Embattled SNC-Lavalin has appointed an outsider as the company's new chief executive following the resignation of Pierre Duhaime, who stepped down amid controversy over millions in mysterious payments in North Africa.

Robert Card takes over embattled SNC-Lavalin as the company is being investigated by the RCMP. Robert Card takes over embattled SNC-Lavalin as the company is being investigated by the RCMP. (CH2M Hill)

Robert Card, a former senior executive at CH2M Hill Companies Ltd., will take the reins Oct. 1.

He was chosen after a global search for leaders from outside the Montreal-based construction and engineering giant, which has recently been mired in scandal.

"We considered several strong candidates from Canada and around the world," said Gwyn Morgan, chair of the SNC board.

In addition to his role as president and CEO, Card will also sit on the company's board of directors.

SNC-Lavalin has been feeling the fallout from investigations into $56 million worth of payments that were directed through its Tunisian office to unknown sales agents.

The rogue payouts prompted it to part ways with several senior executives, including former chief executive officer Pierre Duhaime.

Duhaime stepped aside in March after a probe revealed he signed off on payments to undisclosed agents, breaching the company's code of ethics.

SNC-Lavalin has said Duhaime co-operated with its internal investigation, but he couldn't provide details of the payments.