Regional construction firm Beard’s focus on managing quality across its portfolio of work has been further bolstered by the creation of a new quality manager role.
Paul Wills, pictured, has been appointed to the job in a move the firm, which has a base in Bristol, said cemented its commitment to delivering high-quality and sustainable projects. 
Joining from construction engineering company Bowmer + Kirkland, where he was regional quality manager, Paul will work across all five Beard offices, which also include Swindon, Oxford, Guildford and Southampton.
He will ensure that all projects at the £200m-turnover business strive to meet the highest standards, as well as implementing continuous improvement processes to enhance construction practices and minimise defects.
An award-winning construction professional and member of the Chartered Quality Institute who also previously worked for South West construction group Midas, Paul has worked on-site, as well as in quality management roles for national construction firms, bringing a balance of practical experience and theoretical knowledge.
He said: “My role focuses on being proactive in our approach to managing quality and mitigating defects, rather than reactively and retrospectively responding.
“I am responsible for bringing continuity across Beard’s approach to quality in every element of the build process.
“I want to support Beard colleagues and sub-contractors and work collaboratively on processes and procedures across the business, from site teams to commercial and finance, to our approach to training and recruitment.” 
Beard has been involved in a number of high-profile construction projects in the Bristol area since opening its based in the city nine years ago.
These include SS Great Britain’s £7.2m Being Brunel museum and visitor experience, new toll houses for Clifton Suspension Bridge, and the £3.8m transformation of the Grade II* listed Royal West of England Academy (RWA) building.
Beard head of business improvement Kirsty Lever said quality had always been a cornerstone of the business and Paul’s appointment marked a significant step in its commitment to continual improvement and also demonstrated its focus on delivering outstanding projects.
“The construction industry has seen a cultural shift in its approach to quality in recent years, driven by new regulations and evolving client expectations,” she added.
“Having a dedicated specialist focusing on this, we are positioning ourselves to stay ahead of these changes – proactively identifying root causes of issues or defects, addressing gaps in design or process and ensuring the highest standards are maintained across every project.”
Paul’s arrival comes as Beard celebrates a record year of growth, with 65 new staff joining – taking the team to more than 350 strong.
Some 10% of these appointments are newly created roles like Paul’s, boosted by the opening of its Southampton office in January.
Beard has also made 16 internal promotions, which it said demonstrated a drive for nurturing long-lasting careers and investing in its people.
Head of people and communications Melissa Barber added: “This has been an exceptional year in terms of growth for Beard, with many new roles created demonstrating true company expansion.
“We’re committed to nurturing talent and investing in our team, running a leadership development programme designed to promote from within and offer employees rewarding careers.
“This year, 24 colleagues will complete the programme, which pairs peer-to-peer coaching with guidance from external mentors.
“We’ve got a real focus on supporting a diverse workforce too, including programmes specifically designed for female employees at key stages of their career, opportunities for new entrants to the industry, and coaching and mentoring support for all staff.”
