I know a reasonable number of MS with beards. We have one in out hall but the stick he got when he grew it was stupid. The COBE pulled him aside and accused him of being provocative. This was despite the body having agreed years before that a beard would not hold someone back. There are a few elders I know of with beards.
I think most congregations in the UK will have to eventually appoint someone with a beard as a MS if they are exemplary elsewhere. It is unlikely that one would be removed an MS for growing a beard but they will get stick. If you want to be an elder then you will have to have a pretty good excuse to have a beard.
No one will be used at assemblies, conventions etc with a beard. It will also reduce (probably wipe out) your chances of being used as an overseer on the RBC or other "privilages".
What congregations allow MS/elders to do if they have a beard varies based on anecdotal evidence. Some bodies don't care, other will not use a brother for certain talks.
The big obstacle for most brothers is that if they have a beard then elders ask them why they have one, why they are not prepared to shave it off for the sake of their brothers. The default position is that you are needlessly causing a stir therefore you are not spiritually mature ergo not qualified as an appointed man.
Muppets.
