Manchester Cleaning Show 2022: Conference Programme

Wednesday 6 April 2022

10.30

Welcome and Opening Keynote: Progress on BCC and APPG projects. By Paul Thrupp, the British Cleaning Council.

Synopsis:

The BCC has been lobbying government on key aims including recognition of the role of cleaning and hygiene operatives aligned with personnel being accepted as frontline, key and skilled workers - alongside the urgent need for government help with the severe staff shortages currently affecting the industry. During this opening keynote former BCC chairman, Paul Thrupp, will discuss the role of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for the Cleaning and Hygiene Industry, the BCC’s determination to achieve its key strategic objectives and the importance of the industry working together as a collective. He will also outline the good progress made towards achieving an industry-wide Apprenticeship Levy-funded training programme and apprenticeship.

Biography:

Paul Thrupp is operations director at OCS Destinations and Venues Division and former chairman of the British Cleaning Council. He is an experienced operational director with exceptional skills in customer service, people management and building strong relationships. Paul is also an executive council member of the Federation of Window Cleaners and a member of the HSE Cleaning Industry Liaison Forum.

11.00

Morning Keynote: Protecting people and spaces with targeted hygiene.

By Dr Lisa Ackerley, director of medical and scientific engagement, hygiene at Reckitt, and Stuart Bainbridge, R&D director - new growth platforms, Reckitt.

Synopsis:

In today’s world, consumer expectation is higher than ever when it comes to hygiene, cleanliness and the feeling of security that sanitised spaces can bring. The need to reassure consumers has led to many businesses and organisations delivering ‘hygiene theatre’ - the term for a way of cleaning which is highly visible and all-encompassing, but that ultimately does little to help protect people and spaces. During this keynote, Dr Lisa Ackerley and Stuart Bainbridge will discuss the dangers of hygiene theatre, and how adopting targeted hygiene - a science-backed and bespoke risk-based hygiene methodology - can be the answer to unlocking consumer confidence and helping sectors of all types to bounce back.

Biographies:

Dr Lisa Ackerley is a Chartered Environmental Health Practitioner. She has worked in the public and private sector as an expert witness and for over 30 years as an independent hygiene and safety adviser providing advice and support to many industry sectors and as a KOL working with the mass media on hygiene and safety issues. For five years prior to working for Reckitt she was food and safety adviser to UK Hospitality, working closely with many industry and government stakeholders on development of guidance and implementation of legislation. Lisa is a trustee and chair of the Food Special Interest Group at the Royal Society for Public Health and trustee and scientific adviser to the International Scientific Forum on Home Hygiene (IFH).

In his role at Reckitt, Stuart Bainbridge is responsible for leadership of the Pro Solutions business, based in Slough. Stuart is responsible for leading new product development, innovation strategy and delivering best-inclass solutions and science for partners, with teams and laboratories in the UK and USA.

11.30

Technology matters – employing new technology to deliver a modern cleaning service.

By Dominic Ponniah, CEO and co-founder, Cleanology, and Stephen Lynch, sales director, Cleanology.

Synopsis:

The cleaning industry has slowly been moving towards technology-led solutions for some time, but it is only in recent years it has become a key differentiator between companies. COVID-19 has, and will continue to accelerate the trend towards tech innovation in a way the industry probably didn’t think was possible a few years ago. This presentation will take a look at an industry that now uses robotics which cost as much as luxury cars, IT solutions on a par with any other industry and smart sensor technology which will help facilities professionals manage workplaces in a new post-COVID era.

Biographies:

Dominic Ponniah founded his first business aged 11. After graduating from LSE, he started a business exporting waste paper for recycling, before going on to launch Tuc-Tuc, Europe’s first natural gas-fuelled rickshaw service. Cleanology has grown from one employee to 700, and counts royalty, blue-chip corporates and luxury brands amongst its clients.

