An historic, family-owned construction company has appointed Bristol-based specialist public relations consultancy Distinctive Communications to handle its external PR activity.
Swindon-headquartered Beard, which was established in 1892 and opened its Bristol base in 2015, has grown steadily over recent years, winning major contracts across the South of England. 
Last year the 350-employee business turned over £179m and is on track for a record year in 2024.
Since opening its Bristol office, Beard has worked on some of the city’s largest construction projects, including the comprehensive sustainable refurbishment of the 100 Victoria Street office block, the renovation of the Grade II*-listed RWA art gallery on Whiteladies Road, and rugby club Bristol Bears’ new training ground on the city’s outskirts between Failand and Abbots Leigh.
It has appointed Distinctive on a retained basis following a competitive pitch to deliver a strategic and impactful integrated PR campaign supporting its five regional offices, which stretch from Bristol to Hampshire and Surrey.
Specialising in supporting clients in place-making and the built environment, Distinctive’s team will work closely with Beard’s directors and marketing department.
Beard head of people and communications Melissa Barber, pictured, far right, with Distinctive content writer Katie Witcombe, Distinctive account manager Arianne Smart, Beard senior communications manager Nicol Parker-Binns, and Distinctive director Ben Lowndes, said: “Distinctive impressed us with their understanding of the construction industry and strong local connections, both within the sector and in the media. 
“Their track record supporting clients in the built environment speaks for itself and we’re confident that they’ll do a great job in enhancing our brand, helping us to communicate effectively and tell our story.”
Distinctive founder and director, Chartered PR professional Ben Lowndes, added: “Through our work in Bristol and across the South West, it’s been clear to me for a long time that Beard is delivering impressive results during what has been a challenging period for the construction industry.
“We’ve enjoyed getting to understand the business and look forward to helping them build on their strong market presence to help them grow the business and attract the best people.”
Meanwhile, Distinctive has also welcomed content writer Katie Witcombe to its team to support its campaign work for the agency’s built environment and purposeful clients.
With a background in content creation and social media in higher education and for a wildlife charity, Katie will focus on creating engaging, human-focused content for clients, including The Underfall Yard Trust, which is supporting the historic boatyard’s continued recovery from a devastating fire last year, and Community of Purpose, a community interest company (CIC) dedicated to transforming the lives and futures of young people in Bristol.
Katie said she was thrilled to have joined Distinctive at such an exciting time. “Ben and the team are doing fantastic work to raise the profile of clients in the South West, and deliver purposeful, people-led communications,” she added.
“I’m inspired by the stories our clients have to tell about their work and look forward to creating impactful content with them.”
The agency was launched in June 2022 by director Ben Lowndes, the former South West managing director of national PR firm Social, to work with place-makers, purposeful businesses and public bodies.
This year, Distinctive has also been commissioned to work with other clients in the place-making space, including managing communications for the launch of the new Hotel Gotham by Bespoke Hotels in Bristol’s former Guildhall, and delivering consultation and stakeholder engagement work for Mendip Hills National Landscape Partnership.
