PROFESSIONAL CLEANING has always been an incredibly important role within society. Cleaning operatives are responsible for keeping our people and places safe, through the highest standards of hygiene. 

However, sadly, the contract cleaning sector has historically had an inaccurate reputation for being low skilled and low paid, with people outside of our industry not recognising the value that our services deliver.  

It seemed that these perceptions had started to shift recently. Over the past two years, the professional cleaning industry has been at the forefront of the response to COVID-19, with pandemic thrusting contract cleaners into the spotlight like never before. They were rightly hailed as key workers, delivering vital services to keep our people and places safe. 

When everyone else was told to stay at home and protect themselves, contract cleaners, like several other key industry workers, remained on the frontline, playing a major role in battling the virus. From de-contaminations and fogging, to deep cleans and touchpoint sanitisation, we put our own concerns about COVID to one side and got on with the job at hand. 

The general public, and business owners, started to wake up and recognise that cleaning is incredibly important, and all of a sudden, we are seen. Even the outgoing British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, and the leader of the opposition at the time, Jeremy Corbyn, paid tribute in parliament to the ‘extraordinary' role of cleaners during the Coronavirus crisis, in summer 2020. 

Not only did this credit put our industry into the spotlight, showcasing just how critical our services really are, but it also resulted in the creation of an All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for the UK cleaning and hygiene industry, to represent the interests of our sector in parliament.

Short-lived recognition

Today, as we continue to live restriction free, and with lockdowns a thing of the past, it seems that we are sadly slipping back to historic perceptions, starting at the very top. 

The Sue Gray investigation into lockdown-breaking activities revealed multiple shocking examples of a lack of respect and poor treatment of cleaning staff. Despite numerous requests from The British Cleaning Council (BCC) to meet Cabinet Secretary, Simon Case, to discuss concerns around these findings, Number Ten Downing Street has yet to respond.

So just what can we do to make a change, and give our professional cleaning operatives the respect they deserve? 

Professionalising the industry 

I strongly believe that there is an urgent need to professionalise the industry. Our sector employs people with a wide breadth and diversity of talent, and as leaders we have a responsibility to stand up for and invest in our workforce. This is something that I am incredibly passionate about and try to implement in my role at Kingdom Cleaning through our learning and development programme. 

We are wholly committed to skills development and strive to create viable career pathways throughout the entirety of our organisation. 

Take our ‘hostmanship’ training for example. This is an approach that not only adds value for our clients, but also enriches our colleagues’ wellbeing. It helps team members boost their self-esteem and build confidence to communicate and engage with their peers, clients and customers effectively. 

Good Hostmanship encompasses areas such as customer care, quality, friendship and hospitality. It begins with a welcoming and open attitude to the people and situations we encounter, and can be as simple as assisting with directions, helping on reception or even just offering a friendly smile. It is understanding that the smallest positive action can brighten somebody’s day.

If we look at the hotel sector, this is an area where ‘hostmanship’ can play a significant role. Our operatives can provide assistance with directions to washrooms or hotel rooms, and offer advice and recommendations to guests on the local surroundings. 

In a retail setting, they can point people in the right direction of the nearest café or the customer information desk. For an office environment, they can assist with reception and front-of-house duties. All seemingly small, but important tasks, that keep things running smoothly and help out our busy clients. 

Hostmanship is not designed to put additional pressures on, or increase the workload of cleaning operatives. It’s about broadening their perspective beyond their immediate task list and altering their perception of the job they do. It helps them to see the ‘bigger picture’ and act in a way that supports the environment they operate in. To the client, they are seen as going over and above, which is an invaluable quality to possess.   

By developing and honing colleagues’ interpersonal skills, a caring and professional approach is introduced to our work. Colleagues are more motivated and committed to their tasks, have a better understanding of a client’s needs, and are more likely to engage in issues rather than just doing the work required. 

Combining excellent cleaning practices with the personable and friendly attitude that ‘hostmanship’ instils, we ensure that our approach offers customers a service that adds significant value at every opportunity and demonstrates out true worth. 

