23/12/2025
Steamships is pleased to announce the appointment of Sheila Sukwianomb as Group Legal Counsel, further strengthening the Group’s Executive Management Team as the company enters its next phase of growth.
Managing Director of Steamships, Chris Daniells, welcomed the appointment, noting that Sheila brings deep legal and governance expertise across both the public and private sectors.
“We are delighted to welcome Sheila to the Executive Management Team. Her extensive experience in legal and governance matters will play a critical role as Steamships continues its growth journey and delivers on a strong pipeline of projects. This appointment reinforces our commitment to strong governance and strategic leadership, and we look forward to the valuable contributions Sheila will bring to the Group,” Mr Daniells said.
With more than 20 years of experience, Sheila is a seasoned legal and governance professional who has supported high-level decision-making across Papua New Guinea’s public and private sectors. She expressed her enthusiasm about joining Steamships at a pivotal time.
“I’m excited to join Steamships during this important stage of its growth. I look forward to contributing to strong governance practices, supporting strategic objectives across a diverse portfolio of businesses, and helping drive sustainable outcomes for the organisation and its stakeholders,” Sheila said.
Prior to joining Steamships, Sheila served as Head of Legal and Company Secretary at WR Carpenters (PNG) Group, where she led the legal function across a diversified commercial group. Her portfolio spanned commercial and property law, corporate transactions, governance oversight, compliance frameworks, board advisory services, and strategic risk management across multiple business units.
Sheila also held senior legal and policy roles within the Department of Lands and Physical Planning, specialising in land law, property matters, statutory interpretation, and regulatory compliance. Her work included providing legal advice to ministerial and departmental leadership, supporting legislative reviews and policy development, and contributing to reforms that strengthened regulatory clarity and institutional efficiency.
In addition, Sheila undertook advisory work for the Constitutional Law Reform Commission, the National Research Institute, and private law firms, providing specialist expertise in land law, customary law, property-related matters, and regulatory analysis.
Sheila holds a Master of Laws from Victoria University of Wellington and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Papua New Guinea, supported by professional development in governance, mediation, and executive leadership.
Please join us in welcoming Sheila to Steamships. Her leadership and depth of experience will be instrumental as we continue to grow, evolve, and deliver long-term value across the Group.
