The Standard Issue 1 2024

THE
TITLE,
STANDARD
SUB TEXT
1St Para [BOLD]
2nd Para [REG]
EDITION 1
2024
AN EXCITING COLLABORATION
ON INNOVATIVE INDUSTRY
RESEARCH
INSIDE
THIS ISSUE...
BICSc AND CSSA
COLLABORATE ON
INNOVATIVE INDUSTRY
RESEARCH | P10
PUTTING TRAINING
TO THE TEST IN
SAUDI ARABIA
| P18-19
WHY SUSTAINABILITY
AND BUSINESS GO
HAND IN HAND
| P28-29
BICS.ORG.UK
NEWS EVENTS WORLDWIDE STANDARDS

03 A CHAT WITH THE CHAIR
WITH SOO BARTHOLOMEW
MBICSc
04 STARTING THE YEAR
OFF STRONG!
BY NEIL SPENCER-COOK MBICSc
05 THE CINDERELLA SERVICE
BY DENISE HANSON FBICSc
07 LEGISLATION LEADS
AND SAVINGS FOLLOW
FROM RUBBERMAID
08 CSSA - BRINGING LIKEMINDED
PEOPLE TOGETHER WITH
PURPOSE FROM BIRKIN
10 BICSc AND CSSA COLLABORATE
ON INNOVATIVE
INDUSTRY RESEARCH
11 CLEANING HYGIENE
OPERATIVE APPRENTICESHIP
NOW LIVE FROM BRITISH
CLEANING COUNCIL
12 UNDERSTANDING
CROHN’S AND COLITIS:
SPOTLIGHT ON INFLAMMATORY
BOWEL DISEASE
15 AI, DATA AND CX - THE BIRKIN
WAY FROM THE BIRKIN GROUP
16 THE IMPORTANCE OF PPE
IN THE HYGIENE AND
DISINFECTION PROCESSES
FROM SPONTEX
18 PUTTING TRAINING TO
THE TEST IN SAUDI ARABIA
BY DENISE HANSON FBICSc
23 CHAMPIONING BICSc
LICENSED ASSESSORS
WITH JAMES MARSTON LBICSc
24 EVANS LAUNCHES NEW
BACTERICIDAL FOAMING
HAND WASH PACK SIZE
28 WHY SUSTAINABILITY AND
BUSINESS GO HAND IN HAND
FROM PLANET MARK
31 INSPIRING THE CLEANING
STARS OF TOMORROW
37 VINCI FACILITIES & WORKFIT
39 WELCOMING
OUR NEW MEMBERS
THE STANDARD
THE BELFRY HOTEL & RESORT
- BIRMINGHAM
THURSDAY 26 TH SEPTEMBER 2024
SPONSOR THIS YEAR'S EVENT
& ELEVATE YOUR BUSINESS
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

A CHAT WITH THE CHAIR
WITH SOO BARTHOLOMEW MBICSc
Hello everyone.
Well, we are now nearly at
the end of the first quarter
of 2024, and I am six months
into my tenure as BICSc
Chair. I have to say it has
already flown by!
All too often I have heard my peers
within the industry bemoan the
BICSc offering as being dated
and no longer delivering the skills
required for the cleaning operative
in today’s world but have you
looked lately? Read on…
Council had our annual look at
strategy in November 2023 and
discussed, at length, the future of
BICSc following the recent changes
to the Senior Management Team.
It’s exciting to see the next chapter
of BICSc and how we can use the
ever-evolving IoT in achieving BICSc
aims and ambitions. Thereby raising
awareness of the cleaning operative
and the skills that they currently
use on a daily basis to maintain and
deliver the clean and hygienic work
within the public places that we use
every day, and what they will need
to use and know in the future.
We recognised that the online
video training and free courses for
members are providing a muchneeded
easier route for the cleaning
operatives to gain access to training
and that this is enhancing their
knowledge and use of their skills
to safely complete their work. To
embrace this even more than we
do now, BICSc is moving towards
even more accessible online training
and upgrading the existing training
videos, along with more rolled skills
and free videos.
In September I outlined my desire,
along with other industry trade
bodies, to work more closely
together to realise our joint goals
and ambitions. With this in mind,
BICSc successfully launched
the free Robotics – I Am Your
Automatic Cleaner course which
has seen tremendous uptake.
The course has further prompted
us to undertake a study with
the support of The University
of Surrey, to look at how we can
use the emerging technology of
sensors, robotics, and co-botics
along with testing, air filtration, and
chemical-free cleaning to support
the industry and ensure that our
front line – the cleaning operatives
– are equipped with the knowledge,
training and skills to meet the
demands and needs of our building
users in the 21st century.
Look out for the results
of this advantageous
study, which we will
publish in Q4 2024.
January saw the
long-awaited
Cleaning
Apprenticeship,
being made
available to
candidates
from across the
industry and
BICSc have been
working with the
British Cleaning
Council (BCC) to
encourage all our
members to open
this opportunity up to their
cleaning operatives so that they
can start their career pathway,
which we know can lead on to them
gaining expertise and success.
We have also launched the Youth
Employment Cleaning Hub on the
Youth Employment UK website
and once again I would encourage
you to look at this and support this
as we are all looking for the future
leaders, stars, and champions of our
impressive industry.
We have two major industry
exhibitions this year to look forward
to – The Manchester Cleaning
Show in March, and Interclean in
Amsterdam in May. I hope to see
you there and wish you all the best
for your endeavours in 2024.
Best wishes
Soo
SOO BARTHOLOMEW
National Chair
2 | 3

THE BICSc
BULLETIN
STARTING THE YEAR
OFF STRONG
BY NEIL SPENCER-COOK
MBICSc
WELCOME TO THE FIRST STANDARD OF 2024, WHERE DID 2023 GO?
NEIL SPENCER-COOK
Group Managing Director
If you keep yourself up to date with
the website, you will no doubt have
seen the BICSc review of 2023, and
the team here are really proud of what
we have achieved, but there is so much
more that we have in the pipeline.
So how has 2024 started? Firstly it
started with a foreign trip for me to
go and meet our exclusive training
partner in the Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia, SaveFast. This partnership has
been ongoing for the last 18 months
and we are now at the stage that we
need to grow the partnership and this
trip was to agree the terms of that.
The meeting was successful, and the
partnership is going from strength to
strength, with SaveFast now being
our exclusive training partner in the
Middle East, Asia and Africa. I really
do look forward to the growth in these
areas and the benefits SaveFast can
give our members in these regions that
require CPSS LTP or Skills training.
In addition to this, the three-yearly
CPSS review is underway. As part of
our ongoing development to training,
we will be amending our courses to
be more inclusive as much as we can
to all, including the neurodiverse.
Obviously this is a massive area
to cover, but we have course
developers undergoing training to
ensure we do as much as possible.
At the end of last year, we became
members of CPD and we are
currently working on ensuring our
courses become CPD accredited.
This is important to us as it can give
you confidence in our training. Not
that you don’t have that already!
The Manchester Cleaning Show,
Interclean and the Golden Service
Awards are all due to take place in
the second quarter of this year. As
you would expect, we are pleased to
be involved with all of these events.
We are currently going through
the judging process for the Golden
Service Awards. Good luck to
all the talented finalists!
Plus, we will be exhibiting at both
The Manchester Cleaning Show and
Interclean, the latter we will be in
the healthcare area as well. We look
forward to seeing as many of you
that are there as possible.
Sponsorship is now open for the
industry-leading BICSc Awards
2024. With a new venue with greater
capacity, things are changing for
the better! The entry process for
the awards will open in March, and
we’re pleased to be introducing some
new categories. With even more
opportunity for recognition, do make
sure you check them out and apply.
Could this be your year to achieve
one of the highly sought-after
BICSc awards?
There is so much more to come
as well, but I will save some things
for the next edition. We can’t do
everything at once, so I will hold
off on the rest of the excitement
until nearer the time.
I hope you enjoy this issue
of the Standard and don’t forget,
if you have something you want
to share with the members, we
are always open to you sending us
something to publish. It’s a great way
to be placed in front of our members
and key industry peers.
THE STANDARD
I HOPE YOU ENJOY THIS QUARTER'S EDITION!

