Thebigword, the Leeds-based translation and interpretation service provider, is expanding its US presence, supported by the Department for International Trade.

The business is the latest to secure a place on the Massachusetts Higher Education Consortium (MHEC), an organisation which buys services for more than 500 public sector bodies.

Harriet Cross, the British consul general in Boston, visited thebigword’s head office in Leeds, along with Kirsten Chambers-Taylor, consul and head of trade and investment at the British Consulate, in support of the company’s North American expansion plans.

The pair pledged to facilitate new introductions to government and business contacts across New England and in Washington DC.

Cross said: "We are keen to support the growth of UK businesses in the US and will be introducing thebigword to relevant contacts in New England and Washington DC.

"Winning a place on MHEC offers great opportunities for growth in big markets like Boston, which is a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship."

Larry Gould, founder and chief executive of thebigword, added: "The UK is lucky to have a network of consulates across the world which can be very effective in promoting UK trade and investment.

"We are delighted to have won a place on MHEC, which buys on behalf of schools, colleges, universities, municipalities and healthcare providers.

"All these organisations rely on being able to communicate with users who have English as a second language."