Swindon-headquartered regional construction group Beard has promoted Darren Miller to commercial director to drive further growth at the £137m turnover business.
Darren, pictured, will be responsible for managing all commercial activity and central procurement for the family-owned business, which operates across the South of England. 
He joined Beard in 2006 as commercial manager for the firm’s Swindon operations. Prior to this he was a managing surveyor for Mansell, now part of Balfour Beatty.
He has extensive commercial management experience and knowledge of construction delivery from project procurement, risk and contract management, to managing customer and supply chain relationships and successful project delivery.
Beard managing director David Sershall said: “With over 30 years’ experience in commercial management and an excellent delivery track record in Beard, I am confident that Darren will add significant value to the business and our leadership team.
“Darren firmly believes in creating and sustaining great relationships with our customers and suppliers, and shares our ‘partnering’ approach and commitment to prompt and faultless delivery. I look forward to working with him in his new commercial role within Beard.”
Darren added: “I’m looking forward to using my commercial and contractual expertise in this challenging new role and providing support and guidance to our regional teams. I want to focus on maximising Beard’s commercial opportunities, building on our great relationships with our customers and suppliers, and helping to ensure the group delivers a consistently strong business performance.”
Fast-growing Beard, which also has offices in Oxford, Bristol and Guildford, undertakes design and build, new build, restoration and refurbishment on a range of projects, including complex projects, up to £12m for public and private sector organisations.
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.
Beard expanded its Swindon head office in Faraday Road last year with a £250,000 extension to provide dining and leisure facilities for its near 300 staff. The Roundhouse, which connects to the main Beard building through a walkway, also features a 139 sq m enclosed open-air break-out area for staff to relax outside during the summer months.
