This year’s conference, taking place at the CBS Arena in Coventry, is set to be the most dynamic yet, offering a packed day of expert-led seminars, networking opportunities, and a showcase of the latest innovations shaping the industry. From insights on sector trends to future-focused sessions on career growth and sustainability, this event is not to be missed.

Both events are designed to inspire, connect, and honour the very best in this essential sector.

The day begins with the Cleaning Excellence Conference, a free-to-attend gathering packed with valuable content for industry professionals. With a series of CPD seminars, expert speakers, and the latest products and services on display, it’s a prime opportunity for professional growth. Notable speakers like Lorcan Mekitarian of the CHSA and Daniel Cross of the CSSA will dive into trends and challenges reshaping the cleaning sector, from AI to sustainability. Rojuette de Vries, a seasoned financial executive with UN Women, will take the stage to explore how financial independence and open money conversations can transform lives—a coup for the conference. Known for her empowering leadership and advocacy for gender equality, de Vries’ insights promise to be a memorable highlight.

Here’s a glimpse into the agenda’s highlights:

• Exploring Industry Trends: Kickstarting the conference, Lorcan Mekitarian from CHSA will delve into how data-driven insights, eco-friendly practices, and technological innovation are reshaping operations and expectations across cleaning and hygiene.

• Impact of Retail Shifts: Daniel Cross of CSSA tackles the pressing question of high street decline, urging professionals to consider how this change impacts the supply chain and exploring innovative pathways for growth amid these challenges.

• The Future of Robotics in Cleaning: i-team Global’s Ryan McClymonds will introduce “co-botic” technology, a forward-looking approach that combines human and robotic cleaning capabilities to streamline processes, boost efficiency, and minimize environmental impact.

• Pest Management in Focus: Natalie Bungay from BPCA will share essential insights on pest prevention for commercial spaces, ensuring safety and hygiene standards are prioritized in every cleaning approach.

• Greenwashing and Authentic Sustainability: Biovate Hygienics’ Nick Winstone will shine a spotlight on evolving sustainable practices, sharing tangible steps for authentic green operations in a sector often targeted for “greenwashing” scrutiny.

In the evening, the Cleaning Excellence Awards bring a shift to celebration. This prestigious event shines a spotlight on the most innovative products, top performers, and sustainable companies that are raising the bar in cleaning and hygiene. Attendees will enjoy a festive atmosphere, with a three-course meal, live entertainment by Britain’s Got Talent star Daliso Chaponda, and an after-party packed with music, magic, casino tables, and photo booths. The awards recognise achievements across categories such as “Excellence in Training,” “Sustainable Company of the Year,” and "Cleaning Operative of the Year" applauding the dedication and ingenuity that define the industry.

Supported by key industry bodies—including the British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICSc) and the Worshipful Company of Environmental Cleaners (WCEC)—these dual events capture the breadth of expertise and commitment within the cleaning sector. With limited tickets available, this is your chance to connect, learn, and celebrate with the industry’s best. Secure your place today for an unforgettable experience in professional excellence and well-deserved recognition.

Flip over your copy of Cleaning Matters to find out more.

Supported by key industry bodies: The British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICSc), British Pest Control Association (BPCA), The Worshipful Company of Environmental Cleaners (WCEC) and Cleaning & Hygiene Suppliers Association (CHSA), the Cleaning Excellence Conference plays host to leading experts in the sector, who will present the latest insights, trends, technological advancements, and eco-friendly solutions.

This is an event not to be missed offering, CPD, access to the latest products, networking... So, don’t miss out, register now to attend for free at

https://cleaningconference.com/

WITH SUSTAINABILITY in mind the multi-award-winning London-based company recently appointed Kate Lovell as its first ever ESG director (environmental, social and governance).

Kate, who joined Cleanology as head of marketing two years ago, and who was recently also promoted to marketing director, is to play a pivotal role spearheading Cleanology’s drive to maintain its position as a market leading business with outstanding sustainability and social impact credentials.

“Heading up Cleanology’s push to be a champion of sustainability is a privilege and one of my most treasured career highlights,” enthused Kate.

“Sustainability is a subject close to my heart and is hugely important to our customers. We acknowledge that our impact extends beyond delivering exceptional cleaning services to fostering a positive influence on our community, ensuring fair treatment of our staff, and promoting sustainability and inclusivity.

