Well-known and highly respected construction industry leader Alan Beard has died peacefully at home, aged 91.

Alan worked for seven decades at the family firm Beard Construction, joining in January 1950, aged 17, when the South West company was led by his father, Geoffrey. He became Beard’s managing director in 1971, then the third-generation family member at the helm of the business.

Today, Beard Construction is an award-winning construction company, operating across the south west with a turnover of £160m and has offices in Swindon, Oxford, Guildford and Bristol.

He steered the company through many economic and political challenges, whilst at the same time helping grow company turnover to £200m.

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Alan retired in 2021, aged 88. His impressive lifelong commitment to the company is a family trait; his grandfather and company founder, Edward William Beard, worked until he was 103.

Former Beard non-executive director Chad Murrin, who has known the family since the early 1980s, said: “Alan was a highly respected figure, in the construction and property sectors and in his private and social life. 

“As head of the company, Alan resolutely appointed apprentices and mentored them as they progressed their careers within Beard and the wider construction industry. He was ahead of his time in his approach to developing technically competent construction managers.

“He led and then supported a very successful well-respected business. I was very sorry to hear of his passing.”

Professor Roger Flanagan, former president of the Chartered Institute of Building, added: “Alan Beard was a true professional. He was caring and helped many people on their career path.

“He was humble and concerned for other people. His legacy is a beacon for others to follow; always do your best and exceed your own and the client’s expectations. He will be sadly missed.”

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Beard completed many high-profile projects under Alan’s stewardship.

These included The Bishop Edward King Chapel at Cuddesdon, an impressive elliptical building with a lattice-effect limestone exterior, which was the Sterling Prize runner up in 2013.

Alan oversaw Beard’s growth in the education sector, delivering contracts for prestigious schools including Radley, Eton, Marlborough and Wellington Colleges, as well as several projects for Oxford University.

(Image: Fisher Studios) Outside work, Alan was keenly involved in his community, part of the Rotary International and an active member of the local church.

He is survived by wife Eileen, sons Mark and John, six grandchildren and a great-grandchild.

The funeral and celebration of Alan Beard's life will be held on Friday.

Further details on request from sharon.brace@beardconstruction.co.uk

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About the author 

Andy is the Trade and Tourism reporter for the Oxford Mail and you can sign up to his newsletters for free here. 

He joined the team more than 20 years ago and he covers community news across Oxfordshire.

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