Dr Culbard leaves the engineering and construction company Bechtel, where she held the role of head of sustainability for its global infrastructure business and was also a vice-president. She will assume her new role at Golder on August 10, 2015.

Dr Culbard led sustainability for Bechtel's global infrastructure business for 12 years and has over 30 years of experience as an environmental scientist, with specialisms ranging from urban regeneration to civil infrastructure financing and assessment.

Most recently, she co-authored a report for the US Council for International Business on infrastructure's role in delivering the UN's post-2015 millennium goals on sustainable development.

During her career, Dr Culbard has worked on large infrastructure projects in the US; Crossrail, HS1 and Gatwick Airport in the UK; and water, road, rail and airport projects in Central and South America. She has also worked with waste and environmental management in Hong Kong, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, as well as contaminated land remediation in the UK.

Jean-François Bolduc, president of Golder in Europe, commented: "This appointment is aligned with our intent of further embedding technical excellence and high-quality standards in our professional services, which we deliver on infrastructure and natural resources development projects locally and around the world."

Dr Culbard said: "Having been a client of Golder Associates at various points in my career, I have seen first-hand the quality of work and individual technical expertise that represents Golder. I know that it is one of the most respected consulting and engineering firms out there and I think that coming from the industry side I can provide a fresh perspective on Golder's role in the broader supply chain."