“The cleaning industry has a massive impact on the environment. We use fuel to transport our staff to sites and, once there, our operatives use cleaning solutions, products and equipment. We therefore focus our effort on areas which achieve the greatest environmental impact, being the first to market in several key areas with the hope that our environmental innovations will become industry norms. We are proud that 45 per cent of clients choose Cleanology for our sustainability record.

“Sustainability is now a non-negotiable, board agenda item and companies know they must show a commitment to act responsibly, added Kate. “Instead of reining back their sustainability initiatives, FM companies will discover other ways of saving money which may include cutting cleaning hours or reducing the scope of cleaning contracts. 

“At the heart of Cleanology’s environmental policy is the desire to be a sustainability role model for the industry, and influence client and supply chain decision making to ensure sustainability is not limited to just the business operations of Cleanology”.

Planet Mark and B-Corp status

This summer Cleanology has been awarded The Planet Mark sustainability certification while later this year it is set to be certified as carbon neutral.  It has also been working with one of its sustainability partners, which aims to make a positive social and environmental impact through tree planting by Armed Forces veterans, assisting them on a pathway to meaningful employment.

Kate’s full in-tray will include steering Cleanology towards B-Corp status and achieving EcoVadis medals that demonstrate a strong management system that addresses sustainability criteria and meeting Scope 3 emissions targets, which occur in a company’s value chain. Cleanology is also aiming to be Net Zero by 2035 which will also entail meeting strict sustainability criteria.

Cleanology CEO and co-founder Dominic Ponniah has joined the international ISSA (International Sanitary Supply Association) Sustainability Committee, with the goal of driving the family-owned company’s sustainability vision not just in the UK, but across the globe. 

Dominic said: “We don’t see any value in partnering with companies unless they are like-minded and similarly ambitious on sustainability. I am so excited that Kate has agreed to take on this hugely important new role and look forward to supporting her on our ambitious sustainability journey.”

Green initiatives

Cleanology has been demonstrating a commitment to sustainability for some time. It has been a pioneer in eco-friendly initiatives such as being the first in Europe to introduce portion-controlled biological cleaning sachets as well as being the first cleaning company in the UK to issue staff uniforms made from recycled plastic bottles. These schemes have resulted in saving 46,800 litres of cleaning solution and 62,400 plastic bottles annually.

Furthermore, the introduction of uniforms made from recycled plastic bottles prevents 7,000 bottles from entering landfill each year.

From June 2023 to July 2024 Cleanology saved 143,648 pieces of plastic from being used, marking an impressive 78% increase from the previous year.

Cleanology also prioritises fair pay and employee well-being, ensuring 99% of its employees receive the Real Living Wage, a massive increase from just 18% in 2017.

Cleanology has also invested in a fully electric van fleet at its London headquarters in Vauxhall, south west London. This saves 5,000 litres of diesel per year – equivalent to 13.5 tonnes of CO2.   There is no road tax or London congestion charge to pay, which saves £8,500 per vehicle, and a £51,000-a-year cost reduction overall.  All energy used to power the Head Office is from 100% sustainable sources – including 48% wind, solar 24%, 16% bioenergy and 12% hydro. 

Last year Cleanology picked up six national and international trophies for its contribution to the cleaning sector and its approach to sustainability. Additionally, Cleanology has won the Best Small to Medium Business award at the Lloyd's Bank British Excellence Awards for its strong ESG successes and credentials. It was also proud to be a finalist for the Diversity in the Workplace award at the European Cleaning and Hygiene Awards, further underscoring its commitment to fostering an inclusive and diverse working environment.

Cleanology’s ISO 9001 and 14001 certifications call for continuous improvement, efficient record-keeping and robust monitoring, with 10 consecutive years of outstanding accreditation. Monitoring and measuring its activities at head office and across all its sites has provided a useful tool to show Cleanology whether it’s setting realistic goals, meeting those goals, and planning ahead in the right areas. It is also looking forward to securing BCorp accreditation to take it to the next level.

Its environmental policy also extends through to its supply chain, where suppliers are rigorously scrutinized before approval to ensure they uphold Cleanology’s environmental objectives, and that those standards are maintained through its annual supplier audit.

