We are sad to share the news that Alan Beard, former managing director of the company, has died peacefully at home, aged 91.
Well-known and highly respected within the construction industry, Alan worked for the family firm for seven decades. He joined in January 1950, aged 17, when the 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. The only time he worked for another organisation was during his two years of National Service.
He steered the company through many economic and political challenges, whilst at the same time helping grow company turnover to £200m.
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, retired at 103 – he holds the World Record for longest career as a builder to this day.
Chad Murrin, former Beard non-executive director & long time family friend
When looking back on the company’s 125-year history in 2017 for the book ‘Beard: A Family Story’, Alan shared the following words of advice:
When you do something, do it with all your might. Put your whole heart and soul into it. Stamp it with your personality. Be enthusiastic, you will accomplish everything.
Alan BeardCreating a legacy
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 Eton, Marlborough and Wellington Colleges, as well as several projects, from small alterations to massive specialist structures, for the University of Oxford.
Outside of work, Alan was keenly involved in his community, part of the Rotary International and an active member of the local church. He was instrumental in establishing The Wessex Squash Club, after taking up the sport in his 40s, and transforming St Paul’s Hall in Swindon into squash facilities.
He is survived by wife Eileen, sons Mark and John, six grandchildren and a great-grandchild.
Professor Roger Flanagan, friend and former president of the Chartered Institute of Building
