The Standard Issue 3 2024

THE
STANDARD
Edition 3 2024
What’s inside?
MEET OUR NEWEST
RECRUIT – ZOE LITTLER |
P09
WHY THE HUMAN TOUCH
IS CRITICAL TO DIGITAL
MARKETING | P24
THE FUTURE OF ECO
CLEANING | P38
BICS.ORG.UK
THE JOURNEY OF JUDGING
Learn more on page 19

03
04
05
CHAIR'S CHAT!
WITH SOO BARTHOLOMEW MBICSc
STRENGTHENING BICSc THROUGH
COLLABORATION
BY NEIL SPENCER-COOK MBICSc
A CHANGE IN MANAGEMENT
BY DENISE HANSON FBICSc
CHAIR'S CHAT!
WITH SOO BARTHOLOMEW MBICSc
07
08
TORK SOLUTIONS IMPROVE HYGIENE
AND DELIVER ON SUSTAINABILITY
ASSESSOR BULLETIN
BY NICKY ELLIS PBICSc & TERESA SACCO
As we all know cleaning can be, and
often is, a thankless task, where,
a level playing field, as it will skew
the data if we conduct trials when
09
10
12
13
15
16
17
19
22
24
26
29
30
36
39
40
42
44
48
LBICSc
MEET OUR NEWEST RECRUIT
ZOE LITTLER
MAXIMISE YOUR PROFESSIONAL AND
PERSONAL GROWTH AT THE CLEAN & TIDY
HOME SHOW
MY CAREER, TONY DALEY MBICSc
WING WALK FOR DIABETES UK, JOY
McFARLAND
WHY BEHIND THE WHY? THE DIFFICULTY
OF ASKING QUESTIONS
BY KELSEY HARGREAVES LBICSc
THINKING OF STARTING A CLEANING
BUSINESS?
BY DIANE LATCHOFRD LBICSc
FOURTH ANNUAL FUNDRAISER TO FIGHT
HYGIENE POVERTY
THE JOURNEY OF JUDGING
BY AMELIA AMESBURY LBICSc
FEATURE!
OUR RECENT SUCCESSFUL STORIES
AROUND THE GCC
EMBRACING INNOVATION AT BIRKIN
WHY THE HUMAN TOUCH IS CRITICAL TO
DIGITAL MARKETING
YOUR IDEA COULD CHANGE THE GAME:
THE CSSA INNOVATION SHOWCASE
AWAITS
HALF YEAR AUDIT RESULTS SHOW
CHSA MEMBERS COMPLIANT
WITH ACCREDITATION SCHEME
SPECIFICATIONS. OUR STANDARDS. YOUR
GUARANTEE
REFLECTION AS A PART OF DEVELOPMENT
– WHAT IS YOUR BENCHMARK?
BY KELSEY HARGEAVES LBICSc
PRODUCER, PACKAGING, PRODUCTION,
AND PRODUCT
THE FUTURE OF ECO CLEANING
HW'S CIRCULAR ECONOMY MINDSET IS
DRIVING SUSTAINABLE INNOVATION IN
COMMERCIAL CLEANING
THE REAL LIVING WAGE IN CLEANING
MEET THE STARS BEHIND THE BICSc
VIRTUAL TRAINING VIDEOS
INTERVIEWED BY KELSEY HARGREAVES
Check out the daytime exhibition
and presentations!
Click here to find out more!
SOO BARTHOLOMEW
National Chair
I hope you are all well and have had
the opportunity to get out into the
sun either in the UK or abroad this
summer and take some time to be
with your loved ones and friends.
Since I last put pen to paper, we
have had Interclean in Amsterdam,
the GSA awards, NI Cleaning
awards and we are now looking
forward to our own awards at the
Belfry in September, the European
Cleaning and Hygiene Awards in
October, and the Cleaning Matters
Awards in December.
Recognition at these awards
for the hard-working cleaning
operatives and their supervisors
is always something that I feel is
so important and I am passionate
about supporting whenever I can.
more often than not, we hear when
the cleaning has not been done
rather than has been done and done
well. Getting to meet the finalists
at these events and acknowledging
their efforts is hugely rewarding for
me and for all the team at BICSc and
on the BICSc Council.
The BICSc team at Amsterdam had
a very busy stand in Hall 6 and are
now busy following up with the
information requested by those
who came and spoke to us.
A huge shout out must also go to
Denise, Kelsey and Amelia who all
worked hard delivering healthcare
demonstrations over in Hall 12,
which I know at times was like
working in a sauna with the glass
roof above them – thank you. The
demonstrations were very well
received with compliments coming
from all those that watched,
with a particular mention to the
Finnish Healthcare Team who
were impressed with the level of
depth and accuracy displayed to
ensure that the cleans were done
to achieve such a high level of
cleanliness and sanitisation of the
surfaces.
Our study in to the ‘Future of
Cleaning’ at the University of Surrey
is now taking a summer break as we
want to afford all the contributors
the vast majority of the students are
not on campus. To date we have had
Numatic and Softbank Whiz on trial
along with the chemical coatings
and air technology trials being
monitored and results recorded via
laboratory testing.
With the coatings and air
technology these trials need to be
assessed across a longer period to
validate the claims of efficacy and
longevity. New machinery study
trials commence in September with
Karcher, so be sure to look out for
our posts on LinkedIn where we
will provide updates and progress
photos.
I look forward to personally
meeting our finalists at our awards
in September and hearing about
their achievements along with our
sponsors, without whom it would
not be possible to recognise all their
efforts.
Best wishes.
Soo
LBICSc
55 WELCOMING OUR NEW MEMBERS
BICSc Youth Team with the BICSc Chair
2 | 3

STRENGTHENING BICSc THROUGH
COLLABORATION
BY NEIL SPENCER-COOK MBICSc
A CHANGE IN
MANAGEMENT
BY DENISE HANSON FBICSc
As we continue through 2024,
there is no sign of a slow down here
at BICSc, we have completed the
awards judging and the Northern
Ireland Cleaning Awards were a
great success, the Chair and judging
team were in attendance, and had a
good time by all accounts. The GSA
awards went down well too, it was
a great event as always. Next up are
the BICSc Awards and we cannot
wait to celebrate with the BICSc
finalists and winners at the Belfry.
If there are any tickets available to
BICSc Awards when this edition goes
live, then you will be lucky, if you are
attending, we really do hope that you
have a great time and enjoy all we
have to offer.
I have, since the last edition, enjoyed
a trip to Saudi Arabia and Dubai
to meet up with our exclusive
partner SaveFast and meet some
of the upcoming customers looking
to complete training out there
and I also had the great pleasure
of meeting with the Ministry of
Healthcare to discuss the upcoming
mandate that is due to go live soon.
The region is buzzing about BICSc,
and all thanks must go to SaveFast
for all the work they are doing.
The UK continues to buzz too, lots of
new ATM’s in progress and everyone
seems to be enjoying the virtual
training option. A few of you are still
choosing face to face training and of
course we are still offering this.
Interclean was a busy time for BICSc
with the healthcare demonstrations
we did along with the bigger stand at
this event and it was great to see so
many familiar faces and lots of new
faces too, I hope BICSc can help you
all in the ways you are looking for.
We launched the new training app at
the show, and it seems many of you
are liking the app as an alternative
way to train rather than sitting in
front of a computer screen, so our
virtual training is now available in
many different ways for you.
It is nice to finally hear that the new
government are taking skills training
seriously, whilst I am not hopeful
of a quick turnaround the fact that
Skills England is now in progress and
will give an alternative to just the
apprenticeship route, for funding,
is great. We must remember that
not every person is suited to an
apprenticeship and training should
never be a one size fits all, the
candidate is the most important
person to be trained and this should
be the first consideration in every
training course we ask someone to
attend.
Whilst I was talking about awards
ceremonies, I forgot to mention
the ECJ awards in October, BICSc
are really pleased to announce
that Kelsey Hargreaves has been
shortlisted as a finalist in the Rising
Star category, we all have everything
crossed that Kelsey wins this.
However, in a sense of playing fair,
good luck to all the finalists not just
in this category but all of them. We
are looking forward to the ceremony
in Portugal.
I would like this opportunity to thank
Team BICSc as a whole, I have been
in my post now for just over a year
and the support they have given
me, the teamworking ethos that is
getting stronger and progression
from the team is so nice to see
and I would hate them to not feel
appreciated. So, a big THANK YOU
goes out from me.
As ever my final words go to the
membership, without you all there
wouldn’t be a BICSc, so thank you
all for your continued support of the
Institute.
NEIL SPENCER-COOK
Group Managing Director
This quarter has seen some real
changes within the BICSc team, my
congratulations to both Matthew
Ferrin and Kelsey Hargreaves on their
promotion to management positions.
This sees them take steps to progress
within BICSc and allows the BICSc
management structure to become a
little more future proof.
For myself it was the feedback from
Kelsey’s one to one earlier in the
year where she expressed her desire
to move up within the organisation
that set that particular management
ball rolling. Note to Kelsey be careful
what you wish for! Whilst I have no
immediate plans to retire, which my
bank manager will be very happy to
hear, 2024 so far has been particularly
travel heavy and a little more time at
home to work on projects and courses
that add more strength to the BICSc
portfolio is welcome.
With Amelia, our Assistant Technical
Specialist, expanding her role to take
on the training for our international
clients this means that Kelsey can
adopt the verification role that I have
been carrying out for the last few
years. The international trips to Dubai,
Abu Dhabi, Qatar and Saudi Arabia
that I completed in April, May and
June have allowed for me to catch up
on the sites where Kelsey had trained,
ensuring candidates have been
verified by an independent pair of
eyes, a critical part of our own quality
control.
July saw Amelia and Kelsey travelling
to Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Saudi Arabia
to meet customers training and
verification requirements, with further
trips planned for the rest of the year.
Given the delightful summer that
the UK has experienced, yes that is
sarcasm, perhaps I should have put this
change over off until the autumn, at
least I would have seen some sun. But
change needed to happen to allow us
to grow and spread the BICSc message
to all those that would benefit from
our training programmes. Also to allow
time for further programmes to be
produced to meet the ever-changing
needs of our industry.
This change of management has
allowed me to work on a short course
regarding Green Washing. The aims of
the free course being to show people
some of the areas they need to be
aware of to make educated choices
when it comes to being green and
also to provide them with some of the
considerations they need to ponder
upon when determining what is right
for their business.
It also means an additional skill for
the CPSS scheme, Carpet Foam
Shampooing will be part of the revised
skills that Nigel, our Senior Digital
DENISE HANSON
Commerical Director
Project Manager, and the technical
team have worked so hard on
reviewing and ensuring they are fit for
purpose. The full review of the CPPS
scheme every 3 years allows for us to
check that our skills are still valid and
provide best practice for operatives
to follow to stay safe and to achieve
good results in their cleaning activities.
It does tend to leave the team rocking
quietly in a corner for some time but is
an important part of our due diligence.
Speaking of due diligence the team
has also had a busy time judging so
far this year with GSA, NICA and
our own BICSc awards. For any
queries as to just what we consider
when undertaking this process, I
recommend downloading the BICSc
Cleaning and Hygiene Audit App,
there is a free course on the website
explaining how to download it and
how to use it for maximum results. You
may be surprised at just what depth is
covered, and it also provides a great
structure to build upon control.
THE STANDARD 4 | 5

darwin clayton
evolutionary insurance
Cleaning & FM
Contractors Insurance
Specialist insurance solutions &
advice for contract cleaning and FM
service providers
WHY DARWIN CLAYTON?
TORK SOLUTIONS IMPROVE HYGIENE
AND DELIVER ON SUSTAINABILITY
Darwin Clayton are a multi-award winning
insurance broker with over 100 years’
experience. We have worked closely with BICSc
since its formation. As a member of BICSc, you
will be offered discounted premiums for your
commercial insurance solution.
Standard Cover & Limits
• Employers Liability - £10,000,000*
• Public & Products Liability - £5,000,000*
(including Damage to property being cleaned &
Treatment Risks)
• Employee Dishonesty - £250,000
• Loss of Keys - £100,000
• Financial Loss - £250,000
• Professional Indemnity - £100,000* (increased to
£250,000 for members of the BICSc)
*Higher limits available on request
South: 01892 511 144
North & Midlands: 0115 951 7030
Tailored Protection
COVER SUMMARY
Every Cleaning & FM business is unique. Our
dedicated insurance professional will work with
you to design an insurance solution to suit your
business specific needs.
Optional Covers
• Property
• Business Interruption
• Terrorism
• Specified All Risks
• Environmental Clean Up Costs
Additional Covers Available
We can arrange a wide range of additional covers,
such as Cyber & Data Risks, Directors & Officers
Liability and Motor Fleet.
Get in touch with your Darwin Clayton representative for a quote:
cleaning@dcuk.co.uk
darwinclayton.co.uk
Tork manufacturer Essity showcased
a range of sustainable hygiene
solutions at Interclean.
These included Tork carbon neutral
certified dispensers which were
nominated for the Amsterdam
Innovation Award.
The dispensers are produced using
certified renewable electricity while
the remaining carbon emissions are
offset via verified climate projects
through ClimatePartner. The range is
a step towards Essity’s commitment
to net zero emissions, which has been
verified by the Science Based Targets
initiative.
The Tork stand hosted large numbers
of visitors and customers, says
regional segment marketing manager
Ineke van den Bemt. “Our booth was
very busy every day from 10am until
the show closed,” she said. “The show
went really well for us.”
Making their debut at Interclean
were the new Tork Xpress®
Compressed Soft Multifold Hand
Towels which have been compressed
by up to 50 per cent. This halves
the number of refills required
which minimises any disruption to
businesses.
Also new was the Tork Soap and
Sanitiser Dispenser with Arm Lever
for touchless dispensing, and the Tork
2 in 1 Scouring and Cleaning Cloth.
This is an absorbent, abrasive and
versatile wiper designed to save time
and effort when cleaning.
The new Tork Natural Colour range
of washroom tissue products also
featured on the stand. Made from
100 per cent recycled fibres, the
toilet paper and hand towels in the
range have a natural, light brown
hue to demonstrate the customer’s
sustainability values to employees,
guests and visitors.
Besides being highly sustainable, the
products are also significantly softer
to the touch than traditional recycled
washroom tissue. All Tork Natural
Colour washroom products are
compatible with Tork PaperCircle® -
the world’s first recycling service for
paper towels.
Customers signing up for Tork
PaperCircle® have their used
washroom hand towels picked up
from their business premises and
taken to local recycling centres where
they are turned into other tissue
products. Around 25 million hand
towels in 14 countries are recycled
every month under the scheme.
Tork experts held thought leadership
sessions at Interclean on relevant
topics such as how data can enhance
cleaning quality and efficiency; the
implications of the new EU Green
Deal on businesses’ sustainability
goals, and digital solutions for
sustainable care.
“It was good to see so many new and
existing customers at the event, and
they all seemed to enjoy the freshlybaked
caramel waffles we served on our
stand,” said Ineke.
tork.co.uk/Interclean
6 | 7
Darwin Clayton (UK) Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Ref. 303990).

