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Sunseeker sale announced
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The British motoryacht builder has been sold to Italy’s Orienta Capital Partners and US-based Lionheart Capital.
Italian private equity firm Orienta Capital Partners, as an advisory company to FARO Alternative Investments, and American investment firm Lionheart Capital have acquired Sunseeker International from China’s Wanda Group, which had owned the British yacht builder since 2013.
Sunseeker will remain a British company based in Poole, where the primary production, workforce and current infrastructure are concentrated. In the 2023 financial year, the shipyard generated approximately GBP320 million (about US$413 million) of aggregate sales, mainly from yachts in the 15-50m range.
Italian Andrea Frabetti, who formerly worked at Ferretti Group for 25 years, has been CEO of Sunseeker since 2019.
“We are confident that under the new leadership, Sunseeker will thrive and reach new heights,” Frabetti said. “Our goal remains to deliver exceptional yachts that embody luxury, performance and innovation, while honouring the legacy and vision of our founders.”
Sunseeker stated that its new co-owners’ experience in the yachting industry will bring added value to the brand. Giancarlo Galeone, Chairman of FARO and the new Chairman of Sunseeker, has strong experience in the yachting sector, having been CEO of Ferretti Group from 1995-2006 and 2011-12.
“We are thrilled to start this new journey alongside Sunseeker. Our strong expertise in the yachting industry, combined with our long-lasting relationship with its CEO, will allow us to further enhance the British identity and craftsmanship, driving the brand towards ambitious goals,” Galeone said.
“We can expect a substantial investment into the development of new core and niche models, supporting the worldwide presence of the brand.”
Miami-based Lionheart Capital specialises in the luxury real estate, hospitality and leisure sectors, and has been an owner of the Cigarette Racing team since 2021. Ophir Sternberg, Lionheart’s founder and CEO, is now also co-owner of Sunseeker.
“We are excited to welcome Sunseeker into the Lionheart Capital family,” Sternberg said. “This acquisition represents a strategic investment in a brand with a storied history, including as James Bond’s yacht maker, and a bright future. Lionheart understands the unique dynamics of the luxury yacht industry, and I am confident in Sunseeker’s potential for growth and innovation.”
