Mark Beard

Mark Beard DL has served as Deputy Lieutenant for Oxfordshire since 2024. He is part of the Lieutenancy group focused on Oxford West.

Mark is a Chartered Builder by profession, most recently as Chairman of the award-winning construction company E W Beard Limited, and served as President of the Charted Institute of Building (2020–21). He was Oxfordshire Businessperson of the Year 2004 and was named CEO Magazine’s Construction Industry (joint) Chief Executive of the Year in 2021.

Mark set up the Beard Charitable Foundation in 2016, which supports Beard’s staff charitable activities and construction education initiatives within local communities. He is a Trustee of the Oxford Preservation Trust and a Patron of Activate Rugby Academy. He was High Sheriff of Oxfordshire (2022–23) and, during this year, focused on supporting young people from challenged backgrounds; including raising nearly £0.25m for Children Heard and Seen, Youth Challenge Oxfordshire, and Active Oxfordshire. He continues to support and fundraise for Active Oxfordshire.

Mark is an enthusiastic Real Tennis player and Cricketer and has been a playing member of the MCC since 1987.

Mark and his wife Nicky and their three children live in Boars Hill.