03 WSP AR2018 Chairman Message

Chairman’s
Message
Looking back at WSP’s 2018 accomplishments,
I am proud to be Chairman of this agile and
successful global organization. This level
of success can only be reached through the
diligence and passion of our leaders and
employees in all their professional work.
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WSP’s 2018 Highlights the United States, but also in other

2018 — Annual Report
regions such as Canada, Europe, the

With net revenues of $6 billion, an Middle East and Latin America.
adjusted EBITDA margin of 11%
and organic growth in net revenues At the beginning of 2019, with
of 3.5%, our 2018 global financial approximately 48,000 employees
performance symbolizes both the worldwide, WSP sets out on
stability and the growth of WSP. its next strategic cycle with the
The end of the year marked the close ambition to become the premier
of our 2015-2018 Global Strategic Plan professional consultant in its
cycle. We believe the plan was ambitious industry by 2021, serving the
and are proud that the majority of built and natural environment.
our key objectives were met. We now Our position is reinforced by
have a strong platform to achieve the professional reviews, including
objectives of our 2019-2021 Global recently in Canada where we were
Strategic Plan, announced last January. named as an industry leader in
We are pleased that Louis Berger, environmental, social and governance
Irwinconsult, UnionConsult and matters by an independent investor
Kontigo joined WSP in 2018. As our research report, and accordingly we are
largest acquisition since 2015, Louis pleased that non-financial measures are
Berger adds capacity in several sectors considered in our overall performance
and expands our expertise mainly in evaluation by third-party firms.
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Chairman’s Message
Christopher Cole
Chairman of the Board
“We are pleased that our
business is performing
well, and attribute that
strength to the resilience we
have built as a diversified,
international consultancy
providing a full range of
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services to our clients.”
A Strong, Diverse Board Confidence in Our Leadership

2018 — Annual Report
We have seen evolution in our Board The Board is delighted with the
membership in 2018 and at the beginning 2018 performance of our executives,
of 2019. I would like to thank Pierre management and employees, and I take
Fitzgibbon and Josée Perreault for their this opportunity to thank everyone
service to WSP, and I am also pleased for their dedication and hard work.
to welcome Linda Galipeau as a new During the first quarter of 2019, four
Board member. people joined WSP’s Global Leadership
Linda brings her international strengths Team: Ryan Brain, President and Chief
to WSP as a Director and as Chair of our Executive Officer of WSP in Canada;
Governance, Ethics and Compensation Ivy Kong, Managing Director of WSP
Committee. Given the depth of her human in Asia; André-Martin Bouchard,
resources and professional services Global Director, Environment and
experience, we are confident she will Resources; and Alain Michaud,
bring new ways of thinking to invigorate Senior Vice President, Operational
and strengthen the People & Culture pillar Performance and Strategic Initiatives.
of our 2019-2021 Global Strategic Plan. The latter two appointments are in line
Our Board strives to achieve industry- with our 2019-2021 Global Strategic Plan
leading levels of diversity; for example, I ambitions and our commitment to build
am pleased that we currently have three and broaden our environmental activities
women among our seven Board members. and improve our operational performance.
Welcoming Stakeholder
Contributions
Through 2018, WSP’s leaders looked
“WSP sets out on its

ahead to position WSP for the next
strategic cycle. Decisions were informed
by extensive engagement of our next strategic cycle with
investors, clients and employees; this the ambition to become
dialogue and the messages received have
helped guide our new 2019-2021 Global the premier professional
Strategic Plan. I refer readers to the consultant in its industry
by 2021.”
presentation of the Plan in this report.
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Governance of a Complex
Organization
In an organization with the size,
Positioned for Success in 2019
Chairman’s Message
geography and nature of activities of
WSP, the Board is always mindful of our Whilst we recognize varied and challenging
identified business risks. In addition to conditions in some world markets, we are
our industry operational and execution pleased that our business is performing
risks, we have oversight of WSP’s global well, and attribute that strength to the
Health & Safety and Compliance & Ethics resilience we have built as a diversified,
programs, which we take very seriously. international consultancy providing a
We support a positive culture that gives full range of services to our clients.
Health & Safety, as well as high ethical We would like to thank our shareholders;
standards, equal importance to other we recognize that their vital support is the
operational items. This empowers our solid base from which WSP can grow.
employees to minimize Health & Safety We look forward to working with and
risks and go home safely at the end guiding WSP’s trusted leaders to make a
of each day. Moreover, our culture of dynamic start to our new strategic plan
integrity provides our employees with cycle in 2019.
the right leadership, tools and support
to integrate high ethical standards
at the centre of all that we do.
Both topics are regularly discussed at
our Board meetings and supported by Christopher Cole
our annual Risk Management Review. Chairman of the Board

03 WSP AR2018 Chairman Message

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03 WSP AR2018 Chairman Message

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Chairman’s

WSP’s 2018 Highlights the United States, but also in other

regions such as Canada, Europe, the

A Strong, Diverse Board Confidence in Our Leadership

“WSP sets out on its

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