An industry united in excellence

For the cleaning and facilities management sector, 3 December 2025 at the Coventry Building Society Arena will be one of those moments. Two events, the Cleaning Excellence Awards and the Cleaning Excellence Conference will unite the most influential voices, the most innovative minds, and the most passionate professionals from across the UK - all with one shared goal: to celebrate, strengthen, and shape the future of our industry.

The Cleaning Excellence Awards have long been more than just a night of recognition, they are a powerful reminder that excellence in cleaning is about people, purpose, and progress. Supported by the sector’s most respected institutions - including The British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICSc), The National Carpet Cleaners Association (NCCA), The Worshipful Company of Environmental Cleaners (WCEC), The Cleaning & Hygiene Suppliers Association (CHSA), and ISSA — the Awards embody the collaboration and passion that underpin the cleaning and hygiene sector.

With Kärcher as headline sponsor and the humour of comedian Geoff Norcott who hosts the evening, this year’s ceremony promises not only to entertain but to inspire. 

Behind the scenes, an esteemed judging panel - representing decades of expertise across consultancy, training, media, and leadership - has the formidable task of selecting the winners. Their collective experience represents the best of what our sector stands for: professionalism, integrity, and a genuine commitment to raising standards.

But the Awards are just the beginning. Throughout the day, the spotlight turns from celebration to education as the Cleaning Excellence Conference takes over the CBS Arena. Free to attend and fully CPD-accredited, this event is designed to give back to the industry. From business ethics and digital transformation to sustainability, ESG, and employee wellbeing, the conference provides a platform for progress.

Speakers such as Lorcan Mekitarian (CHSA), Paul Ashton (CSSA), Neil Spencer-Cook (BICSc), and Ruth Brock (The Hygiene Bank) will tackle the big questions: How can technology redefine our workforce? How do we uphold ethics in a competitive marketplace? How can we measure social impact and build a more equitable, sustainable industry? And perhaps most importantly, how do we ensure the people at the heart of our profession - the cleaners themselves - receive the recognition, respect, and career pathways they deserve?

The Conference’s programme reflects the full diversity and complexity of our sector. It’s not just about cleaning; it’s about leadership, innovation, and social purpose. Talks like “Invisible No More” and “Working to End Hygiene Poverty” remind us that cleaning is deeply connected to dignity and wellbeing - that our industry plays a crucial role in tackling inequality, promoting inclusion, and protecting public health.

Equally, sessions on digital licensing, ESG strategy, and training and leadership demonstrate how our profession is evolving with the times. The cleaning industry is no longer content to sit in the background. It is embracing data, automation, sustainability, and digital transformation as essential tools for progress.

And yet, what truly sets these events apart is the sense of community. Whether you’re a frontline cleaner, a director of operations, a manufacturer, or a facilities manager, these events remind us that we are part of something larger - a sector built on integrity, hard work, and human connection. Both events offer a chance to meet peers, share ideas, challenge assumptions, and celebrate successes together.

For me, as Editor of Cleaning Matters, these events reflect exactly what our magazine stands for. They embody the dialogue between innovation and tradition; between practical expertise and visionary thinking. So, as we gather in Coventry this December, we do so as an industry united in excellence. As has been seen year after year, the sector continues to prove that cleaning is not a background task but a cornerstone of modern life. To everyone attending, presenting, speaking, sponsoring, exhibiting or being recognised: thank you for your commitment, your innovation, and your belief in the power of clean spaces to change the world around us.

Here’s to another year of excellence and to the people who make it possible every single day. 

Chris Shaw
Editor, Cleaning Matters