The YA Team

Sean LeGault

Claret Group CEO

Sean is the CEO of the Claret Group, a group of companies with a portfolio of training companies in the…

York Associates is owned and run by Claret Holdings Ltd together with Bob Dignen, Richard Hawker, and Mike Hogan, who hold Executive Directorship roles. YA is supported by its excellent team of teachers, trainers and staff, all of whom help us to deliver high quality English language, professional communication, intercultural and leadership training.

York Associates has been offering training in the language and communication field for over thirty years. It is well known in the international communication field through its publishing of books, multimedia materials, articles and conference presentations.

In 2014 York Associates became a member of the Claret Group, which has training centres in the UK and on Malta.

Bob Dignen

Director

Bob has worked in the field of business and specialist English and international communication training for over twenty-five years.

Richard Hawker

Director

Born in UK, lived for 10 years in Spain Over 30 years’ experience as teacher / trainer Has worked extensively in Europe and the Middle East Operational director and international trainer Likes travel and all sports

Mike Hogan

Director

Mike is an international team and leadership trainer and executive coach, and is particularly interested in the dynamics of working in and leading cross-cultural, cross-functional and international (virtual) teams.

Our Trainers

Rob Grout

Associate Trainer

General and specialist English and business communication trainer, 5 years + international experience (eg Germany), German speaker.

Peter Read

Associate Trainer

General and specialist English and business communication trainer, 25 years + international experience (eg Hong Kong, Singapore, South America).

Gareth Jones

Associate Trainer

General and specialist English and business communication trainer, 5 years + international experience (eg Italy, Libya).

Christine Stone

Associate Trainer

Business and specialist English and international communication trainer, teacher trainer, coach, 25 years + international experience (eg. France, Japan), French speaker.

Nick Brieger

Former Director

International communication skills and international team and leadership trainer, author, conference presenter, 25 years + international experience (eg. Poland, Russia, Germany, Ethiopia), German, Polish speaker.

Linda Cockburn

Associate Trainer

English language, international communication skills and intercultural trainer, with more than 25 years international experience.

Helen Strong

Associate Trainer

English language, international communication skills and intercultural trainer, with more than 20 years international experience.

Martin Bloomfield

Associate Trainer

General and specialist English and international communication skills trainer, teacher trainer, 20 years + international experience (eg. Germany, Switzerland, Peru), German speaker.

Jeremy Comfort

Former Director

International communication skills and international team and leadership trainer, executive coach, author, conference presenter, 25 years + international experience (eg. Germany, Switzerland).

Chia Suan Chong

Associate Trainer

General and specialist English, Business English and international communication skills trainer, writer, teacher trainer, 16+ years international experience (UK, Germany, Singapore), speaks English as her first, Chinese and Japanese as her second, and Italian as her third language.