Cleanology’s sales director, Stephen Lynch, has over 25 years’ experience in sales. By focusing on Cleanology’s award-winning ethical and sustainable products and services and attention to detail, as well as staff development, diversity and fair pay, he builds strategies that benefit both customer and supplier.

12.00

From invisible workforce to key workers: why the real Living Wage matters now more than ever.

By Elise Craig, programme manager, Living Wage Foundation, and Charlie Mowat, founder and CEO, The Clean Space.

Synopsis:

For the first time in the 20 years of the Living Wage movement, employers from across sectors and industries are recognising the crucial role cleaning operatives and other historically low paid yet essential workers play in running their businesses. With record numbers of organisations publicly signing up to the Living Wage Foundation and with a growth in demand for front line workers in cleaning, catering and security, could now be the perfect time to champion the real Living Wage in your contracts?

Biographies:

Elise Craig is a programme officer at the Living Wage Foundation, supporting on the Recognised Service Provider scheme. This scheme encourages organisations to set the precedent for responsible procurement in the service industry by committing to paying workers in typically low-paid sectors the real Living Wage.

Charlie Mowat founded The Clean Space in 2003 on a mission to improve the treatment of people working in the cleaning industry - including improving pay rates. Charlie is an active member of the Recognised Service Provider Leadership Group and a passionate advocate for the real Living Wage.

14.00

Machine hire, lease or purchase – what are my options?

By Martin Doran, general manager, Astley Hire.

Synopsis:

When it comes to cleaning equipment there are a range of options to look at and consider when deciding how the piece of equipment comes through your door. Like everything in life, it isn’t a one size fits all scenario - there are various options available, all of which have pros and cons. This presentation will look at each scenario and take into consideration the complete life of the machine and not just the next decision you need to make. Although the focus will be on cleaning equipment the same logic can be applied to a range of plant and machinery.

Biography:

Martin Doran has 15 years’ experience of working in the hire industry, across many different sectors. He originally started life as a commercial management accountant before progressing to the general manager role at Astley Hire. Martin is passionate about hire and the commercial benefits it can bring to any business model.

12.30

Cleaning for climate change.

By Nina Wyers, marketing and brand director, The Floorbrite Group.

Synopsis:

Increasingly, individuals, governments, organisations, and businesses are focused on green solutions. With climate change being at the forefront of world leader’s agendas, the time to act is now in the global commitment to stop climate change. By cleaning and recycling creatively with the support of industry specialists and ensuring your commitment extends to your supply chain, every business can make a difference. What can companies do to support the global commitment to reducing C02 emissions and other greenhouse gases and not waste our precious resources? Nina Wyers will discuss innovations and solutions that Floorbrite and the industry as a whole can introduce to create effective change.

Biography:

Nina Wyers has been a part of Floorbrite since 1999 and is one of the family owners. Following, in 2010, the death of her father and founder, Martin Wyers, she, her brothers and the board of directors have focused on the development of Floorbrite as a market leading brand in the commercial cleaning and FM sector. Over recent years Floorbrite has diversified and expanded nationally to become one of the leading soft service providers in the UK.

13.00

Lunch Break

14.30

A roadmap towards sustainability.

By James Lee, council member, Cleaning & Hygiene Suppliers Association.

Synopsis:

Environmental sustainability is one of the biggest issues facing business. The Cleaning & Hygiene Suppliers Association (CHSA) is developing an initiative to help members migrate towards environmentally sustainable business. Its five pillars are:

Product: the product as it is received and disposed of by the end user. Packaging: product packaging and packaging used in transit.

Transportation: the complete supply chain.

Social value and ethics: encompassing the whole organisation. Corporate environmental impact: emissions, waste and water. Having surveyed members to understand where they are today, the CHSA is now developing a roadmap towards sustainability. This presentation will present the research and outline the roadmap.

Biography:

Representing manufacturers and distributors, the CHSA’s priority is to maintain and enhance standards on quality, ethics and sustainability. James Lee is managing director of Cromwell Polythene, a business committed to environmental sustainability. A founding member of the CHSA’s sustainability committee, he is pivotal to driving forward this initiative.