Cleanology has stressed it does not see any value in partnering with companies unless they are likeminded and similarly ambitious on sustainability.

Waste management

The company makes every effort to show a commitment to sustainability in every part of the business. For example, its focus has now shifted to deal with the enormous plastic waste created by mop heads with plastic sockets. Given it uses over 135,000 mop heads a year, it is now using mop heads where you only change the strings, not the plastic.

To combat paper waste Cleanology had already seen the benefit of switching to digital with e-payslips for staff and e-billing for clients, resulting in a total saving of over 100,000 sheets of paper a year. Last year it went further with all quotes and staff inductions being issued electronically, saving a further 130,000 sheets of paper a year, not to mention the printer ink involved.

Its recycling systems are designed for maximum participation. As well as its own site audits, it uses an online portal which enables it to share real-time recycling data with its clients. It also hosts “lunch and learn” sessions to increase engagement.

Staff receive in-depth training during induction, and also annual refresher courses. On site effectiveness depends on staff buy-in, so Cleanology holds regular “toolbox talks” and aim to inspire them to improve on environmental performance. It regularly surveys employees to assess their level of environmental awareness, which improved from 69% in 2019 to 81% last year. Cleanology aims to reach over 90% this year, and plans to implement the employee survey on a more regular basis, to keep better track of environmental awareness among employees.

Cleanology now makes clients aware of the environmental impact of the consumables they choose by providing carbon footprint measurement, country of origin and a sustainability star rating. It also hosts quarterly roundtable events engaging with clients, suppliers and industry stakeholders on key sustainability issues”.

For more information, visit https://cleanology.com/services/office-cleaning/

CONCERNS AROUND around mental health are particularly prevalent in labour-intensive industries such as the cleaning sector, which, in recent years, has played an increasingly important role in safeguarding our society. Recent ToolTime research, which surveyed 1000 UK tradespeople across various trade businesses, found that 24% of cleaning professionals cite stress and burnout from overwork as their most significant business challenge.

As we know, demand for cleaning services significantly increased during the pandemic. Alongside a surge in volume, cleaning professionals faced rising standards and intensified protocols in order to meet the new meticulous standards laid out for homes and public spaces alike. 

Unfortunately, the stricter guidelines around cleanliness and hygiene, implemented to ensure public safety, often came at a considerable cost to the well-being of cleaning staff and have since become the norm, setting a more rigorous industry standard. These additional industry protocols have added to already heavy workloads, contributing to the growing stress and burnout the industry experiences.

To add to this, rising operational costs, time management challenges, and severe staff shortages have exacerbated the strain on cleaning business owners. These operational issues are particularly stressful for management, placing additional pressure on maintaining a work-life balance and mental health.

As we recognise the myriad challenges impacting the sector, it becomes crucial to prioritise solutions that address the issues of stress and burnout.

In response to growing demand for cleaning services post-pandemic, digital tools have emerged as a crucial lifeline. By streamlining core administrative tasks, these tools help reduce the burden of paperwork, allowing business owners to focus on delivering their core services. This not only helps alleviate stress and burnout but delivers tangible business benefits by enhancing overall operational efficiency and productivity.

The challenges facing the cleaning sector 

Recent research shows that the percentage of UK households paying for cleaning services rose by a staggering 70% between 2020 to 2023. However, with severe staff shortages impacting the workforce, it’s not always easy to cope with what should be seen as positive growth. According to a report by the British Cleaning Council (BCC), the cleaning, hygiene, and waste industries have faced significant staffing issues since 2020. Its latest survey reveals there are currently 225,000 cleaning and hygiene vacancies, driven by a lack of interest among UK workers, tighter immigration rules, and the impact of Brexit. 

Compounding this, pressure on the cleaning sector is expected to intensify further in the coming winter months as the NHS issues warnings of a looming "tripledemic" of flu, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) during the winter season. With demand for cleaning services set to increase further, this will likely add additional strain on an already struggling sector.

Ultimately, these challenges highlight the urgent need to prioritise employee well-being within the cleaning industry. By doing so, cleaning companies can experience long-term benefits such as improved productivity and higher employee retention rates. In this context, digital tools are particularly beneficial in helping combat burnout and stress. 

