Cleaning Excellence Conference 2025: Innovation, ethics, and professional growth

THE CLEANING EXCELLENCE CONFERENCE

THE CLEANING Excellence Conference is supported by key industry bodies including the British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICSc), the British Pest Control Association (BPCA), the Worshipful Company of Environmental Cleaners (WCEC), and the National Carpet Cleaning Association (NCCA). It will also run alongside the BICSc Conference, making it a central meeting point for professionals from every corner of the sector.

Expert-led sessions

Attendees will enjoy insights from some of the industry’s most influential voices, covering topics from business ethics and digital transformation to ESG, staff wellbeing, and social impact. 

This is an event not to be missed offering, CPD, access to the latest products, networking. So, don’t miss out, register now to attend for free! https://cleaningconference.com/

About the conference

All attendees to the Cleaning Excellence Conference will have access to a full day of seminars and will receive a CPD certificate for their attendance. The conference agenda is as follows: 

08:30 DOORS OPEN AND NETWORKING

09:15 TRADING ETHICALLY IN THE CLEANING AND HYGIENE SECTOR

Lorcan Mekitarian, Chair of the Cleaning & Hygiene Suppliers Association (CHSA)

The world today is a complex and challenging environment within intense pressure on prices. In this context, it’s easy to lose focus on business ethics. Do so, however, and trust will ebb away from commercial relationships. 

The CHSA has embedded an ethical approach in our Code of Practice, signed by every member. To us, this includes everything from taking responsibility for business practices in the supply chain, through embedding environmental sustainability to transparency in product and marketing claims. 

In his talk Lorcan Mekitarian will outline the CHSA’s approach to ethical business practices, explaining what customers can expect from a CHSA member.

Bio

Lorcan Mekitarian is sales director of RPC bpi Group and current Chair of CHSA. Lorcan has spent the past 30 years supplying the waste management and cleaning and hygiene sector with waste sacks. Berry was a founding member of the CHSA Plastic Sack Scheme. He was instrumental in expanding the scheme to now include office bin liners and OTH sacks. He became a CHSA Council member in 2015 and chair in 2019.

09:45 THE DIGITAL CLEANERS LICENCE: WHY TECHNOLOGY IS THE PASSPORT TO OUR INDUSTRY’S FUTURE

Paul Ashton, Chairman of the Cleaning & Support Services Association (CSSA)

In an era where data, automation, and compliance are reshaping the built environment, the cleaning industry must evolve or risk being left behind. Paul Ashton, owner of Birkin Group and Chairman of the CSSA, explores the significance of the Digital Cleaners Licence—a new framework developed by Origin that empowers cleaning operatives with verified, portable digital credentials. This talk will examine how digital licensing can elevate training standards, drive consistency across contracts, and help employers unlock the full value of their workforce. More importantly, it’s a gateway to embedding technology, compliance, and professionalism at every level—repositioning cleaning as a skilled, tech-enabled profession fit for the future.

Bio

Paul Ashton is Chairman of the Cleaning & Support Services Association (CSSA) and an owner of Birkin Group, a leading technology-led cleaning company in the UK. With over a decade of leadership in the facilities management and commercial cleaning sectors, Paul has been instrumental in driving innovation, sustainability, and industry collaboration. Under his ownership, Birkin has championed the adoption of robotics, IoT, and data-led solutions across complex environments. As Chairman of the CSSA, he is a passionate advocate for raising the profile of the cleaning industry, by encouraging togetherness, embracing technology, and ensuring the sector continues to evolve with the launch of the Digital Cleaning Licence.

10:15 A FOCUS ON ESG AND HOW PR CAN SUPPORT SOCIAL ENTERPRISES IN THE CLEANING INDUSTRY

Suzanne Howe, Founder of Suzanne Howe Communications

Sam Worden, COO of NGB CLEAN

Camilla Marcus-Drew, Co-Founder and Director of Amplify Goods

Suzanne will be talking to Sam Worden and Camilla Marcus Drew about their social enterprises, and how they have been supported with PR, including the launch of Remind in April last year for Amplify Goods and the Cycle tyre recycling scheme for No Going Back Clean more recently in March this year. Suzanne, Sam and Camilla will also talk about PR more generally and about SHC’s journey to B-Corp certification..

Bios

Suzanne Howe

Suzanne Howe founded Suzanne Howe Communications in 1996.  She is passionate about PR in the B2B sector and has established a specialist PR and marketing agency working in the cleaning & hygiene sector as well as the packaging and food sectors.  She has recently been awarded a marketing excellence award in the recent Women in Packaging Awards.   Suzanne also leads the organisation of the Kimberly-Clark Professional Golden Service Awards and has done since 2009.