A fair wage

Another way we can professionalise the contract cleaning sector, and attract new talent to the field, is by paying a fair wage – The Living Wage. 

The Living Wage goes above and beyond the government minimum wage, to meet the cost of living. It is the only rate independently calculated annually, based on the real cost of living, and it is paid on a voluntary basis. It ensures that those working in vital services, like cleaning or security, are paid fairly for their commitment and dedication. 

We have been strong supporters of the Living Wage movement for many years. In fact, we were a founding member of its Recognised Service Provider Scheme and were one of the first national contract cleaning companies to sign up to it.

We took these steps to lead the industry in tackling in-work poverty and improve the wellbeing of our lower paid employees. 

Why? Because we believe that people who are willing to work hard should be rewarded sufficiently, so that they feel appreciated at all times. After all, without our front line staff, we don’t have a business. 

Getting involved with the Living Wage movement has, without a doubt, been one of the most positive initiatives that we have adopted, and we hope that by doing our bit to spread awareness, more businesses will follow suit and make the working world a much fairer and rewarding place for all. 

Educating the wider community 

There is also a job to be done to educate those outside of our industry about the impact that our services have on others. Although general footfall is still below pre-pandemic levels across multiple disciplines – such as retail, leisure and transport – cleaning has an important role to play in returning public confidence and supporting those sectors as they re-build. 

When it comes to the workplace, despite current office occupancy levels and hybrid working, we play a big part in making people feel protected and reassured. There will always be a job for our workforce to keep business environments safe and welcoming. 

By becoming an extension of our clients’ team, and creating an enhanced environment for both staff and visitors, we can really demonstrate our worth and build the respect that our industry truly deserves.  

A brighter future 

Our firm belief is, and always will be, that cleaning operatives are the most essential part of a company’s daily operation, and without them their business could grind to a halt.

Changing perceptions is always a slow process, but it has never been more important. The general public has become increasingly aware of the role that contract cleaning plays in society, and we must maintain that positive attitude towards our sector and use it as a building block for a fairer and brighter future for our industry. 

Peter Buff is managing director at Kingdom Cleaning

For more information visit www.Kingdom.co.uk/cleaning 

As part of major growth plans, Kingdom Cleaning acquired The Colvin Cleaning Group in July 2022, as well as taking over Facilicom UK in 2021, in a move to further strengthen its ability to deliver a truly national and local best-in-class cleaning service.  

This has allowed Kingdom Cleaning to expand into new locations and market sectors, resulting in 10 new clients across the manufacturing, life sciences, education, financial and professional services industries. It has also retained and extended contracts with a number of existing customers, demonstrating its market-leading cleaning services proposition. 

With a commitment to career development, Kingdom Cleaning has bolstered its teams in recent months, including the appointments of Colin Henry as Solutions Development Director, Louise Fishwick as Bid Manager and Shaun Wall as Operations Director. 

The growth has also enabled the cleaning firm to offer a number of internal promotions, which has seen Karolina Rigby become an Account Lead, Adrienne Asztalos take on an Operations Manager role, Fatima Gomes become Day Manager and Ana Toidze step into the Business Support Manager function. Isobel Terrington also benefited from Kingdom’s professional development, receiving her second business promotion since first joining the business as an apprentice in 2020.

Peter Buff, Managing Director of Kingdom Cleaning, said: “The past 12-months have seen significant growth for Kingdom Cleaning, which has reinforced our leading position within the cleaning and hygiene sector. The new client wins and contract extensions are absolutely testament to the hard work and dedication of our talented team, who have fully embraced our mindset and vision for the future of the company. I would also like to welcome all our new colleagues and congratulate those who have recently stepped up into new roles.”

For more information visit www.kingdom.co.uk/cleaning 

CAST YOUR mind back to six months ago and we were mid-winter and living under the Government’s Plan B Winter restrictions, as cases of Covid-19 started to rise once again. 

Alongside the pandemic, traditional winter illnesses, like norovirus and winter-related respiratory illnesses, were also booming after an easing of restrictions earlier in 2021. The risk of infection was concerning and it brought the cleaning and hygiene measures that we had adopted mid-pandemic back into sharp focus. 

