6 Senses sale agreed

Bangkok-based ultra-luxury resort and spa group Six Senses is being acquired by a US-based private equity fund manager for an undisclosed sum. Pegasus Capital Advisors has entered into a binding agreement to acquire all Six Senses and Evason-branded resort and spa management contracts and related intellectual property rights, and will operate them under a new company that will be managed by Pegasus and its affiliates. Bernhard Bohnenberger, currently the president of Six Senses, will continue in his role and head the Six Senses’ Bangkok office. “Going forward, the new Six Senses will be a debt-free company with committed capital for expansion into new and within existing international markets,” commented Craig Cogut, founder, Pegasus Capital Advisors. The Soneva brand and resorts, as well as the company’s real estate assets and holdings, are not included in the transaction, and will continue to be led by Sonu Shivdasani, the former founder and CEO of Six Senses, who will serve as chairman and CEO and principal shareholder of The Soneva Group. “This transaction will allow me to focus solely on the development of the Soneva portfolio of resorts and real estate assets, and allow the Soneva and Six Senses brands to flourish independently of each other,” said Sonu Shivdasani, chairman and CEO of The Soneva Group. “For myself and Eva, my wife, this means we can devote all our energies to our first love – the development of the Sonevas. Soneva will continue to operate its philanthropic arm, The Slow Life Trust, and remain dedicated to achieving environmental goals and a corporate commitment to sustainability.” The transaction is expected to close within the next three months.