THE
CINDERELLA SERVICE
BY DENISE HANSON
FBICSc
The Cinderella Service is
often used for our industry, as
generally the only time someone
notices the cleaning is if it hasn’t
happened. At a number of events,
I’ve referred to my cleaning tunic
as the equivalent of the “Cloak
of Invisibility” in the Harry Potter
books. Once I’m wearing it,
I’m practically invisible!
I tested this recently at a
conference where I was a panellist
discussing the wider public health
workforce. Dressed in my BICSc
tunic I stood at the main doors
and smiled and greeted people
as they came in for the session.
Out of the 120+ attendees, just
one person said hello. It was then
rather satisfying to walk up the
central aisle and take my place
on the stage, still might I add
wearing said tunic.
I am very grateful to the RSPH
who do see the importance of
the cleaning operative’s role
when it comes to public health.
They provided the platform for
me to try to ensure that people
do see their cleaning operatives
and acknowledge both them as
individuals and the value of the
vital work they carry out.
After all, as I reminded the 119
or so people to whom I’d been
invisible, if they had used public
transport to attend the conference,
someone had cleaned it. If they’d
stayed in a hotel the night before,
someone had cleaned that. Plus, visibly
around the conference centre were
the cleaning team working away to
keep all of us safe and comfortable
in a clean environment. I think I
may have got through to some
of the group as I have since had
emails telling me that they have
now introduced themselves to
their cleaning operative and said
good morning! Baby steps but just
maybe a chink of light.
What I really want to change
though is how we in the industry
see ourselves. How often have
you heard the phrase “I’m only
a cleaner”, or the prefix “I’m
just” applied to the occupation.
My belief is that until we value
ourselves, we won’t be assigned
value by other people.
The role of the cleaning operative
is truly valuable to everyone.
We impact on everybody’s life –
it’s not just the transport, hotel,
or conference industries we
impact, additionally there are retail,
education, healthcare and workplace
environments that could not and
should not function without their
cleaning teams. They are the ones
contributing to our happily ever after!
So, what can we do about this?
Well firstly we can all drop the “only”
or “just” prefixes. We can stand a
little taller and state our occupation
with pride - I am a cleaning operative.
DENISE HANSON
Commercial Director
We can train and accredit our people
so that they can see that what they
do is a skilled occupation and one
for which they should be recognised.
Let more people in our Industry
be proud of their work-based
qualifications and know that they
achieved them by their own hard
work and extraordinary efforts.
Rant over,
I’m off to look for that
other glass slipper...
4 | 5

LEGISLATION LEADS
AND SAVINGS FOLLOW
How a leisure trust in Wales swept
ahead of new recycling legislation
and is set to see significant cost
and sustainability savings.
For multi-site leisure trust, Torfaen
Leisure Trust (TLT), sustainability
has long been a strategic priority,
but with new workplace recycling
rules set to take effect across Wales
in April of this year, the business was
keen to upgrade its current waste
management systems, ensuring
compliance with new legislation and
improving recycling rates.
Here’s how implementing a multistream
recycling system across five of
its sites, saw TLT estimated to improve
its recycling rate by 32% and cut its
waste management costs by 39%.
READY FOR NEW WORKPLACE
RECYCLING RULES
Stricter workplace recycling rules
are set to come into effect in Wales
(6th April) and similar new rules to
England in March 2025. The Welsh
legislation requires all businesses,
including charities and public
sector organisations, to separate
waste for recycling and keep it
separate throughout processing.
Non-compliance with these new
legal requirements puts businesses
at risk of incurring costly fines and
potentially even civil sanctions, but
should also be considered a golden
opportunity for them to reap the
rewards that an upgraded recycling
system could produce.
WASTE WALK – IDENTIFYING
THE OPPORTUNITY
To recommend the most suitable
solutions for TLT, an initial
assessment of the recycling systems
in place across their five sites was
an essential first step. During an
in-depth ‘waste walk’, the experts
from Rubbermaid Commercial
Products (RCP) spotted several
opportunities for improvements to
processes and products. As well as
ensuring compliance with new legal
requirements, it was estimated that
the trust could significantly reduce
the amount of waste to general
disposal, and ultimately cut costs.
As well as high potential for
improved waste separation both
front and back of house, the team
identified missed opportunities
to capture recyclable waste in
most areas. What’s more, a lack
of standardisation, consistency of
messaging and education in waste
separation was leading to poor results.
A total of seven waste streams
(general waste, paper, card, cans,
plastic bottles, food waste, and
glass) were implemented across the
facilities, with the appropriate streams
introduced in each specific area.
For front of house areas, where much
of the waste produced is recyclable,
the focus is on encouraging club
members to separate their waste at
source. For staff rooms and other
back-of house areas, more paper and
card streams were needed and for
outdoor areas, Plaza® Containers
were installed for waste separation
as the durable bins can withstand
changing weather conditions.
INVESTMENT IN MODULARITY
With a range of areas to service, all
with different volumes and types of
waste to deal with, a modular system
allowed for a tailored yet consistent
approach. This unique capability of the
Slim Jim® Recycling Stations installed
across the TLT sites, meant that
installing the right streams in the right
places couldn’t have been simpler.
What’s more, should the facilities’
needs change over time, adding to
the existing system will mean less
waste and less cost for the trust.
VALUING VISIBILITY
When it comes to effective recycling,
a clear and consistent approach to
signage is essential. Across TLT’s
facilities, a lack of standardisation
and education in waste separation
were impacting recycling rates. The
solution? Bespoke TLT-branded, dual
language spine and billboard labels on
the new bins, and consistent colourcoding
across all waste containers
creating a clear and efficient system
to help reduce cross-contamination
of recyclable and non-recyclable
materials. Furthermore, focusing
on visible solutions also helped
BEN CLIBBERY
RCP’s Sales Manager
UK & Ireland – Rubbermaid
Business Development
demonstrate the business’ dedication
to sustainability to customers and
stakeholders alike.
DRIVING A RECYCLING CULTURE
Embedding a culture of recycling
among staff and members is an important
aspect of the business’ sustainability
journey. Free resources and online
recycling training modules from RCP’s
Love to Learn Recycling Portal drove
engagement from staff, helping the
business to recycle better and work
towards their goals through increased
knowledge and a shared drive towards
a more sustainable future.
Owen Thomas, General Manager
at TLT says of the results:
“Improving the sustainability of our
operations and sites has long been a priority
for TLT, and with new recycling legislation
on the way in Wales from April, we urgently
needed to reassess our waste management
processes. The team at RCP helped us to
identify where and how we could make
improvements and the projections for our
cost and waste savings were impressive.
“Not only do the new recycling stations
look smart at our centres, but they are also
driving higher rates of recycling throughout
the facilities. As well as making significant
strides towards our sustainability targets,
we’re also cutting costs, so we are delighted
with the results so far.”
FIND OUT HOW YOUR
BUSINESS COULD BENEFIT
AT RUBBERMAID.EU
Scan the QR code to
download the full case
study here
6 | 7

