"Barcelona's energy attracts international talent," by Anna Weers
Anna Weers, born in Bielefeld (Germany), chose Barcelona as her place to live and work 18 years ago. During her student years, she was certain that Barcelona would become her city. Anna is married, has two daughters, and serves as the Marketing Director at TransPerfect, the world’s largest provider of language and business services, with over 9,500 employees and 160 offices worldwide. Barcelona is home to its European headquarters.
Why did you choose Barcelona?
I fell in love with Barcelona during my Erasmus year as a student in the city and decided I would return after completing my master’s degree. True to my word, the day I submitted my master’s thesis, I took a flight to Barcelona to start my new life. The perfect balance between a metropolitan vibe and a manageable size captivated me. When I received a job offer from TransPerfect, an international company launching a new project in Barcelona (there were only eight of us at the time), I was intrigued, and that’s what made me move forward.
What are the city’s strengths?
The location by the sea, its proximity to the mountains, and its incredible climate make it truly unique. As a hub for art and creativity, its cultural heritage offers galleries, concerts, and stunning architecture, creating a vibrant local scene. This energy attracts exceptional talent, which has been key to TransPerfect's success in Barcelona. It has helped us become the company’s European headquarters, now with over 850 employees.
Which aspects of the city need to be improved? How?
The city should prioritize sustainability and environmental protection. Air pollution, primarily driven by the high volume of vehicles in and around the city, significantly impacts its aesthetic appeal and quality of life. The green spaces developed in the city center are a great start. In addition, recycling initiatives and further decisive measures to reduce the number of vehicles would further enhance Barcelona.
What do you expect from Barcelona in the coming years?
Although Barcelona does not yet directly compete with creative hubs like London or Berlin, I believe it has significant potential to expand its creative services and technological solutions. With its talent and existing strengths in film and innovation, I would love to see Barcelona further evolve as a benchmark hub for a variety of services in this space, as well as cutting-edge technological developments.
Which city do you consider to be your home city? What do you miss most?
Coming from a family with roots in two countries and naturally spread across Europe, I knew from a very young age that I would leave my home country at some point, even if I didn’t yet know where I would go. Barcelona became my city of choice, and I have never regretted that decision.