Cleaning Excellence Awards 2024: Winners announced!

The awards, hosted by comedian Daliso Chaponda, celebrated a wide spectrum of achievements, from cutting-edge innovations like ICE Clean’s DARE robotic scrubber dryer to the remarkable teamwork of Serco’s James Cook University Hospital Cleaning Team, which won Cleaning and Hygiene Team of the Year.

Attendees enjoying a lively evening complete with a drinks reception, three-course dinner, magic acts, comedy, and an after-party featuring a live band, casino tables, and a photo booth.

One of the highlights of the evening was the Lifetime Achievement Award, presented to Comfort Osei, who received rapturous applause from more than 350 attendees.

A stalwart of the industry whose career spans more than two decades of service and community impact, Comfort was born in Ghana in 1968 and moved to the UK in 1991 beginning her career with Birkin in 1998. Over the years, she became renowned for her ability to thrive in high-pressure environments such as the O2 and Olympic Park, while fostering strong team morale and demonstrating a commitment to excellence. Beyond her professional success, Comfort's compassion is evident in her charitable work with local food banks and Richard House Hospice, as well as her volunteer teaching at her church. 

Chris Shaw, Editor of Cleaning Matters, remarked: “The Cleaning Excellence Awards showcase the incredible dedication and ingenuity driving our industry forward. From individuals like Comfort Osei, whose career and compassion are inspiring, to innovative companies breaking boundaries, tonight has been a perfect celebration of excellence in the UK cleaning and hygiene sector.”

The full list of winners is below: 

Best Use of Data and Analytics in Cleaning

• Winner: OCS - Service Excellence
• Highly Commended: Mitie - Merlin Connect
• Commended: Excellerate Services and Mark & Spencer’s

Outstanding Achievement in Infection Prevention and Control

• Winner: Somerset NHS Foundation Trust Response Team
• Highly Commended: InvisiGard
• Commended: Skygiene

Cleaning and Hygiene Team of the Year – Sponsored by I-Team Global

• Winner: Serco - James Cook University Hospital Cleaning Team
• Highly Commended: Mitie - Compass Group - ESS Infantry Battle School Cleaning Team
• Commended: Birkin Group - Oaks Park High School – London

Cleaning Operative of the Year – Sponsored by Jangro

• Winner: Juan Carlos Orrego – Mitie - Deloitte
• Highly Commended: Amanda Dann – Theatre Royal
• Commended: Trinity Way – Savills – Middlewood Locks

Supervisor of the Year – Sponsored by BICS

• Winner: Ana Pocas – EMCOR UK
• Highly Commended: Krzysztof Fabisz – Mitie – Mercedes Benz World
• Commended: Angela Windsor – FSI Europe Ltd

Going Above and Beyond Expectations

• Winner: Aleksandra Wieczorek – OCS
• Highly Commended: Dennis Galvao – FSI Europe Ltd
• Commended: Amanda Dempsey – Simplyserve

Innovative Product of the Year

• Winner: ICE Clean – DARE
• Highly Commended: Serco and GV Health Ltd the LPC
• Commended: Sky Chemicals – Peracide Colour Activated Disinfectant Tablets

Client Collaboration Award

• Winner: Xenon Cleaning Team at Christies/JLL
• Highly Commended: CleanEvent Services Ltd in collaboration with Tottenham Hotspur Football Club
• Commended: OCS Group at Bentley Motors

Outstanding Customer Service

• Winner: Xenon Cleaning Team at Colliers/Berkeley Square Estates
• Highly Commended: Urban Evolution Housekeeping Team
• Commended: EMCOR UK - Lorna Rundle

Rising Star in the Cleaning Industry

• Winner: Toni Jenkinson – Reed Commercial Services
• Highly Commended: Erin Chartlon – Mitie Cleaning North-East Region
• Commended: Sam Harris – Absolute Exterior Cleaning

Facilities Management Partnership of the Year

• Winner: James Cook University Hospital Cleaning Team

Sustainable Company of the Year

• Winner: Northwood Hygiene Products Ltd
• Highly Commended: EcoTech (Europe) Ltd
• Commended: Team BioVate Hygienics

Excellence in Training and Development

• Winner: EMCOR UK - Mobilisation and Transformation Team
• Highly Commended: Goldsmiths University of London - Cleaning and Domestic Services Department
• Commended: OCS - Manchester Arndale Housekeeping Team
• Commended: Serco Healthcare Domestics

Lifetime Achievement Award

• Winner: Comfort Osei, Birkin