A FAMILY-run building firm with more than 125 years experience has posted a healthy turnover of £150 million last year after winning major contracts in Swindon and across the South West.

Beard Construction, which is headquartered in Swindon and has offices in Bristol and Oxford, had an impressive 2018.

It has recently started work on the £2.4m community sports facility next to the Swindon Town stadium, with an all-weather 3G pitch expected to be open to community schemes by the summer of 2019.

And was selected by construction consultancy Pagabo as a procurement specialist to oversee13 multi-million-pound regional construction projects in South England.

The firm, established in 1892, reported an increase in pre-tax profits of £4.5 million for 2018, compared to £4.3m in 2017, with a four per cent rise in turnover to £150.2 million, up from £144.5 million the previous year.

“2018 has been a good year for the Group with favourable market conditions generating healthy levels of turnover and profit,” said Beard chairman Mark Beard.

“Our strong construction performance has been underpinned by Beard’s talented and committed staff, rigorous financial management, and our prompt and faultless project delivery strategy which continues to win work and generate high levels of repeat business.

"With a strong order book currently standing at £105 million, and our ongoing investment in growing our own skilled workforce, we expect this positive momentum to continue in 2019.”

Other important contract awards for the company in 2018 included a £3.4 million extension to Fairford Church of England Primary School in Fairford, a £7.9 million science education centre and innovation hub for the Oxford Trust at Stansfeld Park in Headington Quarry.

The company is also on course to complete a major scheme for the Clifton Suspension Bridge Trust to replace toll booths on the Grade I-listed Clifton Suspension Bridge; and a £5.3 million scheme to build Charlton Wood Primary Academy at the old Filton Airfield in Charlton Hayes near Bristol.