ASSESSOR BULLETIN
BY NICKY ELLIS PBICSc & TERESA SACCO LBICSc
MEET OUR NEWEST RECRUIT,
ZOE LITTLER
Hello to all of our BICSc Licensed
Assessors UK and worldwide from
your account managers, Nicky and
Teresa.
We would first of all like to update
you that we have received over
50,000 assessment submissions since
the BICSc Assessor App went live in
September 2020, which we are really
proud to report. This figure is always
increasing especially now that we
no longer accept paper submissions.
Thank you to each and every one of
you for these assessments.
We have every confidence that you
are finding the assessor app easier to
use and it is saving you time. We know
previously that you would transport
your CPSS Kit to your assessments
and complete your assessments on
paper. You would then send all your
documents via email to us. Now the
CPSS Assessor App allows you to
submit your assessments at a touch
of a button meaning that we process
these assessments in a timely manner,
and it allows you to purchase these
cards quicker. We hope you are not
experiencing any issues using the app
but please remember that we have
our free course, the CPSS Assessor
App User Guide that will offer you
guidance on how to use it, but as your
account manager, we can also assist
with any queries that you have.
We hope you are also enjoying the
benefits you receive with your BICSc
Accredited Training Membership.
The member benefit email sent on an
annual basis lists all of your benefits
and any information you require to
access these benefits.
The member benefit we hope you
and your candidates are enjoying
the most is the access you receive
to the demonstration videos. In the
same way as the CPSS Assessor App
and the SOPs, when there are any
updates to the videos, we share these
updates with you, so you are always
working to the BICSc Standard. These
videos are a great training aid and
allows you to remain up to date with
the skill too as an Assessor. These
videos also include the rolled skills
currently available which has been
another fantastic edition to how you
can assess and is a more realistic
approach to assessing especially if it is
during the candidate’s working day, if
you cannot see the rolled skills on the
skills rollup section of your app log in,
please contact us and we can assist
further with this.
You receive other great benefits
too. You have free access to the
electronic copy of BICSc Standards
& Best Practice and will always see
the most up to date version. We hope
you have also been able to use the
member rates on our online shop and
on any of our Cleanlogic courses or
the Cleaning Supervisor’s Certificate.
Finally, you can use the Accredited
Training Member logo whether it is
on your website, to add to your email
signature or for any other marketing.
Please remember that if you are
looking to add the logo to your
website, there is a click to verify logo.
The member benefit email provides
you with the guidance you need to
add to your website.
We would like to thank you for your
dedication and commitment to being
a BICSc Licensed Assessor.
Hi, I’m Zoe, the new Digital Content
Assistant. As BICSc newest recruit, I
thought it would be nice to introduce
myself and take you through
everything which led me to this new
apprentice role at BICSc.
My previous employment was at
Subway where I learnt the value
of working as part of a team and
understanding the customer
experience which I see will help
me throughout my placement
here at BICSc. Studying a HNC in
photography made me appreciate the
creative industry and the work that
goes into meeting criteria. I studied
Media in school at GCSE and A-level
which was the beginning of my
interest in marketing, brand identities
and demographics.
Marketing is always something that
has intrigued me which led me on
to the course of applying to digital
marketing apprenticeships. I also
wanted a role within a company that
had a vast output whilst hoping that
I could continue my photography
especially event photography. All of
these led me to BICSc.
During my apprenticeship at BICSc
there is a great deal that I look
forward to learning about. Learning
how to operate various Adobe
platforms to help create content
and getting to help on the website
and the socials. I aspire to be able to
help with the designing of content to
maximise web traffic and build brand
awareness. Assist in the production
of digital content for the virtual
training suite. Creative copywriting
for industry publications and website.
Using my photography skills for
events such as the up-and-coming
awards in September.
I have already helped in the creation
of ads and banners whilst also helping
add some photos to the website for
products in the online shop.
During this apprenticeship I will
be partaking in a remote college
course to extend my learning
and understanding of the digital
marketing industry which I will then
bring back into my work.
Even though I haven’t been here
for too long I am already beginning
to comprehend the impact that the
BICSc team and service have in the
industry. I am starting to meet and
get to know a lot of the team here at
BICSc and learning their roles in the
company.
After taking the environmental
awareness course in the virtual
training suite I am now aware of the
impact that cleaning habits have on
the planet and how actions are being
put in place to reduce that.
I am looking forward to attending
the awards and understanding how
it runs and taking part through my
photography. Look forward to seeing
some of you there!
ZOE LITTLER
Digital Content Assistant
THE STANDARD
8 | 9

MAXIMISE YOUR PROFESSIONAL AND
PERSONAL GROWTH AT THE CLEAN & TIDY
HOME SHOW
The British Institute of Cleaning
Science (BICSc) is excited to partner
with the Clean & Tidy Home Show
for the third consecutive year!
Together, we're emphasising the
science of cleaning and the value of
cleaning professionals. We invite
you to join us at ExCeL London on
October 19 th and 20 th for an event
that promises to enhance both your
personal and professional life.
WHY ATTEND?
The Clean & Tidy Home Show is more
than just an event—it's a movement
celebrating the importance of a
clean home and the essential role of
cleaning professionals. Here's why
attending is beneficial for you.
Enhance your skills: Participate in
sessions led by industry experts.
Learn new techniques that can
improve both your professional
cleaning practices and your own
home environment.
• Expand your network: Connect
with peers, mentors, and
potential business partners
within the cleaning industry.
• Celebrate your profession: Join
an event that honours the vital
work of cleaning professionals
and highlights the importance of
the industry.
• Optimise your home: Gain
practical tips and insights on how
to clean and organise your own
living space, making it a place
that supports the life you want
to lead.
BICSc STAND
Visit the BICSc stand to engage
with our team, ask questions, and
explore membership and training
options. We're here to support your
professional growth.
ASK AN EXPERT AREA
BICSc, in collaboration with
the Association of Professional
Declutterers and Organisers (APDO),
sponsors the "Ask An Expert" area.
Hosted by Neil Spencer-Cook, with
sessions by Kelsey Hargreaves, this
interactive space offers insights from
industry leaders to help you improve
your cleaning skills, whether you're a
professional or a homemaker.
WELCOME COMMITTEE AND
AWARDS
Neil Spencer-Cook plays a crucial
role in the show’s Welcome
Committee, focusing on Diversity,
Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
(DEIB). Additionally, Denise
Hanson returns to the Clean
& Tidy Awards Council, which
celebrates excellence within the
industry. These awards recognise
the outstanding achievements of
cleaning professionals, advocates,
and products.
ADVOCATION OF CLEANING
SERVICES
The show continues to emphasise
the value of employing cleaning
professionals and the benefits of
seeking and accepting help at home.
A panel discussion on the Main
Stage, featuring Chris Wootton of
Poppies, Sian Pelleschi of APDO, and
Natalie Davies of the Home Staging
Association, will explore career paths
in home services. The panel will
highlight the opportunities within the
cleaning industry, including business
ownership and franchising.
BUSINESS SUPPORT
Join our Pricing Bootcamp led by
financial coach Lia Loewenthal,
perfect for entrepreneurs, including
home service providers. Discover
your pricing sweet spot, develop an
effective strategy to attract ideal
clients, and grow your business. Equip
yourself with tools to handle finances
confidently, and break through
barriers to charge what you're worth.
Elevate your value in our community.
The Domestic Cleaning Business
Network (DCBN) will also host a
session in the Community Hub,
providing valuable resources and
Clean Home,
Clear Mind
support for domestic cleaning
business owners. This session will
help you grow and manage your
business effectively, offering practical
advice and networking opportunities.
JOIN US AT THE CLEAN & TIDY
HOME SHOW
We encourage all BICSc members
to attend this event. Don’t miss out
on this unique opportunity to grow
both professionally and personally,
optimise your own home,
and contribute to the
advancement of the cleaning
industry.
For more information and
to secure your spot, visit
cleanandtidyhomeshow.
com - we look forward to
seeing you there!
Cleaning
101
Myth
Busting
Ask Us
Anything
Cleaning
Bathrooms
THE STANDARD
10 | 11

MY CAREER, TONY DALEY MBICSc
I have recently moved house and
as you do, we were having a clear
out and I came across a letter dated
2011 congratulating me for over 25
years membership and attaching a
25-year commemorative lapel badge
meaning in all I’ve been a member
for over 38 years. I sent this to Karen
Boyde, and she asked me to write a
few words for The Standard about
my career in the cleaning industry.
I’m retired now but my career started
as a 16 year old sole self employed
window cleaner and ended with
employing over 800 staff working
as a national cleaning contractor
specialising in retail, one of which we
cleaned over 500 stores nationwide
for including Ireland. I also started a
janitorial house with two retail shops
and appeared on QVC for many years
as a specialist advisor for a caravan
cleaning product we developed
for which I gained the approval
from Europe’s largest caravan
manufacturer.
It’s safe to say I had a very varied
career and in retirement I have
gone on to use all my experience
in all the various hats you wear
running a cleaning business with
my membership of the Worshipful
Company of Environmental Cleaners
(WCEC), their Education Committee
and my roles as a Local Authority
School Governor working in deprived
areas, a member of the Authority's
School Finance Committee
overseeing the Authority’s entire
schools budget of £700 million and as
a Family Court Magistrate.
More importantly, I continue to
promote the cleaning industry and
what a great career it is by talks I
carry out in schools in my role as a
Local Authority School Governor and
Mentor which has been enhanced
by becoming a WCEC Character
Practitioner as recognition of my
knowledge and experience in the
cleaning industry. I was in the first
batch of 10 to become a Chartered
Practitioner.
The industry has grown and
developed over the years and now
needs to attract the next generation
of leaders which I truly believe starts
in school, making sure the children
of today see the industry as a viable
career option. The industry offers
roles from a part-time cleaner to
Chair of a FTSE100 company and
as my career shows there are many
other roles and activities in the
industry.
My membership of BICSc has been a
key and integral part of my cleaning
career, as mentioned in my 38 years
of membership I have sought advice,
completed BICSc training courses
and of course made many friends
which has all enhanced my business
and its progression over the years. I
realised very early on the importance
of joining and did so at the age of
18. Even though I’m retired now
I continue with my membership
as I still promote the industry in
my various roles and value the
continuing support and knowledge
my membership gives me.
SERVICE
THROUGH
INNOVATION
With over 50 years of experience, ICE is the
UK’s largest independent provider of cleaning
equipment.
We manage all your cleaning equipment and
servicing requirements, offering total peace of
mind.
10th year
anniversary
of i-mop
The i-mop revolutionized the
cleaning industry 10 years ago
and is still the leading scrubber
dryer in the market today.
CLEANING EQUIPMENT SUPPLY
AND MAINTENANCE
EXPERTS IN ROBOTICS
SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS
EQUIPMENT FOR ALL
ENVIRONMENTS
THE STANDARD
0800 389 3869
enquiries@ice-clean.com
www.ice-clean.com

