
How it all started
Signapse is building technology for tomorrow that answers the needs of today.
We are a strong team of successful entrepreneurs, leading AI researchers, and sign language translation experts.
We came together during lockdown, looking for a solution to the eternal cry from hearing clients and Deaf contacts of “how do I get this interpreted, right now?" and “why can’t I have access to what is being said?”. We were also aware that we needed to do it right at a fundamental level in terms of cultural and linguistic awareness.
What do we believe?
This means striving for Deaf leadership, partnering with Deaf organisations and seeing inclusion and equality as a global issue to be tackled. It also means recognition of sign language users as a diverse community with different versions of sign language and cultures.
This means clarity in communication, excellent quality of product and delivery. Clients trust that we will deliver and that everyone has high expectations of all the team.
We are unique and the best in the globe. This means doing everything as fast as possible and always coming up with new ways of improving processes either for internal working and to delight our clients.
This means taking ownership, saying “Thank You”, fixing problems, realising that the contributions of all people are equal, working ethically, using our language with care, being punctual, communicating when there are issues. We are transparent and work with integrity.
We capture and share information accurately, using digital tools and with honesty to clients. Remote working has challenges and we make sure staff are comfortable and have all the tools that they need. We are always specific in our language and our goals with no hot air.
Signapse is revolutionising the field with its breakthrough advancements in sign language translation technology.

Social Impact Award (with G&L Systemhaus)
IBC Innovation Awards
2026 - Winner

Digital and Technology Excellence in Transport (with South Western Railway)
National Transport Awards
2026 - Winner
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AI-Powered Sign Language For Video (G&L Systemhaus Partnership)
Streaming Media European Innovation Awards
2026 - Winner
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Transformational Project Award (G&L Systemhaus Partnership)
IAMT Impact Awards
2026 - Winner
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Innovative Solution Award
Zero Project Awards
2026 - Winner

Most Innovative AI-Powered Sign Language Accessibility Platform
Corporate Vision Technology Excellence Awards
2026 - Winner

Accessibility and Integrated Transport
Rail Business Awards
2026 - Winner

Zinemaldia Startup Challenge
Zinemaldia & Technology
2025 - European Finalist

IAGi Accelerator
IAGi
2025 - Winner

The 2025 Slator Language AI 50 Under 50
Slator
2025 - Winner

Supporting Disability Award
Bupa eco-disruptive
2025 - Shortlist

Diversity in Technology (Disability)
British Diversity Awards
2024 - Highly Commended

Disability Smart Technology
Disability Smart Awards
2023 - Finalist

AI for Good Award
Tech4Good Awards
2023 - Finalist

Innovator of the Year - Ben Saunders
University of Surrey Vice-Chancellor's Awards
2022 - Winner

Start-Up of the Year
Surrey Business Awards
2022- Winner

Social Impact Award (with G&L Systemhaus)
IBC Innovation Awards
2026 - Winner

Digital and Technology Excellence in Transport (with South Western Railway)
National Transport Awards
2026 - Winner
%201%20(1)%201.png)
AI-Powered Sign Language For Video (G&L Systemhaus Partnership)
Streaming Media European Innovation Awards
2026 - Winner
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Transformational Project Award (G&L Systemhaus Partnership)
IAMT Impact Awards
2026 - Winner
.png)
Innovative Solution Award
Zero Project Awards
2026 - Winner

Most Innovative AI-Powered Sign Language Accessibility Platform
Corporate Vision Technology Excellence Awards
2026 - Winner

Accessibility and Integrated Transport
Rail Business Awards
2026 - Winner

Zinemaldia Startup Challenge
Zinemaldia & Technology
2025 - European Finalist

IAGi Accelerator
IAGi
2025 - Winner

The 2025 Slator Language AI 50 Under 50
Slator
2025 - Winner

Supporting Disability Award
Bupa eco-disruptive
2025 - Shortlist

Diversity in Technology (Disability)
British Diversity Awards
2024 - Highly Commended

Disability Smart Technology
Disability Smart Awards
2023 - Finalist

AI for Good Award
Tech4Good Awards
2023 - Finalist

Innovator of the Year - Ben Saunders
University of Surrey Vice-Chancellor's Awards
2022 - Winner

Start-Up of the Year
Surrey Business Awards
2022- Winner
Who are we?
Leadership





Chief Executive Officer
Sally Chalk





Chief Scientist
Ben Saunders





Chief Research Officer
Prof. Richard Bowden





Chief Revenue Officer
Will Berry





Chief Technical Officer
Alex Le Peltier
Head of Translation





Head of Translation and Data
Rachel Benyon (Deaf)





Head of Translation (ASL)
Elsie Stecker (Deaf)
Commercial





Head of Commercial
Leia Clancy





Head of Marketing
Stacey Searle





Interim Head of Marketing
Kate Harverson





Head of Sales
Lucia Johnstone-Cowan





Deaf Impact Officer
Marcus Oaten (Deaf)





Delivery Manager
Rachael Mahachi
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Deaf Translator
Rebecca Vaughan (Deaf)





Videographer & Social Media Assistant
Rowan Warnock (Deaf)





Digital Marketing Executive
Chloe Tsang





Sales Development Representative
Maddie Hillier
Engineering





Head of Product
Zoe Hurst





Front End Engineer
Alexandru Balau





DevOps Engineer
Michael Wilson





Back End Developer
Olly King





QC Lead
Kimberley Hughes





Senior ML Systems Engineer
Nic Arnold





Software Engineer
Stefan Cornea
Research





Deep Learning Research Engineer
Basheer Alwaely





Machine Learning Engineer
Edmund Lepre (Deaf)





Computer Vision Research Engineer
Nikolina Kubiak





Computer Vision Research Engineer
Alexandre Symeonidis-Herzig
Associates





Head of Projects
Peter Whale





Finance Director
Julian Day
Deaf Leadership Board





Deaf Leadership Board
Craig Crowley (Deaf)





Deaf Leadership Board
Marcel Hirshman (Deaf)
Help us make sign language accessible for anyone.
We have some and are dedicated to delighting our clients. Why not join us?
Investment Board members
Pearse Coyle
Mark Wheatley
Noah Isserman
Michal Sikyta
Johnathan Matlock
Paul Lyristis
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Get Involved With Us
We are seeking forward-thinking clients that aim to build the next generation of access for sign language users.
We value working with those who want to be part of the future of equality and are keen to improve operational efficiency. If you would like to transform accessibility for sign language users at your business, please book a demo with us.









Our Partnerships
We share values; peerless quality of service and clarity of vision that includes cultural and linguistic ownership of sign by the Deaf Community.
Our UK partners are helping us make the world more accessible for d/Deaf communities.