CSSA - BRINGING
LIKEMINDED PEOPLE
TOGETHER WITH PURPOSE
BY PAUL ASHTON – CHAIR
OF CSSA, CEO OF BIRKIN
PAUL ASHTON
Chair of CSSA,
CEO of Birkin
As the Chairman of the Cleaning &
Support Services Association (CSSA),
I'm excited to share with you the
vibrant journey we're on this year
and highlight the key trends shaping
the UK cleaning industry. It's a time
of dynamic change and incredible
opportunity, and I'm thrilled to take
you through these developments in
a friendly and engaging manner.
Last year was a milestone for our
association as validated by the
membership surge, a testament
to our growing community. We've
seen a heartening 20% increase in
our membership. This isn't just a
statistic; it's a sign of the growing
trust and enthusiasm within our
community. It's wonderful to see
so many new faces and businesses
joining our ranks, keen to contribute
and benefit from our collective
wisdom and resources.
Our growth as a community has been
driven by increased opportunities to
bring like-minded people together
with real purpose and creating
genuine positive energy.
Regional Community Groups –
Bringing Us Closer
In our mission to cater to the varied
needs of our members, we've
formed the Southern and Northern
Community Groups. These are not
just groups but vibrant communities
where members can exchange ideas,
tackle regional challenges, and
network. It's like having a supportive
family in every corner of the country.
A Glimpse into the Future –
Our Economic Outlook Event
Our recent event at Coutts, featuring
insights from Roger Martin-Fagg
and Professor Rob Holdway, was
nothing short of enlightening. It gave
us a peek into the economic and
ESG trends that are reshaping our
industry. These insights are invaluable
in helping us navigate the future.
The ESG Workshop –
A Leap into Sustainable Practices
Through events such as the ESG
workshop, the association provides
industry-focused information
and educational sessions that add
value for our members. As part of
the process of building a greener
and more responsible future, this
workshop is a stepping stone.
Key Trends in the UK
Cleaning Industry
Now, let me touch on some key trends
we're observing in our industry:
• Sustainability and Green Cleaning:
There's a growing shift towards
eco-friendly cleaning practices.
Companies are increasingly adopting
green cleaning products and methods,
reducing their environmental impact
while maintaining high cleanliness
standards.
• Technological Advancements:
From automated cleaning robots to
advanced management software,
technology is revolutionizing how
cleaning services are delivered.
This trend is not just about
efficiency; it's about elevating
the quality of cleaning services.
• Focus on Health and Safety:
The pandemic has underscored the
importance of hygiene and health
in cleaning practices. There's a
heightened emphasis on methods
that ensure safe and hygienic
environments, particularly in
public spaces and workplaces.
• Increased Professionalism and
Training: The industry is seeing a
push towards higher standards
of professionalism. This includes
enhanced training programs and
certifications, ensuring that cleaning
staff are well-equipped to meet the
evolving demands of the job.
• Diversity and Inclusion: Embracing
diversity and promoting inclusive
practices are becoming key
priorities. It's heartening to see our
industry becoming more inclusive,
reflecting the diverse communities
we serve.
As we navigate these trends,
the CSSA remains committed to
supporting our members and leading
the industry towards a brighter,
cleaner future. I'm excited about the
journey ahead and hope you are too.
Let's roll up our sleeves and make
a difference, together.

8 | 9

BICSc AND CSSA COLLABORATE
ON INNOVATIVE INDUSTRY RESEARCH
Experts from The British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICSc) and the Cleaning and Support Services Association (CSSA)
have joined forces to work in partnership on an innovative pioneering project – The Future of Cleaning initiative.
An industry first, this groundbreaking
collaboration between the
two organisations has been launched
in partnership with the University
of Surrey and is aimed at exploring
innovation in the cleaning industry.
The study will be at the forefront of
an exciting new era in the industry
and will look at the impact that
machinery, IoT sensors, robotics,
and data collectors can have on the
actual process of cleaning.
BICSc Group Managing Director,
Neil Spencer-Cook, said:
“The revolutionary research will explore
the benefits of using automation in
terms of productivity, cleanliness
and hygiene. We want to understand
what differences in training needs
will be required when introducing
these technologies to the cleaning
community. Denise Hanson, BICSc
Commercial Director, who is an expert
in technical cleaning, and Dr Andrew
Kemp, alongside the BICSc Scientific
Advisory Board, will be heavily involved
in the ongoing research project.”
Several companies operating within
the professional cleaning industry
are involved with the pioneering
project, supplying the
equipment and latest
technologies that
will be utilised
as part of
the study.
An inaugural meeting was held in
January to launch the trial, which
is the brainchild of Chair of BICSc,
Soo Bartholomew. Over the coming
months, various trials will take
place on the university campus,
which was selected because the
majority of its current cleaning
processes are conducted manually.
The study will also establish a better
understanding of the training needs
for effective technology deployment
and its influence on best practices.
Neil explained:
“This is an industry first, a groundbreaking
collaboration on the future
of cleaning. It will be fascinating to
see the results as within the industry
there are so many differing opinions
on the effectiveness of robotics,
which I see as a good thing. This study
will hopefully prove the value robotics
and technology can have within the
cleaning community."
Paul Ashton, CSSA Chairman, said:
“The CSSA is passionate about the
future of cleaning. Our objective is to
understand how the latest technology
and innovation, such as IoT sensors
and robotics are impacting on cleaning
regimes in real terms. We intend to
answer key questions including: what
are realistic productivity gains
when using automation and
how does the tech impact on
best practice guidelines?
“Robust testing will be conducted under
the guidance of Dr Andrew Kemp, Head
of BICSc Scientific Advisory Board, so
we can be reassured that there will be
validated data collected to drive tangible
outcomes. This is a real milestone for our
industry as we see two leading forces
in our industry collaborate to create
genuine impact in an area that is
gaining more and more focus.”
It is hoped that the study, which will
be conducted over several months
and conducted in collaboration
with Ellis Foy and the team at the
university campus, will also help to
debunk some myths.
Neil Spencer-Cook added:
“This is an exciting new development for
our industry and BICSc is delighted to
be collaborating with the CSSA. We look
forward to sharing the insights from the
study and revealing the results.”
Supply partners supporting the
project include Birkin Group,
Infogrid, SoftBank Robotics UK
Ltd, ICE, Kärcher UK, Numatic
International, Killis Robotics,
TASKI – The Ultimate Cleaning
Machines, Orion Eco Solutions,
Safer Space Limited.
THE STANDARD
SOO BARTHOLOMEW
National Chair