WING WALK FOR DIABETES UK,
JOY McFARLAND
Joy McFarland, 73, did a Wing
Walk on 22 nd June in support of her
daughter who has lived with Type
1 diabetes since the age of 7 (she is
now 43). Joy has lived through the
ups and downs with her daughter and
knows the impact this has on both her
daughter and the family. She decided
to do something on her ‘bucket list’
and raise money for Diabetes UK to
help others that are living with it.
Joy took to the skies standing on a
wing of an aeroplane. Here’s her
account of her daring deed.
“I DID IT! On Saturday 22nd June,
accompanied by my husband Dave,
daughter Hannah and son-in-law Mark,
I set off for Wickenby Aerodrome near
Lincoln to tick off an item on my bucket
list, namely a wing walk.
THE STANDARD
The sun was shining and I had no
nerves at all – until I saw the Boeing
Stearman bi-plane, then I’ll admit to a few
butterflies! But I needn’t have worried –
well… what can I say? Callum, my pilot
and the whole team were brilliant. My
flight was about 12 minutes long, and
the views, as you might imagine, were
fantastic.”
“It was amazing, not at all scary. The
worst part was climbing on the wing –
not easy! You have to manoeuvre on to
the top wing from the body of the plane,
through a small gap between struts and
cables, and my bum got in the way! I
got a massive cheer from my supporters
when I finally managed it!"
"I did the wing walk to raise money for
Diabetes UK (a condition my daughter
has) and the fund stands at over £1,300,
what a great result!"
The symptoms of type 1 diabetes
are the 4 T’s: Thirsty, Toilet, Tired
and Thinner and they can develop at
any age. https://www.diabetes.org.
uk/diabetes-the-basics/types-ofdiabetes/type-1/symptoms
THE WHY BEHIND THE WHY?
THE DIFFICULTY OF ASKING QUESTIONS
BY KELSEY HARGREAVES LBICSc
As I have moved on in my
professional career, my patience
and understanding of colleagues'
needs developing around me,
I am pleased to say that I am
understanding the whys around the
“whys?” a little bit more. And as the
world continues to research into
different neurodiversities, or we
allow ourselves time to understand
the complexities of differing human
cognitive abilities, it seems that
understanding the “why” behind the
“why?” can allow us to help our work
forces a lot more.
As a person that has always been
labelled as an inquisitive person, I had
always put it down to my incessant
“young” “thirsty” need to question
everything that I was ever told. I chose
a degree at university that allowed
me, and rewarded me, to openly
question everything around me and
everything that everyone else had to
say about it. I was never, and I warn,
probably will never be content with
the answer of “it just is”, and yet, even
with this inquisitive nature about me,
I am one of the guilty eye rollers when
I get asked questions. Working in the
professional world over the last 10
years has allowed me to say that it isn’t
just in an educational institute that
people question things. But the reason
they do, may be something that they
can’t help, or may give us clues as to
where we can help more. There are
many reasons why someone may ask
questions, but for the sake of this short
entry, let’s look at a handful!
Here are what I would say are the top
5 ‘whys behind the whys?’:
NEURODIVERSITY
Aside from the most commonly
recognised neurodivergent disorders
that we know about more openly day
in and day out, there are more that
we don’t necessarily think about.
Until last year, I didn’t realise that I
was in the neurodiverse community.
My neurodivergence means that I am
not able to create immediate visual
images, for example, I can’t “picture
this”, or close my eyes and “think of
a face”, I need to build the concept
in my mind, and how do I do this? I
ask 2,165,416,494 questions about
the simplest thing! This is just one
example of how neuro-diverseness
can impact someone’s ability to learn/
understand and why they may ask a lot
of questions, however, I’m sure some
of my colleagues would still say it’s
because I’m nosey!
LEARNING STYLE
This also very nicely brings me on to
learning styles. Some people learn by
asking questions and being directly
answered. You could give someone
all the learning material in the world,
unless they have asked the question,
some people struggle to learn.
Differing memory styles, differing
cognitive materialisations and
different environments for different
things. Sometimes the “why?” is out of
wanting to simply learn more.
LACK OF CONFIDENCE/
REASSURANCE
Possibly most commonly in the
workplace, lack of confidence and
reassurance are the two main reasons
we have questions asked to us. We
have all been there, where someone
asks a question we know the askee
already knows the answer too, but
have we thought about just why they
may do it? It may be their way of
consolidating their knowledge without
the risk of embarrassment where
they have made a statement about
something.
LACK OF TEACHING/ TRAINING
In the same way we may see that
a lack of training or teaching in
the work environment means
that our colleagues are left asking
questions that are sometimes from
an elementary stand-point. It is
imperative that we do not assume that
someone has been taught, trained or
told key information, as I’m sure at
some point we have all been left with a
lack of information or training to do a
certain job!
INTEREST
And finally, believe it or not,
sometimes people can just be THAT
interested! If I have learned anything
in my time on this earth it is that some
people have some strange interests!
You should see my eyes light up when
it comes to microfibre! As much as
it may feel “strange” to answer many
questions around a topic, especially
a topic that does not seem ‘that’
interesting; remember that the day we
diminish or put down interest is the
day we put down someone’s right to
have an understanding of something.
So, let’s end by stating the obvious; a
definite cliché, but true nonetheless
– there is no such thing as a stupid
question.
A cliché that is so ingrained in the
day to day lives of the workplace and
our personal lives. Yet, I don’t know
about you, but I have those moments
where I have to stifle a sigh when I
am answering the 63rd “but, why?” in
a row, or when my facial expressions
let me down when I think something
is completely obvious and yet I am
still having to spend my time giving an
explanation.
But there I am, every day, screaming
out that ‘cliché’ Saganian mantra of
life “ask away, there is no such thing as a
stupid question!”. I guess, I much prefer
the full story of what Chris Sagan said:
“There are naïve questions, tedious
questions, ill-phrased questions … but
every question is a cry to understand.
There is no such thing as a stupid
question."
Indeed, the only stupid question, is the
question that goes un-asked.
And, the only bad “why?” is ‘why’ we
haven’t taken the time to answer it the
best we can.
14 | 15

Ready to take the hassle out
of job applicant checks?
Save money and simplify pre-employment screening
Our friends over at uCheck have agreed to waive their registration
fee of £58.80 for BICSc members, but why else should you choose
to work with uCheck?
They provide a wide
range of checks including
DBS, Right to Work,
Adverse Credit, and
Identity checks
You only pay for the
checks you need
Part of something bigger
Let’s get ready for anything
They provide rapid
results, with some
checks being instant
Use the code ‘BICSc’ at checkout to get free access to our platform,
so you can start simplifying your recruitment process today!
THE STANDARD
0300 140 0022 info@ucheck.co.uk ucheck.co.uk
Here to take care of you
Over 30,000 organisations
just like yours are already
using uCheck to make their
background checks simple. With
92% of clients rating uCheck as
‘Excellent’ on Trustpilot, you can
trust that you’re in safe hands
You might already know uCheck as a leading background screening provider for businesses across the UK.
But did you know that they can also help boost your business in a number of other ways?
As part of a larger group of businesses, they’re able to offer services like:
• Cyber Security
• Workplace Training
• SSIP Accreditation
• Fire & Electrical Safety
• Employee Wellbeing
• ISO Certification
They’re Home
Office approved
• HR & Employment Law
• Health & Safety
No registration fee
for BICSc members!
Usually £58.80
THINKING OF STARTING A
CLEANING BUSINESS?
BY DIANE LATCHFORD LBICSc
DIANE LATCHFORD
Facilities Manager
One of the most asked questions
we get is: “I’m thinking of starting a
cleaning business, how can BICSc help
me?”
The short answer is that setting up a
business is not our area of expertise
but, we can help point you in the right
direction and of course we can help
with training.
The first items you need to think about
are getting an accountant, then you
need to decide whether you will be
a sole trader, partnership or limited
company. You will also need to check
out the rules for the type of business;
in the cleaning industry you will need
SOPs, Risk Assessments and COSHH.
The UK Government has a very useful
section on their website to guide you
through the process www.gov.uk/setup-business
HOW CAN BICSc HELP YOU?
Take a look at our free courses, there is
a lot of content for knowledge you will
need. From hand hygiene through to
how robotics are helping the cleaning
industry, there are 6 to choose from.
It will give you a feel of our presenting
style for when you progress to
training. There’s even a course on how
to be environmentally aware in the
cleaning industry if you want to give
your business a USP.
We also have our Cleanlogic
courses that can help enhance your
understanding of the business.
Our health and safety trio will
guide you through the principles of
cleaning science, giving you a greater
understanding of COSHH risk
assessments and help you to enhance
your knowledge of how contamination
is spread and why using colour coding
is so important. There is also our
estimating and costing bundle which
can help you when quoting for work
or a tender. There’s lots more beside
these, why not head on over to our
website to take a look. training.bics.
org.uk/collections/cleanlogic
When it comes to practical skills
training you and your staff will
benefit from our Licence to Practice,
this training gives the candidate an
understanding of the health and safety
requirements, they will be able to
demonstrate how to safety check a
piece of electrical equipment and how
to safely mix and dilute chemicals.
Once assessment has taken place, a
card will be issued, and the candidate
can then progress onto skills training.
We have 43 skills, 14 of which can
be completed and assessed virtually
through our online training suite.
Depending on the areas you intend
to specialise in you will be able to find
skills to suit most types of cleaning
scenarios. Our training pages will help
guide you through it www.bics.org.uk/
training/.
As an option for the future you
may wish to consider becoming an
Accredited Training Member, once you
have a number of staff, through BICSc
you can put some of them through
our training to become Accredited
Trainers and Assessors and you will
then be able to train and accredit your
employees.
We also have various membership
options that could benefit you, for
Corporate Membership you will
need to have been trading for over
a year, the cost of which will vary
depending on your turnover. Included
in your membership is use of our
logo, special offers from our various
partners including, Citation whose
services include health and safety and
employment law and Darwin Clayton
who provide insurances.
Also as a Corporate Member you will
be able to ask our technical helpdesk
questions should you come across
cleaning problems that you are unable
to solve yourselves.
Take a look at the membership pages
on our website. www.bics.org.uk/
membership/
It may seem daunting at first but with
some careful planning and preparation
you should be up and running in no
time.
16 | 17

FOURTH ANNUAL FUNDRAISER TO FIGHT
HYGIENE POVERTY
THE JOURNEY OF JUDGING
BY AMELIA AMESBURY LBICSc
Multi award-winning office and
commercial cleaning company
Cleanology has launched its annual
fundraising event – now in its fourth
year – in aid of The Hygiene Bank.
The much-heralded fundraiser has
been a huge success after raising over
£78,000 in its first three years.
This year the popular event is being
held on Wednesday 9 th October, at the
internationally renowned Hard Rock
Café in the heart of London’s Mayfair.
Dominic Ponniah, CEO and Co-
Founder of Cleanology, said: “When
we held our first event four years
ago, we had no idea that four years
later the scale of hygiene poverty
would be such that this hidden crisis
has grown exponentially. I am proud
Cleanology is again leading the fight
against hygiene poverty and that we
continue to partner with The Hygiene
Bank, a grassroots charity dedicated
to ensuring that feeling clean is not a
luxury but a basic right for everyone in
our society”.
Ruth Brock, CEO of The Hygiene Bank,
said: “Cleanology has been more than
a supporter of The Hygiene Bank, they
are a true partner in our mission to
end hygiene poverty in the UK. Their
unwavering support over the years has
made a tangible difference in the lives
of thousands of families pulled into
hygiene poverty, and as we launch this
event together, we celebrate not only
the progress we have made but also
the enduring partnership that makes it
all possible. Together, we are changing
lives.”
Last month, the British Cleaning
Council (BCC) called on the cleaning
and hygiene industry to get behind
the fight against hygiene poverty and
support in any way possible.
In May this year, The Hygiene Bank
unveiled shocking findings from
its latest research report ‘Hygiene
Poverty in 2024’. It now estimates that
4.2m adults in the UK are currently
living in hygiene poverty, a significant
increase of 1.1m people compared to
the findings in 2022, highlighting the
escalating severity of this silent crisis.
The study, conducted by YouGov,
uncovers the devastating impacts of
hygiene poverty on individuals and
families across the nation, exposing
the effects hygiene poverty has on
mental and physical health and how
it acts as a barrier to education and
work.
Key findings from the research
include:
• In the past 12 months, 69% of
those affected by hygiene poverty
have had to choose between
paying for food or bills and buying
toiletries and cleaning products.
• 65% of parents affected by
hygiene poverty have had to
choose, in the past 12 months,
between buying hygiene products
for themselves or their children.
• Those who have experienced
hygiene poverty in the past 12
months are more likely to have
gone without razors (50%),
laundry detergent and cleaning
products (46%) and deodorant
(42%) because they couldn’t
afford it.
This year’s sponsors – all committed
to the fight against hygiene poverty
– are cleaning & hygiene products
manufacturer Evans Vanodine,
janitorial supplier Futures Supplies,
insurance brokers Darwin Clayton,
field service management software
company BigChange, washroom
services firm Liberty Hygiene,
workforce scheduling firm Rotageek,
drainage experts DALROD and
janitorial suppliers & distributors
Bunzl.
At the fundraiser up to 200 expected
guests can look forward to an array
of entertainment including a live DJ,
networking, refreshing cocktails, Hard
Rock classic burgers, a lively auction
and raffle with amazing prizes, all in
the surroundings of a venue renowned
for authentic dining and world class
entertainment.
The Hygiene Bank is a peoplepowered
charity and social movement,
committed to tackling hygiene
poverty in communities across
the UK. The Hygiene Bank believe
that no one should have to choose
between staying clean and meeting
other basic needs. Through their
network of projects, they provide
essential hygiene products to those
experiencing poverty or crisis.
Cleanology – headquartered in
Vauxhall, South West London, and
with regional offices in Manchester,
Birmingham, Bristol and Scotland –
runs campaigns throughout the year
to raise funds and awareness for
hygiene poverty and staff participate
in fund-raising opportunities such as
marathons.
Tickets are priced from £75 +VAT each
and are available on Eventbrite, with
all profits donated to The Hygiene
Bank: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/
hygiene-bank-charity-evening-
2024-hosted-by-cleanology-tickets-
927732973297?aff=ebdssbdestsea
rch
It has been a busy few months for
myself and my fellow judges at BICSc
and now with the judging season soon
coming to an end with our very own
awards, I have finally had the chance
to reflect upon my time judging and
what an experience it has been. I
started off in the cleaning industry
as a cleaning operative and whilst I
am not one to forget my roots it has
been humbling to spend my time with
different cleaning operatives around
the world and remind myself of why I
do the job I do.
I began my journey with the Golden
Service Awards at the end of last
year and what a way to start. I had
got the pleasure of meeting various
companies all around the UK and
Ireland, and I can say for certain that
the GSA awards taught me how to
use the tube system in London, I also
got the opportunity to visit parts of
Southern Ireland. As this was my first
time judging I wasn’t sure what to
expect, understandably each site you
visit is nervous and I was equally as
nervous but every single person I had
the pleasure of meeting was lovely and
immediately put me at ease. What I
enjoyed most about the GSA awards
is that it showed me that although
there may be similarity between
sites, no two sites are the same, each
come with their own challenges,
and it was impressive to learn how
each site overcame their own unique
challenges.
Next stop on my judging adventures
was the Northern Ireland Cleaning
Awards and what an honour it was to
judge these awards. What I thought
was great about the NICA awards is
that despite my time in the industry
it opened my eyes. It was the first
time I had really been exposed to
different types of cleaning scenarios,
circumstances that I could never
imagine. It reminded me of my time as
a cleaning operative in transportation,
I thought I had difficult days and had
seen it all, I certainly have some stories
you would not believe, but now they
pale in comparison. I honestly couldn’t
believe what some sites had to deal
with on a regular basis, and how many
operatives genuinely love their job
and complete each day with a smile
on their faces, which is why the NICA
awards are wonderful. What the
awards allow us to do is celebrate the
operatives who work hard every day.
Which brings us to now, the final leg
of my journey, with the BICSc awards.
Whilst judging these awards I had to
get comfortable with a new style of
judging, I had gotten used to visiting
sites in person, this time I had judge
them over video call which allowed
me to connect with companies and
individuals all over the UK and the
Middle East. Something that fills my
heart with joy is to see and hear how
many companies share the BICSc
mission statement and demonstrate
a passion for training and protecting
operatives. For someone who is a year
into my career at BICSc it was amazing
to see how many people love BICSc
and care for what we stand for and
how much difference we can make.
I would like to take this opportunity
to thank every site I have visited and
every person I have met, you have all
been wonderful and I am so pleased
to have met you. Congratulations
to every finalist and every winner. I
cannot wait for September when the
BICSc awards winners are announced,
I hope to see you on the dance floor!
AMELIA AMESBURY
Assistant Technical Specialist
THE STANDARD
18 | 19