The importance of digitalisation for today’s cleaning businesses 

The cleaning industry has traditionally relied on pen and paper or basic software, such as Word and Excel, to manage core administrative tasks such as invoicing and team management. However, this manual approach often complicates life as the additional burden of paperwork - such as tracking expenses and invoicing - increases workload, adding to already physically demanding jobs. Moreover, a lack of operational efficiency is a clear hindrance to long-term business growth. 

Research indicates that reliance on outdated methods currently results in up to 30% more work for trades professionals, meaning that evenings and weekends are often spent catching up on the admin necessary to keep businesses running. In addition, the rising cost of supplies means that, for the cleaning industry, finding ways to ensure prompt invoice payments is becoming increasingly crucial for effective business management.

Digital tools can offer a clear path to improving operational efficiency and fully realising productivity benefits, allowing cleaning professionals to save time on admin, spend more time on the job itself, serve more clients, enhance their professional image and, ultimately, promote business growth. This tech-enabled approach not only enhances the operational efficiency of businesses but supports a healthier work-life balance for cleaning professionals.

A digital lifeline for the struggling cleaning industry 

Our recent research revealed that 91% of cleaning professionals consider digital tools crucial for business success, helping to achieve a better work-life balance (42%), save time on administrative tasks to support business growth (35%), and create more efficient backend processes (30%). 

Rising costs make finding ways to maintain profitability, manage costs and ensure prompt invoice payments critical elements of small business management. Investing in digital and software tools offers the opportunity to create a resilient business model by streamlining and optimising operations for greater efficiency, enabling focus on increased revenue generation and profitability even with limited resources and in the face of higher operational costs. 

Job management software was recognised by 21% of cleaning professionals as offering business growth potential, time savings, better customer communications and making the business more appealing to younger or skilled workers to overcome shortages. Indeed, by centralising and digitising administrative processes it is possible to streamline paperwork and reduce the management burden. 

For example, by providing ready-made templates for digital paperwork, such as invoices and quotes, the time spent manually creating documents can be slashed, with the added benefit of enhancing the company's professional image to clients. By storing job documentation in a centralised system, additional time spent on filing and record retrieval is saved. This further simplifies the accounting processes during tax season by making relevant records easily accessible.

Additionally, centralising company data in one system further enhances transparency across the business, providing a clear overview of ongoing and upcoming cleaning projects. This improves workflow planning and ensures better communication with both customers and cleaning staff, enabling businesses to manage workloads more effectively. As a result, businesses can benefit from increased customer satisfaction rates, take on additional clients when capacity allows, and identify the right time to hire additional staff to reduce the workload on current team members.

Furthermore, for part-time staff moving between multiple sites, time-tracking features can  help to keep an accurate record of the hours worked at each client site. This ensures that accurate information is reported back to management, contributing to greater operational efficiency.

Overall, the operational efficiency enabled by job management software not only helps alleviate burnout and stress in the cleaning industry but also paves the way for new opportunities for business growth. These tools deliver significant benefits that go beyond improving the operational efficiency of a business — ToolTime users report an average saving of 30% in working time, with some achieving up to 50% savings, while other users report profit growth of 20%. 

Unlocking operational efficiency and productivity 

Cleaning professionals are grappling with a growing set of challenges that are taking a toll on their mental health, making it difficult to manage daily tasks, meet rising customer demands, and pursue business growth. Improving operational efficiency and productivity is essential to addressing the increasing issue of stress and burnout within the cleaning industry. 

By utilising job management software to streamline administrative tasks, cleaning professionals can reduce the time spent on paperwork and focus on core responsibilities. This allows valuable time for rest and recuperation or spending time with loved ones to be reclaimed, not to mention creating opportunities to reinvest that time into essential tasks such as business development and growth initiatives.

Marius Stäcker is CEO at ToolTime 

For more information, visit www.tooltime.app/uk

The prestigious event, takes place on 4 December 2024 at the Coventry Building Society (CBS) Arena, and honours the most innovative products, services, and individuals driving the industry forward.

From technological innovations to sustainability and outstanding customer service, the awards celebrate excellence across a range of categories, reflecting the high standards upheld throughout the professional cleaning sector. Hundreds of entries were submitted, and the finalists are now preparing for the big night when the winners will be revealed.

