Company: Sunseeker International
Business Type: Boat Builder
UK & International Business Sales and M&A News
Sunseeker has been acquired by Cross Ocean Partners and Cheyne Capital, following the successful completion of the ownership transfer process. The company has also announced the upcoming appointment of Scott Millar as Chief Executive Officer, marking the start of an exciting new era for one of the world's most recognised yacht brands.
Sunseeker manufactures luxury performance motor yachts. Originally named Poole Power Boats, the company was founded by brothers Robert and John Braithwaite in 1969. The company changed its name to Sunseeker International in 1985 and has its manufacturing base in Poole, Dorset, employing 2,000 people and producing around 150 boats every year.
Scott Millar first joined Sunseeker through Teneo, where he was engaged to support the development of the Company’s ambitious five-year growth plan.
With more than 27 years’ experience in business transformation and operational improvement, Millar has held a range of senior executive positions including Chief Executive Officer and Chief Transformation Officer across multiple international industries.
Millar said:
“Sunseeker is one of the most admired names in the marine industry, with an extraordinary heritage, an exceptional product range and an incredibly talented team. I especially want to thank Steve for his exceptional work and leadership; and look forward to working together again over the coming months and years.
“What attracted me most to Sunseeker was the scale of opportunity ahead. We have a clear vision, ambitious plans for growth and the full support of our shareholders to invest in the brand, our people and our products. I am honoured to lead the business into this next chapter and excited about what we can achieve together for our customers.”
Scott Millar – Chief Executive Officer at Sunseeker
The appointment follows a period in which Steve Timms, as Interim Chief Executive Officer, has guided the business through an important phase of strategic development and ownership transition.
Timms commented:
“It was important to us not to rush the appointment of a permanent CEO. We wanted it to be someone who truly cares about this brand, who has the vision, passion and experience necessary to lead Sunseeker into its next phase of growth with true stability. Scott is the perfect choice. He and his team at Teneo were responsible for creating the five-year strategic plan that has been guiding our business.
“That’s why we’re so pleased that, after an outstanding career with Teneo, Scott has chosen to join Sunseeker permanently as CEO. He already understands our people, our products and our ambitions, and I know he will be a great leader for the company.”
Steve Timms – Interim Chief Executive Officer at Sunseeker
Alongside Millar’s appointment, Sunseeker has appointed four key new roles to supplement their existing executive team, bringing together decades of experience spanning automotive, manufacturing, technology, transformation and global premium consumer brands.
According to the press release from Sunseeker, the appointments reflect a clear belief that ambitious growth requires ambitious leadership. Together, the team combines extensive international experience in business transformation, commercial growth, customer experience, product development and technology innovation. They join Sunseeker’s existing executive team, bringing additional capability, expertise and leadership to support the Company’s ambitious plans for growth.
Andy Gawthorpe joins Sunseeker as Chief Commercial Officer, bringing a proven track record of driving growth across some of the world’s most respected automotive and motorcycle brands.
Ian Morgan joins Sunseeker as Chief Strategy Officer, bringing nearly two decades of experience delivering complex strategic transformation programmes across the automotive and premium consumer sectors.
James Grove joins Sunseeker as Chief Information Officer, where he will lead the Company’s ambitious digital transformation programme. Bringing extensive experience from senior technology leadership roles at Chelsea FC and Southampton FC, James has a proven track record of delivering large-scale business and technology transformation in high-performance environments.
Adrian Mardell joins Sunseeker as Non-Executive Chairman, bringing extensive leadership experience gained during a distinguished career at Jaguar Land Rover, where he oversaw the company’s most successful period of growth while championing transformative improvements in both customer and employee experience.
The press release continues to state that, together, the new leadership team represents one of the most significant investments in executive talent in Sunseeker’s history and signals the Company’s intent to accelerate its ambitious growth plans.
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