A Strategic Return to GOCO Hospitality
Clive McNish returns to GOCO Hospitality, a group specialising in the development and operation of wellness destinations, having previously held several senior leadership positions within the company over the past decade.
In his new role as Corporate Director of Operations, he will oversee the operational development of Fivelements, whose original concept, established in Bali, is set to evolve progressively into an international collection of destinations.
The first stage of this expansion will be the opening of Fivelements Samui in Thailand in early 2027, followed by planned development in the European market.
The group’s challenge is to establish a recognisable wellness concept while preserving each destination’s cultural identity, personalised guest experiences and operational standards.
An International Career Spanning Luxury Hospitality and Wellness
With more than three decades of experience in hospitality, Clive McNish has worked across Europe, Asia and the Americas.
During his previous tenure at GOCO Hospitality, he notably served as Group Operations Director, contributing to projects from market research and concept development through to pre-opening and operational phases.
His responsibilities included feasibility studies in Australia, Morocco, Montenegro, Bali and Bhutan.
He also served as General Manager of Glen Ivy Hot Springs, a historic Californian wellness destination owned by GOCO Hospitality since 2016.
His career includes several positions with international hospitality groups, notably overseeing spa pre-openings for Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts in Hampshire and Provence, as well as for Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group on the Riviera Maya.
In Koh Samui, he successively held the positions of Wellness Director and General Manager at Kamalaya Koh Samui.
Two Recent Leadership Roles in British Luxury Hospitality
Between 2022 and 2025, Clive McNish managed Chewton Glen Hotel & Spa, the property where he began his career. He oversaw a team of more than 300 employees.
He subsequently joined Wilderness Reserve in Suffolk, where he was responsible for three luxury estates covering approximately 8,000 acres, equivalent to around 3,237 hectares, and a workforce of more than 150 employees.
These experiences enabled him to combine luxury property management, leadership of sizeable teams and the operation of destinations offering personalised guest experiences.
Fivelements: Expansion Built Around the Guest Experience
For Ingo Schweder, Founder and CEO of GOCO Hospitality and owner of Fivelements, the appointment directly addresses the brand’s development requirements.
“Clive knows GOCO from the inside and has spent the past few years managing some of the most demanding estates in British hospitality. As Fivelements opens in Koh Samui and expands into Europe, we need someone who can translate a strong concept into a consistently excellent guest experience across very different environments.”
Josephine Leung, Managing Partner of GOCO Hospitality and also an owner of Fivelements, emphasises the importance of people-centred leadership and the local identity of each property.
“What I particularly appreciate about Clive is that he puts people first. He understands that the guest experience depends on the teams who create it every day, and that each destination must reflect the culture and landscape surrounding it.”
Clive McNish intends to develop an inclusive approach to wellness, catering to different guest profiles, from travellers seeking occasional improvements to their lifestyle to those looking for personalised, immersive programmes.
Analysis | Operational Structure at the Heart of Fivelements’ Development
Clive McNish’s appointment comes at a significant stage for Fivelements: the transition from a concept historically associated with one flagship destination to a brand preparing to establish itself across several international markets.
This evolution requires carefully managed standardisation of operational processes without compromising the cultural and environmental characteristics that form part of Fivelements’ positioning.
The decision to appoint an executive already familiar with GOCO Hospitality, but who also brings recent experience managing British luxury estates, reflects the group’s intention to strengthen its operational execution capabilities ahead of new openings.
For investors and property partners, the ability to replicate a consistent brand experience across different environments represents a central challenge in the growth of a specialist wellness operator.
The opening of Fivelements Samui in early 2027 will therefore mark a significant first operational milestone in this new phase of development.
At a Glance
Appointment: Clive McNish, Corporate Director of Operations, GOCO Hospitality.
Effective date: 1 November 2026.
Experience: More than 30 years in international luxury hospitality and wellness.
Previous roles: Chewton Glen, Wilderness Reserve, Kamalaya and Glen Ivy Hot Springs.
Upcoming opening: Fivelements Samui, Thailand, early 2027.
Strategic priority: International expansion of Fivelements, including planned development in Europe.
