The Financial Post reports in its Thursday edition former federal cabinet minister John Baird has been hired as a strategic adviser to Hatch, an engineering and consulting firm. A Canadian Press dispatch to the Post says Hatch has its global head office in Mississauga, Ont., and operates in 150 countries around the world. The company says Mr. Baird's experience in international affairs will help Hatch as it expands in the energy, mining and infrastructure sectors. Mr. Baird presided over a number of federal portfolios, including Foreign Affairs. It is the latest corporate appointment for Mr. Baird since he announced in February that he was leaving Prime Minister Stephen Harper's cabinet and resigned his seat in Ottawa West-Nepean. In addition to the Hatch appointment, Mr. Baird has been hired as adviser to Barrick Gold and law firm Bennett Jones, and he joined the board of CP Rail.