The gala event promises to be an unforgettable evening, offering guests a drinks reception, a three-course meal, magic acts, comedy, and an exciting after-party featuring a photobooth, live band, dancefloor, and fun money casino tables. Hosting the event will be Daliso Chaponda, a favourite from Britain’s Got Talent, whose rise to fame in 2017 made him a star with over 200 million views on YouTube and Facebook.

The 2024 judging panel brings together industry experts, including David Garcia (Vice President and Treasurer, Cleaning and Hygiene Suppliers Association), Neil Spencer-Cook (Group Managing Director, British Institute of Cleaning Science), Lorraine Larman (Master, Worshipful Company of Environmental Cleaners), Jeff Cross (Media Director, ISSA), and Chris Shaw (Editor, Cleaning Matters magazine).

With limited tickets available, don't miss the chance to attend this must-see event in the cleaning and hygiene calendar. To secure your spot at the 2024 Cleaning Excellence Awards, book your tickets now via Cleaning Excellence Awards 2024.

Cleaning Excellence Awards Shortlist 2024
 
Best Use of Data and Analytics in Cleaning

• Velocity and Mark & Spencer’s
• Mitie - Merlin Connect
• OCS - Service Excellence 
• All Clean London - Facade 360+
• Mitie - Annemarie Gonzales
• DOC Cleaning - Innovative cleaning at The Cube

 
Excellence in Training and Development

• EMCOR UK - Mobilisation and Transformation Team
• Serco Healthcare Domestics
• OCS - Manchester Arndale Housekeeping Team
• Goldsmiths University of London - Cleaning and Domestic Services Department
• CleanEvent Services Ltd
• SAVEFAST Training Academy
• Biovate Training Academy
• University of Birmingham - Deborah Gardiner

 
Facilities Management Partnership of the Year

• James Cook University Hospital Cleaning Team 
• HW Facilities and CBRE
• DOC Cleaning in partnership with Tower 42

 
Outstanding Achievement in Infection Prevention and Control

• Skygiene
• Bristol Royal Infirmary Cleaning Facilities Managers 
• Somerset NHS Foundation Trust Response Team
• InvisiGard

 
Outstanding Customer Service

• EMCOR UK - Lorna Rundle
• Urban Evolution Housekeeping Team
• Xenon Cleaning Team at Colliers/Berkeley Square Estates
• DOC Cleaning in collaboration with Clientshare

 
Innovative Product of the Year

• SmartTask Cleaning Supplies Management
• Serco and GV Health Ltd the LPC
• Tennant - The X4 ROVR - Compact Robotic Scrubber Dryer
• Karcher - KIRA CV 50
• Mears FM - Toucan Eco
• BioHygiene – Biotech Water Soluble Paper Sachet Range
• ICE Clean – DARE
• Sky Chemicals – Peracide Colour Activated Disinfectant Tablets
• Biovate Hygienics – Ecocert
• i-team – i-walk
• Integral – Let’s Connect
• Kimberly-Clark Professional – WypAll Midi-Roll
• RS Cleaning Machines - Zaco X1000

• Mitie - Blue Earth Foods
• Vertas ATG Cleaning
• OCS Group at Bentley Motors
• Nanogreen Sustainable Facilities Management
• Mears FM
• OCS and South Western Railway Train Presentation Teams
• Midlands Carpet Cleaners
• CleanEvent Services Ltd in collaboration with Tottenham Hotspur Football Club
• Xenon Cleaning Team at Christies/JLL
• DOC Cleaning in collaboration with Evelyn Partners
• Savills Workforce and Cleaning Team

 
Sustainable Company of the Year

• Property Support Services UK Ltd
• Nanogreen Sustainable Facilities Management
• HW Facilities
• Spotless Water
• CleanEvent Services Ltd
• Northwood Hygiene Products Ltd
• EcoTech (Europe) Ltd
• STAY Camden
• The Vegan Cleaning Co Ltd
• Team BioVate Hygienics
• No Going Back Cleaning and Support Services C.I.C. (NGB Clean)
• VINCI Facilties

 
 
