Mr Beard joined Wastepack in 2001 as director of communication and marketing, becoming director of corporate affairs in 2004, and was well-known to many, especially in the packaging compliance sector.
Lynne Cullis, chief executive of Wastepack, said: “The news of Mike’s passing is really sad, he will be sorely missed. I worked with Mike for many years and during that time I was fortunate to count him as a friend as well as a colleague.
“Mike leaves a legacy of professionalism and perfectionism, which helped shaped Wastepack into the business it is today, and for that I will always be truly grateful.”
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Prior to joining Wastepack and having also worked for a period for Valpak, in the earlier part of his career he had held the post of corporate communications director in major international companies, including Taylor Woodrow and Lucas Industries.
He also had experience in consultancy including two years as Managing Director of Burson-Marsteller Singapore. Mr Beard was a former chairman of the International Committee of the UK Institute of Public Relations and was President in 1994.
In latter years he had worked to advance a greener environment in his local area of Wendover, Buckinghamshire where he was also a chairman of the Wendover Society.
Mr Beard is survived by his daughter Katie and two grandsons.
The funeral will be held next week on 6 November at 15:30 and anyone wishing to attend virtually is asked to please email Lynne Cullis for further details.
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