Sikla UK & Ireland announces Patricia Moreira as new Managing Director

2025 is the start of a new era for Sikla UK and Ireland.

From 1^st January 2025, Patricia Moreira has assumed the position of Managing Director, previously held by Harry Starke since founding the company back in May 2003. The appointment comes after Harry’s increased contribution to the Sikla Group and Patricia’s growing involvement in the day-to-day running of the business. The transition was announced internally during the last All Staff Meeting in December 2024 and Patricia emphasized:

"This progression was unforeseen when I joined SIKLA in 2018, but it serves as a clear message to each of you that if I can advance, so can you!"

Patricia Moreira (left) and Harry Starke (right) inside the Milton Keynes Trade Counter set to open in 2025

Prior to Sikla, Patricia accumulated a decade of experience in the Automotive industry in Portugal, gaining comprehensive sales and marketing skills. Initially joining Sikla UK & Ireland in October 2018 part-time as a Sales Office Assistant after maternity leave, Patricia quickly transitioned to a pivotal role within the Supply Chain and Marketing departments. This progression facilitated a close collaboration with the Business Development team leading to her joining the Sikla UK Management team in 2021, after the foreseen departure of the former Operations Director.

Appointed Executive Director in December 2022, Patricia continued to be actively involved within Sikla UK & Ireland’s operations, including overseeing acquiring a second premises in Milton Keynes and the renovations to update the existing premises into a modern working environment.

The new appointment sees Harry Starke taking a step back from running the daily operation of Sikla UK & Ireland but he will still retain his position as Chair of the Board. In January 2024, the Sikla Group restructured to streamline the 19 Sikla subsidiaries into five Sales Regions. With the restructure, Harry became a member of the Sikla Group’s Board of Global Sales and was appointed the Head Of Sales Region for Sikla UK, US and Oceania. To enable him to focus on the strategic development endeavours in North America, Oceania and the Middle East, Harry will conclude the 30-month transition of his leadership responsibilities at Sikla UK & Ireland to Patricia.

Harry and Patricia inside newly refurbished Milton Keynes premises that Sikla UK & Ireland has been based since 2010.

In 2025, Sikla UK & Ireland is set to achieve a revenue of £10 million and grow to workforce of 40 employees. Internal projects, such as the opening of the Milton Keynes Sikla Trade Counter, Warehouse and Pre-fabrication automation plus the expansion of the Sikla Belfast branch to allow for more office space, will contribute to this forecasted growth. Both the long-term forecasts and strategic initiatives of the SIKLA group envision the organization to more than double in size by the mid-2030s, presenting a substantial managerial opportunity that Patricia eagerly anticipates tackling.