15.00

Harnessing the power of sustainable cleaning.

By Steve Courtney, product specialist, Robert Scott.

Synopsis:

The pandemic impact has meant that frequent cleaning and disinfecting have never been so critical to keeping commercial and domestic environments hygienically clean and safe. With more organisations looking to reduce their environmental impact, finding products that have the right sustainable credentials and efficacy to kill germs and viruses can be a challenge. Join Steve Courtney, product specialist at Robert Scott, to find out more about the latest in sustainable product development and chemical-free cleaning systems that are reducing costs and single-use plastic waste as well as cutting carbon emissions.

Biography:

Steve Courtney is Robert Scott’s product specialist for Toucan Eco, helping businesses adopt this sustainable and innovative technology to transform their cleaning routines, as well as advising national partners on wider cleaning hardware. Steve has worked in the cleaning industry for over 20 years in various roles with distributors, manufacturers, independents, and PLCs.

15.30-17.00

Live product demonstrations: the latest in advanced scrubber dryer automation.

The afternoon programme will include:

• An introduction to Rex and LeoBots, their specs and capabilities.

• The benefits and advantages of automation.

• Rex in action.

• LeoBots in action.

• Open session to meet Rex and LeoBots with Q&As.

• Closing remarks.

Thursday 7 April 2022

10.00

Hidden in plain sight.

By

Fiona Bowman, EIDA (Employers Initiative on Domestic Abuse).

Synopsis:

Research shows that 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men will be affected by domestic abuse in their lifetime. Think about the number of staff in your business - how many people in your team are hiding the fact that they are affected because the culture of your organisation doesn’t encourage disclosure? EIDA ambassador, Fiona Bowman, will tell her inspirational personal story and identify some of the signs that colleagues may notice, giving some hints and tips on how your business can better support staff experiencing or perpetrating domestic abuse. The British Cleaning Council is now a supporter and member of the EIDA.

Biography:

Fiona Bowman is a senior facilities manager, MD, author, and EIDA (Employers Initiative on Domestic Abuse) ambassador. She is a media ‘subject expert’ and nationally recognised conference keynote speaker on ‘The importance of employers in the lives of victims and perpetrators of domestic abuse’.

10.30

Cobotics - what is it and why should we embrace it?

By Tibor Killi, managing director, Killis.

Synopsis:

Between the pandemic and Brexit, the cleaning industry continues to be hit hard by staff shortages. Despite this, cleaning practices are expected to be more thorough and efficient than ever, without compromising the quality of the clean. This presentation will look at how collaborative robotics can ease a human-intensive workforce, freeing up valuable time and making cleaner, healthier spaces.

Biography:

Having joined the family business straight from school in 1998, Tibor Killi has been working in the business ever since. Tibor is managing director and Killis is one of the UK's largest suppliers of cleaning equipment and janitorial products. In recent years focus has been on the latest in cleaning tech, and Killis has pushed hard into robotics and cobotics. Seeing a need for more efficient ways to clean has become apparent, and Killis has been at the forefront of providing effective and reliable solutions.

11.00

Morning Keynote: The last mile.

By Jonathan Weiss, commercial director of B2B at Reckitt for Europe, Australia and New Zealand, and Katy Slater, regulatory director - new growth platforms, Reckitt.

Synopsis:

Businesses and the cleaning industry have never been under more scrutiny than today to ensure spaces are protected from the spread of germs. However, even with the marriage of efficacious products, intense training, enhanced cleaning protocols, and signage to encourage proper hand hygiene, it can all come tumbling down if patrons don’t do their part. During this panel, the presenters will unpack the psychology of consumer behaviour, how people instinctively interact in shared spaces, alongside actionable advice so businesses can ensure patrons and staff remain vigilant at the last mile of a comprehensive hygiene solution. The team at Reckitt will also share learnings from COP26 where it supported the conference with hygiene protocols and signage to drive improved hygiene behaviour.