CLEANING HYGIENE OPERATIVE
APPRENTICESHIP NOW LIVE
With the Level 2 Cleaning Hygiene
Operative Apprenticeship having
been launched on the 1st January
this year, an appeal has been made
to cleaning sector firms to take
advantage of rules on gifting funds
to allow more industry apprentices
to be supported.
The Institute for Apprenticeships and
Technical Education (IfATE) approved
the apprenticeship standard for the
whole of the cleaning and hygiene
industry and it is now live.
Cleaning Hygiene Operative
Apprenticeships offer the
opportunity for sector organisations
to use Apprenticeship Levy payments
to invest in their staff, providing
employees an opportunity to access
a recognised work-related cleaning
qualification.
The benefits for businesses include:
• developing a workforce with skills
specific to your business
• allowing existing employees to pass
on their knowledge to your next
generation of employees
• providing you with a motivated and
fast-developing workforce.
The tariff for the apprenticeship
standard has been confirmed as
£5,000 per learner, which is inclusive
of all aspects and proportionate to
the quantity and quality of the
work involved.
All sector employers with an annual
wage bill of more than £3 million pay
the Apprenticeship Levy and can
use Levy payments to implement
the apprenticeship standard in
their businesses, as could smaller
businesses which have been gifted
Levy payments.
The British Cleaning Council (BCC) is
calling on larger businesses to gift or
transfer unused Levy funds to smaller
businesses which otherwise would
not be able to fund Cleaning Hygiene
Operative Apprenticeships.
Employers can choose to transfer up
to 25 percent of their Levy funds each
year to other businesses to pay for
apprenticeship training and assessment,
via their apprenticeship service account,
which can be set up online.
The benefits of gifting include:
• helping build stronger relationships
between businesses and promoting
collaboration
• supporting more apprentices
and a more skilled workforce
across the sector
• providing SMEs with financial
support for training and development
• being very positive for the brand
image of companies gifting funds
BCC Chair, Delia Cannings, said:
“The apprenticeship standard for the
industry is a fantastic opportunity for
businesses to invest in staff training
and for individual employees to gain a
recognised work-related qualification.
“There are millions of pounds of Levy
funding every year from cleaning and
hygiene sector companies which goes
unused, so let’s put this money to good use.
“If a company isn’t using up its Levy
funding on apprentices, please think
about gifting. It could help improve
the skill levels of staff across the sector,
some of whom could be your future
employees. By working together,
we can benefit the whole industry.
Unity is strength.”
Gifting companies can specify which
businesses, sectors, skills or local
areas they would like to support,
meaning funds can be kept within
the cleaning and hygiene sector.
The Government tops up the
payment by 10 percent.
Transferred funds can only be used to
pay for apprenticeship training and
assessment up to the funding band
maximum.
Delia Cannings added:
“We need to encourage its widespread
take up. I believe the Government
will be watching to see how popular
the Cleaning Hygiene Operative
Apprenticeships are and there is a risk
the scheme could be withdrawn
if there are too few takers.
“Our sector fought long and hard to
get approval for the Cleaning Hygiene
Operative Apprenticeship, and we do
not want to put it at risk.”
DELIA CANNINGS
BCC Chair
PLEASE SCAN THE QR CODE
TO VIEW THE APPRENTICESHIP
STANDARD AND END POINT
ASSESSMENT PLAN
IN FULL
HERE:
PLEASE SCAN THE QR
CODE TO DISCOVER HOW
COMPANIES CAN FIND
OUT HOW TO TRANSFER
LEVY
FUNDS
HERE:
SMALLER COMPANIES WHICH
NEED LEVY FUNDING FOR
APPRENTICESHIPS
CAN APPLY
PLEASE
SCAN
THE QR
CODE
HERE:
THERE ARE ALSO OTHER MEANS
OF COMPANIES NOT PAYING THE
APPRENTICESHIP LEVY TO ACCESS
FUNDS. PLEASE SCAN THE QR CODE
FOR DETAILS
OF FUNDING
RULES FOR
OTHER
POSSIBLE
OPTIONS
HERE:

UNDERSTANDING CROHN’S
AND COLITIS: SPOTLIGHT ON
INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE
WHAT ARE CROHN’S AND COLITIS
& HOW DO THEY AFFECT YOU?
Diarrhoea. Constipation. Trapped
wind and stomach pain. We all
experience tummy trouble from time
to time and know just how awful it
can make us feel. But what if you
started spotting blood in your poo
and losing lots of weight? Or had
diarrhoea every time you went to
the loo – day in, day out? What if
you suddenly had to start cancelling
plans because you just felt too
unwell? Or had to keep calling in sick
to work because you just couldn’t
make it through the day unless you
were next to a toilet at all times?
That’s the reality for many people
with Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative
Colitis, the two main types of
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).
There are more than half a million
people in the UK living with IBD, so
the chances are you know at least
one of them – even if you’re not quite
sure what the conditions are.
The easiest explanation is that Crohn’s
causes painful inflammation in your
digestive system – so that can happen
anywhere from your mouth to your
bum. Meanwhile, in Colitis, the
inflammation and ulcers are only in
your colon – that last bit of your gut.
They’re lifelong conditions so
there’s no cure, but there are lots
of treatments available – including
medicines and surgery. Being told
that you have bowel disease doesn’t
mean you’ll always be ill – there will
be periods when you’re in remission
and feel well, and there may also be
times when your condition flares up
and symptoms become worse.
Everyone experiences Crohn’s and
Colitis differently, but here are some
of the key symptoms to look out for:
• blood in your poo more than once
• needing to have a poo urgently
• diarrhoea – passing three or more
loose, watery poos a day
• waking up in the night to poo
• unexplained weight loss
THE STANDARD
• pain in your stomach or tummy
(abdomen)
• tiredness that doesn’t go away
with rest (fatigue)
• other symptoms around your bum,
like cracks (fissures) that don’t heal
or abscesses that keep coming back
You don’t have to have all of these
symptoms, or have them all the time.
It’s really tempting to ignore some of
the warning signs or brush them off
as a bit of a “dodgy tummy”, but the
sooner you get help, the better.
If you’re worried, there’s a symptom
checker on the Crohn’s & Colitis
UK website which takes about 30
seconds to complete and will help
you work out what to do next.
CAN’T WAIT!
WHY TOILET ACCESS MATTERS
One of the biggest worries for
people with Crohn’s and Colitis is
toilet availability, as Ruth Wakeman,
Director of Services, Advocacy and
Evidence at Crohn’s & Colitis UK
explains: “We know that nearly nine
out of ten people with conditions
plan their journeys based on
toilet access. This is increasingly
challenging and isolating as the
number of public toilets declines.
“Being caught short and unable to access
a loo when required is a very real fear for
people with Crohn’s or Colitis.
“Here at Crohn’s & Colitis UK, we give
each of our 50,000 or so members a Can’t
Wait Card, which they can show in shops,
restaurants and other venues to make
it easier to ask to use the toilet without
having to give a long explanation. The card
is available in 30 different languages so
that it can be used abroad, too.”
Many Crohn’s & Colitis UK Members
also have a RADAR key, to unlock
accessible public toilets. Despite this,
more than half of those who took
part in a survey told the charity that
they had faced discrimination when
trying to use an accessible toilet.
“It is important to remember that
not every disability is visible,”
Ruth Wakeman says.
“People with Crohn’s and Colitis deal with
a range of painful symptoms including
frequent and urgent diarrhoea, and
quick and easy access to a toilet is vital.
More awareness and understanding will
improve the lives of people living with
Crohn’s and Colitis to make sure they
aren’t hidden at home – they’re out and
about, doing all the things they want to.”
OPENING UP: SPEAKING HONESTLY
ABOUT YOUR CROHN’S OR COLITIS
Perhaps you’re reading this, nodding
along because you know all too well
about Crohn’s or Colitis. You may have
a loved one with one of the conditions,
or may have been diagnosed with
either Crohn’s Disease or Ulcerative
Colitis yourself. If so, you might also
be worrying about how it might affect
you at work, and whether you need
to tell your employer about your
bowel disease.
It's actually totally up to you whether
you want to talk about it at work.
Although it might feel very daunting,
the major advantage of being honest
about what is going on is once
your colleagues know about your
Inflammatory Bowel Disease, they’ll
be able to support you.
If, on the other hand, you are a
manager who has just found out that
someone in your team has Crohn’s or
Colitis, you might also be looking for
tips on how best to support them in
the workplace.
THE GREAT NEWS IS THAT,
WHATEVER YOUR SITUATION, YOU’LL
FIND PLENTY OF INFORMATION
AND SUPPORT AVAILABLE ON THE
CROHN’S & COLITIS UK WEBSITE
WWW.CROHNSANDCOLITIS.ORG.UK