The role of cleaning and hygiene

Professional cleaning has always played a big role in winter hygiene, particularly in high-traffic and vulnerable environments like offices, healthcare settings and care homes. Keeping on top of infection control intensifies during the winter months as the cold weather conditions and less ventilation make it easier for bacteria and viruses to multiply and spread. 

Over the past few years, cleaning has finally been acknowledged as a powerful tool in the fight against illness. After all, it was hailed one of the first lines of defence throughout our Covid-19 days. 

However, we can no longer afford to only up the ante on cleaning when winter-related problems arise. We need to be on the front foot and plan ahead when it comes to hygiene measures so we are not caught out again. 

Forward planning 

Having a cleaning plan in place is vital all year round and a good contract cleaning company will regularly reassess their cleaning program and make changes, to address any hot spots and continuously improve hygiene levels. 

When it comes to cleaning in the winter months, additional processes and measures can be added to a cleaning plan to bolster its efficacy and protect against infection risks. From surface protectors to ATP testing, there are so many new products and technologies that can help keep on top of cleanliness levels and infection control.

Planning ahead is vital. It not only gives you the time to adapt cleaning regimes and secure the products and equipment needed to deliver the job, but it also allows for any additional training to take place within cleaning teams. 

Training has always been one of the most important investments a business can make. After all, without them, operations would grind to a halt. Within the cleaning sector, learning is vital for keeping up to date with the latest practices and protocols. Ensuring that operatives have the latest knowledge of products and processes is crucial. 

These are just a few additional techniques that can be planned into your cleaning regime to support winter hygiene this year. 

Touchpoint sanitisation 

Frequently touched surfaces, such as door handles, hand rails, phones and keyboards, can become bacteria-breeders if regular cleaning is not delivered. Having a touchpoint cleaning rota will ensure that these key areas are sanitised throughout the day, keeping on top of infection control. 

This is even more vital in the winter as illnesses that are transmitted through touch, like norovirus and respiratory infections increase. This process ensures that any bacteria or germs sitting on key touchpoints are removed on a regular basis. 

Deep cleans 

Periodic deep cleans are important all year round but it is always a good idea to plan one in for the start of the winter months, and schedule them on a more frequent basis as the season moves on. 

Not only do they reduce the burden of daily cleaning and keep hygiene levels high, but they have the power to stand up to tougher bugs and viruses. 

Winter is also a good time to tackle a deep clean in environments like schools and offices, as they close over the festive period, allowing cleaners to spend time removing any hidden bacteria that has been building up over previous months. 

Fogging

Fogging kills 99.9999% of all germs, bacteria, fungi, and viruses, including COVID-19. It can effectively reduce airborne contaminants, and can disinfect difficult to reach areas. It is a great way to remove pathogens, and can also quickly decontaminate any areas that have been exposed to an infection outbreak. 

Implement multiple hand sanitiser stations

Locate high traffic and high touch areas in the workplace or public area, and add hand sanitisers stations throughout the building, such as at the entrances, exits, communal areas, staff rooms, meeting rooms and on or near desks. A coin-sized amount of gel or foam is enough to ensure clean hands. Combine this with regular handwashing with soap and water to reduce the risk of virus and bacteria transmission this winter. 

Put cleanliness to the test

How do you really know how effective your clean has been? This is where Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) testing comes in. ATP is the energy molecule found in all living things, making it the ideal indicator when trying determine if a surface is clean or not.

Our SAFER ATP testing regime, which we launched early in the pandemic, monitors hygiene levels pre and post clean to ensure that the job has been done to the highest standards. This process includes:

• Swab of key touch points, risk areas and high traffic areas
• Analysis of swab results using ATP technology
• Formulation of tailored plan, methodology and cleaning regime based on the results
• Execution of the plan, with focused cleaning of areas showing higher biological residues
• Repeat monitoring and adjustments for continuous improvements and to identify high risk areas

The data-led insights that SAFER delivers ensures that daily cleaning and hygiene routines are enhanced according to need. 

