SDL International, the leading provider of Global Information Management (GIM) solutions, announced today that CEO Mark Lancaster has been awarded ‘Technology CEO of the Year’, at the UK Technology Innovation and Growth 2007 Awards, hosted on the 13th March.

Now in their ninth year, the awards recognize talent and success across the UK technology industry at both individual and company level. Each award category is individually judged by an independent panel. The aim is to recognize those people and organizations driving the success of the UK’s fastest-growing technology companies.

SDL works with the world’s leading brands to help communicate messages globally, drive brand consistency and accelerate time to market across multiple regions. Lancaster believes that language is the essential weaponry for success in an increasingly globalized business arena. To evaluate his achievements as a CEO, SDL was judged on growth, market penetration and customer references.

“Winning the award proves that Global Information Management is being taken seriously at the very highest levels in business,” said Lancaster. “The rise of globalization and the growing importance of emerging markets such as China have made the last few years a very exciting time to be working with the world's leading brands and helping them drive their global business. Technology is the key enabler for helping these companies cope with the massive increase in language requirements” said Lancaster.

Examples of customers that SDL works with include Philips Consumer Electronics who, with SDL solutions, can now simultaneously ship products across 30 languages with a consistent global brand whilst reducing management overheads by 85%.  Similarly, global hotel chain Best Western International used SDL technology to deliver a unique customer experience by enabling their customers to search and book any of their 4,000 hotels online in their own language.  The company has increased guest satisfaction, cut Global Information Management costs by 50% and considers local language communications to be an absolute necessity for their continued global expansion.

“With 40% of our business accounted for in North America, I’m proud to say that SDL is a rare example of a UK-based technology company that has seen serious success in the US,” continued Lancaster. “We now have 50 offices across 30 countries, so we’re well-positioned to continue to grow as emerging markets develop and businesses need to reach out to customers globally.”