13 | 13

AI, DATA
AND CX -
THE BIRKIN
WAY
SCOTT FITZGERALD,
COMMERCIAL
DIRECTOR -
BIRKIN GROUP
In today's rapidly evolving business environment, exceptional
customer experience (CX) has become the cornerstone of success
for forward-thinking organisations. Customers, now more than ever,
demand a harmonious blend of digital and human interactions
– a seamless hybrid experience. To meet this growing need,
Birkin are leveraging the capabilities of Artificial Intelligence
(AI) to elevate their CX strategies and boost revenue.
The AI Revolution
AI is not just a part of our strategy;
it is the heartbeat of our innovation.
In the ever-changing landscape of
technology, AI is our most trusted
ally, driving us toward a future where
CX excellence is not just a goal,
but a reality. This transformative
technology reshapes how we
operate, elevating our commitment
to delivering services that are not
just efficient, but also visionary and
future-proof.
AI's Role in CX Enhancement
AI's remarkable capabilities go
beyond mere automation; it actively
contributes to redefining how
we engage with our clients and
manage operations. By leveraging
our extensive industry experience,
AI becomes the architect of
innovative solutions aimed at
optimising efficiency, enhancing
communication, and ultimately
enriching the overall CX.
Data-Driven Insights
AI's prowess is most evident in
its profound understanding and
interpretation of data. Through
intricate analysis of patterns in
cleaning schedules, predictive
maintenance predictions, and
data-driven customisation based
on historical data, AI becomes the
driving force behind operational
optimisation. The infusion of realtime
monitoring ensures stringent
quality control, while smart
inventory management guarantees
the timely availability of supplies.
Operational Excellence through AI
AI at Birkin orchestrates efficient
task allocation and streamlined
communication, transforming our
operational approach. This results
in a highly synchronised workflow,
adding intrinsic value to our services
and solidifying our position as
pioneers in the UK's competitive
contract cleaning sector.
SCOTT FITZGERALD,
Commercial Director
- Birkin Group
Tech-Led Service Delivery
Our commitment to excellence is
not merely a slogan but a guiding
principle embedded in our tech-led
service delivery. Predictive scheduling,
automated communication channels,
and real-time performance analytics are
the keystones of our bespoke approach.
This tech-infused strategy aims to
deliver on our promises with unwavering
precision, consistency, and transparency.
WE ARE EMBRACING TECHNOLOGICAL
ADVANCEMENTS TO IMPROVE
EFFICIENCY, COST-EFFECTIVENESS,
AND RAISE THE BAR OF CX THAT
DEMONSTRATES OUR ABSOLUTE
PASSION TO BE THE BEST.
14 | 15

THE IMPORTANCE OF
PPE IN THE HYGIENE
AND DISINFECTION
PROCESSES
Within all hygiene and disinfection
protocols currently in use, it is
of utmost importance to first
select the right chemicals, in their
correct dosage, respecting the
contact times of the product and
the surface type to be cleaned.
Identifying the right cleaning
tools, such as cloths, scouring
pads, sponges, etc., for each
specific process. These tools
must be cleaned and disinfected
before and after use, to minimise
the risk of contamination.
A very important part of the
selection process is often
neglected: employee protection.
It is essential to use appropriate
personal protective equipment
(PPE), such as gloves, to protect
employees from the chemical
agents used in their daily work.
These gloves must be able to
protect the employee from the
chemicals used, ensuring that
it does not come into contact
with the skin and cause serious
incidents. In addition to protecting
the employee from the chemical
risks to which they are exposed
during work, it is crucial to
consider the risk of contamination
by viruses, bacteria, and microorganisms.
Choosing gloves that
conform to the EN ISO 374-1
standard for chemical testing and
EN ISO 374-5 for protection from
viruses, is the first step to choosing
the correct PPE glove.
It is important to bear in mind
that gloves can be agents of crosscontamination,
since, even if they
protect the operator from the virus,
these pathogens can remain on the
glove, and any surface touched is at
risk, including the cleaning operative
(eyes, mouth, etc.).
Until now, the only solution to avoid
cross-contamination caused by the
gloves was to change gloves for each
room, which means an increased
risk for the operative during the
de-gloving process. Generally,
disposable gloves are used due to
their lower cost, but this generates
a large amount of waste that
negatively impacts the environment.
MAPA SPONTEX PROFESSIONAL
has partnered with PYLOTE to
design a unique waterproof,
chemically resistant glove that
incorporates a patented technology,
able to limit the transmission of
viruses and bacteria. Thanks to this
exclusive technology, the new ALTO
405 ACTIVATED glove from MAPA
SPONTEX PROFESSIONAL is able
to protect both the employee and
the user of the facility, forming a
protective shield that destroys 99%
of viruses and 99.99% of bacteria
on contact with the glove. This
antimicrobial mineral technology
remains active throughout the
expected life of the glove, thus
reducing the waste generated and
the impact on the environment.
The Alto 405 Activated offers
a safe, efficient, cost-effective,
and sustainable solution, without
forgetting employee comfort,
with an internal cotton flocking
that increases the comfort and
perspiration absorption of the
glove. This glove has an anatomical
design that facilitates movement
and provides a good grip in wet
environments thanks to its non-slip
embossed outer finish.
The ALTO 405 ACTIVATED
glove from MAPA SPONTEX
PROFESSIONAL is the perfect
solution for cleaning tasks in
environments where microbial
growth is a key problem. With its
PYLOTE antimicrobial technology,
it ensures protection against
viruses while limiting crosscontamination.
It is the ideal
choice for cleaning public facilities,
transport, hospital hygiene, and all
public spaces where there is a risk
of proliferation of viruses, bacteria,
and micro-organisms. Making it an
indispensable ally for maintaining
effective hygiene and disinfection,
protecting both the employee and
the users of the facilities being
cleaned, contributing to a safer
and healthier environment.
THE STANDARD

PUTTING
TRAINING TO
THE TEST IN
SAUDI ARABIA
BY DENISE
HANSON
FBICSc
Over the years that I have trained BICSc I have often been asked just what the training achieves, and this is
sometimes difficult to quantify. In my personal experience I have seen staff churn and sickness reduce, equipment
and material life extended as staff follow a suitable care plan for the equipment, and chemical costs decrease as
staff understand and follow correct dilution ratios, but where is the hard evidence for this?
That is why the opportunity
presented by Tatweer Building
Company at the Ministry of
Education offices in Saudi Arabia
was so exciting. Tatweer and the
Ministry wanted to see proof of
what BICSc skills training could
deliver, and working with SaveFast,
who deliver both BICSc Licence
to Practice and skills training and
assessment on our behalf in KSA,
we had the opportunity over a
weekend to implement the skills
training in a real setting and show
just what could be achieved.
Initially, SaveFast worked with the
site team at their training academy,
carrying out Licence to Practice
training for all the staff and then
specific skills training, dependent
on their role. The training content
was decided by job roles at site,
so we trained floor care, carpet
care, washroom, tea point and
office cleaning operatives over
the period leading up to the site
implementation. The teams were
trained on the following skills:
FLOORCARE
BU1 – Dust control mop sweeping
BU2 – Damp mopping
BU9 – Scrubber drying
AU1 – Spray cleaning hard floors
AU2 – Buffing hard floors
AU3 – Machine scrubbing and drying
(with wet suction machine)
CARPET CARE
BU3 – Vacuum cleaning
AU7 – Stain removal
SU5 – Carpet skimming
SU6 – Carpet extraction cleaning
WASHROOM
BU2
BU5
– Damp mopping
– Emptying and cleaning
general waste bins
BU10 – Cleaning glass and mirrors
BU12 – Cleaning toilet facilities
AU13 – Cleaning squat
toilet facilities
TEA POINT
BU7 – Cleaning kitchen work surfaces
(non-commercial)
BU8 – Cleaning kitchen sinks
(non-commercial)
AU8 – Cleaning domestic
refrigerators
AU9 – Cleaning domestic
microwave ovens
OFFICE AREA
BU3 – Vacuum cleaning
BU5 – Emptying and cleaning
general waste bins
BU6 – Damp wiping surfaces
AU5 – Washing surfaces
AU6 – Polish application
(furniture)
THE STANDARD
DENISE HANSON
Commercial Director