Protect hygiene levels 

Regardless of how effective your cleaning regime is, recently sanitised surfaces can quickly become re-infected with a simple touch or sneeze, undoing all that hard work. But if you add an anti-microbial shield or surface protector to your regime, you can safeguard surfaces long-term. 

There was an influx of such products during the pandemic months, and they really do have the potential to reduce transmission of infections and viruses. These products are applied after a thorough clean and can protect the surface for days (even months in some cases), instantly killing any pathogens that land on them. 

Work with an experienced partner

The most effective way to plan for winter hygiene is to work with an experienced, outsourced partner. They have the experience, staff and industry knowledge to deliver a high-quality service that ensures you and your staff feel confident that hygiene levels are as high as possible. 

Strengthening our defence

Although the threat of infectious outbreaks still remains this winter, we have learnt a lot over the past few years about the role of cleaning and its potential to keep our people and places safe. It has a major role to play in infection control this year to enable us to maintain the normality of life that we have enjoyed so far in 2022.  

By planning ahead and weaving the above strategies and innovative techniques into our winter cleaning plans, we can keep the risks under control and society safe this year. 

Karolina Rigby is account manager at Kingdom Cleaning

For more information visit www.kingdom.co.uk/cleaning 

Peter, who was formerly operations director at Kingdom Cleaning, has been with the company for over four years, and has 25 years’ experience in leadership. He has previously held senior roles, spanning operations, account development and sales, for firms including Johnson Controls GWS (now CBRE), ENGIE, and Mitie. 

Following the acquisition of Facilicom UK by Kingdom Services Group in 2021, Peter will oversee the cleaning division of the company, with the goal of making its services more personalised and efficient. His initial aim is to support clients as they ease back into the office environment, by ensuring his high-performing teams create safe and inspiring workspaces.  

Peter’s position as managing director commenced on 1 February 2022, following the departure of Jan-Hein Hemke, who had led Kingdom Cleaning (and formerly Facilicom UK) for over 17 years. 

Peter said: “Following Jan-Hein’s inspirational leadership, I am delighted to be stepping into the role of Managing Director for Kingdom Cleaning. The business has been a key player in the cleaning and hygiene industry for decades, from our roots with the Facilicom Group, to being part of the Kingdom Group family today, and I am excited to take it to the next level in my new role. 

“Building on the strength and potential of both Kingdom Cleaning and Kingdom Services Group, we have major plans to make the company an even higher performing business, delivering added value and high-quality services to our current and future clients. As we embark on this new chapter, I am very much looking forward to working with the team, and our customers, to bring our high-energy ideas to life.”  

For more information visit www.kingdom.co.uk/cleaning 

THANKS TO a world-leading vaccination programme, we have been able to retain some of our freedoms, and keep the virus somewhat under control. New variants have arrived, and as I write, it is too early to say what impact Omicron will have on the country. But the one thing that has remained a constant throughout the pandemic’s ups and downs, is the importance of cleaning and hygiene. 

Cleaning has a central role to play in infection control. Robust hygiene measures have the power to eliminate bacteria and viruses. And new technology and products, born out of this health crisis, are capable of providing long-term protection against re-infection.  

At the height of the pandemic last winter, deep cleans and fogging were in huge demand and, for those sectors that remained open for workers and the public, heightened cleaning regimes were also adopted. Daily cleans were extended and touchpoint sanitisation went from daily to hourly in some environments. 

Today, we have moved away from ‘panic cleaning’ and people are now starting to invest in innovations and strategies that will provide sustained protection. Of course, regular cleaning and touchpoint sanitisation will remain key in the fight against COVID-19, but adding more measures to the process can bolster protection and reduce the opportunity for pathogens to spread. 

Surface protectors

Demand is already growing for surface protectors and microbe shields. These products offer active protection against bacteria and pathogens by leaving behind a mono-molecular layer that permanently bonds to the surface, forming a protective barrier. They can be sprayed onto a surface after cleaning and can provide long-lasting protection for weeks. 

Data-driven cleaning 

We also expect the interest in Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) testing to rise in 2022. ATP is the energy molecule found in all living things, making it the ideal indicator when trying determine if a surface is clean or not. 

