Golden Service Awards glory

This year's Golden Service Awards, held at London Hilton on Park Lane, and hosted by celebrity, actor and comedian Kerry Godliman, has evolved since it was created over 30 years ago to represent the ever-changing industry landscape. The industry’s definition of excellence hasexpanded beyond cleaning performance alone to include training, inclusion, social impact and staff wellbeing.

As one of the most must-have and sought-after accolades in the industry, the event welcomed over 400 professionals from FM companies, contract cleaners, and in-house cleaning teams, plus local authorities and hospitals. The platform once again shone the brightest lights on the most exceptional achievements of the industry’s elite with somewinners lifting more than one trophy. 

Kimberly-Clark Professional again partnered with The British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICSc) who oversaw the independent judging. According to Neil Spencer-Cook, group managing director at BICSc, “the quality of the entries keeps getting stronger year by year with the 2026 line up pushing standards with smart forward thinking, with new and progressive techniques. This included a more focused approach to valuing staff and improving working conditions, and mental health care. What was also clear was the commitment to go that extra mile, together with an ever-increasing rise in diversity”.

He also noted the increase in first-time applicants, “with more new names investing and sharing in acknowledging our industry talent.” And once again there was a strong focus on staff development and welfare, with ESG standing out as a priority. “It was a pleasure to see the passion and drive, plus the innovative thinking in the industry shining through,” he added.

SBFM wins two awards for training and inclusion

One of the UK’s leading providers of commercial cleaning and facilities management services, SBFM took home two Golden Service Awards to its 9,000 plus workforce.

The company picked up the Training Award for the launch of its Cleaning Academy within the HMP Academies Framework, a groundbreaking initiative that delivers BICSc-accredited training inside UK prisons. It also won the Inclusion & Diversity Award for its Affinity Networks set up with the support of specialist Constructing Rainbows. SBFM’s dedicated EDI consultancy partnership and a formalised EDI strategy also impressed the judges to claim the title. 

“Everyone is so happy and proud to be recognised for everything we have been working toachieve,” explained Jamie Canter, Head of Learning and Inclusion who was at the event to pick up the two trophies. “We have a huge and diverse workforce, therefore the guidance and passion of Sharon Slinger and team at Constructing Rainbows was essential to build and set up the right level of networks.”

He added: “What we have set up with the Ministry of Justice to help train and get ex-offenders work opportunities is very special to us, and to have the recognition of an industry leading award is exceptional – not least because we are starting to see results from setting up the cleaning academies in prisons, with even some joining our SBFM team.” 

He said that both awards are great recognition for “the hard work, the patience and persistence we showed in getting these projects off the ground and working for the people on the ground. It is recognition of the work we are doing to create meaningful opportunities, invest in people and build inclusive pathways that deliver lasting impact”.

Double triumph for Peartree Cleaning Services

Workforce development and inclusion were not the only themes recognised by judges. Operational excellence across complex client environments was also rewarded, with Peartree Cleaning Services securing two awards on the night.

The business was presented with the Leisure and Hospitality award for its multi-site cleaning operation at Farnborough Airport. The commercial cleaning specialist also carried away the award in the Best Cleaned Premises for office areas below 10,000 square meters for Peartree’s operations at Schroders in Horsham.

“Winning not just one, but two Golden Service Awards is a huge moment for Peartree Cleaning, particularly as we celebrate our 40th year in business,” said Bradley Reames, Managing Director at Peartree. “The GSAs are among the most respected accolades in the industry, so to have been named finalists in four categories and winners in two recognises our commitment to service excellence across the business.

“For Peartree, it is a reflection of the standards our teams deliver every day, often behind the scenes. It recognises their professionalism, teamwork, attention to detail and commitment to creating clean, safe and welcoming environments for our clients and the people who use those spaces. It is also a proud reminder of how far the business has come over the past four decades, and of the people who continue to shape Peartree’s reputation today.”

He added: “The team reaction to the awards was fantastic. There was a real sense of pride and excitement. These awards mean a lot because they recognise the people on the ground who consistently go above and beyond.

“It was a real highlight for the wider Peartree team too, because wins like this reinforce the value of everyone’s contribution, from our site teams through to operations, training, sustainability and management support.

“For Office Areas Below 10,000m², we are most proud of the way the Schroders Horsham team, led by Mário Pereira, has delivered high standards in such a unique and complex environment. The site is not just an office, it brings together workspace, woodland, ponds and landscaped areas, so the team has had to balance cleanliness, presentation, communication and environmental care. Their work shows real pride, structure and understanding of the site.

“For Leisure and Hospitality, the award is well deserved by the Farnborough Airport team, led by Carlos Arias, and their ability to deliver in a demanding, security-critical aviation environment,” concluded Bradley. “The team supports the airport’s premium customer experience across the terminal, lounges, hangars and office spaces, where flexibility, consistency and attention to detail are essential. Their award recognises the professionalism required to maintain exceptional standards in a 24/7 operational setting.”

The following represent today’s UK Cleaning Industry’s elite, as worthy recipients of a 2026 Kimberly-Clark Professional Golden Service Awards:

Healthcare

Winner: ISS UK

Education

Winner: Juniper Ventures

Office areas below 10,000 square metres

Winner: Peartree Cleaning Services

Office areas between 10,000 and 30,000 square metres

Winner: Chamberlaine Cleaning Services

Office areas over 30,000 square metres

Winner: Derrycourt Cleaning Specialists

Retail/Shopping Malls under 100,000 square metres

Winner: Mitie

Retail/Shopping Malls over 100,000 square metres

Winner: Andron Facilities Management

Leisure and Hospitality 

Winner: Peartree Cleaning Services

Manufacturing

Winner: TC Facilities Management

Sustainability Leadership

Winner: Derrycourt Cleaning Specialists

Social Impact

Winner: Andron Facilities Management

Inclusion & Diversity

Winner: SBFM

Training

Winner: SBFM

Small Business

Winner: Box London

Going the Extra Mile

Winner: No Going Back Cleaning and Support Services

Cleaning Team of the Year

Winner: NIC Services Group

Site Supervisor of the Year

Winner: Nikki Jameson, Aramark

Cleaning Operative of the Year sponsored by Cleaning Matters

Winner: Hayley Hutchinson, NIC Services Group

Kimberly-Clark Professional was keen to thank new sponsors to the 2026 event, including gold sponsor, Numatic, and Foremost UK, B-Sure Installations and B-Sure Recycling and Odorbac as new bronze sponsors. Also returning were silver sponsor Nationwide Hygiene Group and bronze sponsor Pearroc. 

For more information, visit www.goldenserviceawards.co.uk/en-gb​