Biographies:

Jonathan Weiss joined Reckitt in 2013 following a successful and extensive career as brand manager across global F&B businesses including KFC and Pizza Hut. Jonathan now heads up the commercial team, leading the implementation and execution of global business solutions strategies. One such initiative he and his team oversees is Reckitt’s new offering in Europe and Australia/New Zealand - Dettol Pro Solutions - a programme that offers businesses such as British Airways and Hilton improved hygiene resources to help protect their staff and customers from viruses and other illness causing pathogens during and post pandemic.

Katy Slater is the regulatory director for the new growth platforms division, which includes leadership of the company’s Pro Solutions business, based in Hull. Katy is responsible for all regulatory compliance, oversight of safety and quality for professional products as well as working with partners to develop bespoke protocols.

11.30

Buyer beware: the rise of unscrupulous traders … and how to spot them.

By Lorcan Mekitarian, chair of the CHSA.

Synopsis:

Demand for cleaning and hygiene products, including hand sanitisers, gloves, soft tissue, and aprons soared during the coronavirus pandemic. The unscrupulous have made the most of the opportunity. They created businesses overnight, claiming expertise, knowledge and product excellence. It’s not acceptable under normal circumstances. In the context of the pandemic, these claims put people at risk. The challenge for buyers is to differentiate between the unscrupulous but apparently credible companies and those trading ethically. Lorcan Mekitarian will use examples of unscrupulous behaviour to help buyers understand the challenges and learn the questions they need to ask to make sure they get products that are fit for purpose.

Biography:

Lorcan Mekitarian is chair of the Cleaning & Hygiene Suppliers Association (CHSA). Representing manufacturers and distributors supplying cleaning and hygiene products, the CHSA’s priority is to maintain and enhance standards on quality, ethics and sustainability. Lorcan is at the heart of the Association’s determination to challenge unscrupulous traders who have attempted to profiteer from the pandemic. Lorcan is also sales director at Berry bpi.

12.00

Fireside Chat: Training and delivery styles for cleaning service providers.

An expert panel hosted by Neil Spencer-Cook, COO, BICSc featuring: Lorraine Davis, chairman, BICSc; Soo Bartholomew, deputy chairman, BICSc; and Denise Hanson, head of technical services, BICSc.

Synopsis:

This expert panel will cover the importance of training and look at the delivery methods that are available within the sector. Commercial cleaning providers will benefit from a holistic look at the various training options and their benefits - a real insight into what style of training could work best for your organisation. Some questions that will be answered include: whether you are an in-house provider or you have outsourced your training, is there a better option? Does your current training structure work for you and your team? Is your team motivated?

Biographies:

From a financial director role, Neil Spencer-Cook joined the BICSc senior management team in 2015. He has a wealth of management expertise and has experience in hospitality and FM. Neil's passion is technology, especially when it can be used 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 - to date over 5000 candidates have registered.

Lorraine Davis is a cleaning and service matter expert with over 30 years’ experience within the industry. Her career has involved a mixture of senior operational and business development roles all in outsourced cleaning and FM sectors but particularly specialising in the technically complex healthcare and education sectors. Lorraine was the only member of the private sector invited by Graham Jacobs of NHS Workforce and Facilities to be part of the select steering group that developed the cleanliness section of the government’s Department of Health new PLACE ‘Patient Led Inspections Initiative’ which replaced the annual PEAT inspections. Following this work, she was invited to work with the DoH/AHCP PAS 5748 steering group (known as the Rotherham Group) which reviewed the PAS 5748 guidance published in 2011. This work was recognised when BSI submitted it for public consultation, and it was subsequently incorporated and adopted into the revised PAS 5748 (2014) edition. Lorraine was a founder member of the ‘BSA Cleaning Advisory Group’ which advises and lobbies the government on cleaning related matters - this work has resulted in the launching of ‘The Responsible Cleaning Operator Scheme’ 2015 which was nationally acclaimed and endorsed by the UK cleaning sector.

