Beukman started his career in journalism in 1989 at Oosterlig. He later joined Die Burger and during his eight year tenure he reported on education, worked in production and was part of the parliamentary team. From November 1997 he was director in the parliamentary office of the leader of the official opposition for a year. He was appointed assistant editor at Rapport in 1998, where he served as editorial bureau chief in Pretoria.

In 2003 Beukman moved from editorial to the business side of newspapers with his appointment as regional publisher for RCP Media. He was appointed as general manager of Beeld and Rapport in 2009 and represented Media24 on the boards of Mooivaal Media and Capital Media.

Beukman left Media24 in 2013 to gain experience as an entrepreneur and started his own public relations company. His qualifications include a senior management certificate from the University of Pretoria business school, a certificate in leadership in business planning from the University of the Witwatersrand business school and he completed the Naspers leadership course at Stellenbosch University’s business school.

Beukman says he is excited about the prospect and the privilege to serve as editor of a prominent newspaper such as Beeld.

“Media24 is at the cutting edge of the worldwide shift of news to electronic platforms but firmly believes that newspapers still have a critical role to play in news strategy and society. I believe it is important that readers from a wide spectrum feel at home and welcome with the newspaper, and that they should find the news offering stimulating.”

Johanna van Eeden, editor-in-chief of Media24’s Afrikaans dailies, says it is exciting for Beeld to get an editor of this calibre. “Barnard has wide experience over a spectrum of our flagship brands. He understands newspapers and the Afrikaans market and will make a valuable contribution to our team.”

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