Product Development
Creating formulas that work and selecting
ingredients that meet rigorous standards
for human and environmental safety
Throughout the whole journey of
SC Johnson Professional product
solutions there are many proof-points
to support using less, wasting less
and recycling more.
Product
Disposal
Packaging that can be
disposed of into recycling
waste streams
OUR SPECIALIST
occupational skin care and
surface cleaning products
SUPPORT YOU TO
Plastic
Operations
Implementing extensive
environmental practices
in our manufacturing
operation
Chemistry
Packaging
Plastic
Waste
Products in use
Products and programmes
to help customers meet their
sustainability goals
Use less Waste less Recycle more
FOR A BETTER WORLD
Our Denby, UK facility is
ISO 14001, 9001, 50001 certified
Waste
Carbon
Packaging Waste Plastic
Customer
communication
IE/030/003
Being transparent about
our products, with no
greenwashing, to ensure
customers can make fully
informed choices
Transparency
Transportation
& storage
Our cardboard
packaging materials are
made from sustainable
sources and can be
disposed of into
recycling waste streams
Packaging
Waste
Find out more

OUR RECENT SUCCESSFUL
STORIES AROUND THE GCC
Following the opening of the SaveFast
Training Academy BICSc training
centre in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia, the company has repeated
its successful model with a second
centre at its Head Office in Dubai.
The new facility is already attracting
significant interest from the UAE
market and together, the two centres
allow BICSc and SaveFast to serve the
entire GCC region. SaveFast hopes
that offering cleaning operatives
the opportunity to obtain a BICSc
Licence to Practice and skills, will
fulfil its mission of empowerment
through learning and help to enhance
standards in the industry throughout
the region.
SaveFast Training Academy is well
positioned to deliver a unique BICSc
training experience, tailored for the
GCC, whilst upholding the BICSc
international standard, creating a
regional benchmark. The GCC has
immense growth potential, with
government bodies and corporates
alike on the lookout for standards
which ensure they conform to
international best practice and create
the clean and healthy environments
demanded by the ever-increasing
tide of international visitors and new
residents. SaveFast has focused on
fostering close relationships with
BICSc and developing a core team
whose understanding of the BICSc
ethos and dedication to excellence is
leading towards the creation of worldclass
cleaning standards in the region
and offering the potential for a BICSc
mandate at the highest levels.
EXCELLING TOGETHER: A
TRANSFORMATIVE PARTNERSHIP
IN JEDDAH'S ISLAMIC
DEVELOPMENT BANK PROJECT
In the heart of Jeddah, a significant
collaboration is taking place between
our SaveFast and ZOMCO, as we
work together on the ambitious
Islamic development bank project.
The project aims to improve the living
conditions of local people and enhance
the attainment of the Kingdom’s
Sustainable Development Goals. The
project with ZOMCO has demanded
high levels of commitment from our
team, overseeing a comprehensive
BICSc training program, on-thejob
training (OJT) initiatives, and
meticulous pre- and post-project
audits. These measures have proved to
be essential in ensuring adherence to
standards and optimizing outcomes.
The results of our combined
efforts have been nothing short
of exceptional, surpassing initial
expectations and setting new
benchmarks. ZOMCO's positive
feedback has been particularly
gratifying, emphasising the
effectiveness and profound impact of
our collaboration on the project. Their
endorsement reaffirms our capability
to deliver tangible results in complex
operational environments.
As we reflect on this achievement,
it underscores the transformative
power of collaboration and the value
of forging strong partnerships to
achieve shared objectives. The Islamic
development bank project has not
only strengthened our operational
capabilities but has also reinforced our
reputation as a dependable partner
capable of meeting and exceeding
project goals. Looking forward,
we are inspired to build upon this
success, leveraging our experience
and insights gained from the Islamic
development bank project to tackle
future challenges with confidence and
innovation.
SAVEFAST AND AL HANOUF
COMPANY
In the training industry, collaborations
sometimes become a source of
inspiration for trainees and trainers
alike. Al Hanouf Group is a privatelyowned
Saudi company, established
in 1977, in Riyadh, specialising in
amongst other things, buildings
operation, maintenance and cleaning,
city cleaning and urban garbage
disposal and hospital and medical
centre operations and maintenance.
The group has a reputation for
providing high-level services and
implementing major contracts and
projects based on a commitment
to excellence in cleaning services.
SaveFast hosted a diverse group
of Al Hanouf Company trainees,
mainly comprising Saudi nationals
eager to elevate their expertise in
the cleaning industry. From the start
of the program the enthusiasm and
dedication shown by these individuals
created an atmosphere ripe for mutual
growth and learning.
The training ranged from theoretical
foundations to hands-on practical
applications, aimed at equipping
participants with the necessary
tools to excel in their roles. The
sessions were engaging and highly
participative, demonstrating the
power of training in fostering
individual and organisational growth.
Trainees improved their skills and
knowledge, whilst also cultivating a
deeper appreciation for the nuances
of their profession. Our BICSc
instructors used their wealth of
expertise to help trainees overcome
challenges and strive for excellence
and in return, the trainees’ enthusiasm
and eagerness to learn elevated the
training sessions, bringing the best
out of all involved. Our collaboration
with Al Hanouf Company not only
gave the participants new skills, it also
created enduring relationships forged
throughout the training journey.
ETERNITY FACILITIES
MANAGEMENT: HOW BICSc
TRAINING AND GREEN CLEANING
BENEFIT COMPANIES AND
EMPLOYEES ALIKE
The team at SaveFast UAE recently
delivered BICSc training to an
enthusiastic team from Eternity
Facilities Management. Eternity is
a leading provider of 360° facility
management services across the
UAE, bringing a wealth of experience
and a commitment to innovation,
empowering businesses to focus on
their core operations while we ensure
the seamless running of their facilities.
Eternity is committed to implementing
environmentally friendly solutions,
that reduce environmental impact.
Emma Button, COO of Eternity, said:
“At Eternity, we take immense pride in
delivering exceptional cleaning services
while prioritising both environmental
responsibility and staff well-being. As
COO, I recently spearheaded a dual
initiative that's proving to be a win-win
for our valued clients and our dedicated
staff: implementing BICSc training
programs delivered by SaveFast Training
Academy, alongside a switch to Green
Seal-certified cleaning products. By
investing in BICSc training for our staff,
we're equipping them with the latest
knowledge and techniques in cleaning
science."
For Eternity and its customers, this
translates to several key benefits:
• Enhanced Quality for Clients:
staff are now better equipped to
tackle specific cleaning challenges,
ensuring a higher level of service
and a cleaner environment for
clients. They understand the
science behind cleaning products
and procedures, maximising
effectiveness, especially when
using products known for their
eco-friendliness and user safety.
• Empowered and Valued Staff
with Higher Morale: BICSc
training isn't just about mops and
buckets. It demonstrates to staff
that we value their professional
development and their wellbeing
by prioritising the use of
safer, greener products. Staff
gain a sense of accomplishment
from mastering new skills and
knowledge, leading to increased
job satisfaction and improved
morale.
• Confidence and Expertise: BICSc
certification is a recognised
symbol of professionalism within
the cleaning industry. Our staff
now approaches their work with
greater confidence, knowing they
possess the expertise to deliver
exceptional results, using cleaning
products that are both effective
and environmentally friendly.
The impact of this initiative has been
undeniable. Clients consistently
remark on the improved cleaning
quality and attention to detail.
Our staff are feeling valued and
empowered, taking greater pride
in their work and appreciating the
commitment to using safer products.
It's a virtuous cycle that benefits
everyone.
Emma concluded by saying: “At
Eternity, we believe in continuous
improvement. BICSc training and
green cleaning are just two steps in
our commitment to providing the best
possible service while safeguarding our
environment and our valued staff."
SaveFast trainers are always inspired
to give their very best when working
with companies and operatives
who are so obviously committed
to enhancing skills, knowledge and
capabilities to the benefit of the
company, its employees and the
customer and our team is delighted
that the training has been received so
enthusiastically by all involved.
THE STANDARD
22 | 23

EMBRACING INNOVATION
AT BIRKIN
At Birkin, we are dedicated to using
the latest technology to improve
our efficiency and push the cleaning
industry forward. Earlier this year,
we introduced two smart cobots,
affectionately named Bubbles and
Sweet Cheeks, into our cleaning
operations. These cobots are part
of our fleet of over 100 cobots that
have transformed how we keep
large facilities clean and efficient,
becoming invaluable members of our
team.
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A COBOT
Each day starts early for Bubbles
and Sweet Cheeks, prepared by our
dedicated team members, Luke and
Taylor. The cobots handle extensive
cleaning rounds, allowing our human
team to focus on more detailed and
specialised tasks. This approach has
streamlined our workflow and raised
our cleanliness standards across all
facilities.
THE TEAM BEHIND THE
TECHNOLOGY
• Kelly, our supervisor, is key to
our cobots' success. Her skills in
programming and mapping ensure
the cobots perform at their best
and adapt to changes in their
environment.
• Luke and Taylor, our operators,
start their day before dawn to
get the cobots up and running.
Their dedication to maintaining
and troubleshooting the cobots is
essential for smooth operations.
This team perfectly blends human
ingenuity with robotic efficiency,
showing how important both are to
our innovative approach.
OVERCOMING CHALLENGES
Adapting to changing environments
can be challenging, especially
when layout changes disrupt cobot
navigation. However, our team
has quickly adjusted the cobots'
programming to keep them running
smoothly, demonstrating our ability to
maintain high productivity.
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE
The successful integration of Whiz
cobots into our operations paves the
way for using this technology at more
sites. We are excited about expanding
this model, promising a cleaner, more
efficient future for all our clients.
As leaders in the cleaning industry, our
use of technology like Whiz cobots
shows our commitment to innovation
and excellence. Our journey with
automation is just beginning, and we
look forward to continuing to evolve
our services.
Questions
about diabetes?
We’re here to talk.
If you’re looking for someone to
speak to about living with diabetes,
get in touch by calling or emailing
our helpline. We’re here 9am to
6pm, Monday to Friday.
GARETH LEVERTON
Chief Growth Officer
Call 0345 123 2399*
Email helpline@diabetes.org.uk
*Calls to 0345 numbers cost no more than calls to geographic (01 and 02) numbers and must be included
in inclusive minutes on mobile phones and discount schemes. Calls from landlines are typically charged
between 2p and 10p per minute while calls from mobiles typically cost between 10p and 40p per minute.
Calls from landlines and mobiles to 0345 numbers are included in free call packages. Calls may be recorded
for quality and training purposes.
THE STANDARD
The British Diabetic Association operating as Diabetes UK,a charity registered in England and Wales (no.
215199) and in Scotland (no. SC039136). © Diabetes UK 2021