Using this method, small testing sticks are used to take a sample from a surface before and after it has been cleaned. It is then placed into a small handheld device and a reading is given within seconds, demonstrating the effectiveness of the sanitisation cleaning. Using data analysis software, cleaners are able to monitor hygiene levels, track test results, identify problem areas, automatically generate reports, and formulate plans. 

This testing process not only enables operatives to constantly improve their cleaning methods, but it also provides the client with reassurance that their premises have been serviced to the highest levels possible. 

New technology will also play a vital role in the future cleaning. At Kingdom Cleaning strive to be at the forefront of innovations, keeping us one step ahead and trialling products and services that others haven’t yet discovered. For example, we are currently trialling a new system that uses cameras and integrated software that automatically analyses the cleanliness and usage of the surrounding area to identify what cleaning measures need to take place and when. This has never been done before, so although we don’t yet know the outcomes of our trials, we are investing in new technology to enable us to find cutting-edge solutions that deliver efficiencies and cost savings for our customers.  

Flexibility

One of the key attributes that has stood our cleaning operatives in good stead throughout the pandemic is the ability to be agile and flexible, tailoring their services to meet clients’ evolving needs. With many businesses currently (and likely to for some time) operating a hybrid model, with staff working from the office part time, we will continue to ensure our operations are adaptable to suit these novel working conditions. 

Educating everyone

The role of the cleaner often goes unnoticed, but we all have a part to play in fighting this virus. Educating businesses and their colleagues on hygiene procedures, and equipping them with the right tools for the job, has never been more important. 

In 2022, we expect to see a resurgence in the demand for PPE and hygiene products, to encourage staff to maintain their standards. 

From antibacterial wipes that workers can use throughout the day to disinfect phones, keyboards and desk spaces, to personal hand sanitiser to keep on top of hand hygiene, there needs to be a collective effort to reduce risk and keep everyone safe when at work. 

Jan-Hein Hemke is managing director of Kingdom Cleaning

For more information visit www.facilicom.com

The professional cleaning business, which acquired Facilicom UK in May 2021, has welcomed three new clients in the past few months. They include a leading hospitality venue, with operatives delivering daily cleaning for the office, bar and restaurant. 

Kingdom Cleaning has also secured a new client in the pharmaceutical sector, which has five locations across the UK. A team of 16 operatives will deliver daily cleaning services for the office and warehouse spaces, washroom hygiene, and window cleaning. They will also maintain GMP and cleanroom areas.  

The cleaning business will also provide services to Amey – Highways England, across 13 multi-use sites, including built offices and temporary office cabins.

Jan-Hein Hemke, managing director of Kingdom Cleaning, said: “Following our merger with Kingdom Services Group earlier this year, we have gone from strength to strength, welcoming a string of new clients to our portfolio.

“Despite the challenging circumstances over the past 18-months, we have continued to see new customers investing in vital services to protect their staff, customers and premises. It is fantastic to see so many businesses recognising the valuable impact of cleaning on our improved health and wellbeing. 

“These latest wins are testament to our teams’ hard work and commitment to continuously raising cleaning standards for our customers. We very much look forward to working with new and old clients in the coming months.”

For more information visit www.kingdom.co.uk/cleaning

THE CLEANING and hygiene sector has played a major role in safeguarding the population against COVID-19 over the past 18months. Through robust hygiene practices and effective cleaning systems, the industry has helped reduce the spread and keep people and places as safe as possible. 

Faced with a constantly changing situation, cleaning teams up and down the country have had to work under more pressure and restrictions than ever before. At numerous points of the pandemic, we have had to rethink our processes and carve out new ways of working to overcome the challenges presented to us.  But now, as restrictions ease, we are seeing new cleaning trends emerge that have the potential to shape a new future for the sector. 

Early pandemic challenges 

From very early on in the pandemic, it was clear that cleaning and hygiene was vital for managing infections. Hailed as one of the first lines of defence against the virus, the demand for professional cleaning services boomed. 

Cleaning teams had to adapt quickly, stepping away from their usual role to deliver new services. For example, we extended our range of infection control support tools, offering fogging, thermal screening cameras, and ‘Return to Work care packages’, amongst other services, in response to soaring demand. 

