THE founder of luxury yacht builder Sunseeker is stepping down from his day-to-day role.

Robert Braithwaite, 70, has become group president of the Poole-based firm and will no longer have an executive or board post.

In his four decades at the company, he has seen it transformed from a regional yacht distributor into a global yacht design-and-build business with annual sales approaching £300million.

The firm said Robert would retain a substantial shareholding in Sunseeker and would be available as a consultant to the management team.

He said: “Having spent my life developing Sunseeker into the world’s most exciting global luxury yacht manufacturer, I have decided it is time to step back from my full time role while still continuing to help the company in key areas.

“I would like to pay tribute to the loyal and long serving workforce and the broader Sunseeker family of distributors and suppliers who have been central to the company’s success over the last 50 years. I am confident that the company is in very capable and safe hands.”

Peter Crowley of FL Partners and co-chairman of Sunseeker International, added: “Robert is a legend in the industry and built a remarkable brand from nothing.”