Beards were never a great problem where I come from in the U.K, I wore one for years, used to give "away" Public Talks, a number of Elders in our Circuit wore beards.
The only time they made a fuss was if they wanted you on a Convention Programme or heading a Convention Dept. then, no beards. They had it in writing you see, in the Instructions from H.Q about running a Convention.
In writing yes, quoting some old Watchtower, but not a Scripture in sight !