WSP Makes Executive Appointments in Canada, Asia and in the Environment and Resources Sectors, to Support Long-Term Growth


MONTREAL, Jan. 09, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WSP Global Inc. (TSX: WSP) (“WSP” or the “Corporation”) today announced three key executive appointments to support continued long-term growth in an evolving professional services industry. These include Ryan Brain, President and Chief Executive Officer of WSP in Canada; Ivy Hoi Yan Kong, Managing Director of WSP in Asia; and André-Martin Bouchard, Global Director, Environment.

“We are thrilled to welcome Ryan Brain and Ivy Kong, two successful growth leaders with track records of guiding organizations through change. As we are about to embark on our 2019-2021 Global Strategic Plan, they will play a key role in continuing to professionalize our firm, while pursuing long-term profitable growth by strengthening the core of our business: our culture and our relationship with our clients. Ryan is a strategic, results-oriented professional services executive with leadership and business development skills that will help us continue to execute our growth strategy in Canada. Ivy is a seasoned operating executive with a global perspective and is ideally suited to ensure our Asian operations are prioritizing clients and employees in that region, with a focused project delivery strategy. We welcome Ryan and Ivy to the WSP family and to our Global Leadership Team and look forward to benefiting from their valuable experience and perspective,” said Alexandre L’Heureux, President and Chief Executive Officer of WSP. “I am also pleased to welcome André-Martin to WSP’s Global Leadership Team. Since he joined WSP in 2006, he has been instrumental in growing the Environment team in Canada, while establishing an informal network of experts globally. His role and leadership will be crucial in positioning our Environment and Resources sectors as key growth drivers of our firm. As a seasoned and trusted leader, this makes him the ideal candidate to run this strategic initiative”, he added.

Ryan Brain
Ryan Brain has over 20 years experience in the professional service industry, mainly at Deloitte, one of the largest global professional services firms. Known for his leadership, he has in depth experience and understanding of professional services business models, as well as unparalleled client service. He is also well acquainted in areas such as market and corporate strategy, M&A due diligence and integration. He has worked with various stakeholders and clients across the private and public sectors and led several complex and high-profile projects across various industries, with a focus on consumer business industries. Mr. Brain is a Certified Management Consultant and has a Master of Management Sciences from the University of Waterloo.

“I am pleased to join WSP during this important stage in the Corporation’s evolution. WSP has a great reputation, it is known for its deep pool of talent as well as its strong client base” said Ryan Brain. “I also look forward to working alongside the Canadian leadership team to accelerate the execution of WSP’s Canadian strategy, while offering development opportunities for employees and driving greater value for WSP’s shareholders.”

Ivy Kong
Ivy Kong, known for being a dynamic leader with a result-driven approach, has approximately 20 years experience in the professional services industry, most recently with AECOM in Asia, where she held management responsibilities. She is well known for her expertise in the infrastructure sector, where she has a strong track record of winning and delivering large projects. Ms. Kong holds a Bachelor of Engineering, Civil & Structural Engineering from the Hong Kong’s University of Science and Technology.

“It is clearly a time of growth at WSP, and I am eager to quickly get to work with WSP’s leadership team to drive a stronger client and project delivery approach, while supporting employee development,” said Ms. Ivy Kong. “I look forward to continuing to advance the growth initiatives for WSP’s Asian operations.”

André Martin Bouchard
André-Martin Bouchard has approximately 25 years experience in the environmental industry. Since joining WSP in 2006, Mr. Bouchard has played a key role in growing the Canadian Environment sector to a Top 3 position.  Over the years, he held various positions in Canada, serving most recently as Executive Vice President Environment and being a member of the Canadian Leadership Team. Before joining WSP, Mr. Bouchard was the Founder and CEO of Strate Environment. In the 1990s Mr. Bouchard held different positions in the hazardous waste and contaminated land Industry.  Mr. Bouchard is a Professional Environmental Engineer who holds a Bachelor in Civil Engineering, option Environment, from Polytechnique Montréal.

“I am proud to be joining WSP’s Global Leadership Team and to drive the development and execution of our global corporate strategy in the Environment and Resources sectors going forward, as we believe these two sectors offer tremendous opportunity for growth and value creation,” said André-Martin Bouchard.

ABOUT WSP
As one of the world's leading professional services firms, WSP provides technical expertise and strategic advice to clients in the Transportation & Infrastructure, Property & Buildings, Environment, Industry, Resources (including Mining and Oil & Gas) and Energy sectors, as well as offering project and program delivery and advisory services. Our experts include engineers, advisors, technicians, scientists, architects, planners, surveyors and environmental specialists, as well as other design, program and construction management professionals. With approximately 48,000 talented people globally, we are uniquely positioned to deliver successful and sustainable projects, wherever our clients need us. www.wsp.com

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain information regarding WSP contained herein may constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements may include estimates, plans, expectations, opinions, forecasts, projections, guidance or other statements that are not statements of fact. Although WSP believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to have been correct. These statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties and may be based on assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements. WSP's forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. The complete version of the cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements as well as a description of the relevant assumptions and risk factors likely to affect WSP's actual or projected results are included in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2017, which is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof and WSP does not assume any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise unless expressly required by applicable securities laws.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Isabelle Adjahi
Senior Vice President, Investor Relations and Communications
WSP Global Inc.
Tel: (438) 843-7548
isabelle.adjahi@wsp.com

Three photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/da5ab0d3-d99c-4fe0-b34e-d648dc351c9b

http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0d46856b-45bb-415c-b260-bfe6ccf01deb

http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/83f12f01-f3b5-4e6a-9988-e3477e64c0c3 

Andre-Martin_Bouchard Ivy Kong Ryan Brain