WHY THE HUMAN TOUCH
IS CRITICAL TO DIGITAL
MARKETING
Evans and Sustainability
We’ve all heard the adage that
people buy from people, and while
cliché, in a world of robots and
technology, it’s never been more
relevant. While advancements such
as automation and AI are levelling
up the game for marketers, it’s the
human touch that enables brands
to build a genuine relationship with
their audience.
Without this, it’s impossible to
create meaningful connections and
loyalty that build trust. These will
help you stand out in a saturated
digital landscape and, ultimately,
lead to conversion.
Here, Hannah Stringer, marketing
director at leading outsourced
communications provider
Moneypenny, shares her secrets for
maintaining the human element in
your digital marketing strategy and
ensuring you establish a connection
at all sales cycle stages.
THE POWER OF
PERSONALISATION
Impersonal, blanket-style marketing
doesn’t work anymore. Consumers
expect interactions and messaging
tailored to their interests and
previous buying behaviour. By
personalising content to different
audience segments and individual
needs, businesses can create more
relevant and compelling messages
that resonate with their audience.
This leads to increased customer
satisfaction, loyalty, and conversion
rates.
A McKinsey report revealed that
71% of consumers expect brand
personalisation, and over threequarters
are put off when it doesn’t
happen. Data also demonstrated
that businesses prioritising
personalisation report up to twofifths
more revenue than brands that
fail to do so.
Hannah explains: “Personalisation
pays off. By using targeted emails,
product recommendations,
personalised landing pages, and
technologies like AI-driven chatbots,
brands can capture their audience’s
attention and make them feel
seen and appreciated. Brands that
harness their data to inform their
content, how it’s delivered, and
to whom will improve the user
experience, build customer loyalty,
and achieve a higher ROI on their
digital marketing efforts.”
GO BEYOND THE ALGORITHM
Today, the world of digital marketing
is controlled by algorithms and
data-driven decisions. Still, amidst
all the metrics and analytics, it's
vital to remember that behind every
interaction is a human with unique
needs, desires, and emotions.
It is essential to tap into the data
and use it to your advantage when
designing your strategy. Still,
algorithms can never replace the
genuine empathy and understanding
that come with human interaction.
Hannah continues: “It’s best to
take a holistic approach that
combines data-informed strategies
with storytelling, creativity, and
authenticity. Don’t overwhelm
consumers with numbers, statistics,
sales pitches and promotional
messages. Instead, build authentic
narratives that resonate with your
customers and prospects, drive
action and evoke emotions.
“One of the best ways of doing
this is by putting your business’s
people front and centre across your
marketing channels – whether that’s
your team or your loyal customers.
It’s a smart way to humanise your
brand instantly, and this type of
storytelling allows you to promote
your values, be transparent and build
valuable credibility.”
DEMONSTRATE EMPATHY
Empathy is the language of emotion,
and digital marketers must be able
to actively listen and use emotion
to connect with their customers.
Customers want to feel heard,
understood, and supported; if they
don’t, they’ll vote with their feet
and take their valuable business
elsewhere.
Many organisations have
already engrained empathy into
their businesses and how they
communicate with the world, but
others need help building authentic,
trusted, and lasting customer
relationships.
Hannah explains: “Use your
marketing channels to ask your
audience to articulate their
feelings instead of imagining or
assuming. This allows people to
express themselves, which builds
engagement and increases visibility
and offers hugely valuable insights
that can be fed back to the wider
team to make improvements along
the sales cycle.”
As technology continues to
revolutionise digital marketing, the
human touch remains indispensable.
It brings understanding, adaptability,
and authenticity to interactions,
ensuring that marketing efforts
are efficient and meaningful. Use
evolving technologies to your
advantage, but never forget that
the ability to forge genuine human
connections is the most valuable tool
in a digital marketer’s arsenal.
Read the McKinsey report here:
https://www.infosysbpm.com/
blogs/digital-business-services/thefuture-of-personalization-in-digitalmarketing.html
A certified Planet Mark
member since 2019,
with an overall
carbon reduction
to date of 35%
Optimum performance,
minimum impact.
Our environmental
rating system lets users
identify products with
the lowest impact.
As a CHSA member, we
abide by their rigorous
Code of Practice, which
incorporates the CMA’s
Green Claims Code
We sponsor local
beehives to support
breeding of native
honeybees.
GREENTICK
Environmental Impact Rated
ISO 14001 certified since 2007
Planet Mark certified for 5 years
CHSA Accredited Manufacturer
The Bee Centre local beehives sponsor
Wildlife Trust Gold Level Corporate Member
We have held ISO 14001
certification since 2007,
demonstrating our
commitment to
sustainability
EMS 506072
As a regional Wildlife
Trust member, our
support helps protect
precious wildlife and
wild places on our
doorstep.
THE STANDARD
+44 (0)1772 322200 | sales@evansvanodine.co.uk | www.evansvanodine.co.uk

Tomorrow’s
www.tomorrowscleaning.com
YOUR IDEA COULD
CHANGE THE GAME:
THE CSSA INNOVATION SHOWCASE AWAITS
As Chairman of the CSSA,
I'm constantly inspired by
the incredible creativity and
unwavering dedication of the
people in our industry. We're not
content with the status quo. We're
the ones who see problems as
opportunities, who constantly ask
"what if?" and then find the answer.
The CSSA Innovation Showcase is
where that spirit truly shines.
THIS ISN'T YOUR AVERAGE EVENT
This isn't just about showcasing
products; this is about transforming
the way we work. Do you have a
technology that makes cleaning
smarter? A business model that puts
people first? A process that saves
time, resources, and headaches?
Then we need you on our stage. Our
dedicated team is here to make your
application journey smooth, so you
can focus on what matters: your
idea.
THE DRAGONS' DEN:
WHERE POTENTIAL MEETS
OPPORTUNITY
Remember the thrill of watching
Dragons' Den? Now imagine yourself
as the innovator in the spotlight.
Pitch your concept to industry
heavyweights and investors – the
people who can help make your
vision a reality. This isn't just about
critiquing, it's about mentorship,
connections, and the chance to
secure the backing that takes you to
the next level.
THE CSSA BELIEVES IN YOU
We're not just hosting a showcase,
we're investing in the future of
the cleaning and support services
industry. This year's event is
about collaboration. Interactive
workshops, networking with the
best – this is where we learn from
each other and discover those
unexpected partnerships that lead to
breakthroughs.
THE INDUSTRY IS CHANGING –
WILL YOU LEAD IT?
We all know that technology and
customer expectations are shifting
every day. The CSSA Innovation
Showcase is about staying ahead of
that curve. It's where we stop just
reacting and start defining what
the future looks like for this entire
sector.
YOUR MOMENT IS HERE
The London Cleaning Show 2025
is your chance to step into the
spotlight. Whether you're from
a small startup or a giant of the
industry, if you have an idea that can
improve lives and revolutionise the
way we do business – we want to
hear it, we want to champion it.
Apply by the 30th September:
https://www.cssa-uk.co.uk/
innovation-showcase
www.tomorrowscleaning.com
PAUL ASHTON
Chairman of CSSA
28 | 29

HALF YEAR AUDIT RESULTS SHOW
CHSA MEMBERS COMPLIANT
WITH ACCREDITATION SCHEME
SPECIFICATIONS
OUR STANDARDS. YOUR GUARANTEE.
The Independent Inspector
responsible for auditing the Cleaning
& Hygiene Suppliers Association’s
(CHSA) members has found high
levels of compliance across all the
Association’s Accreditation Schemes.
The CHSA operates Accreditation
Schemes for manufacturers of soft
tissue, plastic refuse sacks, cotton
mops and cleaning chemicals. It also
operates Accreditation Schemes
for distributors and for general
manufacturers.
By 30 June 2024, 90 audits had
been completed. This involved
reviewing 22,250 product lines in the
Accreditation Scheme for distributors.
Across the Schemes for soft tissue,
plastic sacks and cotton mops, over
1,153 product labels have been
checked and 622 individual products
have been tested. Compliance
exceeded 90% across all Accreditation
Schemes.
the box. Depending on the product,
this involves checking the sheet
count, width, duty, weight and or
performance of the product. The
Inspector also assesses the member’s
quality assurance procedures.
For distributors he confirms if
product is from a CHSA Accredited
Manufacturer and where it is not, that
it conforms to the specification of the
relevant scheme.
Nicky Biggart, Chair of the CHSA’s
Accreditation Schemes, explained:
“We guarantee ‘what’s on the box is
what’s in the box’. Working closely with
our inspector to make sure our members
meet the required specification underpins
our guarantee. This means buyers can
trust the CHSA mark wherever they see
it, recognising the Accreditation Scheme
logo as a guarantee of quality.
“The audit results for the first half of
2024 give buyers the evidence they need
to trust the CHSA Certification Mark.”
The combination of the Code of
Practice and Accreditation Scheme
membership means every member:
• Trades ethically and sustainably;
• Provides supporting information
for claims made;
• Provides quality, fit for purpose
products; and
• Makes sure what’s on the box is
what’s in the box.
Committed to the integrity of the
Schemes, the CHSA’s governing
Council will expel any Scheme
member who, despite being offered
the guidance required to correct
issues, consistently fails to conform to
the relevant Scheme Standard.
Our Standards.
Your Guarantee.
CHSA Certification Marks guarantee ‘what’s on the
box is what’s in the box’. Independent inspection
assures Scheme conformance.
To meet the Scheme specifications
the label must indicate the required
information, which includes the
manufacturer and the precise
specifications of the product within
Every CHSA member has also signed
the CHSA’s rigorous Code of Practice,
which includes the Competition &
Markets Authority’s Green Claims
Code.
Every CHSA member has signed our Code of Practice,
which includes the Competition & Markets Authority’s
Green Claims Code.
For more information:
0800 243919
www.chsa.co.uk
THE STANDARD

darwin clayton
evolutionary insurance
JOIN US
Real time fleet training technology
Companies operating fleets face many challenges.
Darwin Clayton together with their Risk Management
Partner, Lightfoot could help you reduce risk, manage
your fleet and reduce your insurance costs.
What is Lightfoot?
Lightfoot is a fleet management solution with a difference.
It’s the world’s first technology to reward drivers for
better performance. It does this by combining real-time
feedback with an online rewards platform, so drivers learn
to adopt a smoother driving style whilst on the road – and
receive high scores, prizes, and recognition for doing so.
The Lightfoot product
Lightfoot’s unique psychological approach delivers
genuine, lasting behavioural change and long-term
results. Drivers are encouraged to adjust their driving
style through a series of verbal and visual nudges from
the dashboard device, whilst the one-of-a-kind Driver
App incentivises better driving with league tables and
rewards. Lightfoot can be used in conjunction with, or
as an alternative to, vehicle telematics. Tracking, FNOL,
vehicle health reports, walk-around checks, and Driver ID
are all available as optional extras. Many fleets with dash
cams and existing driver training programmes will also
experience wide-ranging benefits from the introduction of
Lightfoot alongside or in place of their current system.
Who is Lightfoot suitable for?
Lightfoot is designed for all fleets of company cars and
light commercial vehicles (up to and including 7.5t). It is
also suitable for lease vehicles as no permanent changes
will be made during installation.
Lightfoot in EVs
Lightfoot’s cutting-edge technology is ideal for mixed and
fully electric fleets, with unique EV benefits including:
• An automated charge expense management system
for simple driver reimbursement.
• Auto-generated charge reminders via the Driver App
to prevent downtime.
What are the benefits of Lightfoot?
By building better driving habits across your whole fleet, Lightfoot can help you boost profits, decarbonise your
vehicles, and make roads safer.
SAVE MONEY
Lightfoot lowers fuel wastage
by as much as 15%. Smoother
driving also reduces vehicle
wear and tear by up to
45%, saving you from costly
maintenance and repairs.
SAVE THE PLANET
Lightfoot can help your fleet
cut harmful CO2 and NOx
emissions by up to 15%,
making a big difference
to your company’s carbon
footprint.
SAVE LIVES
Lightfoot trains your drivers
to avoid high-risk driving
behaviours. This cuts at fault
accident rates by as much as
40%, helping you to keep your
fleet safe.
THE STANDARD
cleanandtidyhomeshow.com
FREE LIGHTFOOT TRIAL:
A free Lightfoot trial is available through Darwin Clayton to businesses with more
than 50 eligible vehicles. Find out more about your Free Lightfoot trial and how
Lightfoot can help your fleet. Please contact us below at:
01392 325 663 chantelle.lewis@lightfoot.co.uk www.lightfoot.co.uk
Darwin Clayton (UK) Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Ref. 303990).

