Regional construction group Beard has appointed its first social value manager – a role it has set up to ensure its projects deliver wider social, economic and environmental benefits.
Paula Baleson, pictured, takes up the post after two years as Beard’s communications manager based in its Bristol office. 
She will take the lead in defining a new company-wide strategy and provide support to a team of social value coordinators,
One of her first duties in the role has already been to develop the company’s new social value framework.
This will set out social value targets for the business to 2030 and will be rolled out across Beard’s entire team and its five regional offices in the coming months.
Since opening its Bristol office nine years ago, Swindon-headquartered 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, pictured, and rugby club Bristol Bears’ new training ground on the city’s outskirts between Failand and Abbots Leigh.
Beard said it had been committed to social value across its 130-plus year history through its sustainable construction, its charitable work and good relationships with the communities in which it works.
However, it said social value was becoming both more formalised in the construction sector, and increasingly important from both an ethical and business perspective, with a growing number of tender opportunities, including government contracts, now having social and environmental requirements.
Its social objectives and ambitions also align well with the new Labour government’s agenda of supporting SMEs, increasing their spend with social enterprises and providing best value to customers.
Alongside the introduction of a new Procurement Act in October – which is designed to make public procurement more accessible, efficient and beneficial for councils and suppliers – the government used its first King’s Speech to set out plans to change planning regulations and increase infrastructure delivery.
Paula, who joined Beard after five years at South West building firm Midas Group, said: “While Beard’s community, environmental and charitable spirit has always been clearly visible, the focus this new role brings enables us to really strengthen our efforts, particularly as social value continues to play an even bigger part in the construction sector in the UK.
“I’m hugely passionate about supporting everyone at Beard to create positive social, economic and environmental outcomes for local communities.
“The development of our social value framework will certainly help to facilitate this and I look forward to sharing this with all our colleagues, partners and customers very soon.”
Beard operations director Mike Hedges added: “As a proud family-run firm, Beard has always been a business with social consciousness.
“Our ongoing commitment of adding value to the communities in which we work and taking care of the planet, highlights the broader benefits of our projects.
“Beyond constructing buildings, we focus on ensuring that every project lives on beyond its site boundaries, delivering meaningful value to the entire community.
“Paula is a fantastic fit to lead this initiative, and along with her talented team, will ensure our work and our actions have a clear social footprint and a lasting legacy.”
Beard, which also has offices in Oxford, Guildford and Southampton, has a wealth of experience in the education, healthcare, sports, leisure and arts sectors.
