Swindon-based regional construction group Beard has launched its own charitable foundation to support staff community initiatives and construction education projects.
The Beard Charitable Foundation, which has been set up with a £250,000 donation from the Beard family, will be held and managed by Oxfordshire Community Foundation, a charitable organisation that connects donors with local causes.
The foundation board hopes to award £20,000 in grants each year.
The foundation will support charity and community work by Beard staff, wherever possible matching the funds raised by individuals or teams, up to a maximum of £5,000.
It also aims to make occasional larger strategic donations and is inviting applications from charities in the company’s trading area involved in construction industry education.
The foundation expects to award its first grants this autumn.
Beard group chairman Alan Beard said: “Supporting people and organisations in the areas where we work, and encouraging our staff to give back to the local community, is an essential part of our commitment to being a ‘good neighbour’ and helping create flourishing, successful communities.
“Equally, we recognise the vital importance of construction education in building the skilled workforce of the future and encouraging more young people into the industry. The foundation will also build on the work we are already doing engaging with young people in schools and colleges to promote construction as a career.”
Oxfordshire Community Foundation chief executive Jayne Woodley added: “We very much look forward to supporting the foundation in choosing projects deserving of funding, using our local expertise and our well-established connections with the voluntary sector.
“As with our other corporate funds, we will work with our partner community foundations in other counties to help the Beard Foundation give to charities across the South of England.”
Family-owned Beard, which was established in 1892, also has bases in Oxford, Bristol and Guildford.
It has significant expertise in building for the healthcare, arts and culture, commerce and industry, education, ecclesiastical, elderly care, sports and leisure and defence sectors.
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.
Last year it made pre-tax profits of £2.9m on turnover of £110.8m following a string of project wins.
Pictured: Beard group chairman Alan Beard presenting the Beard family’s £250,000 donation to Jayne Woodley, chief executive of Oxfordshire Community Foundation
