Former Leighton Holdings boss Wal King has joined mining services firm Ausdrill as deputy chairman and non-executive director.
Mr King will receive 1 million Ausdrill options at $4.21 per share as part of his remuneration package, subject to shareholder approval.
Ausdrill chairman Terry O'Connor said it was a "most significant" step for the company to secure Mr King, saying he was widely acknowledged as one of Australia's finest business leaders.
"As the company enters the next phase of its development, it will be invaluable to have the benefit of the insights and advice of someone of Mr King's background and experience," Mr O'Connor said.
Mr King has worked in the construction and contract mining industries for more than 40 years.
As chief executive at Leighton, he oversaw the growth of the group's revenue from $1 billion to over $18 billion.
Mr King is also a director of Coca-Cola Amatil, the University of New South Wales Foundation and was awarded Property Person of the Year in 2008 by the Urban Taskforce.