LionHeart to acquire Sunseeker International
After a few leaks, a Bloomberg press release and an article in the Chinese press South China Morning Post have confirmed the signing of an exclusive agreement for the sale of British shipyard Sunseeker International. The Chinese Wanda Group, which has owned the British high-end motorboat specialist since 2013 with a 92% stake, has sealed the deal with Miami-based American fund LionHeart Capital. According to Bloomberg, the deal is expected to be finalized by May 2024, subject to UK regulatory approval.
End of suspense over Sunseeker's future
The future of the shipyard, based in Poole in the south of the UK since 1969, had been the subject of speculation for several months. Its owner, the Wanda Group, highly diversified in China, was in turmoil, having already begun to sell off major assets to avoid bankruptcy. The sale of Sunseeker therefore seemed likely.
With LionHeart, the new American owner is no stranger to the nautical world. Primarily active in hotels and shopping center management, the Florida-based fund also owns the famous Cigarette speedboat brand, whose name is almost synonymous with these large, overpowered racing units.
