Contractor Beard has announced two senior promotions to support its expansion plans.
Director Mike Hedges FCIOB has been promoted to the newly created position of company operations director. In his new role, Hedges 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.
Hedges joined Beard in 2015 as construction director to head up its new Bristol office. His role expanded to support the growth and development of its other regional offices, working closely with chairman Mark Beard and his fellow directors.
He has nearly three decades of experience in the construction sector, having worked for Wates Construction for close to 20 years.
Jamie Harwood FCIOB, Beard’s director for the successful Swindon region, has taken additional responsibility as safety director. This new role will build on Beard’s health and safety record, with Harwood now spearheading the entire company safety strategy. He will also continue in his role as Swindon director.
Harwood joined Beard in 2019 and was promoted to Swindon director in 2021. His 25-year career began at Bristol-based Cowlin Construction, before joining Midas in 2013.
As Swindon director, he is responsible for the nearly 100-stong office and a series of construction projects. These range from small maintenance jobs to complex, multi-million-pound developments.
