Steamships appoints Sheila Sukwianomb as Group Legal Counsel
23 December 2025
Steamships is delighted to announce the appointment of Sheila Sukwianomb as Group Legal Counsel, strengthening its leadership teams as the company enters a new phase of growth.
Managing Director of Steamships, Chris Daniells, said, “We’re delighted to welcome Sheila to the Executive Management Team. Her extensive expertise in legal and governance across both public and private sectors will play a critical role as Steamships enters a period of sustained growth and delivers on a strong pipeline of projects. Sheila’s appointment reinforces our commitment to robust governance and strategic leadership, and we look forward to the valuable contributions she will bring to the business.”
A seasoned legal and governance professional with 20 years of experience supporting highlevel decision making across Papua New Guinea’s private and public sectors, Sukwianomb said she is enthusiastic about the new journey with Steamships.
“I’m excited to join Steamships at such a pivotal time in its growth journey, and I look forward to contributing to the company’s commitment to strong governance, supporting its strategic objectives across a diverse portfolio of businesses and helping drive sustainable outcomes for the organization and its stakeholders,” said Sukwianomb.
Sheila previously served as Head of Legal and Company Secretary at WR Carpenters (PNG) Group of companies leading the Legal function across a diversified commercial group with a portfolio covering commercial law, property law, corporate transactions and governance oversight including responsibility for compliance frameworks, board advisory services and strategic risk management across multiple business units.
In the Public Sector, Sheila held senior Legal and Policy roles within the Department of Lands & Physical Planning (DLPP) specializing in land law, property matters, statutory interpretation and regulatory compliance within PNG’s land administration framework. Notable achievements include providing high-level legal advice to ministerial and departmental leadership, supporting legislative review and policy development processes, and contributing to reforms that strengthened regulatory clarity and institutional efficiency.
Whilst at DLPP, Sheila also undertook advisory work for the Constitutional Law Reform Commission, the National Research Institute and private law firms offering specialist input on land law, customary law, property related matters and regulatory analysis across multiple sectors.
Sheila’s qualifications include a Master of Laws from the 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.