She works with a team of experts delivering strategic PR campaigns as well as social media management, event management, digital marketing and website development.

Suzanne is working towards B-Corp certification to endorse her commitment to working with the best companies and suppliers.  She is also proud to be working with two social enterprises, Amplify Goods and No Going Back Clean.

Sam Worden

Sam Worden has been working in the cleaning industry for 25 years, both across sales and operations - delivering for national and global client brands. In 2023 she left her role as a sales director for a large cleaning contractor as she wanted to deliver in business with a more meaningful purpose and support smaller businesses get bigger and better. Sam joined NGB CLEAN as COO in 2024 and has supported the business in its delivery of commercial cleaning on a mission to support men and women who have experienced the criminal justice system and reduce reoffending. She spends time mentoring and training young entrepreneurs who run their own smaller cleaning companies and has a specific interest in providing life changing career opportunities in the biohazard area of the cleaning sector.

As a business NGB CLEAN delivers with a focus on sustainability and has delivered cleaning for 14 months without the use of disposable gloves. The business has also recently launched Ride, Recycle, Repeat - providing an inner tube and Tyre recycling service to the corporate world, at the same time as generating funding to provide training for prison leavers.

Camilla Marcus-Drew

Camilla Marcus-Drew is the Co-Founder and Director of Amplify Goods, a social enterprise that challenges the ‘all foam and no action’ status quo.  They are a WISE100 award winning environmental and social entrepreneur, PISEP (practitioner with the Institute of Sustainability and Environmental Professionals) and has been working within the cosmetics and cleaning industries since 2015 following a career as a management consultant. 

Camilla previously founded the Soap Co. and BECo. in the supply chains of over 30 distributors in the UK, over 100 multinational corporations and restaurants, alongside over 1000 retail outlets such as John Lewis, Fortnum & Mason and Selfridges; selling millions of units and creating real work for people with disabilities. 

10:50 BREAK

11:20 IS TRAINING ENOUGH? MANAGING EMPLOYEE EXPECTATIONS AND CHANGES 

Neil Spencer-Cook, MBICSc, Group Managing Director at the British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICSc)

Training is essential to efficient and effective cleaning, however should training stand alone. 

Training is a critical enabler of change, but it must be integrated into a holistic change management strategy that includes:

• Clear and open communication prior to training and after
• Emotional and psychological support
• Leadership alignment
• Continuous feedback and adaptation.

The key component to training is leadership and communication, this session will dig into these areas to ensure that training is not only effective but remains that way.

Bio

From a financial director role, Neil joined the BICSc Senior Management team in 2015. He has a wealth of management expertise and has experience in hospitality and FM in numerous industries.   

Neil's passion is technology, especially when it can be used for efficiency purposes. Neil was the project lead on the creation of the BICSc CPSS Assessor app, BICSc Audit App, The BICSc Cleaning Supervisor’s Certificate and delivered the virtual training platform and the associated BICSc Training App – to date over 130,000 courses have been completed online since its inception in 2021.

11:50 CLEANING: BUILDING BLOCKS

Lorraine Larman C.Env.CL FBICSc CFIOSH, Master of the Worshipful Company of Environmental Cleaners (WCEC) 2024-25

In this talk, Lorraine Larman will discuss the importance of building strong foundations for any successful company, starting with our cleaning operatives. They are the lifeline of our industry, and without them, none of us would have a job. We need to ensure that they receive the best training, equipment, machinery, development, and support. By providing a clear career path, we can help them achieve their full potential and contribute to the overall success of the company.

Bio

Lorraine Larman is Managing Director of Safety Solutions Ltd, an Independent consultancy company, with personally over 35 years’ experience. Lorraine is recognised for her expertise in the cleaning and associated facilities industry; providing independent, professional Health & Safety, compliance and cleaning consultancy to a wide range of organisations for both client and for service providers, across many commercial environments - specifically high-end commercial facilities, healthcare, retail, leisure, hospitality, heavy industry (Quarries/Power stations) and the education sectors.

12:20 SPOTTING THE SIGNS: HOW INFORMED STAFF CAN STOP INFESTATIONS IN THEIR TRACKS

John Horsley, Technical and Professional Development Officer at the British Pest Control Association (BPCA)

Frontline staff are often the first to notice the early signs of pest problems, and their input can be vital when working in partnership with pest professionals.

