Who are we

GHD turns 90

Inspired by our 90 years of history, GHD provides engineering, architecture, environmental and construction services to private and public sector clients around the globe. We are transforming the way we work and co-create solutions with clients as we embrace new technologies and respond to changing community needs.

Celebrating GHD’s history

In 1928, Gordon Gutteridge resigned from a safe and prestigious government job to launch a private engineering consulting practice in Melbourne. He was later joined by Gerald Haskins and Geoffrey Davey, whose initials became our company name.

Throughout our history, these three visionary engineers were joined by many talented people at GHD, shaping the future of our business and making a remarkable contribution to the community. Sir Bernard Callinan’s story is particularly inspiring.

During the Second World War, Callinan commanded a special guerrilla warfare unit, the 2/2nd Independent Company, during the Japanese invasion of Timor.

At a time when many other Allied units in Asia were forced to surrender, the ‘second second’ successfully delayed much larger Japanese forces in Timor, withdrew in good order and became operational again in New Guinea.

Callinan returned to GHD after the war, growing the business in Australia and internationally, and diversifying its services. Appointed chairman and managing director of GHD in 1971, he led our company through a period of rapid expansion, and went on to lead a number of other prestigious organisations. Amongst his many awards, he achieved a rare distinction of having a bar named in his honour at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

What we do

Advisory

GHD Advisory addresses our clients’ needs for outcomes that challenge the status quo in our rapidly changing business environment. Assisting clients to optimise business outcomes in the Capital (plan), Create (design and construct/install) and Optimisation (operate, maintain and dispose) phases of their assets.

GHD Advisory partners with clients throughout the business and asset lifecycle, leveraging our global network to deliver integrated solutions with long-term benefits.

Underpinning our approach is the unique combination of creative thinking, sound business acumen and practical experience in design, delivery and operations.

Digital

GHD’s digital team helps clients unlock the potential of digital technologies to generate value for their businesses. We assist our clients to think differently about customers, products and services, business models, talent pools, organisational structures and the ecosystem their business relies on.

With over 500 technology professionals, we combine our deep expertise in delivery of engineering, architecture, environmental and construction services with our understanding of existing and new technologies such as data analytics, location intelligence, cyber security, virtual and augmented reality, providing a solid platform to deliver unprecedented value for our clients.

Energy & Resources

Energy and resources are the lifeblood of communities around the world.

With considerable experience in delivering landmark energy and resources projects, GHD offers a broad range of services to the sector, through our globally connected network. From feasibility to optimisation, expansion of existing operations, development of new projects or closure of assets, GHD has continued to assist clients in achieving their desired outcomes.

Environment

We offer a broad range of environmental services to help our clients develop projects, enhance performance, and close and remediate operations, while managing risks and impacts.

We have earned a reputation for excellence by offering integrated, practical and innovative solutions to all levels of government authorities, public and private organisations. We focus on helping transform concepts into reality while meeting regulatory, community and environment requirements. We leverage our global network of skilled engineers, scientists, auditors, planners and environmental specialists to assist clients to achieve their goals.

Property & Buildings

The continued development and regeneration of our communities requires a sophisticated planning, design and project management approach. At GHD, we deliver seamless solutions that incorporate planning, economics, engineering, and management to help maximise return on investment.

Transportation

Transport needs are inherently linked to land-use across social and economic activities. Our teams of globally-connected specialists understand current transport challenges in multiple sectors, and provide integrated services throughout the entire project life cycle.

We assist our clients through initial policy formation, provide sound economic and business case advice, and offer dependable support throughout the entire project life cycle. Balancing infrastructure investment needs with demand reduction, land-use strategies and system efficiencies, our talented professionals assist clients to create solutions that provide lasting benefit for communities.

Water

Since our company was established, GHD has been at the forefront of the water industry, delivering sustainable outcomes for our clients across the globe. We’re committed to sustaining the communities in which we operate, our integrated water solutions address every element of the water cycle - from catchment to tap - for urban, rural and industrial water applications.

Global reach



Awards

Rankings and recognition

  • #29 by revenue in Top 150 Global Design Firms 2018, Engineering News-Record
  • #55 by revenue in World Architecture 100 2018 (GHDWoodhead)
  • Excellence in Water, NCE 100, New Civil Engineer, UK
  • 16 by revenue in Australia’s Top 500 Private Companies, IBISWorld and Australian Financial Review
  • 2018 Gold Award, Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, UK

Achievements – Projects

  • Birmingham Resilience Project – 2018 Bronze Project Innovation Award, International Water Association
  • Ellerslie Noise Walls, Auckland – 2018 Sustainability Awards: Excellence in Concrete for the Community, Sustainable Concrete, New Zealand
  • Holman Highway 68 Roundabout, Monterey, California – 2018 Engineering Excellence Award, American Council of Engineering Companies, California; 2018 Outstanding Local Streets and Roads Project Award, California State Association of Counties; 2018 Best Projects Award of Merit, Engineering News-Record
  • Pesticide Container Management in the Pacific – 2018 Project Management Achievement Award, Australian Institute of Project Management
  • Regulatory Closure of Puerto Rico Dump, Saipan – 2018 Best Projects Award of Merit, Engineering News-Record
  • Smart Seeds – 2018 Christian Dahmen Memorial Award for Innovation, Human Resources Institute of New Zealand

Achievements – People

  • Duncan Findlay – Admitted and qualified as Attorney and Counselor of the Supreme Court of the United States
  • Elijah Suares – 2018 Rod McGee Medal, Engineers Australia
  • Howard LaFever – 2018 Civil Engineer of the Year, American Society of Civil Engineers Syracuse Section
  • Kate Macdonald – Highly Commended, National Association of Women in Construction Excellence Awards, New Zealand
  • Melissa Burns – Young Engineer of the Year, American Society of Civil Engineers Florida Section
  • Rene Leblanc – President-elect, International Occupational Hygiene Association
  • Tom Povey - 'Keep your eye on this one’ award, Building Information Modelling Awards, UK