About Us

Shelley de Ste Croix

I was born in Northamptonshire and brought up in the country side before I moved to Leeds to complete a degree in Modern Languages in French and Italian. I then moved to London to do a year´s Post-Graduate Diploma in Technical Translation in French, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese.

Although I have done many other jobs in my life, I have always come back to my original studies of languages and have preferred to use them whenever I can. My extensive travels in South America also gave me the opportunity to learn and speak more Spanish, even if with a different accent! I have worked for a winter season in a French skiing station and in Italy for 3 years as a technical translator for Olivetti, the computer company. This gave me an understanding of community life in Mediterranean countries and I realised how much I enjoyed this type of lifestyle. I have now lived in Orgiva, Andalucia, Spain with my husband Malcolm since 1998 and we have created our home here.

Alpujarra Conect as a business has given me the opportunity to integrate with the Spanish people and learn about their life and culture. I feel enriched by the experience of living in the Alpujarra and every day brings new knowledge and lessons to learn. I hope that through my work I can translate some of my experience to others so as to be able to help them in their daily business and feel that the range of services we offer gives people a real chance to understand the culture and deepen their experience of life in Spain.

Inma Hidalgo Morón

My family is originally from the Alpujarra (Orgiva and Bayacas) and has always been in contact with its roots although nearly 40 years ago my parents went to Granada to find work.

There I was born and raised with my brother and sister, and we all studied at the university. I got my degree in Political Sciences and Sociology and specialised in Public Administration. I also studied different subjects such as accountancy and small business management, including the typical ones of English, typewriting and computer studies…

At the moment I am studying Law at the UNED (National Distance Learning University).

I was born in Orgiva into a well known family in the area. I lived there until I moved to Granada to study Law at the University which is one of the oldest in Spain (it was founded in 1531). There I remained for 10 years whilst I completed my degree and other courses specialising in Local Law, Accountancy, Real Estate and Taxes.

I know the area very well and understand the peculiarities and idiosyncrasies of the people of the Alpujarra. Only someone born here can appreciate their way of thinking and acting.

Francisco Jesús Carmona Lopez,  Technical Architect.

I was born in Orgiva and spent my childhood surrounded by nature and a good town atmosphere. My family were carpenters and from early on in my life I learnt from them the skills of the trade and developed my creativity. Once I had finished school, I moved to Granada to study what is now my current profession and, after 5 years at the university, I started work in an Architect's Office concentrating on town planning and surveying issues.

Since then, I became independent and created my own office working with building companies and the Government in Granada.

At the moment I am still working in my own studio but also collaborate with a Technical Control Body.

My professional experience can be resumed as follows: 15 years of experience, working in the fields of construction, architecture and town planning.

For further information and fees, please email or phone us.