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. And in 2016 our General English school English in York joined the Group and is located in the upper floors of our training centre Peasholme House.

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

Richard is an international trainer with over 30 years' experience. He has worked extensively in Europe and the Middle East. He is comfortable working in English and Spanish.

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.

Dale Coulter

Associate Director

Dale specialises in communication skills training, leadership and team development and Business English. His experience spreads over 10 years in Italy, Germany and Switzerland.

Our Trainers

Tony Gallagher

Associate Trainer

Business and specialist English language and international communication skills trainer, 25 years + international experience (eg. Italy, Germany).

Helen Strong

Associate Trainer

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

Gareth Jones

Associate Trainer

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

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).

Peter Read

Associate Trainer

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

Steve Flinders

Former Director

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

Christine Stone

Associate Trainer

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

Linda Cockburn

Associate Trainer

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

Rosemary Richey

Associate Trainer

Experienced Business English trainer and course book writer. Rosemary has been working for over 20 years in training primarily with German companies and private university students in both language and skill development for professional and academic success.

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.

Rob Grout

Associate Trainer

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

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.