Going Above and Beyond Expectations

• United Hospitals Bristol and Weston – Facilities Cleaning and Patient Feeding Team
• EMCOR UK - Contract Cleaning Management Team
• Proceed Solutions - Breathe Out
• Aleksandra Wieczorek – OCS
• Lavinia Ungureanu – STAY
• Yvonne Holliday – Hexham General Hospital 
• Elk Mill Shopping Park Oldham – OCS
• Dennis Galvao – FSI Worldwide
• Amanda Dempsey – Simplyserve
• KM Cleaning
• Simplyserve Response Team – Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
• Simmone Carr – BCOP

 
Supervisor of the Year

• Patricio Hidalgo – Mitie – Pinsent Masons – London
• Osman Abdinasir - University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust
• Krzysztof Fabisz – Mitie – Mercedes Benz World
• Ana Pocas – EMCOR UK
• Alexander Guevara – Mitie – GDM
• Marion McDowell – Mears FM
• Gifty Opare-Amoah – HW Facilities
• Ila Makwana – Portway Primary School
• Angela Windsor – FSI Worldwide
• Maria McMurchy – University of Birmingham
• Mustapha Ait Si Larbi – Mailbox Life
• Amaniampong Atakora (Atakora) - Goldsmiths University of London

 
 
Rising Star in the Cleaning Industry

• Ana Maria Lazar – STM Group
• Vicky Braley – EMCOR UK – BAE Systems
• Michael Horner – OCS – Manchester Arndale
• Toni Jenkinson – Reed Commercial Services
• Natalie Walker – Serco
• Jake Brear - Jake n Vac Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning Specialists
• Becky Evangelidis  - The Cleaning Angel North West
• Nicki Flack – Biovate Hygienics 
• Michael Atkins – Savills
• Jon Harrison - 3Beee’z Domestic Cleaning & Gardening Services
• Sam Harris – Absolute Exterior Cleaning
• Erin Chartlon – Mitie Cleaning North-East Region

 
 
Cleaning Operative of the Year

• Alexandra Zghera – STM Group
• Juan Carlos Orrego – Mitie - Deloitte
• Kelvin Payne – EMCOR UK
• Ewelina Bangoura – University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust
• Paula Gray – Urban Evolution
• Trinity Way – Savills –  Middlewood Locks
• Amanda Dann – Theatre Royal
• Michael Ouattara – Mitie – The Shard
• Richard Holmes – Location Building Services
• Kirsty Wykes – FSI Worldwide
• Jake Brear -  Jake n Vac Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning Specialists
• Joy Grant - University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust

 
Cleaning and Hygiene Team of the Year

• Apleona - University of Roehampton Cleaning Team
• Serco - James Cook University Hospital Cleaning Team
• EMCOR UK – Contract Cleaning Team
• Finnebrogue Veg Hygiene
• Lancashire County Council Cleaning Service 
• Mitie - Google DeepMind Cleaning Team
• OCS - New Mersey Retail Park Cleaning Team
• Cribbs Cleaning Team
• Compass Group - ESS Infantry Battle School Cleaning Team
• Marie Curie - Cleaning and Hygiene Team 
• Mitie - Mercedes-Benz Head Office Cleaning Team
• Juniper Ventures – Sheringham Primary School
• Birkin Group - Oaks Park High School - London 

Get your tickets today!

Don't miss out on a chance to get the recognition you deserve and submit your free entry now!

The Cleaning Excellence Awards spotlight the most innovative products, services, and individuals. The winners will be revealed at a gala awards ceremony, which takes place at the Coventry Building Society Arena on 4 December 2024.

Awards categories include:
•    Best Use of Data and Analytics in Cleaning
•    Cleaning & Hygiene Team of the Year
•    Cleaning Operative of the Year
•    Client Collaboration Award
•    Excellence in Training and Development
•    Facility Management Partnership of the Year
•    Going Above and Beyond Expectations
•    Innovative Product of The Year
•    Outstanding Achievement in Infection Prevention and Control
•    Outstanding Customer Service
•    Rising Star in the Cleaning Industry
•    Supervisor of the Year
•    Sustainable Company of the Year
•    Lifetime Achievement Award

The deadline for entries is today, Friday 11 October 2024 at 23:59PM.

Submit your free entry here!

