Atlas Translations’ Suttie: The Fair Tax Mark is about being open, accountable and fair

Fair Tax Leaders features senior professionals from across the Fair Tax Mark business community.

In this edition Atlas Translations Director Clare Suttie shares her journey to the Fair Tax Mark and the growing expectation that companies should contribute fairly to the societies they operate in.

Atlas Translations were first certified with the Fair Tax Mark in 2024. They offer a wide range of personal and professional translation services in more than 340 languages.

Tell us about your professional journey. What first drew you to work in this field and how did you come to work in your current role?

I run Atlas Translations, a business I founded in 1991. Before that I had a variety of jobs, including selling anti-wrinkle cream, telesales, and being a Business Bank Manager, and I’d studied Spanish and Linguistics. So my background isn’t in tax or finance specifically, but everything I’d learned meant I ended up running a people-focused service business where trust is everything.

Translation is one of those industries where clients are handing over sensitive, often confidential information, so transparency and integrity have always been central to how we operate. Over time, that naturally extended beyond how we treat clients and suppliers, and into how we run the business as a whole – including tax.

For me, it wasn’t a sudden shift into “fair tax” thinking. It was more a case of looking at how we already behaved as a company and realising that formalising that approach through the Fair Tax Mark made complete sense.

How has the role of the tax or finance team changed in this time, especially in relation to stakeholder expectations around fair tax and corporate transparency?

There’s definitely been a shift; from tax being seen as a purely technical, back-office function to something much more visible and values-driven.

Clients, suppliers and even employees are asking more questions about how businesses operate, not just what they sell. Anyone can set up a website and make bold claims about what they do, but accreditations can help to show a lot more.

There’s a growing expectation that companies should contribute fairly to the societies they operate in, and that includes paying the right amount of tax in the right place at the right time.

For finance teams, that means greater transparency, clearer communication and a willingness to stand behind decisions publicly. It’s no longer just about compliance, it’s about credibility.

What drives your business to pursue responsible tax conduct and gain the Fair Tax Mark?

At its core, it comes down to consistency. We talk a lot about trust, ethics and doing things properly. So it would be a bit awkward if our tax practices didn’t line up with that.

The Fair Tax Mark gives us a framework to demonstrate that we’re doing what we say we do. It’s not about being perfect; it’s about being open, accountable and fair.

There’s also a wider point. As a UK-based SME, we benefit from public services, infrastructure and a stable business environment. Paying our fair share isn’t a burden, it’s part of the deal.

What would your advice be to other professionals who are thinking of applying for the Fair Tax Mark?

Don’t overthink it, and don’t assume it’s only for large corporates with big finance teams.

If you’re already running your business in a straightforward, ethical way, you may be closer than you think. The process is rigorous, but it’s also a really useful exercise in understanding and documenting your approach.

Also, be prepared for a bit of introspection. It’s not just a badge. It’s a chance to properly examine how your business operates and whether that aligns with your values.

What are your thoughts on the future of fair tax and corporate transparency?

I think expectations will only continue to rise. What’s considered ‘good practice’ today will likely become the baseline tomorrow.

We’re moving towards a world where transparency isn’t optional, and where businesses are judged not just on profit, but on how that profit is made. Tax is a big part of that conversation.

For companies that embrace this early, there’s a real opportunity to build trust and stand out. For those that don’t… it’s going to become increasingly uncomfortable.

What’s one sentence your team would use to describe you?

What I thought they’d say: “She cares deeply about doing things fairly, for everyone in the business.”

What they did say:

“Drinks tea.

“Generous, kind, fun, and genuinely brings out the best in us by creating the perfect combination of people who truly respect one another as well as developing real friendships.”