We are VINCI Facilities - experts in the
management, operation and adaptation of
the built Environment.
We offer a comprehensive range of Facilities Management and
Building Solution services across a wide range of public and
private sector organisations. We are committed to working
towards a lower carbon society, focusing on sustainable and
innovative methods to exceed our partners goals and add value
amongst all of our stakeholders.
www.vincifacilities.com
T: 0300 600 3433 l E: info@vincifacilities.com
Scan QR Code to view our
Net Zero Offerings
12,500+
ABM Team
members
working
across the
UK and Ireland
ABM’s cleaning
services protect
essential facility
assets, support
your team’s
productivity,
and enhance your
sustainability
Delivering facility services
for over 40 years as a
strategic solutions
partner
From office spaces
and data centres to
manufacturing and
distribution centres,
our teams support
your key business
performance goals
M&E Maintenance l Energy & Water Management l Cleaning l Building Fabric Maintenance & Minor Works l Security l
Grounds Maintenance l Catering l Mobilisation & Transition l Property Management l Customer Response Centre l Refurbishment &
Conversion l Major Repairs and Voids l Design & Build l Aids & Adaptations l Fit Out l Fire Safety & Cladding Remediation l Internal &
External Planned Works l Social Value & Community Investment l Change Management & Delivery Solution l Asset Management &
Whole Lifecycle Stewardship l Engineering Excellence & Compliance l Smart Place & Insights
1,600+
Client sites in the
UK and Ireland
that benefit from
ABM service
provision

REFLECTION AS A PART OF DEVELOPMENT
WHAT IS YOUR BENCHMARK?
BY KELSEY HARGREAVES LBICSc
Over the last decade, queries around
the “next generation of cleaning
professionals” have become far
more prominent in the industry.
As industry leaders loom to take
on the next chapters of their life,
with many moving onto well earned
retirement after giving their lives
to the development of the industry,
we are left wondering, weekly, if not
daily, how we are going to “stand on
the shoulders of such giants”.
We need to welcome the next
generation of cleaning professionals.
WHERE ARE THEY?
WHAT ARE WE AS THE
INDUSTRY DOING? ARE
WE DOING THE RIGHT
THING?
There have been great strides in
the last few years on making the
industry more youth friendly. We
have introduced qualifications that
are accessible to school leavers,
been present in the places where
the younger generation are and are
fighting tirelessly to have the industry
not just as an option to young people,
but a known option. Yet, as with
everything, there is always more to
do. Although HR is an important part
of any business, with the cleaning
industry and the organisations within
this being no different to this, change
needs to happen and we need to
understand it in a different way.
Our industry is run by compliance,
rules and regulations. Where the work
we do, the equipment we use, in fact
the very way we identify processes
are constantly reviewed, commented
on or “changed”, and often by people
that have no real understanding of
THE STANDARD
what it takes to get something “clean”,
or failing that, to clean something
“properly”, “efficiently” and “safely”. As
an industry, we often bang the rightful
drum of “leaving it to the experts”,
calling in expert advice, following
standards, or creating them to ensure
that we follow the best practices that
we can, protecting our industry, even
when we don’t get the recognition that
we deserve.
A side from the rest of the
challenges we face as an industry, the
introduction of the next generation is a
TUTORIAL
real problem that we all talk about, but
we need to fix.
If we observe a drop in cleaning
standard on our site, or we want to
ensure that we are delivering the
results we wish to, we check. We
analyse our successes, our faults and
we are proactive on our rectifications
required – why aren’t we doing the
same for the onboarding process?
Last year, BICSc launched the
“Cleaning Careers Hub” on the Youth
Employment UK website as a way of
creating a hub whereby information
written by industry but accessible to
young people was out in the world.
The ideas around this hub was to give
young people accessible information
around the infinite opportunities in
the industry, while it being factual
and written by industry for upcoming
industry, real stories, real people with
then the opportunity to post real job
vacancies and get them filled!
SO WHAT ARE WE
DOING TO HELP IT?
ARE WE DOING THE
RIGHT THING? WHY
AREN’T WE ASKING
FOR HELP, WHY
AREN’T WE CHECKING
OURSELVES?
THIS BENCHMARK IS CREATED AND IS TO BE USED
BY MEMBERS OF YOUTH EMPLOYMENT UK – FOR
MORE INFORMATION, WHY NOT HAVE A LOOK?
A fantastic tool, that will only work
with take up of the industry! It’s all
well and good having a hub explaining
about careers in the industry if young
people have no idea where to apply for
them.
Outside of this hub, there is a lot of
work being done by the industry and
by employers to try and welcome the
next generation. But how friendly is
this? Why don’t we revert back to our
roots?
STAY AHEAD OF YOUR COMPETITION
Instead of build up in the corners and
edges of a floor, think about the issues
being created by the lack of the next
generation of cleaning professionals.
How much of your workforce are
you missing? Is it time to analyse
our successes, our faults and are
we proactive on our rectifications
required? Have you heard of ‘The
Good Youth Employment Benchmark
tool’?
The Good Youth Employment Benchmark tool allows you, as an
employer, to measure and monitor your current youth employment
practices, and get access to tailored information, advice and
guidance to grow the quality of your early careers interactions and
programmes. The Benchmark provides a unique and comprehensive
system for employers to understand what is working within their youth
employment practices and how they can develop additional processes
that will further support them to create quality opportunities,
particularly for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
– Youth Employment
36 | 37

PRODUCER, PACKAGING,
PRODUCTION, AND
PRODUCT
Product
Award
DON’T DO
IT YOUR-
SELF
Bunzl Cleaning & Hygiene Supplies
(BCHS) has created a visual indicator
of product sustainability, known as
Product Award. By establishing a set
of criteria across four key categories:
Producer, Packaging, Production,
and Product, we support priorityled,
informed decision-making for
our customers.
Firstly, we identified priority areas
that would form the four key
categories above. We broke these
down further into criteria to score
products against, setting benchmarks
for what could be considered good,
better, and best for each category in
terms of sustainability. To gather the
data, we asked suppliers to respond
to a product-level questionnaire,
selecting the best-fit response for
each criterion. This contributed to an
overall score.
All criteria scores are determined
before supplier engagement, and all
products and suppliers are examined
in the same way, keeping the process
fair and objective. Each key category
receives a Bronze, Silver, or Gold
Award or No Award if the minimum
threshold is not met. From these, a
total score equally weighted across
the four categories is given.
Since Product Award's inception,
we have scored over 3400 products
and harnessed this data to build
tools to support communication on
sustainable product choices. We
display the total award achieved
with the products on our website.
Our Account Managers are trained
to refer to the Product Award when
looking for sustainable product
alternatives as well as provide
customers with a dashboard
summary. For our customers,
referring to the Product Award is
the first step in finding products that
will help them achieve their goals
to cut single-use plastics, lower
carbon emissions, and achieve a more
sustainable future as we all progress
towards Net Zero.
By taking the time to gather,
interpret, and present pertinent
sustainability information, we can
relieve our customers of some of
this extensive research, present the
results in an easy-to-understand
format, provide quick responses
to sustainability queries, and guide
purchasing decisions. Product
Award enables us to work with our
customers to identify opportunities
for products that align with their
sustainability goals.
Product Award has achieved external
validation through a third-party
assessment by environmental
consultancy Giraffe Innovation Ltd,
affirming its credibility and integrity
at every stage. This validation fosters
transparency and trust, driving
positive change across our supply
chain. It represents a pivotal moment
in our journey towards sustainable
practices and industry leadership.
The assessment was led by Professor
Robert Holdway, who stated, "BCHS
Product Award is a comprehensive,
robust, and credible method for
assessing the sustainable attributes
of a product."
Since launching Product Award to
our customers, we have seen a huge
shift in the conversation with more
customers making sustainability-led
decisions. One national FM chose to
use the Product Award to guide their
choices in line with their single-use
plastics reduction targets, switching
all of their chemical products to
suitable Gold-rated alternatives,
helping them avoid over 72 tonnes
of plastic waste since August
2021. Another national FM chose
to mobilise with only Gold-rated
chemical products rather than a likefor-like
switch upon awarding us the
contract.
In 2024, we will be updating the
criteria and asking suppliers to
resubmit their responses so we
can effectively reflect changes to
products and sustainability best
practices. We are also developing
a feedback mechanism to provide
suppliers with recommendations for
how they could improve their scores,
intending to drive sustainable change
through our supply chain. We believe
that the enhanced communication
and sharing of customer expectations
through our Product Award
scheme will deliver real change and
sustainable development within our
supply chain.
Do it fully autonomously. The KIRA B 50 cleaning
robot is not only impressive at first glance.
But especially so in daily use. karcher.co.uk
38 | 39

THE FUTURE OF ECO
CLEANING
Eco-friendly cleaning companies
focused on minimising their
environmental impact are seeing
many benefits. Not only are these
companies doing the right thing for
the planet, but they are also gaining
a competitive advantage, attracting
new customers, and improving their
bottom line.
For City & Essex, an eco-cleaning
company that has built its reputation
on cleaning the premises of some
of the country’s most recognisable
brands, sustainability isn’t seen
as a passing trend but a natural
progression of a family business
safeguarding its future.
The company’s Marketing Manager,
Matthew Swift, says that shifting their
focus to sustainability “has a material
impact on both the ethical growth of
our business and the communities in
which we operate.”
“City & Essex has been at the forefront
of responsible environmental practice
for many years and are seeing our values
become increasingly more aligned to
that of our clients as we strive to deliver
meaningful, sustainable solutions.”
Matthew shared.
NET ZERO
PROGRAMME
Emerging innovations, practices and
cleaning products are all helping to
shape a sustainable future for the
commercial cleaning sector. The
integration of technology has become
a driving force for all commercial
cleaning innovations over the past five
years, City & Essex commented. “A
large part of our success has been down
to our independence and our ability to
source, create and quickly adopt these
new innovations that enhance our service
offering and reduce our environmental
impact.”
Planet Mark certification has given
them the complete picture of this
impact and has created momentum
for conscious change. “The Planet Mark
team have provided us with the tools to
improve our data capturing. As a result,
we have been able to recognise areas to
focus our energies to drastically minimise
our impact.”
By identifying the most carbonintensive
aspects of their business,
City & Essex have implemented
initiatives that have helped to reduce
their carbon footprint and have seen
the business benefits that followed.
IMPACTFUL INITIATIVES FOR ECO-
FRIENDLY CLEANING COMPANIES
Historically, the cleaning industry has
faced sustainability barriers, from the
prevalence of harsh chemicals to a
reliance on diesel and petrol-fuelled
vehicles. However, new innovations
and eco-friendly cleaning products
have made it easier and cheaper for
cleaning companies to minimise their
environmental impact and pass these
benefits on to clients.
“To us,” Matthew shares, “sustainability
is more than just carbon reduction, it is a
mindset. It is how products are sourced,
packaged, transported, and disposed
of and over the past 50 years we have
formed unique relationships with our
trusted supply chain in order to drive
positive change within our industry."
EMPLOYEE TRAVEL AND FLEET
Like many companies in the sector,
City & Essex identified employee
travel as the largest part of its carbon
footprint. From 2019 to 2022,
the business has reduced its travel
emissions from 32.5 tCO 2
e to 20.5
tCO 2
by transitioning 50% of its fleet
CARBON
NEUTRAL VS
NET ZERO
into electric vehicles, with a phased
approach planned for the rest of the
fleet. They have also installed two
electric charging points at their head
office to allow teams to recharge their
vehicles quickly during meetings.
WASTE MANAGEMENT
Waste management is another
sustainability challenge facing the
industry. Commercial cleaning
companies should adopt a waste
hierarchy that focuses on reducing,
reusing, and recycling as much as
possible. They should first focus on
reducing the consumption of chemicals
and then look to reuse or recycle items.
City & Essex shares that “by correctly
managing how we manage waste, we
can drive measurable improvement
and focus on changing long-term
behaviour.”
Initiatives such as their Think Green
waste management system have
helped the business and its clients on
their journey to net zero. When the
company services multi-tenanted
buildings, the challenge it faces is
understanding what each tenant
generates in terms of waste; therefore,
creating a long-term waste strategy
plan that helps change occupier
behaviour is challenging.
The Think Green system combats this
by weighing and logging waste for
single—and multi-tenant buildings. It
allows managing agents to monitor
tenants’ waste, which is helping to
drive improvement. This year, for the
first time entering the Tomorrow’s
START YOUR
NET ZERO
JOURNEY
FM Awards, City & Essex came fourth
place with this system in an award
celebrating the most innovative
solutions in the industry.
SUSTAINABLE ALTERNATIVES
The business strives for solutions that
allow its team and clients to reduce
and reuse, and where possible have
introduced eco-friendly products
such as Aqueous Ozone to clean,
sanitise and deodorise the building
environment with the benefit of being
harmless to humans and animals and
effective against bacteria, moulds,
and viruses. In addition, Aqueous
Ozone reduces consumable usage and
single-use plastics whilst eliminating
unnecessary transport and packaging
disposal.
SUPPLY CHAIN
City & Essex, who are committed to
achieving net zero carbon by 2025,
are focusing on tackling their Scope 3
emissions.
These are the emissions associated
with a company's upstream and
downstream activities—in other
words, its supply chain. It's within the
Scope 3 emissions where the most
impact can be made, as typically, these
emissions account for around 70% of a
business's carbon footprint.
The company is now working closely
with its suppliers, such as Vanitorials,
to find and test the most effective and
sustainable cleaning products on the
market. This will lead to a change in
their core cleaning product range in
2022. To further this initiative, they
also use energy-efficient equipment
manufactured with recycled materials.
"Over the past year, we have engaged
extensively with our supply chain, and we
are proud to continue our long-standing
partnerships with companies that align
closely with our own values and goals for
net zero. Some of our supply chain have
joined Planet Mark to make a conscious
and measurable change; some use
electric fleets to deliver their services, and
some have waste-to-energy initiatives."
Matthew said.
By embedding sustainability into
every aspect of their business, City &
Essex is supporting other companies
in their net zero journey and seeing
the benefits across many parts of their
business.
Matthew shared, "Some of our most
exciting self-developed innovations have
been a direct result of incorporating
sustainable strategies into all aspects of
our business."
THE BUSINESS BENEFITS
Companies within the facilities
management sector must see
sustainability as a business
opportunity. As property owners and
managers seek ways to make their
buildings and processes more efficient,
companies that can offer measured,
sustainable, and quality services
gain a competitive edge over the
market. Doing right by the planet and
measuring and reducing a business’s
carbon footprint is rapidly becoming
an economic advantage.
City & Essex have seen this with client
retention. “A growing factor in our
clients decision making is sharing in their
sustainability objectives. Our innovations
focused on reducing impact have been
highly successful in winning/retaining
work and have been proven to enhance
decision-making for building managers
and tenants.”
The sector also plays a crucial role in
the UK Government’s 2050 net zero
emissions target, which stipulates that
all UK businesses must meet the legal
requirements of net zero by this date.
“We have had some incredibly powerful
discussions with Planet Mark over
the past year, and it has inspired us to
make changes across our business to
minimise our impact and commit to net
zero by 2025.” Matthew said. “We will
continue to engage with our clients and
share the benefits of our technologies
whilst supporting them on their own
sustainability journey.”
In addition to the regulations that
will ensure companies across the
sector achieve net zero by 2050,
cleaning companies gain a competitive
advantage by focusing on their
sustainability as cleaning services
come under the Scope 3 emissions for
many companies. With an increasing
number of companies heading
towards net zero, cleaning companies
that can demonstrate they are actively
working to measure and reduce their
emissions will be the providers of
choice.
THE STANDARD
40 | 41