Soo Bartholomew has worked in the cleaning and FM industry for over 30 years, working her way up from a cleaning operative in local schools when her children were little to her current position as technical director for Birkin Services. Soo first became associated with BICSc in 1992 when her then employer, OCS, placed her on a BICSc training course at SC Johnson Wax at Frimley Green. From that moment on Soo was hooked and started using BICSc best practice and applying the standards on every account she worked with. Since 2001 Soo has trained more than 300 managers, supervisors and cleaning operatives in PBICSc and CPSS skills and has opened four ATP training hubs for her employers, along with developing in-house induction training programmes for her staff to lead them into BICSc Licence to Practice and CPSS. Soo has continued her education with BICSc and has now qualified in delivering training and assessment for accommodation skills within the CPSS skills suite. In 2011 she was elected to the BICSc Council. In 2015 she entered the Worshipful Company of Environmental Cleaners, becoming a Freeman of the City of London in 2016 and in 2021 becoming one of the first members of the Livery to be entered on to the register as a Chartered Practitioner in Environmental Cleaning.

Denise Hanson has over 30 years of cleaning and hygiene experience. A successful senior manager who has excellent communication, negotiation and interpersonal skills, Denise has the ability to matrix manage and motivate her team to achieve quality results. Experienced in successful multi-site mobilisations, in time and cost critical environments and with a career that spans facilities services for local government, MOD, major food retail, shopping centres, cleanroom, and blue-chip office facilities.

12.30

How a good marketing strategy can help grow your business. By Suzanne Howe, managing director, SHC, and Neil Nixon, conference director, Manchester Cleaning Show.

Synopsis:

Neil Nixon quizzes Suzanne Howe about different marketing techniques that can be employed to have a positive impact on winning and retaining customers. Topics to be discussed include: marketing lessons learned during the COVID pandemic; marketing to establish your brand; understanding your customer and how to reach them; retaining customers through engagement; the power of social media, including detail on the how, when and why of each social media platform; the power of photographs; reinforcing your brand through good CSR; and using a successful mix of marketing techniques and platforms.

Biography:

Suzanne Howe, managing director of Suzanne Howe Communications (SHC), established her business 25 years ago as a specialist B2B PR and marketing agency. Suzanne works across a number of clients including Kimberly-Clark Professional and the Golden Service Awards as well as Cleenol, Truvox, P-Wave, and Cleanology, providing PR and marketing campaigns, event management and social media consultancy.

13.00-15.00

Live product demonstrations: the latest in advanced scrubber dryer automation. The afternoon programme will include:

• An introduction to Rex and LeoBots, their specs and capabilities.

• The benefits and advantages of automation.

• Rex in action.

• LeoBots in action.

• Open session to meet Rex and LeoBots with Q&As.

• Closing remarks.

Airdri Group E15

www.airdri.com

For over 45 years Airdri has been designing and manufacturing hand dryers. The company is recognised for making some of the most reliable hand dryers on the market and is a trusted supplier to some of the busiest airports, service stations and fast-food restaurants in the world. Achieving hand dryer efficiency, the company’s ECO range of hand dryers includes the Quantum and Quazar hand dryers which, costing from just £6 per year to run, offers – according to the company - a 96% reduction in the annual outlay for electricity when compared to a standard dryer.

In 2021 the company launched the PureDri, a new generation of washroom hygiene technology. Designed by Airdri engineers to tackle infection control and washroom sustainability head on, the PureDri is a hybrid hand drying and sanitising system that creates cleaner, fresher and more sustainable washroom environments. It also benefits from an ultra slim profile and a user-friendly LED display panel for complete ease of use in the modern washroom.

Apex Supplies D1

www.apexsupplies.co.uk

Apex started out in 1962 as a single person operation selling tub vacuum cleaners to