Cleanzine: your weekly cleaning and hygiene industry newsletter 2nd April 2026 Issue no. 1204
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Ex-school cleaner reaches dizzy heights at Atlas; becomes education sector MD
Atlas FM has announced the appointment of ex-school cleaner Donna Constance as the managing director of Atlas Education, a dedicated business unit focused exclusively on the UK education sector.
Atlas Education is a national business employing over 2,500 people across the UK. It is already recognised as a sector specialist in providing cleaning & support services to schools, colleges and universities. Under Donna's leadership, Atlas Education is set to strengthen its position as a go-to partner for schools that want long-term stability, transparency and a true partnership culture.
Donna's journey within education began straight after high school when at just 16 she became a school cleaner. Over the years, she has risen through the ranks of Atlas with a career shaped by empathy, integrity and a deep understanding of the environments where children learn and grow.
"I never set out to become a managing director, but I've always believed in Atlas' purpose and values, and the impact our work has on young people,” she says. “I would do this job without the title because I'm passionate about making sure every school we serve receives honest, transparent and specialist support. Bringing our talented people together into one powerful unit is incredibly exciting, because the environments we create directly affect children's ability to learn and their wellbeing.
"We are building long-term partnerships based on trust, honesty and high performance. I'm excited to work with school leaders who share our belief that they deserve more than a standard service but a dedicated partner that cares."
Donna and her team have been embedding sustainability into their operating model, including buying equipment that reduces water and energy usage, and presenting how Atlas can directly reduce clients' Scope 3 carbon emissions. Atlas Education is determined to put the health of children and their communities at the heart of every decision.
The new internal Atlas Academy will further support this mission, providing group training, one-to-one support, ‘show and tell’ sessions, and specialist safeguarding modules. This ensures every employee is equipped not only to deliver excellent cleaning but also to understand the unique needs of the education environment.
Ed Bolton, managing director of Atlas Cleaning, comments:
"Donna has made a fantastic impact in her first months leading Atlas Education. It's been inspiring to see her bring energy, passion and clarity to the role, and equally rewarding to see the team rally around her vision. With Donna at the helm, Atlas Education is building something truly special - a business that combines expertise with integrity, and one that is already showing real momentum and success."
14th August 2025