Swindon-based construction firm Beard has earned British Standards Institution (BSI) accreditation on three key measures of industry best practice. Achieving these standards is an important part of Beard’s strategy, ensuring it has strong systems in place to support sustainable growth.
The hat-trick of endorsements from the UK’s nationally recognised standards body comes in recognition of a company-wide commitment to drive ongoing improvement in quality management, reduce the firm’s environmental impact, and enforce the highest possible health-and-safety standards:
• ISO 9001:2015 is the most used standard globally and demonstrates Beard’s commitment to effective quality management, enabling it consistently to deliver in line with customer specifications and regulatory requirements. Achieving the standard also requires a commitment to continual improvement.
• ISO 14001:2015 is an environmental management system standard – becoming more important with increasing public focus on climate change. It recognises Beard’s commitment to reducing environmental impact across the company’s operations, as well as complying with relevant legislation and regulation.
• OHSAS 18001:2007 provides a framework to identify, control and reduce the risks associated with health and safety in the workplace – a particularly important consideration in the construction industry. Achieving the standard is indicative that Beard attaches the highest priority to the health and safety of all its employees and contractors – a commitment that has never been more important in the light of the current coronavirus pandemic.
Beard’s commitment to improving standards has been evidenced by sustained investment in IT systems, hardware and skills to bring about a cultural shift across the business as a whole. Working towards the ‘triple crown’ of BSI accreditations has acted as a focal point for that culture change and for training staff across the firm in new ways of working.
Commenting on the accreditations, Tricia Hardy, quality assurance manager for Beard, said: “Achieving all three standards in one year has been a significant challenge for Beard. Effective communication with staff at all levels was critically important. “From the outset we have been clear what we were trying to achieve and why, and this has helped to overcome any resistance to change. Accreditation can sometimes be seen as something of a bureaucratic, tick-box exercise but at Beard we were determined to use the process as a catalyst for real improvements to how we work.” Chairman Mark Beard added: “Beard has always been committed to the highest possible standards across all its operations. Through the BSI accreditation process, we have been able to renew and reinforce that commitment, and prepare the business for further sustainable growth. “We are determined that this is not a one-off process. By continuing to live up to these standards and seek continuous improvement, we will ensure the business stays up to date and that we fulfil our obligations to our clients, to those who work with and for us, and to wider society.”
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About Beard: Beard is an award-winning, £160-million-turnover construction company which operates across the South of England. With offices in Swindon, Guildford, Oxford and Bristol, the company undertakes design and build, new build, restoration and refurbishment on a range of projects, including complex projects, up to £20 million for public and private sector organisations. Established in 1892, the family-owned company has significant expertise in building for the healthcare, arts and culture, commerce and industry, education, religious buildings, elderly care, sports and leisure and defence sectors.
