boot 2026: Sunseeker interim CEO outlines new strategic direction
Sunseeker’s interim CEO Scott Millar gave a briefing to international maritime media at boot
Sunseeker International’s interim CEO has outlined a new strategic direction for the business during a press conference at boot Düsseldorf 2026, which runs until 25 January 2026.
The update was delivered by interim CEO Scott Millar in a briefing with international maritime media at the show. Millar took over the role in December 2025, after former CEO Andrea Frabetti stepped down.
During the briefing, Millar described the period ahead as a pivotal one for the company and the wider industry. It has been a tough year for the British boatbuilder. In June 2025, Sunseeker announced it was making 200 redundancies – around 10 per cent of its workforce – highlighting “softening in global demand” following “political and economic uncertainties”, particularly amid the fallout of Trump’s trade tariffs.
In September 2025, the firm confirmed that its management restructuring will create 44 new roles, while compulsory redundancies had been reduced to 50. At that time, the yard said it remains focused on fulfilling its global order book and the continued development of new models – including the superyacht range announced in January 2025.
New five-year plan for Sunseeker
The new Sunseeker strategy centres on the rollout of a newly developed five-year plan, which Millar says will touch all areas of the business, from operations through to product development. Over the next 18 months, he says, putting in place this strategy and returning the company to full momentum will be the core priority for the leadership team.
Millar also referred to recent financing secured in November 2025 from lenders Cheyne Capital and Cross Ocean Partners, which will support Sunseeker’s longer-term business plan and current transformation programme.
In the near term, he says, the company is directing investment toward supply chain improvements to support build efficiency and delivery schedules. This includes the introduction of a revised procurement strategy, which Millar says is designed to address wider industry pressures while maintaining a customer-focused approach.
A series of transformation initiatives is now underway across the business, including a digital manufacturing system upgrade, significant expansion of the global dealer network into new and emerging markets and continued investment in site and technology infrastructure to accelerate Sunseeker’s ambitious Superyacht Strategy, according to Millar.
Millar also outlined the firm’s plans for workforce development, including initiatives focused on training, skills development and reward structures across the business.
Design update on Sunseeker 134 Superyacht and Manhattan 56
The press conference also included contributions from Mark Chinery, sales director, and Ewen Foster, chief technical officer. Chinery introduced the global debut of the Sunseeker Manhattan 56, positioned as an update to the Manhattan range with revised exterior lines, expanded glazing and reworked deck layouts aimed at improving light, circulation and usability.
The model is the first to feature Sunseeker’s new exterior upholstery collection and introduces a modular aft-cockpit seating arrangement designed to support dining, lounging and sunbathing within the same footprint.
Foster presented the first public design evolution of the Sunseeker 134 Superyacht, following the sale of its first hull to the US, with launch scheduled for 2027.
Foster outlined how the updated design reflects ongoing development work across the renewed superyacht range, highlighting changes to exterior proportions, glazing and deck layouts, alongside a focus on configurable exterior spaces and extended beach club arrangements.
He says: “Since unveiling the original concept, our focus has been to elevate every aspect of the design visually, technically and experientially. A statement of quiet power and uncompromising elegance, the Sunseeker 134 Superyacht is defined by its commanding silhouette and confident presence on the water. Behind its striking exterior lies a refined world of elevated comfort, convenience and sophisticated style.”
