British luxury yacht manufacturer Sunseeker is set to be acquired by private investment vehicle KPC, marking its third ownership change in under two years. The deal, which awaits UK government approval, includes plans for new leadership with Antony Sheriff as chairman and Andres Rubio as CEO. Sunseeker, based in Poole, employs around 2,000 people amid recent financial restructuring.
Sunseeker, founded in 1969 by brothers Robert and John Braithwaite as Poole Power Boats and rebranded in 1985, produces luxury performance motor yachts ranging from 38 to over 130 feet across its Superyacht, Yacht, Ocean, and Performance lines. The company operates facilities in Poole, Dorset, and a deep-water shipyard in Hythe, Hampshire, making it one of the largest employers in southern England with about 2,000 staff.
The impending acquisition by KPC follows a turbulent period. In November 2024, Sunseeker was sold to Lionheart Capital and Orienta Capital Partners, ending 11 years of ownership by China's Dalian Wanda Group, which bought it for £320 million in 2013. Under the new owners, the firm announced up to 200 redundancies in June 2025 due to softening global demand and trade uncertainties, though this was reduced to around 50 compulsory redundancies, offset by 44 new roles.
By late 2025, principal debtholders Cheyne Capital and Cross Ocean Partners provided fresh capital, and Teneo Financial Advisory was appointed to manage restructuring, installing representatives as receivers over shares in parent company Sunseeker Investments Limited. Chief executive Andrea Frabetti left in December 2025 after six years, with Scott Millar of Teneo serving as interim CEO.
KPC's plans include installing Antony Sheriff, former executive chairman of Princess Yachts from 2016 to 2023 and ex-CEO of McLaren Automotive, as chairman. Sheriff, who has held roles at Aston Martin and Pininfarina and currently chairs the Rimac Group and Bugatti Rimac, joined Sunseeker's board as a non-executive advisor in November 2024. Andres Rubio, previously president and CEO of Intrum until July 2025, with experience at Apollo Management, Morgan Stanley, and Cerberus Capital, is slated to become CEO.
The transaction requires approval under the UK's National Security and Investment Act due to Sunseeker's marina sites. Sources indicate KPC intends to inject significant resources to revive the brand. A spokesperson for the prospective owners declined to comment.
Despite challenges, including a collapsed US export market, Sunseeker's order book remains active. Construction of its new 134 Superyacht, a 41-metre in-house design, is due to start in March 2026, with two hulls already sold. The brand has appeared in four James Bond films and maintains a global distributor network.