This training was initially carried out
at SaveFast’s purpose-built training
centre in Riyadh. Whilst this has the
advantage of providing all required
equipment and demonstration
areas, operatives are trained on
clean surfaces, which is not always
the case on their own sites. This is
why the implementation of the skills
training at site is so crucial.
We had chosen a weekend to carry
out the site implementation as this
allowed for deep cleaning of the
selected areas and we were supported
by Diversey who were keen to show
what their equipment and product
range could deliver in this setting.
We visited the site at the main offices
for the Ministry of Education prior to
the planned weekend and agreed the
areas for the trial. The site explained
that Safari were a relatively new
cleaning contractor for them and
that they had inherited some longrunning
challenges with the cleaning.
Hill International, the company
responsible for managing the site on
behalf of Tatweer, were clear that
Safari had improved the standards
from when they commenced but that
further improvement was required
under the contract.
When agreeing the areas for the trial
we were keen to address some of
the long-standing issues and agreed
areas of carpet, marble and stainless
steel, as well as washroom, office, and
tea point areas.
The first day of the trial saw the
testing of three different carpet
cleaning methods, carpet skimming,
hot water extraction and dry foam.
After the carpets were fully dry and
vaccumed, the most successful results
found to be the dry foam method,
using the foam generator attachment
for the TASKI Ergodisc Duo. Using
this method meant that we were able
to far exceed the agreed trial area,
with the whole of the carpet in the
reception area being cleaned.
The washroom team also exceeded
their target completing a full deep
clean of two washroom areas rather
than the one that was planned.
The onsite demonstrations by
Jobin Joseph, a SaveFast trainer,
were successfully imitated and the
standards achieved in this area
were outstanding.
The use of microfibre and a new
product from Diversey successfully
dealt with the build-up on the
stainless steel, leaving a clean bright
sheen to the surface that can be
maintained going forward, by using
a damp microfibre to clean and a dry
microfibre to buff.
The floorcare team also exceeded all
expectations, the use of the twister
diamond pad system was originally
carried out on 20 metres of floor.
The team were so impressed by
the difference, they successfully
completed the whole surround to
the main reception! They used the
four types of pad to remove the
dirt and restore the shine, although
I confess that as we were limited
for time, we also used the TASKI
Superspeed buffing machine to help
with that shine.
All in all, we had a very successful
weekend with the site staff engaging
and proving not only the value of
the training they had received but
also their commitment to achieving
the very best standards they could.
The effort that they put in once we
had shown them just what could be
achieved with the new equipment
and product range meant that we far
exceeded our original expectations
of the areas to be cleaned.
On reflection of the Safari team,
with the trainers from SaveFast
and myself at the end of the trial
weekend, it was wonderful to see
the benefits of the training put into
action and the results this team
achieved were clear to see. My
congratulations to team Safari, the
training team from SaveFast and my
thanks to Diversey for supporting us
with this demonstration.
18 | 19

THE STANDARD

20 | 21

THE STANDARD

CHAMPIONING BICSc
LICENSED ASSESSORS
WITH JAMES MARSTON
LBICSc
It’s great news that the number of BICSc Assessors licensed with
the British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICSc) continues to
grow across the UK and indeed the world. Despite this fact, the
opportunity for staff to take on the BICSc Licensed Assessor role is
slim when compared to the numbers of staff in the cleaning sector -
*1.47 million in 2021 within the UK.
JAMES MARSTON
Trainer
BICSc Licensed Assessors award
BICSc accreditation within their
organisation to those staff who are
well trained and have completed a
formal assessment to the required
BICSc standard. This is achieved by
the Assessor managing a practical
task in the workplace for the
candidate to complete. If they meet
the pass mark, they have achieved the
standard and are recognised for it.
Many see the attainment to BICSc
Licensed Assessor as a stepping
stone to greater opportunities,
responsibility and reward.
Assessment sounds simple right?
It’s not.
High standards mean just that. BICSc
expects new assessors to comply with
BICSc at work every day. Assessors
cannot choose to work or carry out
tasks below the standard. Neither can
they expect others to work to BICSc
standards if they have not been
trained. In those companies holding
a valid BICSc Accredited Training
Member certificate, training plans
and assessment must be in place
for staff. This enables the service to
operate at the highest standard and
staff be recognised with their own
BICSc accreditation.
Making this a reality backed by
organisational management tends
to fall on the assessor.
Experienced assessors
will tell you that with the
support of BICSc materials
and training, they have the
ability to judge standards
in cleaning operations.
By comparing the
organisation's method
statements or standard
operating procedures
against the BICSc
standards, they
can develop a
gap analysis and
training plan for
improvement.
Continued personal development is
key to long term success. Assessors
should give unbiased opinions on
matters arising and provide cleaning
solutions. This can increase standards
and will promote safe cultures in
working practice. Keeping abreast
of law changes as well as sector wide
developments in good practice and
technology are the fundamentals of
the BICSc Licensed Assessor code of
conduct. This document from BICSc
outlines the rules and standards of
the conduct expected of assessors.
Deciding to have assessors in your
organisation or to obtain assessor
status can help organisations
energise the right changes and
impetus to grow and increase
productivity. Of course, organisations
reap the benefits of accredited staff.
For new assessors it can be a leap
in their career. New assessors grow
in confidence and understand along
with the BICSc standards that they, as
individuals, truly make a difference in
the standards of cleaning operations
in their organisation.
*BCC Cleaning hygiene and waste report 2022
BICSC.CO.UK/ TRAINING/
22 | 23

