Building contractor announces two senior promotions
Building contractor Beard has announced two senior promotions to support its expansion plans.
Director Mike Hedges has been promoted to the newly created position of company operations director, recognising his increasing impact and influence across the entire business. In his new role, Mike will oversee all of Beard’s offices including its headquarters in Swindon, and its Bristol, Oxford and Guildford offices. He will also oversee a new south coast office which is set to open in early 2024.
Mike joined Beard in 2015 as construction director to head up its new Bristol office. Following success in Bristol, Mike’s role quickly expanded to support the growth and development of its other regional offices, working closely with chairman Mark Beard and his fellow directors.
Mike has nearly three decades of experience in the construction sector, having previously worked for Wates Construction for close to 20 years.
Jamie Harwood, Beard’s director for the successful Swindon region, has taken additional responsibility as safety director. This new role will build on Beard’s exemplary health and safety record with Jamie now spearheading the entire company safety strategy. He will also continue in his role as Swindon director.
Jamie joined Beard in 2019 and was promoted to the role of Swindon director in 2021. His 25-year construction career began at Bristol-based Cowlin Construction, before joining Midas in 2013. As Swindon director, Jamie is responsible for the nearly 100-stong office and a series of construction projects which range from small maintenance jobs to complex, multi-million-pound developments.
Mike Hedges said: “For more than 130 years, Beard has not only built fantastic buildings, but a formidable reputation across a variety of key sectors. As we embark on this next stage of growth and expand with a brand-new office, I’m really pleased to be taking on the exciting role of company operations director.
“It is a great opportunity to work closely with our talented people and fantastic supply partners, while ensuring that our principles of excellent relationships and prompt and faultless delivery are maintained.”
Jamie Harwood added: “The safety of our people is paramount, and I’m honoured to be taking on the new safety director role. The safety strategy will continue Beard’s long-standing commitment to ensuring all staff and stakeholders get home safely every day.“
Both promotions come into effect from January.
The news follows another busy year for the construction company, with a number of high-profile project starts and completions. Most recently, Beard has completed the £38million transformation of Rhodes House in Oxford, while work has started at Stowe School in Buckinghamshire, the Grade II listed Trowbridge Town Hall in Wiltshire, and at the Spectrum Building in Swindon.
In the year, Beard has also achieved prestigious Investors In People (IIP) gold accreditation, successfully retaining the internationally recognised three-year accreditation for a fourth successive time. It follows Beard’s IIP gold award for staff health and wellbeing, in recognition of the company’s inclusive policies and people first approach. Investors in People has accredited Beard since 2003.