RECENT TIMES have seen terrorism return across the European mainland, with the recent security threat to Taylor Swift’s Vienna concerts highlighting the national security threat across the European continent. Following the devastating attack at Manchester Arena in 2017, in which 22 died and 250 injured, Martyn’s Law – led by Figen Murray the mother of one of the victims (Martyn Hett) – is designed to provide legislation and safeguarding measures to public-facing businesses and venues. 

Although there are several existing pieces of legislation that already apply to public places and spaces, there is no current legislation in the UK that is aimed solely at providing counter-terrorism protective security or preparedness outcomes for publicly accessible locations.

Once enshrined into law, Martyn’s Law will have important ramifications for public safety, businesses, and the wider security industry with the Security Industry Authority (SIA) named as the regulator.

There are five ways businesses and venues can prepare for Martyn’s law.

Venues must expand on their duty of care

The proposed legislation – also known as the Protect Duty – aims to create a coherent and proportionate approach to ensuring protective security. Under the proposed law, existing duty of care responsibilities will be clarified into a single framework with the aim of preventing the repetition of past failures.

Martyn’s Law proposes two tiers of categorisation based on a public-facing business or venue’s capacity and the subsequent requirements businesses will have to comply with will depend on what tier they fall under; standard or enhanced.

Businesses and venues can, and should, be reviewing their own risk of terrorism to see where they can expand on their duty of care towards all who access their facilities and services. This will take time, especially if the business is of a size and complexity that categorises them in the ‘enhanced’ tier. It’s vital that businesses prepare immediately by beginning to extensively assess the risk of terrorism to their premises.

Adopt the basic principles of Martyn’s law today, not tomorrow

Martyn’s Law aims to enhance the protection of the UK’s publicly accessible places from terrorist attacks, ensuring that businesses and organisations are best prepared to deal with an incident, should one occur. It’s important that businesses and their security teams take the initiative to begin adopting the basic principle of Martyn’s Law now, rather than wait until the legislation is signed into law. As should the worst happen, businesses could face dire consequences of commercial and reputational damage should they not have the basic principles in place.

For example, security team leaders should be actively engaging with counter-terrorism services through freely available resources and training programmes to educate their colleagues on recognising and responding to potential threats. With Martyn’s Law calling for any publicly accessible location to have a mitigation plan in place to counter any risks, it’s vital that businesses ensure they conduct vulnerability assessments and create mitigation plans for any risks identified, such as clear search policies or the installation of surveillance technology. By adopting the basic principles of Martyn’s Law today, not tomorrow, businesses will be able to make strides in maximising their security.

Briefing colleagues must be of the same importance as investing in new tech

Complying with Martyn’s Law is as much about briefing colleagues and having sensible policies, practices and plans in place as it as about investing in expensive security technologies. Whilst technologies such as facial recognition software, video surveillance or metal detectors play an important role in mitigating against any potential threats, it’s crucial that all security personnel – both internally and externally – are fully briefed on and trained to deal with any risks.

Businesses can look to the UK government’s National Protective Security Authority (NPSA) to provide guidance on ensuring all training and briefings are thoroughly delivered. This can include guidance on identifying insider risks or how to correctly handle individuals who are considered high-risk, such as a high-profile celebrity or athlete. By placing the same emphasis on briefing colleagues as investing in new technology, businesses and venues can ensure that everyone – from management to frontline colleagues – is equipped with the correct knowledge and skills to act effectively in an emergency.

Risk assessments should not be overcomplicated

Risk assessments are an important tool in bolstering physical security defences and it’s important that businesses and venues do not regard them as static. In fact, bespoke and in-depth security risk assessments must be incorporated into a business’ overall strategy for assessing risks and threats. But it doesn’t need to be overcomplicated.

Businesses can adopt straightforward risk assessments – such as the Cabinet Office’s Risk Assessment Methodology or the National Risk Register – to ensure that colleagues can easily understand and implement necessary safety measures. By keeping the process simple and straightforward, businesses and venues can effectively foster a culture of vigilance through regularly reviewing and updating risk assessments in response to any emerging threats. Businesses should remember that the purpose of Martyn’s Law is to enhance public safety through practical, common-sense measures and this should reflect in their risk assessment protocols.

