Cleaning Excellence Awards 2025: Winners announced!

Celebrating innovation, dedication, and excellence across the cleaning, hygiene, and FM sectors, this year’s awards recognised outstanding organisations and individuals who have set new benchmarks for professional standards.

On Wednesday 3 December 2025, the professional cleaning and hygiene industry gathered for a gala dinner at the Coventry Building Society Arena for one of the most anticipated events of the year - The Cleaning Excellence Awards 2025.

The prestigious ceremony shone a spotlight on the people, products, and innovations that are shaping the future of the cleaning and FM sectors. From cutting-edge technology and sustainable solutions to exceptional individuals making a difference every day, the awards recognised those driving true excellence across the industry.

An industry united in excellence

Supported by leading industry bodies - The British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICSc), The National Carpet Cleaners Association, The Worshipful Company of Environmental Cleaners (WCEC), The Cleaning & Hygiene Suppliers Association (CHSA), and ISSA - the Cleaning Excellence Awards brought together the very best from every corner of the sector.

With Karcher as the Headline Sponsor, this year’s event was an unforgettable evening of recognition, inspiration, and celebration.

A night of celebration

Hosting the evening was acclaimed comedian and writer Geoff Norcott - a regular on Live at the Apollo, 8 Out of 10 Cats, The Mash Report and Question Time. Known for his witty and thought-provoking humour, Geoff has been described by The Telegraph as “objectively funny regardless of your politics.”

And now the wait is over. Here are the winners of the Cleaning Excellence Awards 2025!

Client Collaboration Award
Winner: James Cook University Hospital – Healthcare Cleaning Team

Best Use of Data and Analytics in Cleaning
Winner: Ask Alfred

Outstanding Achievement in Infection Prevention and Control
Winner: Great Western Hospital Infection Control Team & Serco Cleaning Team

Catering and Hospitality Hygiene Award
Winner: ABBA Arena – Mitie Cleaning Team

Rising Star in the Cleaning Industry
Winner: Kamila Kalinowska – Mitie

Cleaning & Hygiene Team of the Year
Winner: EMCOR UK – Account Cleaning Team

Facility Management Partnership of the Year
Winner: Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital

Contract Cleaning Award
Winner: Louise Allsop – ESS, Compass Group

Sustainable Company of the Year
Winner: Tork, an Essity Brand

Supervisor of the Year
Winner: Ruth Oladotun – University of Birmingham

Excellence in Training and Development
Winner: OCS Manchester Arndale Housekeeping Team

Going Above and Beyond Expectations
Winner: Atlas Education

Cleaning Operative of the Year
Winner: Angelica Collazos Diez – Goldsmiths, University of London

Healthcare Hygiene Award
Winner: ISS UK

Outstanding Customer Service
Winner: Broughton Shopping Park

Innovative Product of the Year
Winner: CleanManager

Lifetime Achievement Award
Winner: Melanie Hutter – Mitie

The judges

The 2025 panel brought together some of the most respected voices in the industry:

• Lorraine Larman C.Env.CL FBICSc CFIOSH, Worshipful Company of Environmental Cleaners (WCEC)

Master of the Worshipful Company of Environmental Cleaners 2024-25.                                             

Lorriane Larman is M.D, of Safety Solutions Ltd , an Independent Consultancy Company, with personally over 35 years’ experience, 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. 

• Denise Hanson FBICSc FBICSc, C.Env.Cln, Commercial Director, BICSc

With over 30 years’ experience in the cleaning industry, Denise Hanson brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the BICSc portfolio. Denise is experienced in successful multi-site mobilisations, in time and cost critical environments and with a career that spans hotels, facilities services for local government, MOD, major food retail, shopping centres, cleanroom and blue-chip office facilities. As Commercial Director for BICSc, Denise oversees the development and delivery of new courses, ensures the validity of the BICSc offering and works with clients to deliver effective solutions to their issues. The cleaning industry has provided an interesting and diverse career and Denise sees her role with BICSc as an opportunity to help build the steps to allow others to progress in their careers within cleaning and facilities.

• Kelsey Hargreaves, Technical Manager, BICSc

Kelsey Hargreaves, in addition to her role at BICSc, is a Youth Ambassador for Youth Employment UK. She has experience in the cleaning industry over a range of challenging frontline positions within the NHS during the COVID pandemic. She brings extensive experience in site inspections, project management, and overcoming the issues faced in operational cleaning service - and particularly - training models.

• Jeff Cross, Media Director, ISSA

Jeff Cross Media Director at the ISSA, with media brands that include Cleanfax, ISSA Today magazines, Straight Talk!, and all related digital publications and products. ISSA is a trade association for the cleaning industry with more than 10,500 members, including distributors, manufacturers, manufacturer representatives, wholesalers, building service contractors, in-house service providers, residential cleaners, and associated service members.

• Neil Spencer-Cook MBICSc, Group Managing Director, BICSc

Neil Spencer-Cook MBICSc is Group Managing Director at The British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICSc). From a 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 for efficiency purposes. Neil was the project lead on the creation of the BICSc CPSS Assessor app and more recently delivered the virtual training platform.

• Chris Shaw, Editor, Cleaning Matters

Chris Shaw is Editor of Cleaning Matters, the only UK printed magazine within the cleaning industry. As the industry’s market-leading publication Cleaning Matters presents the latest innovations and insight, as well as delivering independent news, views and developments from within the market. Chris has 25 years' experience as an Editor and has written for Western Business Media publications for more than a decade.

• Lorcan Mekitarian, Chair, 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.

• Dave Wheadon, Chief Executive Officer, NCCA

Dave has over 35 years of extensive experience in the construction and management sectors, having held a diverse range of positions from junior to senior management roles. His career is marked by significant achievements, including being a finalist for the Hanson Group, the World Management Achiever award for his exemplary management of the materials supply for the Prince of Wales Bridge between England and Wales. Dave's experience includes several years operating a business in Europe, with his last overseas position in the Middle East, where he successfully ran a Saudi-based construction company. There, he navigated complex material, logistical, and operational challenges. More recently, Dave has brought his expertise to the operational management of the master franchise for the world's largest carpet cleaning franchise. His role involved overseeing a vast network of franchisees and ensuring operational excellence and adherence to the highest standards. Following this, Dave joined a major manufacturer, further broadening his industry experience and contributing to the company's strategic growth. Dave served on the board of the NCCA for several years before being appointed CEO, where he continues to drive the association forward with his wealth of knowledge and leadership skills.

• Lynn Webster C.Env.Cln FBICSc CCE, Director, Lynn Webster Consultants

Lynn Webster as Director of LWC Ltd, an Independent Consultancy Company, with personally over 40 years’ experience, is recognised for her expertise in the cleaning and associated facilities industry; providing independent, professional 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, and the education sectors. 

She is one of the original Top 100 most influential women in Hospitality, Travel, Leisure and Tourism awarded this accolade in 2012 and holds the British Institute of Cleaning Science Sholom Gordon Award for outstanding contribution to the Cleaning Industry.

She is a recognised CCE Consultant and Auditor for ISSA on a global scale providing support to companies towards CIMS Accreditation; a valuable tool in improving cleaning service delivery. She provides audits for ISSA Healthcareincorporating GBAC along with support and guidance for those organisations considering GBAC Star Accreditation.

An evening to remember

The ceremony truly  showcased the passion and professionalism driving the sector forward, celebrating achievements that continue to elevate cleaning and hygiene standards nationwide. Congratulations to all finalists and winners for their exceptional contributions to the industry.