Sikla Oceania appoints Peter Walkden as Managing Director

Sikla Oceania is embarking on a new chapter by appointing Peter Walkden as Managing Director.

Founded by Harry Starke in 2017, the Sikla Western Australia branch was opened to enhance the companies export operations on the continent. Prior to setting up in Oceania Sikla UK & Ireland, the first branch founded Harry in 2003, organised shipments to the continent with the first one arriving in 2008 for New Zealand and 2009 for Australia. As Harry’s contribution to the Sikla Group increases during the companies 7th year of trading, the appointment comes in response to Sikla Oceania’s remarkable growth in revenue and size, indicating the need for local leadership to further drive Sikla’s strategic objectives in Australia and New Zealand.

Sikla Oceania team based in Perth, Western Australia

Peter Walkden joined Sikla in 2017, from an approved UK distributor, and has been key to the company’s development in Oceania. Starting as a Field Engineer in London, Peter's commitment to implementing Sikla products into industrial projects have led him to Sydney, where he assumed managerial responsibilities alongside an Engineering and Sales roles in 2022. In the Engineering and Sales role, Peter oversaw the development and delivery of Sikla modular steel supports to the Kwinana Energy Recovery plant, Dubai Waste-to-Energy facility and the Covalent refinery project. Through continuous management and leadership training, from Harry Starke over a 30-month period, Peter is well prepared to take on the new position.

In 2025 Sikla Oceania, headquartered in Western Australia and additionally registered New Zealand, will expand its operations by focusing on enhancing local engineering services and strengthen distributor activities. In New Zealand, Sikla begins a new distribution partnership with FDG to allow our support systems to be more available to the Building Services market. Reflecting the commitment to innovation and growth, the company will continue to seek seismic solutions plus engage with more industrial projects within Western Australia.

Peter Walkden (left) and Harry Starke (right) in the Western Australia premises.

While Peter takes on the role of Managing Director, Harry Starke will continue as Overseas Director. Appointed Head of Sales Region for Sikla UK, Oceania and USA in January 2024 as part of the Sikla Group restructure, Harry has since become a member of the Board of Global Sales at Sikla Group’s financial head office in Thalheim, Austria. This strategic move highlights Sikla’s commitment to enhancing the company’s performance as a group and not 19 individual Sikla subsidiaries across the globe.