Develop and deploy effective incident response plans

Under Martyn’s Law, developing and deploying effective incident response plans is essential for venues and public-facing businesses to a deliver swift and co-ordinated response to any potential threats. Research found that in 2022, 88% of companies reported an increase in physical security threats, highlighting the need for extensive incident response plans.

Incident response plans must include designated roles and responsibilities for all colleagues, giving everyone clarity and the knowledge of what to do and who to report to during an emergency. This will reduce confusion and enable a quicker and more organised response. Additionally, businesses should conduct regular training sessions and drills to familiarise colleagues with their incident response plans, helping them remain calm and efficient under pressure during an emergency. By taking a proactive approach, businesses and venues will not just demonstrate a commitment to security, they will ensure colleagues, customers and patrons are protected.

At OCS we continue to train our teams, reviewing security systems and processes and technical solutions.

Andrew Robbins is director of security, risk and resilience at OCS UK & Ireland

For more information, visit https://www.ocs.com/uk/

Available from 1 October 2024, i-walk transforms the i-mop XL into a co-botic and cleans up to 300m² with only one minute of set-up time. 

It’s a hi-tech enhancement of the i-mop XL, with an automated driving system that takes over the hard work. It has the ability to clean 700m² in just one hour, saving operatives cleaning and setup time. 

i-walk can also work for up to four hours due to its extended battery life, cutting down on downtimes. 

An eco-friendly system, it uses an advanced recovery system that cuts water usage by 70% and reduces chemical use, making it a greener and more environmentally responsible floor cleaning choice.

The i-walk's suction system ensures surfaces dry quickly, reducing the risk of slips and falls after cleaning. According to I-Team Global, the device benefits cleaning operatives because it frees them from repetitive, time-consuming tasks, which can be strenuous to complete. Instead, they can focus on higher-value work, making their jobs more enjoyable and less physically demanding. 

Frank van de Ven, founder and CEO of i-team Global, described the device as: "a game-changer for cleaning companies facing staff shortages."

He continued: “The focus of i-team is dedicated to elevating the role of cleaners, transforming them into respected hospitality professionals, while also reducing the use of water, energy and cleaning detergents.

"Our goal is to shift perceptions about cleaning and those who undertake it. Tools like the i-mop and i-walk are central to this mission. Since its patent in 2014, the i-mop has revolutionised the cleaning industry. i-team continues to lead the market with innovative solutions that integrate high-tech advancements into a traditionally low-tech field.”

Initially set for an earlier date, the new deadline offers more time for businesses, service providers, and individuals to submit their entries for a chance to be recognised at the industry's premier awards event.

Taking place on 4 December 2024 at the Coventry Building Society Arena, the awards celebrate cutting-edge technological innovations, smart solutions, sustainability efforts, and outstanding individual contributions. The event is sponsored by Kärcher and supported by key industry bodies, including the British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICSc), British Pest Control Association (BPCA), the Worshipful Company of Environmental Cleaners (WCEC), and the National Carpet Cleaning Association (NCCA).

The winners will be announced at a gala awards ceremony, which promises to be a night of celebration and entertainment. Attendees will enjoy a drinks reception, a three-course meal, magic acts, comedy performances, and the awards presentation. The evening will conclude with an after-party featuring a photobooth, live band, dancefloor, and fun money casino tables.

The extended deadline gives applicants until 11 October 2024 to enter and be considered for one of the industry’s top honours. The Cleaning Excellence Awards remain the definitive platform for showcasing the best in professional cleaning and hygiene, with winners receiving recognition for their dedication to raising standards across the sector.

For more information and to submit entries, visit Cleaning Excellence Awards.

Cleaning Excellence Awards Categories

BEST USE OF DATA AND ANALYTICS IN CLEANING

CLEANING & HYGIENE TEAM OF THE YEAR

EXCELLENCE IN TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT

FACILITY MANAGEMENT PARTNERSHIP OF THE YEAR

GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND EXPECTATIONS

INNOVATIVE PRODUCT OF THE YEAR

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN INFECTION PREVENTION AND CONTROL

OUTSTANDING CUSTOMER SERVICE

RISING STAR IN THE CLEANING INDUSTRY

SUPERVISOR OF THE YEAR

SUSTAINABLE COMPANY OF THE YEAR