In this practical session, John will explore the problems pests can cause and what to look out for on-site, from unusual droppings to damaged stock. He’ll explain why early reporting, regular monitoring and a strong working relationship between staff and pest controllers can make all the difference.

Whether you're in facilities management, food production or warehousing, understanding pest behaviours and having systems in place to spot them early can prevent a small issue becoming a full-blown infestation. John will share tips and real-world examples that show how being proactive and informed helps keep environments pest-free.

Bio

John started his career in pest control in April 2012, working around Lincolnshire and building a great deal of experience in rural and urban pest control.

In 2017 he successfully applied for a technical officer role with his previous employer, and for four years he played a pivotal role in training technicians, office staff and customers in all aspects of pest control, in the classroom and out in the field. John joined BPCA in August 2021.

13:00 LUNCH 

14:00 INVISIBLE NO MORE: WHY AND HOW WE NEED TO RECOGNISE THE SOCIAL VALUE OF CLEANING PROFESSIONALS

Daniel Cross UK Marketing Manager of Tennant Company

Cleaning professionals continue to play a vital yet often unseen role in protecting public health, wellbeing, and community pride. In this discussion Daniel Cross explores why cleaners remain undervalued, the profound impact that clean spaces have on mental health and inclusivity, and how organisations can better recognise and elevate this essential workforce, with the aim that attendees will leave with ideas for practical strategies to make cleaning operatives more visible, valued, and celebrated across every sector.

Bio

Daniel Cross has been leading the UK marketing strategy and efforts for well-known industry brands for over a decade including Vaclensa, IPC and Tennant Company, alongside his role as a long-standing committee member with the CSSA and leading driving force behind The Clean Start Initiative.  He has been a finalist for his marketing work in The Manchester Young Talent Awards, and recently The Clean Start Initiative was recognised as a finalist at the European Cleaning Journal Awards.

14:30 TBC 

Ken Evans, Head of Vertical Sales (UK & Ireland) Numatic International

15:00 NETWORKING BREAK 

15:20 WORKING TO END HYGIENE POVERTY 

Ruth Brock, CEO at The Hygiene Bank

In the last year, 5.3million adults in the UK have been forced to choose between buying food or toiletries. That means a Mum choosing between food for tea or tampons for herself; it means an employee choosing between lunch or the deodorant they need to feel clean and presentable at work. This is hygiene poverty. 20 million people in the UK don’t even know it exists, but the impacts are both devastating and growing. It causes extraordinary misery, blocks opportunity and limits life chances. It means people being trapped in their homes and children being bullied or not even attending school.

The Hygiene Bank is working to end hygiene poverty, for good. CEO Ruth Brock will speak about hygiene poverty and its impact, what this young charity is doing to tackle this hidden crisis and how you can help us achieve our goals.

Bio

Ruth Brock, CEO of The Hygiene Bank brings 15 years of leadership experience and passion to the charity. Previously, she led the Coram Shakespeare Schools Foundation (CSSF) for eight years, demonstrating her commitment to social justice. Prior to this, Ruth was a primary school teacher and also ran East End Shed, a small, community arts charity that champions inclusivity through the performing arts, fostering social cohesion and essential life skills. Years of working with families living in disadvantaged communities have shaped her perspectives on campaigning and the societal change that THB is working towards. With several years’ experience working in Westminster, encompassing research, campaigning and media, Ruth’s leadership of THB is focused on shaping our strategic approach and maximising our impact.

16:00 CLOSE

Exhibiting and sponsorship

The conference not only offers a full day of educational seminars delivered by key industry figures and bodies, but attendees will also be able to enjoy lunch and refreshments in the exhibition area - before the day concludes with networking drinks. All attendees will receive a CPD certificate.

The Cleaning Excellence Conference offers:

• The opportunity to associate your brand with excellence.
• Reaching thousands of industry professionals before, during and after the event.
• Networking with the industry’s most influential people.
• Multiple sponsorship package options available.
• Take this unique opportunity to position your organisation as an industry leader!

Contact the team

Contact the sales team to discuss your sponsorship opportunities. 

Exhibiting and sponsorship opportunities

Peter Calligeris

Sales Manager

[email protected]

General event enquiries

Mark Sennett

Event Director

[email protected]

There are limited sponsorship and exhibiting opportunities remaining. For full details please see the event brochure. https://cleaningconference.com/sponsorship

For more information, visit https://cleaningconference.com/