Deep cleans and fogging were particularly popular, with business owners keen to remove any traces of pathogens and boost hygiene levels. For those sectors that remained open for workers and the public, heightened cleaning regimes were also adopted. Daily cleans were extended and touchpoint sanitisation went from daily to hourly in some environments. 

Despite the challenging circumstances, and a national lockdown to contend with, we had to upskill and train our colleagues to ensure they could deliver these new services quickly and safely. Thanks to their commitment and agility, we were able to rapidly respond to changing needs in the contract cleaning market, supporting our clients with enhanced cleaning solutions. 

Easing out of lockdown
Restrictions across the country have now eased and many businesses are trying to return to some level of normality. The government advice on working from home has shifted, with a recommendation that companies should ‘ramp up’ a return to the office over the coming months. But this has led to an ongoing debate amongst many firms, who want to balance the benefits of shared working spaces with the reservations of workers over safety concerns.  

With an estimated 60%* of UK employees nervous about returning to the office until the vaccination roll-out is complete, businesses need to do all they can to reassure workers that their premises are safe and COVID-secure. 

Robust cleaning has been cited as one of the key actions that business owners must put in place before reopening their doors. In fact, the government has set out a series of hygiene steps** that must be followed, both before and after welcoming colleagues back to their desks. 

However, with new variants and outbreaks to contend with over the past year, it has become very clear that there is no silver bullet for COVID-19. We have come to understand that we will be living alongside the virus for some time to come. This means that our cleaning practices need to provide a long-term solution. We need to move away from ‘panic cleaning’ and invest in innovations and strategies that will provide sustained protection. 

Changing attitudes 
Today, as we edge closer to our pre-pandemic way of life, attitudes towards cleaning are changing. That is not to say that people are not taking it as seriously as they did before – no one can dispute the positive impact that the sector has had on infection control over the past 18 months. But people are stepping back from the relentless sanitisation and looking for longer-term solutions. 

As we have learnt more about COVID-19, it has become clear that harsh chemicals aren’t necessarily the answer. Soap and water have the power to kill the virus. But the virus is extremely contagious, making it hard to conquer. Armed with this knowledge, we have been able to tailor our approach and recommend strategies that offer effective and enduring protection from pathogens. 

Of course, regular cleaning and touchpoint sanitisation will remain key in the fight against COVID-19, but adding additional measures to the process can bolster protection and reduce the opportunity for pathogens to spread. 

Over the past few months we have seen a significant increase in demand for surface protectors and microbe shields. These products offer active protection against bacteria and pathogens by leaving behind a mono-molecular layer that permanently bonds to the surface, forming a protective barrier. They can be sprayed onto a surface after cleaning and can provide long-lasting protection for weeks. 

Many of our customers are also embracing technology to help them improve cleanliness levels. We have seen a great increase in people investing in Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) testing. ATP is the energy molecule found in all living things, making it the ideal indicator when trying determine if a surface is clean or not. Using this method, small testing sticks are used to take a sample from a surface before and after it has been cleaned. It is then placed into a small handheld device and a reading is given within seconds, demonstrating the effectiveness of the sanitisation cleaning.

In response to COVID-19, last year we launched our own SAFER ATP testing regime, which monitors hygiene levels to ensure that the job has been done to the highest standards. This process includes:

• Swab of key touch points, risk areas and high traffic areas
• Analysis of swab results using ATP technology
• Formulation of tailored plan, methodology and cleaning regime based on the results
• Execute the plan, with focused cleaning of areas showing higher biological residues
• Repeat monitoring and adjustments for continuous improvements and to identify high risk areas.

Using this method, small testing sticks are used to take a sample from a surface after it has been cleaned. They are then placed into a small handheld device, where they are analysed,  and a reading is given within seconds, demonstrating the effectiveness of the cleaning.

Using data analysis software, our cleaners are able to monitor hygiene levels, track test results, identify problem areas, automatically generate reports, and formulate plans. 

The data and science-led insight that SAFER delivers ensures that daily cleaning and hygiene routines are enhanced according to need. Cleaning teams are able to identify bacteria ‘hot spots’ and build in additional measures to their processes. 

