Regional construction contractor Beard has recruited a new managing director from VolkerFitzpatrick, Mr David Sershall.

Sershall will take over the post from Mark Beard who will now become the company’s Executive Chairman.

The former VolkerFitzpatrick Building Division Managing Director will now join the family owned Beard business where he will have overall responsibility for quality across the business.

He will also lead Beard’s Oxford construction business at the end of next month after Regional Director John Youle has stepped down from his post.

The incoming Managing Director said that Beard is a successful, well regarded and innovative construction firm which has built its success on a talented pool of people who are committed to faultless and prompt delivery of projects.

Sershall continued: “I believe there’s a great opportunity to capitalise on the company’s strong reputation in both the private and public sectors and I am excited to be in a position to help deliver the next part of its growth plans across the south of England.”

Meanwhile, Mark Beard expressed his delight at the appointment of Sershall who he believes will be a great fit for the business and is someone they are pleased to have as part of the company.

Beard added: “He brings a wealth of operational management expertise to Beard, an in-depth knowledge of design management and significant experience delivering complex multi-million-pound construction projects.”

He believes that Sershall shares the company’s passion for quality and is confident that he will make a positive contribution to the company’s continues development and success.

Sershall is a member of the Institute of Directors and the Chartered Institute of Building, while he also has degrees in architecture and building management, along with an MSc in Construction Project Management.

Earlier in the week, Beard said goodbye to project manager Bob Fay who had spent 40 years with the firm.