He was leader of Newcastle City Council and the first Chairman of the Local Government Association.

He was the elected Chairman of the National Executive Committee of the Labour Party (October 2005 – September 2006).

Beecham was educated at the Royal Grammar School, Newcastle upon Tyne, and University College, Oxford (1962–1965), where he obtained a first class honours degree in law.

[citation needed] Beecham has been a member of many boards and committees in Newcastle and North East England, and advising government.

He is Deputy Lieutenant for the County of Tyne and Wear and continues to represent Benwell and Scotswood on the City Council.