SUNSEEKER has hired a boss from Aston Martin Lagonda to be its next chief executive.

Christian Marti will join the Poole-based luxury boat builder later this month after Phil Popham left the business.

Mr Marti has worked in the car industry for more than 25 years and was chief sales officer and vice-president at Aston Martin Lagonda. He has more than 18 years of senior management experience in European and Asian markets with brands including Jaguar Land Rover and McLaren Automotive.

Sunseeker says he was a significant part of an executive team that transformed Aston Martin Lagonda.

John Zeng, Sunseeker representative for the company’s Chinese parent company Dalian Wanda, said: “Christian joins us at a crucial time for Sunseeker as we move into our next phase of growth and I have no doubt he will help us build upon the incredible work already undertaken by the team in achieving a remarkable business turnaround in record time.”

Mr Marti said: “The business has recently embarked on a five-year growth strategy and the company is sitting on its strongest ever order book with continued investment in new product and facilities at the heart of the business plan. I look forward to working with the Sunseeker team on the future opportunities to grow this already outstanding, world-famous luxury brand.”

Sunseeker set to launch a 161 Yacht in 2021, its first aluminium-built vessel in collaboration with Dutch builder ICON Yachts.