Golden Service Awards 2026 – Everything you need to know

NOW CELEBRATING its 34th year, the Golden Service Awards has earned a reputation for prestige and sector-wide recognition, setting the gold standard for excellence in cleaning and FM. This biennial event stands as one of the most coveted accolades in the industry, drawing entrants from an ever-growing number of sectors, including healthcare, retail, manufacturing, hospitality, education, leisure and office environments.

Recognising our industry heroes

The awards continue to shine a spotlight on the unsung heroes who keep workplaces, venues and communities across the UK and Ireland healthy and thriving. Craig Bowman, Commercial Director for UK and Ireland at Kimberly-Clark Professional, emphasises the importance of acknowledging these individuals: “At Kimberly-Clark Professional, we believe in the power of people and in 2026, we are proud to once again honour the everyday heroes who make our world cleaner and safer. The Golden Service Awards return as a celebration of excellence, dedication, and the incredible impact of our industry, especially the individuals and teams who consistently exceed expectations not just in their work, but in the difference, they make to lives and communities.”

What’s new for 2026?

Returning by popular demand, the ‘Going the Extra Mile Award’, introduced in 2022, will once again recognise the extraordinary efforts of front-line cleaners. These professionals’ dedication, often unseen, is essential to creating safe and welcoming environments. The renewed focus on this award reflects the growing appreciation for cleaning professionals in a post-pandemic world, where health and hygiene are more crucial than ever.

Another major development for 2026 is the new partnership with Bowel Cancer UK, the country’s leading bowel cancer charity. As part of Kimberly-Clark Professional’s ‘Get Comfortable’ movement, the awards aim to break the silence surrounding toilet health, raise awareness, drive fundraising, and encourage the cleaning industry to support early detection initiatives. With around 44,000 people diagnosed with bowel cancer each year in the UK, but fewer than four in ten diagnosed early, the washroom plays a critical role in helping individuals recognise symptoms and seek help. The Golden Service Awards will actively fundraise for Bowel Cancer UK, supporting their mission and encouraging the industry’s involvement.

Craig Bowman adds, “Just as our industry champions dignity, wellbeing, and care, Bowel Cancer UK is transforming lives through education, advocacy, and support. Together, we are creating meaningful change where it matters most.”

The Entries are in!

This year, a record number of entries have been received for the 18 categories. Judging is now underway, led by an independent panel from the British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICSc). Finalists will be announced on Monday, 8 December 2025, so mark your diaries. 

“A badge of honour”

Winning a Golden Service Award is more than a line in a company profile: it is a badge of honour, a strong motivator for teams, and can act as a springboard for new business. At the 2024 awards, Key Enviro Solutions Limited won the Sustainability Leadership Award. Over a year later, the positive impact is still felt by the winners. 

Neil Fletcher, Business Development Executive at Key Enviro Solutions, explains: “The significance of being acknowledged as both finalists and winners plays a huge part in us retaining not only existing business, but it has increased our business growth by at least 20%. When we submit tender presentations to prospective new clients, we add a GSA brochure listing all of our achievements over the years, we can see the client sit up, take notice, at this point they can see we are serious in what we do and that their building is in good hands.”

“A true reflection of hard work and dedication”

Also, at the 2024 event, Aramark scooped the award for excellence in office areas between 10,000 and 30,000 square metres. 

Colm McGrath from Aramark Compliance & Standards shares, “When our colleagues and the Cleaning Team at Parliament Buildings, Stormont, Belfast brought home that Golden Service Award in 2024, it set a buzz of celebration through the whole company, and we are still buzzing. This prestigious recognition is a true reflection of their training, the hard work, dedication, and professionalism of every team member. From being shortlisted as finalists to being crowned winners, the journey has been nothing short of inspiring.”

Recognising the “best of the best”

Neil Fletcher from Key Enviro Solutions adds, “We have been staunch supporters of the Golden Service Awards for many years, each award ceremony we invite members of our onsite cleaning team and clients alike, without doubt we can see a significant growth in stature of our teams knowing that on this occasion they have been independently recognised and acknowledged as the best of the best, and that all of their efforts have not gone unnoticed. The awards give our teams a sense of pride and a willingness to improve beyond all expectations.”

Don’t Miss Out – how to get your tickets

The winners of the Kimberly-Clark Professional Golden Service Awards 2026 will be announced on Thursday, 21 May 2026, at the London Hilton, Park Lane, from 12:00 to 16:00. Over 500 guests are expected to attend, including finalists, sponsors, and leading figures from the UK’s cleaning and FM industry, who will come together to celebrate the sector’s heroes and their outstanding achievements.

Tickets are now available, priced at £275 plus VAT (£330). To book, email [email protected] or call Suzanne Howe Communications on 0203 468 0923. Tables of 10 are available for colleagues and clients, and individual tickets can also be purchased. Early booking is recommended to avoid disappointment.

Acknowledging our sponsors

The Golden Service Awards would not be possible without the support of its sponsors. Kimberly-Clark Professional welcomes returning partners: gold sponsor Kärcher, silver sponsor Nationwide, and bronze sponsor Pearroc. A special welcome is extended to new bronze sponsors Numatic, B-Sure Installations and Recycling, and OdorBac, as well as industry partner, the Cleaning and Support Services Association (CSSA). Media partners Tomorrow’s Cleaning, Facilities Management Journal, and Cleaning Matters also return for the 2026 awards, ensuring the event’s continued success and reach.

For anything else you might need to know about the Kimberly-Clark Professional Golden Service Awards 2026, go to https://www.goldenserviceawards.co.uk/en-gb.