HW’S CIRCULAR ECONOMY
MINDSET IS DRIVING SUSTAINABLE
INNOVATION IN COMMERCIAL
CLEANING
In a shift that is reshaping the
building and facilities management
decision-making process, managers
are expanding their focus beyond
the traditional pillars of efficiency
and productivity to increasingly
focus on another operational aspect
which affects every decision within
the management of a building; it’s
environmental impact.
HW Facilities is one of the leading
commercial cleaning companies in the
South of England and known for its
cleaning excellence and environmental
stewardship. It actively supports
its clients’ sustainability efforts by
recommending innovative reuse
and recycling programmes that
divert materials from traditional
waste disposal routes and provides
opportunities to create social value
in the community. These initiatives
not only help clients reduce waste
and carbon emissions, but also
demonstrates their commitment
to environmental responsibility
enhancing its Environmental, Social,
and Governance (ESG) reporting.
Tom Marriott, Director of Operations
at HW Facilities said; “Sustainability
starts with thinking circular. Smart
building managers know that working
with forward thinking cleaning
partners isn't just good for the building
- it's a win for the environment
and community. It boosts cleaning
efficiency, improves occupant health,
and creates greener spaces.”
ELLIE'S FUND: GIVING DISPOSABLE
GLOVES A SECOND LIFE
In March 2024, HW introduced a
disposable glove recycling programme
to its client in partnership with
Unigloves and Ellie's Fund, a charity
fund for Yorkshire’s Brain Tumour
Charity.
THE STANDARD
This initiative addresses the issue of
disposable gloves in cleaning which
pose a number of environmental
challenges. They are made from
a synthetic rubber that does not
biodegrade naturally, they can
potentially release chemicals into
the environment when they do break
down and their single use nature
means millions of gloves end up in
landfill each year.
At client sites, HW employees deposit
blue nitrile gloves into dedicated blue
refuse bags. To ensure the gloves are
properly prepared for recycling, they
are first rinsed to remove any chemical
residues before collection. Once a
minimum of eight kilograms of gloves
have accumulated, HW arranges for
the collection, using free postage
labels. Here, through a partnership
with Unigloves, they are extruded
into rubber pellets to make secondary
recycled goods such as planters,
benches and playground equipment
for local communities to enjoy! The
money raised from the sale of these
items is used to aid Ellie’s Fund’s brain
tumour research and support. While
still in its early stages, the initiative has
been enthusiastically received by both
HW teams and its clients.
COFFEE GROUNDS TO GARDENS
HW has also launched a sustainable
programme that transforms used
coffee grounds into a nutrient rich
fertiliser for community garden
projects – a valuable resource for the
local community. Used coffee grounds
can be generated in large quantities
in buildings and workplaces where
people are drinking coffee every day.
It’s an often-overlooked waste stream,
so ends up in landfills where it can
release methane, a potent greenhouse
gas. This creative intervention
creates environmental and social
value by reducing waste, contributing
to the growth of green spaces and
establishing partnerships with
community allotments and gardens.
At one client site, a HW supervisor
took the initiative to connect with
a local community allotment. Now,
used coffee grounds are delivered
weekly to fertilise 50 newly planted
trees, showcasing how individual
team members are also driving
sustainability efforts.
HW has a strong culture of
sustainability within its own
operations and these are just two
examples of where HW is supporting
its clients. Leading by example, the
management teams are proactively
sharing expertise and guidance to help
their clients prioritise and improve
environmental performance. As these
circular economy initiatives continue
to grow, HW aims to gather more data
and metrics in terms of cost savings,
positive social impact and the clear
environmental benefits.
ARE YOU AN
EMPLOYER
INTERESTED
IN ACCESSING
FUNDS TO
DEVELOP YOUR
WORKFORCE?
The Level 2 Cleaning Hygiene Operative
Apprenticeship enables cleaning and
hygiene sector businesses to invest in their
staff, providing employees an opportunity
to access a recognised work-related
cleaning qualification.
BENEFITS FOR BUSINESSES INCLUDE:
Helping develop a workforce with skills
specific to your business.
Providing you with a motivated and fastdeveloping
workforce.
ORGANISATIONS CAN USE
APPRENTICESHIP LEVY PAYMENTS TO
FUND THESE APPRENTICESHIPS.
As well as unlocking millions of pounds
a year for staff training in the sector, the
apprenticeship will help the sector and
staff achieve greater recognition for their
vital and skilled work which contributes to
the health and wealth of the nation.
THE BRITISH CLEANING COUNCIL IS
A PROUD SPONSOR OF THE BICSC
ANNUAL AWARDS
BRITISH CLEANING COUNCIL
YOUR INDUSTRY • YOUR VOICE
FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT
WWW.BRITISHCLEANINGCOUNCIL.ORG/
APPRENTICESHIPS

THE REAL LIVING WAGE
IN CLEANING
Phil Smith is the Managing
Director of Indigo Integrated FM
and Founder and Chair of The Hill
Club, both Living Wage Employers.
Dominic Ponniah is the CEO
and Co-Founder of Cleanology,
a Recognised Service Provider.
They are the current Co-Chairs
of the Living Wage Foundation’s
Recognised Service Provider
Leadership Group.
The real Living Wage is the only UK
wage rate that is independently
calculated based on the real cost
of living. It is voluntarily paid by
more than 15,000 UK employers,
as well as being promoted by 190
Recognised Service Providers. The
rate is currently £13.15 per hour in
London and £12.00 per hour in the
rest of the UK.
HOW DID YOU BECOME
INVOLVED IN THE LIVING WAGE
MOVEMENT?
Phil: That’s actually a long story
but the brief version is “entirely
by accident”! Way back in 2010,
I was engaged in a large tender
opportunity with KPMG for their
national office cleaning portfolio
and their then Head of FM, Guy
Stallard, let me down gently – as
we were simply not ready for such
a huge opportunity at that stage –
but recommended that I spoke to
a connection of his, the Director
of the Living Wage Foundation at
the time, Rhys Moore. I did so and
arranged to meet Rhys for a coffee in
Victoria Station. That conversation
led to Rhys and I writing a policy
that would allow service providing
organisations, whose ability to
pay the real Living Wage was very
much in the hands of their clients,
a way to become accredited.
Essentially this was the ‘birth’ of
the Recognised Service Provider
scheme. From there, I joined the
RSP Leadership Group when it
launched in 2014 (being now the last
remaining founding member) and as
Commercial Director of Facilicom
UK led them to become one of the
first five organisations to sign up
and pioneer this new accreditation.
I have been a Co-Chair for the last
3 years during which time I also
helped the Worshipful Company of
Environmental Cleaners to become
an accredited Living Wage Employer.
Dominic: Having supported the
Real Living Wage for over 10 years,
and due to my deep passion for
people and my commitment to
ensuring the wellbeing of those
who work for me, I first became
involved with the Living Wage
Foundation in 2017. Recognising the
importance of retaining talent and
fostering a motivated workforce,
I understood that paying a decent
wage is both fundamental to
success, and also the right thing to
do. This movement resonated with
my belief that everyone deserves
to be compensated justly for their
hard work, and I wanted to be a part
of creating a more equitable and
supportive work environment.
WHY DO YOU THINK THE LIVING
WAGE MATTERS?
motivates the workforce, leading to
higher productivity, better retention
rates, and a more committed and
engaged team. Ultimately, it’s a
win-win situation: employees feel
valued and fairly compensated, while
the business benefits from a loyal,
motivated, and efficient workforce.
Phil: More so now than ever before
it is essential that we make sure
that every working person gets a
fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work.
And let’s not forget, any payment
that is less than the real Living
Wage plunges that person into in
work poverty and their life becomes
unsustainable.
WHAT MAKES THE LIVING WAGE
PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT IN
THE CLEANING SECTOR?
Phil: The cleaning sector has always
been home to some of the lowest
paid workers in the UK. Cleaning
has often been regarded as an
afterthought and consequently
cheap pay rates have been thrust
at what many consider to be an
unskilled workforce. Well, the Covid
pandemic certainly showed just how
skilled that workforce is and just
how vital the cohorts of cleaning
heroes that kept the nation’s
infrastructure open and working
really were. It therefore made it
obvious that anything other than
sustainable pay could mean that
those cohorts are depleted and not
there when we need them most.
Dominic: From a business point of
view, the Living Wage is particularly
important in the cleaning sector due
to the challenges with recruitment
and retention that the industry often
faces. The Living Wage movement
began with cleaners in East London,
highlighting the ongoing issue of
fair pay in this sector. At Cleanology,
we have a 94% retention rate, and
evidence shows that this rate would
be significantly lower if we didn't
pay our operatives the real Living
Wage. By ensuring fair pay, we
prevent our employees from seeking
slightly higher wages elsewhere.
PHIL SMITH
Managing Director of
Indigo Integrated FM
This leads to higher job satisfaction
and motivation among our cleaning
operatives, resulting in low staff
attrition rates in our clients' offices.
Our customers are pleased with
the consistent, high standards of
cleaning maintained by a happy and
dedicated workforce, demonstrating
the tangible benefits of the Living
Wage in the cleaning sector.
HOW CAN I AS AN EMPLOYER
BE PART OF THE LIVING WAGE
MOVEMENT?
Dominic: As an employer, becoming
part of the Living Wage movement
is a commendable and impactful
decision. If you can pay all of your
employees including contracted staff
the Living Wage rate, then fantastic
– you can become accredited as a
Living Wage Employer. The Living
Wage Foundation website provides
a straightforward form to guide you
through the accreditation process.
However, we understand that
negotiating wages with clients
can sometimes pose challenges.
At Cleanology, we took the brave
decision to only take on real Living
Wage business because it is the
right thing to do. If paying the
Living Wage to all employees isn't
immediately possible, you can join
the Recognised Service Provider
scheme. This initiative enables
responsible employers to promote
the Living Wage and gradually move
towards fairer pay for all employees.
Being part of this movement shows
a commitment to ethical business
practices and helps to uplift the
entire workforce. Be brave, and take
the step towards making a significant
difference.
RECOGNISED SERVICE PROVIDER
SCHEME?
Dominic: I highly recommend that
other employers join the Recognised
Service Provider scheme. Being a
Recognised Service Provider allows
you to actively promote the Living
Wage while acknowledging that
some clients may not be in a position
to pay the Living Wage yet. This
approach offers flexibility and a
pathway towards achieving fair pay
for all employees.
At Cleanology, we wouldn't have our
industry-leading retention rates,
which stand at 94%, compared to
the cleaning industry average of
79%, without our commitment to the
Living Wage. Our involvement in the
scheme has significantly contributed
to this success. Over time,
Recognised Service Providers who
genuinely engage with the Living
Wage Foundation have experienced
great success in converting many
of their contracts onto the Living
Wage. This not only benefits
employees by ensuring they receive
fair compensation but also enhances
overall business performance by
fostering a motivated and loyal
workforce.
By joining the Recognised Service
Provider scheme, you're making
a commitment to ethical business
practices, which can lead to
improved employee retention,
higher job satisfaction, and better
service quality for your clients. It's
a step towards creating a more
sustainable and responsible business
environment, ultimately benefiting
both your employees and your
organisation.
WHAT DO YOU DO AS CO-CHAIR
OF THE RECOGNISED SERVICE
PROVIDER LEADERSHIP GROUP?
Phil: We host quarterly meetings
with representatives from a number
of key employers within the sector
– from the very large national
groups to those representing SME
specialists, as well as a broad range
of other supporting bodies.
and advocating for fair pay, we are
making significant strides towards
creating a more equitable and
supportive business environment.
Being involved in this initiative is
incredibly rewarding, as it aligns
with my passion for ensuring
that all employees receive fair
compensation for their hard work.
WHAT WOULD YOUR ADVICE BE
TO CLEANING COMPANIES WHO
ARE THINKING ABOUT JOINING
THE LIVING WAGE NETWORK?
Phil: Don’t let the question of
affordability stop you from engaging.
I have met so many companies over
the years that think they will have
to put their prices up and they’ll lose
all of their clients as a consequence.
That simply couldn’t be further
from the truth. So, speak to one of
the Leadership Group – we’d be
delighted to help you. We all have
substantial first-hand experience of
how the Living Wage can work for
businesses and can support your
workforce to such an extent that it
positively influences retention and
growth.
Dominic: My advice to cleaning
companies considering joining
the Living Wage network is to be
brave and bold. Not only does it
make solid business sense, but
it's also about being a responsible
business leader and looking after
your people. In addition to speaking
to one of the Leadership Group, if
you want to know more about the
process, reach out to the Living
Wage Foundation. They can provide
detailed information and guide
you through the steps to join the
network. Embracing the Living Wage
demonstrates your commitment
to fair pay and ethical business
practices, which can lead to a more
dedicated and loyal workforce. Be
courageous in taking this step – it's
a decision that benefits both your
employees and your business.
Dominic: The Living Wage is crucial
The Living Wage is the only wage
because it has a profound impact
rate calculated based on the true
on workers, for full-time workers
cost of living. It is currently £12
it equates to just over £1,000
per hour in the UK and a higher
additional pay per year, going up
Dominic: These meetings provide rate of £13.15 in London. For more
to £3,000 for those in London. This
a platform for collaboration, where information on the Living Wage
not only significantly improves
we discuss strategies, share best Foundation, or to begin your journey
DOMINIC PONNIAH
employees’ quality of life but also
practices, and work together to
to join the Living Wage movement,
CEO of Cleanology
enhances their financial stability. For
promote the real Living Wage. By
my business, paying the Living Wage
WHY WOULD YOU RECOMMEND
please visit the website.
OTHER EMPLOYERS JOIN THE
bringing together industry leaders
THE STANDARD 44 | 45

