WSP completes Golder purchase, names new Canadian CEO
Montreal-based WSP Global Inc. announced on April 7 that it has completed its acquisition of Golder Associates.
The sale was valued at $1.4 billion. The deal, which was announced in December, adds Golder’s 7,000-person workforce across 30 countries to WSP’s footprint. Approximately 14,000 of WSP’s 54,000 staff are now dedicated to environmental services and sustainable infrastructure.
“This acquisition directly contributes to the realization of the goals we laid out in our 2019–2021 Global Strategic Plan. We expect that the addition of Golder will contribute to both strategic growth and value creation for many years to come,” said WSP president and CEO Alexandre L’Heureux.
A news release from WSP indicates that Golder’s executive leaders will adopt strategic positions within WSP’s operating regions and support functions. One executive that won’t be carrying on with the new company, however, is Golder CEO Hisham Mahmoud. The company’s chief executive had previously announced his intent to retire.
“I believe the combination of Golder and WSP will create significant value for our clients and opportunities for our people,” he said. “I’ve been impressed with what our teams have already accomplished in planning for the integration, further confirming a shared excitement for the future.”
Appointed to lead WSP’s Canada operations is Marie-Claude Dumas.
Dumas, who replaces Ryan Brain, has worked with WSP since January 2020, serving as global director, major projects & programs/executive market leader – Quebec. She is a member of the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec, and brings a proven track record as a global engineering and construction executive with over 20 years of multi-disciplinary management and consulting experience acquired with several multinationals.
“We are confident that Marie-Claude’s extensive technical background, combined with her track record in major project delivery, will set the foundation for sustained growth at WSP in Canada, in addition to capturing the benefits offered by the Golder acquisition,” said L’Heureux. “We thank Ryan Brain for his contribution to the success of WSP’s Canadian operations during his tenure and for his ongoing support during the transition.”
Prior to joining WSP, Dumas worked for 12 years at SNC-Lavalin and for six years prior to that at Nortel.
“After witnessing firsthand, the undeniable talent and level of expertise of WSP in Canada over the past year, I am proud to continue to work alongside the Canadian leadership team as we pursue the organization’s strategic ambitions to further our client centric approach and people development initiatives,” she said.