Regulators are also focussing on ESG with APRA telling institutions of plans to develop a prudential practice-guide focused on climate-related financial risks, and ASIC finding that management is often operating outside board-approved risk appetites for non-financial risks like ESG for months, if not years, at a time.
It is against this background that WSP has acquired Golder, a global consulting firm with over 60 years’ experience in providing earth sciences and environmental consulting. The addition of Golder increases WSP’s global workforce by 7,000 people and makes it the leading environmental consulting firm in the world with approximately 14,000 of 54,000 professionals now dedicated to accelerating the world’s green transition. In Australia and New Zealand, WSP’s numbers swell to around 6,400.
Guy Templeton, WSP CEO Asia Pacific, says “for us, environmental consulting has never been just another division. It’s at the heart of our Future Ready vision and WSP’s core mission. WSP and Golder truly share a common purpose, and passion, to make the world a better place,”
“Our service offerings, competencies and skills-base are genuinely complimentary and together we offer a broader, deeper range of solutions with the end-to-end capabilities to tackle key environmental and evolving ESG challenges. The expertise of our combined experience in earth sciences and environmental consulting makes us the partner of choice to advise public and private organisations on achieving their sustainability goals.”
Paul Williams, previously WSP’s Director of Power and Resources, will now lead 600 people in the Mining and Power Business Unit. Paul says “Golder’s technical expertise, their commitment to finding innovative approaches to the safe, responsible development of mineral resources and their deep understanding of the mining sector combine to support clients in the evolution of sustainable societies. Minerals and metals are core to green energy technologies making the mining sector crucial in the transition to a low-carbon world”.
Scott Fidler, previously Regional Manager Australia & New Zealand at Golder, will lead a 1,000-strong Australian Earth & Environment Business Unit focused on providing market-leading environment, contaminated land management, ground engineering and tunnelling services.
“WSP and Golder already work together on a range of projects like the North South Corridor in South Australia, Inland Rail in Queensland and Parramatta Light Rail in Sydney”, says Scott. “We believe the combination of Golder and WSP will create significant value for our clients and opportunities for our people. Both our firms are truly committed to our clients and Golder’s dedication was recognised in the 2021 Client Choice Awards where we won three categories including Best Professional Services Firm Overall making 32 awards for Golder to date.”
For more information, read the global press release and download our fact sheet.
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