Join 800+ organisations
embracing sustainability
to cut carbon and costs.
Transform your business with
a Planet Mark certification.
Start your net zero journey
with us today.
Book a free carbon clinic with
one of our experts here.
@planetmark
#BusinessAsAForceForGood
planetmark.com

MEET THE STARS BEHIND THE BICSc
VIRTUAL TRAINING VIDEOS
INTERVIEWED BY KELSEY HARGREAVES LBICSc
Every time I am out, and have the
pleasure of meeting some of the
incredible BICSc candidates that
have been trained through the BICSc
Virtual Training Suite, I often get
asked about the men behind the
videos.
Two men that have famously come
to be known as LTP James and BU6
James! Both of the James’ work
extremely hard behind the scenes
of BICSc; training and assessing
candidates from all over the world
ensuring that quality candidates are
assessed to BICSc Standard and are
left feeling ready and prepared for
their career in cleaning!
Aside from their incredible work
as BICSc dedicated assessors, both
James Atkins and James Marston
have played starring roles as
demonstrators in the BICSc training
videos and have been present in
industry magazines and events for
years! But who are the men behind
the videos? Where better than to
get tips and tricks from the pros
themselves.
We sat down with the two infamous
James’ and for a change, asked them
questions! Let’s hear what they had to
say about their careers at BICSc and
their tips and tricks from thousands of
assessments!
SO, HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN
AT BICSc AND WHAT HAS YOUR
CAREER JOURNEY LOOKED LIKE
WHILE YOU HAVE BEEN HERE?
James M - I joined BICSc in 2017 so,
it’s nearly been 7 years. I have learned
many new skills and travelled to the
most unexpected places and buildings.
Working with many organisations
allows you to pick up on great practice
and fantastic journeys for staff and
business owners.
James A - I joined BICSc in 2016
initially to work on cleaning
inspections, which have now
developed to become the award
nominated BICSc Audit App (check it
out if you have time!)
During that time, I was trained to
become a BICSc Verifier and Assessor
taking advantage of the fantastic
knowledge and experience from
Maureen Kelso, Tommy Taylor, and
others.
This led to extensive travel carrying
out BICSc audits, assessor renewals
and assessor approvals and the odd
film role!
WHAT WAS YOUR EXPERIENCE
BEFORE BICSc?
James M - I am a jack of all trades
having worked in several sectors. I
spent several years in the Civil Service
while my children grew up. From
the mid 90s I worked within sales
management and key accounts with
external business partners in retail,
hospitality and IT. I then became selfemployed
for six years as a trainer.
James A - I started work as a
porter/cleaner contracted to large
organisations. After several years
of being treated poorly like most
of us have at some time as cleaning
operatives, I became disillusioned.
Bizarrely I joined HM Forces where we
were treated considerably worse and,
believe it or not, did more cleaning
than I had before!
There ensued an engineering career
still incorporating cleaning in all
aspects of the tasks.
We see it time and time again
throughout the industry where people
join from all different backgrounds!
WHAT SKILLS FROM YOUR LIFE
BEFORE BICSc WOULD YOU SAY
THAT YOU UTILISE TO HELP YOU IN
YOUR CAREER NOW?
James M - People skills and varied
experience are top of my list.
Relating to people of all levels and
ability quickly is key when training
and assessing people. Confidence
to step through any organisation's
door, assess and sometimes judge
performance and investment is critical
in my role.
James A - Life skills, empathy (had to
look that up!) and patience.
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS YOUR
FAVOURITE PART OF BICSc?
James M - That’s easy for me to
answer. The people I work with and
meet for the first time and no two days
are ever the same.
James A - Meeting people from all
different backgrounds and hopefully
helping and guiding them and then
meeting them again further down
their career path, that’s always great.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT THE
INDUSTRY?
James M - Commercial cleaning is
the best kept secret in the UK. Peel
back the layers and you meet fantastic
teams who clean and protect people in
our buildings with 100% commitment.
James A - Diversity is a word
that is used a great deal, but our
industry has always had this and it
is stronger and the better for it. The
commitment, effort and determination
by individuals and teams cleaning
and sanitising across continents is
inspiring, and I love this.
IF YOU HAD ONE TIP TO SOMEONE
STARTING OUT IN THE INDUSTRY,
WHAT WOULD YOUR TIP BE?
James M - Never put a limit on your
own potential. Learn all you can from
experienced people and have a plan
for your success.
James A - Get good training so you can
be confident in your own ability.
AS SOMEONE THAT ASSESSES
BICSc QUALIFICATIONS EVERY
DAY, WHAT ADVICE WOULD
YOU GIVE TO OUR AMAZING
ASSESSORS OUT THERE?
James M - BICSc assessors work hard
to achieve their status often on top of
their day job. They are the standard
of our industry. During times when
you're unsure always refer to the
BICSc standard in the app which will
give clarity and provide the answers
you seek. It’s always worked for me!
James A - If you have reached a
position in your career where you
are not cleaning regularly do not get
complacent. Rewatch the training
video again for that skill and refresh
your own skill.
Use the Skill Summary in the Assessor
App, it's there to help all of us.
Thank you to both James’ for their
invaluable advice and letting us meet
the stars behind the videos! Look out
for more amazing advice from our two
brilliant James’ in the future!
If you want to check out the James’ in
action, why not check out our Virtual
Training Suite?
THE STANDARD 48 | 49

Download your
FREE guide
Your BICSc
member benefi t
from Citation
As we move into the last few months of 2024, why not take a
moment to take stock of your Health & Safety and see how well
you’re doing when it comes to the basics?
COSHH regulations are vital for protecting your employees,
which is why we’ve put together a handy guide covering
everything cleaning businesses need to know.
Helping you work smarter, not harder
Available HR & Employment and Health & Safety support includes:
A 24/7 expert advice line
100s of model documents, contracts and
risk assessment templates
Annual onsite Health & Safety
inspections and reports to ensure
your compliance
Book a FREE CONSULTATION today
Did you know that BICSc members can claim preferential rates on Citation services?
Discover how we can help you today!
To find out more get in touch with a member of our team on 0345 844 1111 or email
hello@citation.co.uk and quote ‘BICSc’.
Atlas - your secure, easy-to-manage
and all-in-one management platform
ISO certification to showcase your
commitment to high standards
Protection against Employment Tribunals
and the HSE’s Fee for Intervention (FFI)
SCAN ME
Private
Medical Cover
Transfer & Save
or Start Today
Your choice of hospital & specialist
Avoid NHS waiting list
Prompt treatment
Open to all ages
Claims settled promptly
Making a claim will not affect
your subscription
Excellent UK based service
Call today for a no obligation quote on
01423 799949
or enquire online at www.hmca.co.uk/bics
EXCLUSIVE
†
OFFER
for members of
The British Institute of
Cleaning Science
92% SAVED MONEY
transferring to HMCA *
*Based on data provided by members who joined HMCA
between 1st January 2023 and 31st December 2023.
†Exclusive offer available to selected membership groups.
Rated ‘Excellent’ by our customers on
OVER
45
YEARS
PROVIDING SERVICES TO
MEMBERSHIP GROUPS
This advertisement is produced and presented by HMCA/S PLC (trading as Hospital Medical Care Association, HMCA and HMCA Members) which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct
Authority (FRN:307587). HMCA/S PLC is a company registered in England, company number: 01362094, registered office: Beech Hall, Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, HG5 0EA. s98v4©2024. 321902.

XClean is our complete cleaning management
solution, designed to the National Standards of
Healthcare Cleanliness.
Cleaning Audits
Cleaning Scheduler
Dynamic Room Memory Storage
Rapid Response Cleaning
T. 0191 377 1377
E. sales@gtcleaningmachines.co.uk
www.gtcleaningmachines.co.uk
www.synbiotix.com 0330 400 4150 sales@synbiotix.com

WELCOMING
OUR NEW MEMBERS
CORPORATE MEMBERS
UK MEMBERS
Check out the daytime exhibition and presentations!
CLARK AND DANIEL
LIMITED
SANISEN LTD
RIVA PARTNERSHIP LTD
MARVELLOUS SECURITY
SERVICES LTD
TITAN CLEANING &
FACILTIES MANAGEMENT
LTD
GLOBAL LIFELINES
CLEANING SERVICES
LIMITED
TROJAN FACILITIES
MANAGMENT LTD
HONEYBEECARE LTD T/A
HONEYBEE CLEAN
XTREME PROFESSIONAL
CLEANING LTD
NITRA-CLEAN LTD
HARTFIELD LONDON SERVICES
LIMITED
MAXI-JAYE CLEANING
SERVICES
PEGO LIMITED
CONSULT GROUP LIMITED
ECO EARTH CLEANING LTD
KAY GLOBAL GROUP LTD
SOS SAFETY SOLUTIONS LTD
CACHET CLEANING &
ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
LIMITED
SUPREME FACILITIES LTD
SE COMMERCIAL SERVICES
E L OILS LIMITED
MALCO SERVICES LTD
INTERNATIONAL MEMBERS
CKLIP COMMERCIAL
CLEANING LTD
DYNAMICS CLEANERS LTD
NAE GROUP LIMITED
NATIONAL FM SERVICES LTD
PEARTREE CHEMICALS LTD
(IRON & VELVET)
RIS SECURITY LIMITED
N&D CLEANING SERVICES LTD
ML CLEANING AND
MAINTENANCE LTD
CITY FM & CLEANING SERVICES
LTD
ONE GROUP SERVICES
MADIGANGILL RESOURCE
LIMITED
FUSION SCHOOL SERVICES LTD
BUREAU DE CONNECT LTD
ARAVAN LTD T/A
SERVICEMASTER
BHF PROPERTY SERVICES
T/A BHF CLEANING
SOLUTIONS
CONSERVO FACILITY
MANAGEMENT CO. W.L.L
QUDRAT NATIONAL
COMMERCIAL SERVICES
SAUDI COMMISSION FOR
HEALTH SPECIALTIES
OSOOL INTEGRATED REAL
ESTATE COMPANY
MAB FACILITIES
MANAGEMENT LLC
ALTA FACILITIES
MANAGEMENT SERVICES L.L.C
SHAPOORJI PALLONJI FACILITY
MANAGEMENT COMPANY
VERA CLEANING &
MAINTENANCE
AL FUTTAIM ENGINEERING
(LLC)
ALASTADAMA AL-MUTLAQA
(MAB-SSC)
CRYSTALLINE CLEANING &
ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
UNITED SECURITY GROUP -
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP L.L.C
DERNA FACILITIES
MANAGEMENT
MOTAKAMILA SERVICES
FOR MAINTENANCE AND
CLEANING
ENVIRONMENTAL AND SAFETY
SERVICES (PTY) LTD
OMNI FACILITIES
MANAGEMENT
B.K.R CLEANING
MARAFAQ AL-ALAMIA FOR
CONTRACTING COMPANY
AL BAIDA TECHNICAL
SERVICES CO
Click here to find out more!
ACCREDITED TRAINING
MEMBERS AND ACCREDITED
TRAINING ESTABLISHMENTS
UK MEMBERS
ROYAL LONDON HOSPITAL
EMCOR UK SOUTH
MITIE @ HEATHROW
AIRPORT
2GETHER SUPPORT
SOLUTIONS LIMITED 1
2GETHER SUPPORT
SOLUTIONS LIMITED 3
CALBER FACILITIES
MANAGEMENT
COVENTRY UNIVERSITY
KEY ENVIRO SOLUTIONS
INTERNATIONAL
MEMBERS
KHADAMAT SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP L.L.C
SAMAMA COMPANY FOR OPERATION AND
MANAGEMENT
54 | 55

THE
STANDARD
CONTACT US:
TEL: +44 (0) 1604 678 710
ALL OTHER ENQUIRIES
INFO@BICS.ORG.UK
MEMBERSHIP
MEMBERSHIP@BICS.ORG.UK
TRAINING
TRAININGANDSERVICES@BICS.ORG.UK
VIRTUAL TRAINING SUITE
TRAINING.BICS.ORG.UK
BICS.ORG.UK