GOCO Hospitality has appointed Clive McNish as its new Corporate Director of Operations, effective 1 November 2026. Bringing more than 30 years of international hospitality experience, McNish will play a key role in expanding the company’s wellness hospitality brand, Fivelements, into an international collection of destinations.
His appointment comes at an important stage in GOCO Hospitality’s growth strategy, as the company prepares to take Fivelements beyond its original Bali retreat, with the planned opening of Fivelements Samui in early 2027.
With extensive experience across luxury hotels, wellness resorts and international hospitality operations, McNish brings valuable leadership expertise to the company’s next phase of development.
Clive McNish’s Extensive Hospitality Career
McNish brings more than three decades of hospitality experience across Europe, Asia and the Americas, with a professional background spanning luxury hotel operations, resort management, wellness hospitality and strategic development.
His association with GOCO Hospitality is not new. He previously spent much of the past decade with the company, holding senior leadership positions and contributing to several international hospitality and wellness projects.
During his earlier tenure, he served as Group Operations Director, overseeing projects from market research and concept development to pre-opening activities and operational management.
His responsibilities included feasibility studies across destinations such as Australia, Morocco, Montenegro, Bali and Bhutan, giving him valuable experience in developing hospitality concepts across different international markets.
Leadership Experience at Glen Ivy Hot Springs
One of McNish’s notable assignments with GOCO Hospitality was serving as General Manager of Glen Ivy Hot Springs in California.
The historic wellness destination has been owned by GOCO Hospitality since 2016. During McNish’s leadership, the property received recognition as Best Hot Springs Resort in North America at the World Luxury Spa Awards in both 2017 and 2018.
This experience further strengthened his expertise in managing wellness-focused destinations and delivering experiences centred on relaxation, health and wellbeing.
Leading Prestigious Luxury Estates in England
Before returning to GOCO Hospitality, McNish held senior leadership positions at two renowned luxury country estates in England.
From 2022 to 2025, he served as General Manager of Chewton Glen Hotel & Spa, returning to the property where his hospitality career originally began. During this period, he led a team of more than 300 associates, overseeing operations and maintaining the property’s luxury hospitality standards.
He subsequently joined Wilderness Reserve in Suffolk, where he managed three luxury estates spread across approximately 8,000 acres, supported by a workforce of more than 150 employees.
These leadership experiences added further depth to his operational expertise, particularly in managing large teams and delivering high-end guest experiences across expansive hospitality properties.
A Strong Background in Wellness Hospitality
McNish’s experience also includes several important roles within the international wellness and luxury hospitality sectors.
He led spa pre-opening projects for Four Seasons in Hampshire and Provence, as well as Mandarin Oriental Riviera Maya.
At Kamalaya in Koh Samui, Thailand, he initially served as Wellness Director before progressing to General Manager. Under his leadership, the wellness resort received the Destination Spa of the Year Asia award at the World Spa Awards in 2012.
His experience across wellness resorts and luxury hotel brands gives him a strong understanding of how traditional hospitality operations can be combined with personalised wellness experiences.
Driving the International Expansion of Fivelements
In his new role as Corporate Director of Operations, McNish will focus on developing Fivelements into a distinctive international wellness hospitality collection.
The strategy will centre on creating accessible yet comprehensive wellness experiences for different types of travellers. This includes guests interested in healthier lifestyle choices as well as those seeking immersive, personalised wellness journeys.
A major priority will be strengthening on-property teams, providing practical wellness guidance and ensuring that every destination reflects the philosophy of Fivelements.
The brand will also focus on maintaining a strong connection with local cultures and natural surroundings, allowing each property to offer an experience that feels authentic to its destination.
Fivelements Samui: The Next Chapter
The planned opening of Fivelements Samui in early 2027 represents an important milestone in the brand’s international expansion.
Moving beyond its original Bali retreat, Fivelements aims to establish a broader collection of wellness destinations that combine hospitality, wellbeing and locally inspired experiences.
McNish’s operational background and previous experience with GOCO’s international projects are expected to support this expansion, from development planning to operational readiness and guest experience management.
A New Phase of Growth for GOCO Hospitality
McNish’s appointment reflects GOCO Hospitality’s continued ambition to strengthen its position in the global wellness hospitality sector.
With more than 30 years of international experience, including previous leadership roles within GOCO, he brings a combination of operational knowledge, strategic insight and wellness expertise to the organisation.
As Fivelements prepares to expand into new destinations, his leadership will be important in shaping the brand’s identity, developing its teams and delivering consistent wellness experiences across its growing portfolio.
