The CSSA: How it works for you
February 1st 2011

The Cleaning and Support Services Association (CSSA) was founded in 1967 with the express objective of defending the interests of the UK outsourced cleaning industry. Ever since, the association has promoted the benefits of outsourcing and worked to ensure that the regulations affecting the cleaning industry take the interests of that sector into account.

Our Board is the primary means by which we steer the development of the CSSA's policies.The Board is representative of the cleaning industry as a whole and includes representatives of the largest businesses in our sector, as well as some of the smaller ones.

Who are we?

The CSSA's chairman is Doug Cooke, the co-founder and chief executive of Principle Cleaning Services. Principle was founded in 1989 and since then has grown to a successful, sustainable and highly regarded cleaning business employing 2,000 members of staff.

Based in North London, Principle Cleaning Services is a customer focused business with exceptional service levels led by a highly experienced, motivated senior management team.The company provides cleaning and associated services to large and medium sized organisations throughout London and the UK and specialises in the legal & professional, commercial and education sectors.

The vice chairman of the CSSA is Simon Cox, the managing director of ISS FS Healthcare, Education and Defence. Simon has over 25 years experience in ISS and has grown the health care business to employ over 11,500 people and turnover in excess of £100 million.

Simon also plays a key role in the management of ISS as a whole in the UK and globally.

The CSSA is also served by Michael Rutherford, who is the association's Treasurer.Mike is managing director of Victoria General Cleaning Services, a family cleaning business based in Essex.

The remainder of the CSSA Board is made up of the following people:

Doug Blake Interserve

Tony Clarke Monthind Clean

Debbie Dowling Rentokil Initial

John Findlater Servest

David Furlong Greencrest City

David Johnson MITIE

Jim Melvin Strand/OCS

Bob Vincent LCC Support Services

Steve Wright Incentive QAS

CSSA Board members serve for a period of 1 year and are voted in by the CSSA's membership at the Annual General Meeting.The Board then votes for the Chairman, vice-Chairman and Treasurer from amongst its members.

The CSSA is serviced by a staff of 4 based in the City of London and headed up by its Chief Executive, Andrew Large who has held the role since May 2006.

Wealth of experience

The enormous breadth of experience in the CSSA Board means that we have our eyes and ears closely attuned to the issues that the cleaning industry is experiencing and we can bring the force of that experience to Government in proposing changes to policy.

The CSSA has also established specialist sub committees to look at sustainability, healthcare cleaning and health and safety to ensure that the best available advice can be given.These committees are chaired by Mike Burton (Albany Hygiene Facilities), Simon Cox and Paul Thrupp (OCS) respectively.

In recent months, the CSSA has focused on many issues, some of which are highlighted below:

Our representations on the issue of the Independent Safeguarding Authority contributed to the review decision taken by the Coalition Government The CSSA has developed a close dialogue with the UK Border Agency and has tackled both policy and operational issues with them;

We commented on the draft of PAS 5748 for the NHS and continue to be fully involved in the development of cleaning standards for the healthcare sector;

We have secured EU funding for the development of a standard for sustainable cleaning;

We have written and published guidance on TUPE in the cleaning sector, with the support of BIS, the Government Department responsible for employment law;

We have also developed a new suite of membership services, including a legal helpline, insurance, vehicle leasing, fuel cards and cleaning products.

Ultimately, the CSSA is your association.We need the input of members to tell us what is important to them in order to ensure the organisation's continuing success.

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