Services International in 2024 to PE-backed The Translation People. I’ve enabled business professionals to improve relations with clients through learning their language, connect better with colleagues through cultural intelligence training, and grow their business through multilingual global marketing campaigns.
As a DBT Export Champion I’ve guided UK-based entrepreneurs in navigating and launching successfully in new markets. As an ongoing Council Member of the ATC I’ve contributed to the great work they do in supporting language companies, and maintaining standards in the language industry.
30 years on, I’d now like my experience to benefit and help others get to where they yearn to be – whether it’s through language learning, building cultural intelligence or growing or selling a language business. Or, indeed, anything else you think my skillset may be able to help you with.
Cathy, Founder of CatNav
Let’s talk!
If you're ready to dive right in, schedule a free 30 minute consultation today by filling in the enquiry form, or drop me a line to cathy@catnav.co.uk. Look forward to chatting soon!
Testimonials
“It was Cathy’s acute business development, strategic insight and client relationship building skills that drove us to retain her post acquisition. Her enthusiasm and commitment to personal and corporate growth will be an asset to any team.”
Jasmin Schneider, MD, The Translation People
“Cathy’s business instinct, passionate approach to growth and innovation, and deep roots in languages, cultures and international trade are what makes her expert approach unique.”
Raisa McNab, CEO, ATC
“Cathy taught me Russian for two years and, hands down, she's the best trainer I've had. She made the lessons relevant to my objectives, culturally insightful, and, most of all, fun!”
Duncan, Aftersales Manager, ex Shell