Sales of luxury yachts are buoyant since the Brexit vote, says Sunseeker

Demand for luxury yachts has not sunk since the Brexit vote, the boss of vessel manufacturer Sunseeker International has declared.

Phil Popham revealed appetite from wealthy Londoners has held up for products such as the Sunseeker 131 yacht, which is priced from £19.5 million and can accommodate 12 guests.

Weak sterling has also helped lift sales from international buyers, he said. “Since June we have experienced a very successful boat show season with substantial confirmed retail orders at Cannes, Southampton, Monaco and Fort Lauderdale,” he added.

Popham said his firm would invest in bringing more models to market in the next five years “as we progress through Brexit”.

His comments will come as a fillip: last December rival yacht-builder, Fairline, went bust and was then bought by two Russian investors.

Popham was speaking as Sunseeker, owned by China’s Dalian Wanda, picked up a British luxury manufacturing trophy at the Walpole luxury awards this week.

Michelle Emmerson, Walpole chief executive said: “Whatever happens [with Brexit], the British luxury sector will keep calm and carry on.”

Other winners at the event included Anya Hindmarch, Burberry and Charlotte Tilbury.