This testing process not only enables operatives to constantly improve their cleaning methods, but it also provides the client with reassurance that their premises have been serviced to the highest levels possible. In turn, this enables them to instil confidence amongst the returning workforce that the environment is COVID-secure. 

Keeping cleanliness front of mind has never been more important, and many businesses are also investing in the right PPE and hygiene products to encourage staff to maintain their standards. From equipping colleagues with antibacterial wipes that they can use throughout the day to disinfect phones, keyboards and desk spaces, to personal hand sanitiser to keep on top of hand hygiene, there is a real drive to reduce risk and keep everyone safe when at work. 

Moving forwards
Lockdown restrictions may have been relaxed in recent months but cleaning and hygiene are set to remain in the spotlight for many months to come. With the ‘stay at home’ mandate now dropped, any cleaning practices that are adopted for the post-lockdown world must be robust enough to stop pathogens in their tracks, but also be sustainable and provide protection long-term. 

Gareth Cowmeadow is key account director at Kingdom Cleaning.

For more information visit http://www.facilicom.com

Kingdom, one of the largest privately owned companies specialising in security solutions, cleaning, environmental protection and recruitment, has bought the two businesses from the Netherlands-based Facilicom Group. 

As part of the deal, the Kingdom Cleaning division will benefit from the existing Facilicom way of working, creating an even stronger industry proposition. The manned guarding division of Trigion will merge into the continued expansion of Kingdom Security. The move will also see the launch of Kingdom Technology Ltd as a separate company, which will include fire and electronic security services. 

All Facilicom and Trigion employees, including management, will transfer to Kingdom Services Group. 

Terry Barton, CEO of Kingdom Services Group Ltd, said: “We are delighted to have completed the purchase of Facilicom and Trigion, our largest acquisition in our 28-year history. From initial conversations it was clear that we shared the same family-owned culture, values, and passions. Facilicom is a very successful business and has a fantastic reputation for service delivery and colleague investment so the acquisition complements and extends what Kingdom already do so well. This is the beginning of another new and exciting chapter, which will undoubtedly accelerate our growth vision and make Kingdom stronger than ever.”

Jan Hein Hemke, managing director of Facilicom UK & Ireland, added: “We are incredibly proud to be joining forces with Kingdom Services Group. With our joint vision for cleaning and security excellence, it is a great strategic fit and will enable us to bring an even stronger range of services to the market. The move also gives our colleagues an even brighter future as part of one of the largest support services businesses in the market. With ambitious plans for the future, we very much look forward to growing the business together.”

For more information visit www.facilicom.co.uk 

The relationship, which began in September 2013 has seen the hygiene specialist deliver daily janitorial and cleaning services to the University’s halls of residence. 

The contract extension will see Facilicom’s team of highly-skilled cleaning operatives continue to deliver these vital services into 2021. 

Richard Roalfe, residential operations manager, University of Brighton said: “Facilicom has provided cleaning services to the University of Brighton Halls of Residence for eight years. During this time, they have consistently provided a very high standard of service within a fixed price contract, offering a very cost-effective solution. This is, in part, due to the commitment of the Facilicom team to continually innovate the products, materials and systems in use on the contract. The fact that Facilicom have twice won the competitive tender process demonstrates their ability to provide both quality and value.

“When the time came to review the cleaning contract, Facilicom proved flexible and accommodating to our changing needs. Activating the contract extension option soon became the obvious choice. The flexibility and professionalism demonstrated by the Facilicom team throughout this very challenging time has proven this to be the right decision.”

Jan-Hein Hemke, managing director of Facilicom UK & Ireland, said: “We have thoroughly enjoyed working with the dynamic University of Brighton for eight years now, and we are thrilled to have secured an extension to our contract.

“Maintaining the highest levels of cleanliness, particularly in the current climate as we live alongside Coronavirus, is vital to the health and well-being of the university’s students. Our team on campus will continue to deliver the very best standards of hygiene as new and returning students begin to fill up halls in the coming months.” 

For more information visit www.facilicom.co.uk