About Talk Skills

Talk-skills HQ is located in the heart of the historic market town of Retford.

This impressive Victorian house was built in 1887, and has been extensively renovated by its present owners.

Located between Lincoln, Doncaster, Sheffield and Nottingham, Retford is easily accessed from the A1 or M1 and is only 20 minutes from Doncaster/Sheffield airport.

Minutes from the house, the 'North East Line' train runs regular services from London to Leeds.

Talk-skills courses take place in the splendid oak-panelled Elizabethan Ballroom, complete with floor-to-ceiling hand carved Jacobean fireplace and stained glass windows dating back to 1622.

Lunch is provided at the popular canal-side Bay Tree restaurant, complete with local organic produce and extensive vegetarian menu.

Jonathan Barker Director & founder of Talk-skills

He spent 7 years in senior management and also finds time to lecture at the prestigious London Centre for Theatre Studies.

Trained by the distinguished London Central School’s voice coach, Margaret Braund, Jonathan trained in Leeds and London and has spent 25 years working in TV, BBC radio, in theatre and in many aspects of business and communication training.

As a skilled public speaker, actor, singer, and writer, Jonathan has extensive coaching experience with participants of all ages and nationalities.

Jonathan has spent many years in senior management in London and still finds time to lecture at the prestigious London Centre for Theatre Studies.

With his in-depth understanding of the voice, body language and speech, Jonathan works with individuals to help them build greater confidence, clarity of thought and overall presentation.

Either in group training sessions, or one to one coaching, Jonathan is widely recognised as one of the best in the business of effective communication training in the U.K. today.