Construction firm Beard, which has an office in Bristol, has appointed Melissa Barber to the newly created role of head of people and communications.
The position brings together employee and customer experiences at the family-owned firm, which was established in 1892 and opened its Bristol base in 2015. 
The £160m-turnover company has significant expertise in sectors ranging from healthcare and arts and culture, to education, sports, leisure and defence. It is also known for a strong commitment to training and developing its staff.
Beard deputy chairman Neil Sherreard said: “This new role has been created to help us take the business forward under our ambition to be better tomorrow than we are today.
“As well as leading our marketing operations with responsibility for promoting the brand, Melissa will be taking the lead on developing and leading our people strategy and culture work to ensure that we can continue to attract and retain the best people.”
A professionally qualified marketer with more than 15 years’ experience in the construction and housing sectors, Melissa, pictured, takes on the role after two years as head of communications at Beard.
She said: “Beard recognises the importance of people, be that internally or externally. The creation of the new role of head of people and communications underlines this focus, and brings together and leads on the employee lifecycle and the customer journey.
“The aim is to drive and embed the organisation’s vision and values to reinforce and to build brand awareness internally and externally.
“I’ll also be focusing upon company culture and wellbeing, which has always been of importance within Beard but has gained further significance as a result of the pandemic.”
Beard, which also has offices in Swindon, Guildford and Oxford, has worked on several high-profile projects in and around Bristol since expanding into the area.
These include cutting-edge training facilities for Bristol City FC and Bristol Bears, the SS Great Britain’s £7.2m Being Brunel museum and visitor experience and new toll houses for Clifton Suspension Bridge.
It is currently working on a £3.8m transformation of the Grade II* listed Royal West of England Academy (RWA) building on Whiteladies Road.
