Tributes paid as Bromsgrove businessman Barrie Beard dies at 72 - The Bromsgrove Standard

Tributes paid as Bromsgrove businessman Barrie Beard dies at 72

Bromsgrove Editorial 21st Oct, 2015 Updated: 17th Oct, 2016   0

A POPULAR Bromsgrove businessman has passed away at the age of 72 after a battle with cancer.

Barrie Beard was born on December 26, 1942, in Northfield, Birmingham and grew up there.

He met his wife Jackie in 1962 and they were married at St Laurence Church, Northfield in 1965 and would have been married for 50 years on Friday (October 23).

They had three sons Warren, Russell and Lyndon who are all directors of Barrie Beard Ltd and Barrie’s wife Jackie has always been involved with the business.




Other directors include John Barnes, who joined as an apprentice in 1978 and Wayne Bedford, who joined in 1980.

Barrie was an electrician by trade, starting his own business from his garage in 1978 and went on to become the founder of the successful electrical company with a philosophy of employing local apprentices. Over the last 35 years training more than 150 apprentices, providing them with a variety of skills. Each year Barrie Beard Ltd prides itself on being one of the few local employers in Bromsgrove who take on an average of five school leavers into full apprenticeships.


The company now employs 85 people on a regular basis many of them from Bromsgrove, but that increases to over 100 when the company has a large on-going contract

Most of the company’s contracts are design and build, with the firm being responsible for the design, calculations and drawings.

Among their high profile clients are district, city and county councils. Aston Villa FC, Monarch Airlines, DHL, CAPITA Group, Pellikaan Construction, Wates Group and VolkerFitzpatrick.

In Barrie’s spare time he enjoyed spending time with his family and friends and socialising with friends at his local pub after a hard-working week.

In the later years, he enjoyed watching Aston Villa, both live and televised games.

He also had a love of cars and was proud to be involved with his charity work with the Rubery Round Table.

He was chairman there for a year and later the 41 Club, raising a lot of money for local charities.

Barrie was a caring, generous and fair person who loved his family and friends, one of his closest friends Peter Dooling, he had known since he was three.

Barrie never deviated from his grounded roots, showing fairness and compassion, he was a true Bromsgrove gentleman

A statement issued by the family read: “Whether in a personal or professional capacity, we are sure that memories of Barrie will be fond, treasured and lasting for family, friends and colleagues. The family and directors are committed in continuing his legacy and would like to thank each and every one of you for your support during this difficult time.”

Bromsgrove MP Sajid Javid, who is also the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, also paid tribute to Barrie.

He said: “Barrie was a tremendous pillar of our community and loved by many. I’m grateful to have known him as a caring local champion, as well as a committed Bromsgrove employer through his family business.

I know that the loss of Barrie will be sorely felt and my thoughts are with his wife, Jackie, and their family at this sad time.”

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