SUNSEEKER has its third chief executive in less than a year after its boss quit eight months into the job.

Poole’s world-famous luxury boat builder said Christian Marti had resigned and its chief technical officer Andrea Frabetti was moving up to the top post.

John Zeng, the board representative for Sunseeker’s Chinese owner Dalian Wanda, said in a statement: “On behalf of Dalian Wanda, we would like to thank Christian for his input, professionalism and leadership. Christian leaves Sunseeker in a very healthy position focussed on its future growth.

“We have worked with the Sunseeker executive management team to create the strategic committee and we are confident that Sunseeker, with the continued support of Dalian Wanda, will be in an even stronger position to grow on its success.”

Sunseeker said Mr Frabetti would work closely with chief financial officer Mike McMillan and chief operations officer Michael Straughan to form a strategic committee that would “focus on further developing the strategic framework for the business and driving the Sunseeker brand forward to even greater success”.

The committee would work with the current executive management to “formalise a more product-facing organisation structure and a robust global distribution network”, the company said, following successful trading in 2018.

Mr Frabetti arrived at Sunseeker at the beginning of the year and the company said he had been devising a product plan with the management team.

Its statement said: “The focus for the company moving ahead will be on the new product development plan supported by excellence in operations, an engaged workforce and a strong commercial focus to drive profitable growth.

“A new manufacturing programme has also been developed that will ensure the production of Sunseeker’s world-class luxury yachts is even more efficient and effective. As part of this process, the company will be looking at all aspects of the business to enable it to be as streamlined as possible, ensuring continued profitable business into the future.”

Mr Frabetti worked at the Italian shipbuilder Ferretti Group for more than 25 years, overseeing motor yachts from conception to readiness for production.

Christian Marti joined Sunseeker last November after previous chief executive Phil Popham left the business.

He worked in the car industry for more than 25 years and was chief sales officer and vice-president at Aston Martin Lagonda.