EVANS LAUNCHES
NEW BACTERICIDAL
FOAMING HAND
WASH PACK SIZE
Evans Vanodine is pleased to
announce the addition of a new
pack size to its bactericidal foam
handwash, Trigon Foam Plus,
which will now be available in
a 5 litre bottle.
This new 5 litre pack size is designed
to extend the Evans Skincare options
for bulk refill dispensers with a
bactericidal foam variant. It will sit
alongside the existing 1 litre cartridge
pack, giving customers extra choice
for their handcare systems.
Trigon Foam Plus is a highly effective,
unperfumed bactericidal foam hand
wash. Developed by Evans experienced
research and development chemists, as
well as tested by its UKAS accredited
laboratory using test methods EN 1276
and EN 13727, it kills a wide range of
bacteria to support good hand hygiene
practice. It has also been tested on
volunteers’ hands by an independent
laboratory to pass EN 1499.
Trigon Foam Plus has been
formulated to help reduce the risk of
cross contamination and therefore
it is especially suitable for use in
catering, food preparation and
processing areas, healthcare and
nursing homes.
Studies have shown that not only
can bacteria survive on many types
of surfaces, but they can be spread
by fingers to other typical high
contact surfaces such as taps, door
handles and telephones. Healthcare
workers' hands are one of the most
common modes of transmission of
healthcare associated pathogens
from patient to patient and within
the healthcare environment.
Washing
hands with
Trigon Foam
Plus kills
99.999%
of bacteria
present
and helps
to prevent
spreading
them to food,
people or
surfaces.
It is also important that hands
are dried thoroughly after
washing to further reduce
the spread of disease.
Trigon Foam Plus contains a
unique blend of specially chosen
ingredients, most notably:
chlorhexidine digluconate, allantoin
and glycerine. These form an
effective, complex formulation,
which not only cleans but also
provides a soothing and moisturising
effect to help protect the skin, and
encourage skin repair, making it an
ideal choice where frequent hand
washing is necessary.
The new 5 L pack size can be
dispensed via the Evans Evolve
foam refillable dispenser, which
has a 900ml reservoir with a foam
nozzle pump dispensing 0.6ml dose
each use. Trigon Foam Plus is also
available in a sealed 1 litre cartridge
which is designed to prevent air
entering during use, minimising
the possibility of contamination,
with a unique closure for specific
use in the Evolve cartridge foam
soap dispenser. Both dispensers
generate an instant foam which
is easily spread across the hands
and rinses to leave the hands clean
and sanitised. The foam soap is
also very cost effective, producing
more washes per each litre than
conventional liquid soap.
Trigon Foam Plus is an ideal choice for
critical hand hygiene areas, to protect
staff, customers and patient. It offers
effective infection prevention, kills
99.999% of bacteria (microbiological
profile available) and is gentle on skin,
with added moisturisers.
THE STANDARD
To find out more about this or any other
product in the Evans Vanodine range,
please visit www.evansvanodine.co.uk
or contact sales@evansvanodine.co.uk

Aimed at upmarket hotels,
restaurants, offices, gyms
and spas are three new luxury
soap offerings from Tork
manufacturer Essity.
Tork Luxury Foam Soap and Tork
Luxury Liquid Soap contain natural
magnolia extract, known for its
relaxing properties.
Tork Luxury Foam Soap is derived
from 94% natural ingredients1
and has a pleasant hand-feel, while
Tork Luxury Liquid Soap is soft and
silky and comes from 95% natural
ingredients 1 .
Also new is Tork Luxury Hair &
Body Shower Cream with 94% of
ingredients from natural origins 1 .
Combining a shampoo, conditioner,
and moisturising shower cream
in one, this contains argan oil plus
an extra conditioner to provide a
luxurious shower experience.
All three products have been
dermatologically tested while
their improved formulations meet
stringent new EU Ecolabel criteria.
TORK LAUNCHES
THREE NEW
LUXURY SOAPS
“Customers in facilities such as
upmarket hotels, restaurants,
spas and gyms expect a more
luxurious washroom experience,”
said Essity’s Product Manager Pilar
Jimenez. ”Our three new offerings
fulfil this need and deliver high
quality and effective solutions that
also address sustainable hygiene
expectations and meet ongoing
business challenges.”
All three products have a fresh
new label designed to appeal to
upmarket environments. They are
housed in a dispenser that is quick
to refill and certified as being easy
to use 2 .
1
In line with ISO16128
2
Certified by the Swedish Rheumatism association, tested according to
The Design for All Test, published in the Swedish Design Research Journal, 2011
26 | 27

WHY SUSTAINABILITY AND
BUSINESS GO HAND IN HAND.
In recent years, sustainability has
moved from being a 'nice-to-have'
to a business imperative. More
than ever investors, employees
and consumers are seeking
out businesses with credible
environmental credentials. Pair
this with tightening legislation,
harsher fines and increased
scrutiny of unethical brands, and
it’s easy to see why businesses
must align with the global mission
to tackle the climate crisis.
But where do you start? And can
you really be sustainable and
maintain a healthy bottom line?
Can businesses really cut costs
while they’re cutting carbon?
For the past ten years, our
partners at Planet Mark have
closely observed the impact of
their sustainability certifications.
These certifications have achieved
annual carbon reductions and
contributed to business growth,
offering more than a mere stamp
of environmental approval. In this
blog, our partners delve into the
symbiotic relationship between
sustainability and business,
offering valuable insights and
practical advice on integrating
sustainability into your operations.
Discover how embracing
sustainability can fortify your
commercial resilience, elevate your
brand positioning, and enhance
operational effectiveness.
THE SUSTAINABILITY SHIFT
Since the Paris Climate Agreement,
Governments, consumers,
suppliers and investors have
become increasingly aware of the
climate crisis and are relying on
organisations to understand and
reduce their impact. The UK has
seen a sharp acceleration in their
climate effort with regulations
such as Streamlined Energy and
Carbon Reporting (SECR), the EU
Emissions Trading System (EU ETS)
and Energy Savings Opportunity
Scheme (ESOS), require large
organisations to publicly disclose
emissions data and review
practices to reduce energy
consumption. Organisations
that incorporate sustainability
sooner are more likely to have a
competitive advantage and reduce
the risk of future fines for noncompliance.
UNLOCKING MORE
WITH SUSTAINABILITY
As the climate crisis grows, so
does the pressure for organisations
to work with, rather than against,
sustainability. The sooner you
can get ahead of compliance and
integrate sustainability into your
everyday practices, the better for
your brand and your bottom line.
Here are some of the business
benefits your organisation
can achieve by embracing
sustainability:
STRENGTHEN YOUR
COMMERCIAL RESILIENCE
Sustainability is more than a tick
box for compliance - it's also
an opportunity to save money
by decarbonising. Reducing
your carbon footprint involves
identifying areas for operational
improvements such as strategic
waste management, streamlining
your supply chain and switching
to renewable energy to support
reductions of scopes 1, 2 and 3.
Planet Mark, has helped members
like Higgins Construction Group
PLC achieve cost savings with a
switch to renewable energy.
"Planet Mark's energy service has
helped us move from a grid-average
fuel mix to 100% renewable energy
and saved us significant amounts of
money in the process" - Julie Brooks,
Director of Compliance, Higgins
Construction Group PLC.
Furthermore, wherever carbon
exists, there are associated costs.
By documenting your emission
scopes, you open the door to
pinpointing opportunities for
significant carbon reduction and
potential cost savings.
STRENGTHEN YOUR
BRAND POSITION
Organisations with truly credible
sustainability credentials can
strengthen their brand position
and avoid claims that cause
reputable damage. The global
efforts to tackle the climate crisis
have shifted consumer behaviour
as they work towards reducing
their negative impact. Now over
80% of consumers are more loyal
to organisations that support
social or environmental issues.
Similarly, consumers reduce their
use of a brand if they discover they
are acting in an unsustainable way.
Securing external certification for
your organisation's sustainability
efforts can play a pivotal role in
mitigating your risk of a poor brand
image and elevate transparency
and brand advocacy among key
stakeholders such as employees,
suppliers, clients, and others.
Why? Certification serves as
a tangible verification of your
commitment to sustainable
practices, fostering trust and
credibility in the eyes of your
audience. Moreover, it provides
a structured framework for
communicating your environmental
and social responsibility efforts,
reinforcing your position as a
responsible business.
By actively seeking and obtaining
external certification, you
demonstrate a proactive approach
to sustainability, aligning your
values with the expectations of
your stakeholders.
THE STANDARD

IMPROVE YOUR OPERATIONAL
EFFECTIVENESS
Pressure on large organisations
to comply with regulations and
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28 | 29

