CHESTER, CHESHIRE. July 21st, 2026 – SAVVY Collective has strengthened its senior leadership team with the appointment of two experienced hospitality leaders, naming Marcus Magee as Operations Director and Stephen Miles as Development Director.
The appointments come as the Chester based collective, founded by award winning hotelier Steven Hesketh, continues to build out the team behind its support for owner led hotels, leisure and lifestyle ventures across the North West and beyond.
The news follows SAVVY Collective’s recent brand relaunch, in which the business revealed an expanded vision for its work with independent operators, backed by a new identity. Founded by Hesketh, SAVVY Collective combines management, consultancy, education, events and investment under one roof, built not on consultancy theory but on years of actually running hotels.
The business has been shaped by the realities of running family hotels, from financial pressures to community relationships, and Hesketh’s wife and three children each play an active role in delivering its services.
SAVVY Collective works with ventures up to circa 100 keys across hotels, food and beverage, social hubs, attractions, events and lifestyle led destinations, with a portfolio that already includes The Chester Townhouse, The Annex, The Old Registry, Hotel Wrexham, The Savvy Fox, Queens Square Social, DevaFest and the Cheshire and North Wales Food and Drink Festival.
The relaunch lands against a fast moving market, with UK hotel transaction volumes reaching £1.6 billion in the first quarter of 2026 alone, more than double the same period last year, and owner operators and private investors accounting for the vast majority of buyer activity.
Bringing decades of combined leadership experience from across the North West’s hospitality industry, Magee and Miles will be a key part of this exciting new phase, joining SAVVY Collective’s senior leadership team as it looks to build on the momentum of the relaunch.
As Operations Director, Magee brings more than 40 years of hospitality experience to SAVVY Collective, including over 30 years with Hilton Hotels. He opened the Hilton Liverpool One in 2009 and led the hotel as General Manager for more than 15 years, before becoming General Manager of the DoubleTree by Hilton Liverpool. He has also chaired the Liverpool Hospitality Association and the Liverpool Accommodation Bid, and previously sat on the board of Liverpool BID Company.
Mr Magee said: “Having opened the Hilton Liverpool One in 2009, I was aware of Steven Hesketh as a hospitality leader and have followed his entrepreneurial journey over the last 17 years, having worked with him on the Liverpool Hospitality Board and, most recently, the Liverpool Accommodation Bid Board. I am very proud to be embarking on the exciting journey ahead.
“I have worked in the hospitality industry for over 40 years, including more than 30 years with Hilton Hotels in single unit and cluster management roles, and I have been part of the opening management teams for three hotel launches across the UK. One of my key objectives will be driving the continued growth strategy of SAVVY Collective, ensuring all our colleagues live and breathe the culture that empowers our team to give guests the best possible experience, alongside a key focus on driving our commercial strategy and maximising profit for SAVVY Collective and our valued business partners.”
As Development Director, Miles brings more than 50 years of hospitality experience to SAVVY Collective. He spent 30 years as a member of the Senior Management Team at Edwardian Hotels, holding a number of leadership positions including General Manager of The Edwardian Manchester, where he led the hotel’s growth across people, product, service and financial performance. Following his executive career, he established a successful hospitality consultancy, advising hotel owners, investors and operators on development, operational excellence, commercial performance and strategic growth. His clients have included Manchester City Football Club, Bruntwood and Magnuson Hotels. Miles is a Fellow of the Institute of Hospitality and a Master Innholder, and has been recognised among the Top 100 General Managers in the World by the International Association of Hotel General Managers.
Mr Miles said: “The energy, passion and entrepreneurial spirit that Steven and his team bring to the business is what attracted me. Their ambition, drive and vision for the future were compelling and played a significant part in my decision to become involved. I have been extremely fortunate to enjoy a rewarding career in hospitality, including 30 years as a member of the Senior Management Team at Edwardian Hotels, and being part of the journey and contributing to the growth of its people, product, service and financial performance has been a privilege.
“My focus now is reaching independent hotel owners and hospitality operators who are looking for genuine support, real expertise and a trusted commercial partner, and starting the conversations that can help them grow. The trust, energy and honesty that define our culture are exactly what independent operators can expect when they work with SAVVY Collective.”
Steven Hesketh, Founder of SAVVY Collective, said: “Marcus and Stephen bring decades of hands-on operational experience and a genuine understanding of what it takes to run a hotel well. Their appointments mark an important step in our continued and focused growth.”
