Executive Team

Paul King, Managing Director Seashells Hospitality Group

PAUL KING | Founder and Managing Director

Paul has bought Seashells properties to life along Western Australia's coastline for more than 35 years and has been an influential tourism advocate.

Paul has worked in tourism and hospitality for most of his career, always striving for industry improvement, innovation and collaboration. His interest in projects has spanned across Western Australia, the South Pacific, and Asia.

He has been an active committee member in more than 12 tourism and business organisations from Western Australia’s north to south.

During his five-year tenure as Chairman of Tourism Council of Western Australia, Paul was an industry changemaker. He was instrumental in giving a voice to Aboriginal tourism in the organisation, and successfully lobbied for significant State and Federal funding increases for the Western Australian Indigenous Tourism Operators Council (WAITOC). He was an advocate for tourism’s power to grow economies and the driving force behind changes that lead the State Government to more effectively meet the needs of the entire industry.

Paul was awarded the Sir David Brand medal for Tourism at the 2015 Western Australia Tourism Awards for his contribution to the Western Australian tourism industry. The extent to which Paul has positively impacted the tourism and hospitality industry has been credited to his trademark optimism, drive and enthusiasm.

Chief Operating Officer Seashells Hospitality Group

GARETH THOMAS | Director

Gareth’s extensive experience and balanced approach has benefited a range of hospitality and tourism businesses across Australia for more than 40 years.

He spent 13 years with Seashells as Group General Manager, then Chief Operating Officer and Chief Executive Officer, guiding our properties and operations. He recently made the decision to step back from full time work but will maintain a position at Seashells as a Director, working remotely, focussing on new projects and overseeing the businesses in general.

Career highlights include overseeing the pre-opening and opening of the five-star Reef Hotel Casino in Cairns; running the Chifley on Flemington in Melbourne; GM work in the UK, China, Cairns, Brisbane and Melbourne, and returning to his home town Perth in 2000 to be General Manager of the five-star Rendezvous Observation City through to 2004. During his time with Rendezvous, Gareth was seconded to Shanghai, China, where he was involved in the rebranding and re-launch of the 4-Star Rendezvous Merry Hotel as General Manager.

Gareth worked with Broadwater Hospitality Group as a Property General Manager, Area Manager and then Group General Manager. He was also General Manager – Village Services for National Lifestyle Villages.

Gareth has sat on numerous industry panels and boards and has received multiple awards in properties under his leadership.

Gareth has been honoured with an induction into the Australian Hotels Association WA Accommodation Industry Hall of Fame.

BEN CHENERY | GM of Operations

Ben was recently appointed to this role. He has worked with Seashells for eight years as General Manager for both Seashells Scarborough and Seashells Mandurah, and most recently headed up and successfully launched Nautica Residences by Seashells.

Ben has been working with Seashells since 2016, after a significant period managing Assured Waterside Apartments as General Manager. A diagnosis of Tumefactive MS in 2018 meant a break from work and a journey of rehabilitation for Ben, but his tenacity and drive have seen him continue his career ascent with Seashells.

In 2021, Ben helped develop a new short-stay accommodation business model called Nautica Residences by Seashells, which launched to fill a gap in Western Australia’s short-stay accommodation market.

As General Manager of Operations, Ben remains responsible for the day-to-day running of Nautica Residences, and now also oversees any Seashells properties supporting our property General Managers.

Seashells Hospitality Group, Director of Sales & Marketing

STEPHANIE LANG | Director of Sales and Marketing

With over three decades of experience in Western Australia’s tourism industry, it’s clear Stephanie has a great passion for our state.

Prior to joining Seashells more than 20 years ago, Stephanie spent time in London with Tourism Western Australia, where she worked on advertising, public relations, and WA market development throughout UK/Europe.

As Director of Sales & Marketing at Seashells, Stephanie looks after consumer and trade sales, marketing, and public relations activities for Seashells properties. Stephanie also shares her expertise with WA’s branch of the Australian Tourism Export Council, where she received the ‘Most Outstanding Contribution by an Individual’ in 2008.

Stephanie is entrenched in local tourism – she’s a past Board Director with Mandurah and Peel Tourism Organisation and Tourism Council of Western Australia, and has held positions with Experience Perth (now Destination Perth) and the Perth Convention Bureau (now Business Events Perth), as well as participated in a number of Tourism WA Advisory panels.

GAURAV KUNDU | GM Finance and Administration

Gaurav commenced with Seashells in 2012 as Company Accountant and has since been promoted in a number of roles, including Senior Accountant and Financial Controller, before assuming his current leadership position.

As GM Finance and Administration Gaurav oversees the strategic and operational financial aspects of Seashells. He is responsible for budgeting, financial reporting, strategic planning, management accounting and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, and leads a dedicated team.

He also oversees day-to-day financial activities such as accounts payable, bank reconciliations and financial reports.

Gaurav has an extensive background in Finance & Accounting, having previously worked in Sydney for The Travel Corporation (TTC) and as a Project Accountant for the World Health Organisation (WHO) in India. His genuine passion for financial leadership continues to play an instrumental role in our growth and success.

His formal qualifications include a Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com), Bachelor of Law (L.L.B) and Masters in Accounting.

BRIAN RAKICH | Director Project Marketing Australia

Brian is a West Australian business and community leader. With more than 30 years’ corporate and commercial experience leading publicly listed companies and legal firms, Brian has extensive contacts and knowledge of the WA business environment. This was publicly acknowledged in 2005 when he was awarded the Order of Australia for his services to business and sport.