Beard Construction, operating widely across the South of England, recorded an 11.7 per cent rise in sales to £57.3 million for its Oxford office for the year ending December 31, 2025.

This strong performance forms part of the company’s record financial results for 2025, with turnover increasing by 16 per cent to £230 million and profits reaching £9 million.

Dave Fisher, who has been with the company since 2012, has been promoted to office lead for the Oxford team, which now numbers 93 staff.

Mike Hedges, operations director at Beard, said: “Oxford saw steady growth in 2025, driven by several major projects in the region and in close collaboration with customers, partners, and our supply chain.

“Throughout this period, Dave has consistently demonstrated strong leadership that reflects our values, helping us deliver for our customers and strengthen key relationships.”

In 2025, the Oxford office delivered a series of major projects.

These included a £20 million RAAC remedial programme at an Oxford college, a £12 million central storage facility for the UK Atomic Energy Authority, and a £3 million upgrade to the Thames Valley Police training centre.

The team also delivered four new children’s homes for Oxfordshire County Council.

Beard’s commitment to supporting future talent was evident through its support of one apprentice, one construction trainee, three degree apprentices, and 12 T-Level student in partnership with Abingdon and Witney College.

Staff raised £23,400 during the year for the Oxford University Sport and Community Partnership.

Among the fundraising efforts was a cyclathon that saw 32 teams from the Oxford construction network compete.

Finance director Fraser Johns said: “Our ethos of prompt and faultless delivery, alongside a continued focus on getting the basics right have laid the foundations for the strongest three-year period in the company’s history.

“During this time, we have expanded our presence across all regions, particularly in Southampton where our newest office opened in 2024.

“Our special projects division – comprising work up to £2m in value – continues to be a key contributor to our growth and success.”

Beard completed 62 projects in 2025 from its offices in Bristol, Guildford, Oxford, Southampton, and Swindon.

The company also reported delivering £45 million in social value through 27 completed projects, with 94 per cent of spending directed toward micro, small, and medium enterprises.

Beard has been recognised for its health, safety, and wellbeing standards.

The company secured its twelfth consecutive Gold Award from The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA).

It was also presented with the President’s Award for the third consecutive year in 2025.

Saturday’s (May 2) show was hosted by none other than Sex Education and The White Lotus star Amy Lou Wood, with music by British breakthrough artist MEEK.

Amy introduced herself as the “first northern host” of SNL UK, which was welcomed by loud cheers from the studio audience.

This weekend’s instalment of the comedy show featured sketches including Sir Keir Starmer (George Fouracres) hijacking King Charles (Larry Dean) and Queen Camilla’s (Emma Sidi) royal plane, a Princess Peach (Amy) and Super Mario (George) interaction, and even a Doctor Who scene.

Hammed Animashaun makes his #SNLUK Weekend Update debut! pic.twitter.com/0De95O7zfo

— Saturday Night Network (@thesnlnetwork) May 2, 2026

Of course, it also featured the usual weekend update which has been popular with viewers – yesterday, Hammed Animashaun made his debut in the segment.

SNL UK fans hail ‘best episode yet’ with host Amy Lou Wood

Praising the episode which aired on Sky One, many fans took to X, and shared that SNL UK has “totally found its stride”.

This person posted: “That was the best episode yet!!!”

A second agreed: “Might be the best SNL UK ep so far. Aimee and Jack on fire in the airport sketch, Doctor Who sketch so well played, so many heaters in Weekend Update and Foreacres breaking in the pork sketch bc it’s so his humour was so good.”

Someone else who enjoyed the latest episode put: “Best episode yet. It’s totally found its stride.”

Additionally, one user commented: “Tonight’s #SNLUK maybe the best so far… Super Mario, Doctor Who, Weekend Update, the pork dinner. Aimee Lou Wood and MEEK were thoroughly fabulous.”

Others wrote “BEST EP YET!!! 10/10” and “the best episode, huge credit to everyone”.

This fan who is gutted the series will be ending soon, tweeted: “That episode being the best episode of the series but then remembering we’ve only got 2 weeks left :(.”

However, there was one sketch with cast member George that viewers said “might be my favourite yet”.

In fact, they claimed it was so good, another revealed it “made my week”.

It featured George, who has become known for his role as the UK Prime Minister on SNL UK this series, taking part in a skit about British pork.

What many enjoyed most during last night’s episode, was George hilariously “breaking” character.

Someone wrote on X: “You know a sketch is good when George Fouracres is corpsing. I’ve said before that SNL UK is at its best when it’s at its most esoteric. The British Pork sketch might be my favourite yet.”

Another posted: “That pork sketch was my exact brand of weird dark humour, and Fouracres breaking throughout the whole thing made it even better.”

This person added: “Fouracres fighting for his life in that last one has made my week.”

One user shared: “Pork Board Advert was very funny. Almost Python-esque. Didn’t see the ending coming. And I did say I wanted more breaking.”

A viewer commented: “Fouracres is absolutely fighting for his LIFE in this sketch it’s killing me…”

Meanwhile, this account put: “george not being able to get through his lines cos he’s laughing too much is really getting me.”

Which episode of SNL UK has been your favourite so far? (Image: Sky/PA Wire)

Who is presenting SNL UK? Last 2 hosts of series 1 revealed

As we head towards the final two weeks of SNL UK, the last two hosts and musical guests have been confirmed.

Following in the footsteps of Tina Fey, Nicola Coughlan, Jack Whitehall and Jamie Dornan, will be Ted Lasso favourite Hannah Waddingham and Doctor Who actor Ncuti Gatwa.

Hannah will host the comedy show on May 9 where she will be joined by Myles Smith, known for hits Stargazing and Nice To Meet You.

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Elsewhere, Ncuti is lined up to front SNL UK on May 16 and he will be joined by indie-pop singer Holly Humberstone.

Just like all of the presenters so far, the pair will each open the show with a monologue and take part in skits throughout the 75-minute episode.

Saturday Night Live UK airs Saturdays at 10pm on Sky One and streaming service NOW.

Footage shared on Instagram user Aaronspotz shows the broadcaster beside an Aston Martin Valhalla before getting into the driver’s seat in the capital.

Mr Clarkson, who made his name fronting the BBC’s Top Gear before launching The Grand Tour on Amazon, is one of Britain’s best‑known motoring presenters.

The 66-year-old, who lives in Oxfordshire, has long been associated with high‑performance cars and has owned or driven a long list of sports models over the years.

READ MORE: Jeremy Clarkson reunites for NEW Grand Tour episode with May and Hammond

The Aston Martin Valhalla is the latest hybrid hypercar from the British marque and sits at the very top of its road‑car range.

According to Aston Martin, the mid‑engined machine pairs a 4.0‑litre twin‑turbocharged V8 sourced from Mercedes‑AMG with a trio of electric motors.

The plug‑in hybrid set‑up produces a total of around 1,064 horsepower and more than 800 lb ft of torque, with power sent to all four wheels.

READ MORE: Fans rally around emotional Jeremy Clarkson after tragic death

Performance figures released by the manufacturer suggest the Valhalla can reach 62mph from a standstill in close to 2.5 seconds and go on to a top speed in excess of 200mph.

Only a limited number of examples are due to be built, with specialist motoring outlets reporting a price tag in the region between £850,000 and £1,000,000.

The brief London clip has been circulating on supercar‑spotter channels, where users have highlighted both the rarity of the Valhalla and Mr Clarkson’s long association with Aston Martin road tests on television.