Prior to joining as General Manager of The Marker Hotel on its journey to Anantara, Michael Davern was the CEO of the iconic K Club, Kildare, Ireland. The K Club was sold in February 2020 and following the successful sale and transition of the resort to its new owner, Michael ended his tenure in October 2020.

Michael graduated from Shannon College of Hotel Management in 1988 and went on to hold management roles in a number of Trust House Forte hotels in the UK and also worked as a Project Manager for a software development company engaged in the Catering Business. He returned to Ireland to join the opening team of The K Club in 1991.

At the ripe age of 29, Michael assumed the role of General Manager at the renowned, Fancourt Hotel and Country Club, on the Garden Route in South Africa and remained there until 2001. Michael oversaw the operation of the Resort which hosted the Commonwealth Heads of Government Retreat. Under his leadership, Fancourt became a household name for golfers worldwide and was also the home of arguably one of Southern Africa’s greatest golfers; Ernie Els.

In 2001 Michael was headhunted by a multi-billion-pound Irish consortium, chaired by Dermot Desmond, to become General Manager of the International award winning, Caribbean Resort - Sandy Lane Properties in Barbados.

In 2005 Michael returned to Ireland having been appointed CEO and General Manager of The K Club. He was responsible for The K Club’s staging of the 2006 Ryder Cup Matches. In 2015, The K Club underwent a €20 million refurbishment and development programme which saw the addition of 70 new bedrooms, a new bar and conference room and the upgrading of all of the public areas, with Michael responsible for coordinating and delivering this development. In 2016, he coordinated the resort’s successful hosting of the Irish Open with the European Tour and the Rory McIlroy Foundation.

Michael was awarded World General Manager of the Year by Preferred Hotels & Resorts in 2016 and was a long standing member of their European and Global Advisory Board.

Michael has created an extensive network of a multitude of figureheads, ranging from notable investors to golf professionals, to industry golf leaders and hospitality leaders. With his own leadership and relationship qualities, experience, and ability to create legendary guest experiences across an array of luxury properties.

Stephanie is an Edinburgh native with an established career and experience in the very best of luxury hospitality and events industry. After university she worked and lived in Canada, US and Bermuda before returning home to Scotland to raise her family. Stephanie worked in hotels both operationally and in sales before moving to event catering. This gave her the experience of working in some of the most beautiful stately homes, galleries and museums around the UK creating outstanding events where attention to detail was everything while working with the highest levels of industry professionals. A move to hotels came post COVID as Director of Sales at InterContinental Edinburgh The George and Kimpton Charlotte Square, a superb experience to promote Scottish luxury hospitality to the world. Stephanie was proud to be part of this team and worked extensively with travel advisors and DMC community for both leisure and group enquiries.

Being approached for the role at Seaton House was an enticing invitation and being part of the preopening senior leadership team gives a new experience. Stephanie is committed to creating a strong local legacy in this well loved local landmark and is proud to represent Seaton House around the world to clients.

As Executive Chef, Lee Murdoch brings a wealth of experience from leading roles in high-end kitchens and top tier hotels across the UK, Asia and the Middle East. More recently, this includes the opening of Brighton’s 140-seat steakhouse, The Coal Shed, in October 2024.

With experience including Scotland’s renowned Turnberry Resort Hotel, Lee was awarded the prestigious Royal Academy of Culinary Arts Award for Excellence, training under Stuart Cameron and Ralph Porciani.

Lee will head up Seaton House’s suite of kitchen and bar offerings, which includes The Board Room and Bow Butts Bar alongside Ondine Oyster & Grill, all of which celebrate Scotland’s finest produce, cultures, tastes and styles.