New operating board has been established
Sunseeker have rushed out a statement denying speculation that the business has been taken over by the consultancy group KPMG. The rumour mill went into overdrive after Sunseeker’s co-founder and managing director Robert Braithwaite announced that he was taking a step back and appointing a number of new people to the board, including KPMG’s restructuring specialist John Darlington.
In a letter from Robert Braithwaite himself, he admits to a change of role within the company as MD but plans to focus more on ‘valued customer relationships and steering the future of the Sunseeker brand’.
Here is an extract from his letter sent to MBY:
“In recent weeks we have made some changes which I believe put us in good shape not only to ride out any challenges the economy may throw our way in the immediate future but also for position ahead of the field for continued investment and growth.
“After 50 years I believe the time has also come for me to change my role. Over time, I will be reducing my involvement in the day-to-day running of the business as Managing Director and focusing more on our valued customer relationships and on steering the future of the Sunseeker brand.
“To facilitate this, as Sunseeker continues to grow I have also sought to strengthen the company at Board level. Most significantly John Darlington has been appointed as the new Chairman of the Board. John has a successful track record in managing businesses through periods of transition and is as keen and ambitious as I am to see Sunseeker succeed in the next 50 years. In the coming months we will also be appointing a number of non-executives to further strengthen the Board and provide additional support for Stewart and John.”
“We will continue to bring in new talent. Stewart McIntyre has joined the company as our first Chief Operating Officer. Stewart has a long track record in improving operations in entrepreneurial companies such as ours, and in a short period has made a big impact on the way we manage our business. On the Sales front Sean Robertson, our long standing Sales Manager, has been promoted and will take on the newly created role of Sales Director for Sunseeker International. And true to Sunseeker values, my brother John will continue in his role as chief of design and development.
Sunseeker launched their new Portofino 48 at the Tullett Prebon London Boat Show and have a full order book for 2010 across the range.