THE STANDARD

INSPIRING THE CLEANING
STARS OF TOMORROW
BICSc has announced its investment
in inspiring the next generation
of cleaning stars to join the
professional cleaning community.
The industry leading Institute is
striving to highlight the numerous
career opportunities for young people
within the global cleaning sector and
has pledged its significant support
by investing thousands of pounds
for online developments to help
encourage more to join the profession.
BICSc substantial investment has
resulted in the creation of a
dedicated online hub the Cleaning
Industry Careers Guide, which has
just launched on the Youth
Employment UK website. Leading
BICSc campaign to encourage
engagement is the Institute's Youth
Ambassador and Technical Specialist
Kelsey Hargreaves.
Kelsey said:
“I wanted to help make significant changes
to encourage younger people to join
the cleaning industry to inspire the next
generation to consider some of the many
incredible careers in the cleaning industry
by helping raise awareness.”
Having contacted Youth Employment
UK, Kelsey embarked on its Youth
Ambassador programme to see
how she could help other young
people which led to her taking part
in webinars, results day outreach
with students’ parents, speaking at
industry conferences and exploring
the opportunity to create a dedicated
cleaning industry careers hub on
the Youth Employment UK website
https://www.youthemployment.org.
uk/careers-hub-sector/cleaningindustry-careers-bicsc/
Kelsey said:
“It’s been fantastic to help
make the cleaning industry, and
its opportunities, much more
accessible to young people and
I’ve even spoken in Parliament on
the matter. I am incredibly proud
of what we’ve achieved so far. It is
amazing BICSc has provided the
funding for the online hub that will
become a dedicated website which
will be accessed by millions of young
people each year.
“I wanted to break down the barriers and
provide people with a step by step guide
to different parts of our industry and let
people know there are so many exciting
careers options.
“The newly launched comprehensive
careers hub covers a range of topics
including training options, case studies,
work experience opportunities, alongside
videos of young people already working
within the industry who explain their job
role, how they got into the industry and
what they love about their work. This is
about pooling everything together for the
good of the next generation.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION
ABOUT BICSC GO TO
WWW.BICS.ORG.UK
CLICK HERE
KELSEY HARGREAVES
Technical Specialist
Youth Employment UK Founder
and CEO Laura-Jane Rawlings, said:
“We are always delighted to work with
partners, like BICSc, to bring to life the
world of work and highlight sectors for
young people. This year’s Youth Voice
Census highlighted the struggles young
people are facing in confidence to
navigate their next steps and understand
all of the options available to them locally
and nationally. They fear that employers
are not supportive of hiring them, through
the development of this careers hub and
continuing our work to promote Good
Youth Employment Standards throughout
the sector we are showing them that
careers in cleaning are youth friendly and
a great place to grow their career.”
ACCESS THE
CLEANING
INDUSTRY
CAREERS HUB
BY SCANNING
THE QR CODE.
30 | 31

THE STANDARD

THE STANDARD

VINCI FACILITIES & WORKFIT
Eashan Madan, is a dedicated
employee with Down's Syndrome
employed by VINCI Facilities at a
busy Sheffield Train station on the
East Midlands rail contract.
The placement of Eashan by
Workfit, the Down's Syndrome
Association's employment
programme which brings together
employers and job-seekers who
have Down's Syndrome has had a
huge impact on Eashan's life and
on those who have the pleasure
of working alongside him. It is a
great example of working with the
local community in creating an
opportunity, for Eashan, to work on
a busy station but which also gives
him a source of independence and
a regular income.
The WorkFit programme provided
training to VINCI staff at Sheffield
station, to ensure that they were
confident in supporting Eashan.
This has had a profound effect
on the team who work with him
and who are now his network of
buddies that serve as mentors
offering guidance,
encouragement, and a friendly face.
It also truly illustrates the impact
of tailored training programs and a
supportive and inclusive workplace
environment.
VINCI Facilities central support
manager, Emma Windle, who
also attended the WorkFit
training, enabled her to tailor her
approach to the training Eashan
required. When onboarding
Eashan she delivered her sessions
with combining visual aids,
hand-on activities, and clear
communication, this ensured
that Eshan could grasp concepts
effectively and built his skill set
with confidence.
Following his successful
onboarding she continued to
develop him and recently decided
to deliver BICSc LTP and BU6 skill
training to Eshan to enable him
to get a recognised professional
qualification. The training had
to be modified and sufficient
time allowed, and Eashan's
buddy was present for support,
however, Eashan didn't need him
and completed the qualification
all by himself. Completing this
qualification is a great achievement
for Eashan and is a testament to his
hard work and dedication.
We would like to take this chance
to celebrate Eashan's achievements
as we feel it sends a powerful
message about the capabilities
and potential of individuals with
Down's Syndrome in the workforce.
Eashan's story is one that serves
as inspiration for companies to
embrace inclusivity, recognising
that with the right training and
support, every employee can
contribute to the success of
an organisation.
36 | 37

WELCOMING
OUR NEW
MEMBERS
CORPORATE MEMBERS
23 OCTOBER 2023 - 29 JANUARY 2024
UK MEMBERS
THESUPERCLEANERS LTD
PHOENIX CLEANING
COMPANY
ENTERPRISE CLEANING
& SUPPORT SERVICES LTD
KIND CONTRACTORS LTD
I.O.S GROUP LTD
TRADING AS CAMCLEAN
CLEANIT CLEANING
SERVICES LTD
ACE CLEANING COMPANY
(LEICESTER) LTD
ELEV8 ACCESS PLATFORMS
T/A ELEV8 GROUP SERVICES
GIANT SECURITY LTD
WESTGROVE CLEANING
SERVICES LTD
ALV SERVICES LTD
MOMENTUM FACILITIES
MANAGEMENT
INTERNATIONAL MEMBERS
PERFECT FINISH
CLEANING GROUP LTD
SERVO SECURITIES LIMITED
FALCON CLEANING AND
SUPPORT SERVICES LTD
ARCUS FM LTD
POLAR DRY ICE
CLEANING LIMITED
COHESION
CONSULTING LTD
CLEARGROUND
LIMITED
TEAMWORK
(UK) LTD
CHUCKS AWAY
LIMITED
DOCTOR DOMESTIC
PLUS LIMITED
THE HEALTHY HOME
EXPRESS FACILITIES
MANAGEMENT L.L.C
MEEM FACILITY
MANAGEMENT
DUSSMANN-AJLAN
& BROS LLC
LE MIRAGE PROPERTY
MANAGEMENT
UNI-HYGIENE SDN BHD
FARNEK SERVICES LLC
SUSTAINABILITY
PATH OPERATION &
MAINTENANCE (SPOM)
IFM FACILTIES
MANAGEMENTS LLC
TAMRA COMPANY
FOR OPERATION AND
MAINTENANCE
LION LOCATION
TATRA GLOBAL
FOR OPERATION
& MAINTENANCE
ACCREDITED TRAINING
MEMBERS AND ACCREDITED
TRAINING ESTABLISHMENTS
23 OCTOBER 2023 - 29 JANUARY 2024
UK MEMBERS
GOLDSMITHS,
UNIVERSITY OF LONDON
EMCOR UK NORTH
ROYAL BOROUGH OF
KENSINGTON & CHELSEA
TOP MOPS LTD
INTERNATIONAL
MEMBERS
WHITE SPOT CLEANING SERVICES L.L.C
38 | 39

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
BBS-VIRTUAL-TRAINING.THINKIFIC.COM
BICS.ORG.UK
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