Construction firm Beard is marking ten years of delivering ambitious and innovative projects which have transformed communities and businesses across Bristol and the wider region.
Beard’s Bristol office opened in September 2015 and was originally established in Westbury-on-Trym, before moving to its current location of Langford Lodge, 109 Pembroke Road in Clifton.
The office has grown from a team of just three to a 54-strong workforce, delivering high-quality design and build, new-build, restoration and refurbishment projects across sectors including heritage, commercial, healthcare, residential, sports, leisure, and education.
Experienced construction professional Mike Hedges led the Bristol office from its inception before being promoted to company operations director in 2023. He said:
This milestone is a testament to the skill and dedication of our team, past and present, as well as the trust and expertise of our valued customers, subcontractors, suppliers, and wider network. My thanks, on behalf of the Beard directors, goes to all of them.
Mike Hedges, Company Operations Director
To mark the occasion, Beard hosted a celebratory event at the Royal West of England Academy (RWA) earlier this month, attended by team members, supply chain partners, and customers.
In 2022, Beard completed the RWA’s light and inspiration project, a scheme to reduce the building’s reliance on fossil fuels and improve the efficiency of the historic building. It was the most significant refurbishment in over a century, also delivering structural repairs and improving accessibility to preserve the cultural landmark.
Matt Cooper, Bristol director since 2021, has steered the team through a period of significant growth. He added:
Matt Cooper, Beard's Bristol Director
One of the Bristol team’s first projects was the £4.7million refurbishment of the University of Bristol’s law school. Beard also delivered the iconic new Being Brunel museum for the SS Great Britain Trust, telling the story of Brunel’s impact in Bristol and beyond.
Beard Bristol’s current projects include the construction of a gorilla house and visitor centre for Bristol Zoological Society; the restoration of Glastonbury’s Baily’s Building into a dynamic co-working space; and the refurbishment and extension of One Friary Quay in Bristol.
Other projects in Bristol’s varied portfolio over the past decade have included:
- An extension for John Wesley’s Chapel, the oldest Methodist Chapel in the world, commissioned by The Trustees of the New Room, and an innovative new church in Stroud for The Christian Community Trustees.
- Sports pavilion and 3G pitch at Shaftesbury Park for Lockleaze Recreation Ground, and state-of-the-art training facilities for both Bristol Bears Rugby and Bristol City FC.
- An innovative garden museum, treetop walkway and conversion of country manor house to a boutique hotel and venue at the Newt in Somerset.
- Reconstruction of three tollhouses at Clifton Suspension Bridge.
- Restoration of the UK’s oldest lido, Cleveland Pools in Bath.
- New premium car showrooms and service centres for Dick Lovett.
- Complete refurbishment and extension to 100 Victoria Street and remodelling of Queens Quay, creating 87,000 sq ft of grade A office space.
- New laboratories for University of West of England.
- Purpose built student accommodation for both McLaren and Studio Hive, creating 317 new student bedrooms.
- Nine eco-friendly homes for Bristol City Council.
Beyond construction, the team has raised over £18,000 for Grief Encounter this year alone. Their chosen charity for two years, the organisation provides specialist bereavement support to children, young people and their families. Money has been raised through everything from skydives and cycle challenges to dress down days and bake sales, reflecting the team’s commitment to positive community impact.
Founded in 1892 by Edward William Beard, the company is now led by the fourth-generation of the family, Mark Beard. Its head office opened in Swindon, followed by Oxford, Guildford and Bristol. The firm opened its newest office in Southampton in January 2024.
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