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Dean Averies, director of Beard’s Oxford office, reveals the best career advice he has ever received
What attracted you to construction?
The variety in the industry and the fact that no two days are the same. I meet different people – clients, stakeholders, site teams and more – all with different skills sets and approaches.
As a 16-year-old looking at my career options, I knew I didn’t want to be behind a desk all the time.
What really matters is finding a sector you enjoy and a company with the right values and culture. When those things align, they create opportunities for growth and development
Construction offered the best of both [worlds]; spending time on site and working on the commercial side of the business in the office too.
What has changed most about the industry since you started out as an apprentice?
The speed at which business happens, largely due to advances in technology.
When I started, we had one computer in the office and no fax machine. Part of my job was to take documents to be faxed at a bureau down the street and then pick them up again when colleagues received them. Hard to imagine now.
Technology has changed how we work in other ways too. In the past, when a client requested a change to plans, it would take up to two weeks for the process to be designed by the architect, reviewed by relevant contractors, communicated to site teams and then implemented.
Now, changes can be made with the click of a button. While that speeds things up significantly, this reactive approach can sometimes mean wider impacts aren’t fully considered.
What do you wish you’d known at the start of your career journey?
When choosing a career, I think many young people feel like they’re making a decision for life in their first job – but I know now that’s not the case.
I started as a trainee estimator, before broadening my skills and progressing into my current role.
What really matters is finding a sector you enjoy and a company with the right values and culture. When those things align, they create opportunities for growth and development.
What is the best career advice you have received?
Alan Beard, former managing director and third-generation family member to lead the business, told me to focus on getting the basics right.
Attention to detail has always been a priority for Beard, and this approach has stayed with me throughout my career.
Attention to detail has always been a priority for Beard, and this approach has stayed with me throughout my career
Another piece of advice that has stuck with me is to never try and pretend to be someone you’re not. Staying true to your approach helps build trust.
And finally, trust your gut. Particularly on site, if your instinct tells you something isn’t right, that’s usually the case.
What is your greatest achievement so far?
Playing my part in growing a successful business. Beard is now a 350-strong team, operating from five offices with a £200 million turnover.
More importantly, we’ve stayed true to our original vales and remain a family business.
I’m also extremely proud of how Beard continues to nurture young talent. We focus on developing skills, providing opportunities and embedding our culture and values – building loyal and valued teams.
