Swindon-based regional construction group Beard is predicting strong growth again this year as it builds on another record set of financial results.
Pre-tax profits rose by 24% to £2.9m in the year to December 31 on turnover up 26% at £110.8m following a string of project wins. 
The family-owned firm’s order book ended the year 55% stronger at £93m while cashflow remained exceptionally strong, with cash balances often exceeding £12m.
The firm, which is on 10 construction frameworks, secured a number of top projects last year across the education, healthcare, sports and leisure and commercial sectors.
Key projects included a £3.2m contract to build the new single form entry school Ridgeway Primary Academy in Swindon, a £3.3m development for Monkton Combe Prep School in Bath and a £3.2m contract to build a new STEM building at Cirencester College.
Its Swindon office also secured a place on Lot 1 and Lot 2 of Gloucestershire County Council’s construction framework. The firm, which also has offices in Bristol, Guildford and Oxford, undertakes construction projects up to £12m.
Around a fifth of the firm’s projects involve high-quality specialist restoration and conservation work on historic buildings such as Oxford colleges. It also provides a property repairs and maintenance service.
Chief executive Mark Beard, pictured, said: “Our focus on prompt and faultless delivery, and being selective about the projects we undertake, has helped us win more work and provided new opportunities for growth in 2015.
“We’ve also seen high levels of repeat business, which we have been able to secure due to investment in people, systems and modern building practices giving us the confidence to be able to deliver for our customers. The future results are likely to be of a similar or better level.”
He said the group’s strong order book meant it expected another year of sustainable growth with the business continuing to benefit from a strong leadership team and ongoing investment in training and development.
“I see growth this year coming from doing more of what we already do in our business sectors and growing market share by being the best at what we do,” added Mr Beard.
Under Mr Beard’s stewardship of the business over the past 17 years, it has been transformed from a small local builder to a modern, professionally-managed regional construction company. During this time, turnover has leapt from £18m to £110m and profits from £250,000 to £2.9m.
Two years ago it was named PwC South West of England Business of the Year and earlier this year appeared in the prestigious London Stock Exchange’s 1,000 Companies to Inspire Britain report.
