From insight to inspiration

Together, the two events showcased not only innovation and expertise, but also a crystal clear commitment to raising standards and celebrating excellence across the industry. They also formed a powerful statement about where the cleaning and hygiene sector is heading - and the values that will define its future.

Across the day, the Conference provided insight from a sector increasingly confident in its professionalism and ambition. Sessions on ethical trading, digital licensing, ESG, training, and social value showed a clear shift away from viewing cleaning as a commoditised service, and towards recognising it as a skilled, accountable and future-facing profession. Talks such as Paul Ashton’s exploration of the Digital Cleaners Licence and Neil Spencer-Cook’s challenge to traditional views of training made it clear that competence alone is no longer enough. Leadership, technology, communication and wellbeing now sit at the heart of sustainable service delivery.

A similar theme throughout the dayt was the emphasis on people. From Lorraine Larman’s focus on building strong foundations through frontline operatives, to Daniel Cross’ call to make cleaning professionals “invisible no more”, the Conference repeatedly returned to the human impact of cleaning. The final session led by The Hygiene Bank highlighted this most powerfully, reminding attendees that hygiene is not a luxury, but a basic human need - and that the industry has a unique role to play in tackling inequality.

If the Conference set the intellectual and ethical tone, the Cleaning Excellence Awards provided an opportunity to celebrate the people who make this industry what it is. Supported by leading industry bodies and Headline Sponsor Kärcher, the awards brought together the very best of the profession. The gala evening, hosted by comedian Geoff Norcott, showcased proof of progress: healthcare teams preventing infection, supervisors and operatives going above and beyond, organisations embedding sustainability, and innovators using data and technology to transform outcomes. There were some truly moving moments, such as Melanie Hutter’s genuine shock at winning the well-deserved Lifetime Achievement Award, and throughout the evening it was clear that the sector is so proud of the cleaning operatives and supervisors who are often overlooked.

Collectively, the conference and awards sent a powerful message: despite ongoing challenges, the cleaning and hygiene industry is united, ambitious and delivering excellence at every level. The cleaning and hygiene sector is no longer asking to be taken seriously - it's demonstrating why it must be. The continuing investment in people, while embracing innovation, and openly confronting social and ethical challenges, provides a positive start to 2026, If I took one thing from both events it was this: it wasn't just about what was celebrated on the day, but the confidence it instilled about what comes next.

Happy New Year!