Swindon contractor behind Bristol museum revamp hikes turnover

Work on jobs including the new Brunel Museum in Bristol last year helped regional contractor Beard boost turnover by nearly 6% to £144.5m.

But while turnover rose the Swindon-based firm saw pre-tax profit for the year to 31 December 2017 remain flat at £4.4m.

Company chairman Mark Beard said the market remained competitive but he expected to see further business growth this year, “particularly within the education and hotels and leisure sectors as a weaker pound continues to attract overseas students and tourists to the UK”.

As well as completing the new £7.2m Brunel museum (pictured) Beard finished an £8.3m scheme turning grade II-listed Hadspen House in Somerset into a 13-bedroom boutique hotel.

The firm, which employs 304 staff, has also been selected construction partner on work including an £11m science building refurbishment scheme at Eton College and an £8.45m student accommodation project for Somerville College at Oxford University.

Its current order book stands at £105.6m.

Brunel museum interior Beard

Beard completed work on the Brunel museum last year