Cleanzine: your weekly cleaning and hygiene industry newsletter 7th May 2026 Issue no. 1209
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New chair appointed to lead CHSA into next phase
The Cleaning & Hygiene Suppliers Association has appointed a new chair, Nick Thompson, who will lead the organisation as it moves into the next phase of its development. The appointment marks a step change for the CHSA: it is the first time the Association has committed to a permanent role.
Nick, who took up his post on 1st May, succeeds Lorcan Mekitarian, who has served as chair in a voluntary capacity, for the past seven years. During his tenure, Lorcan strengthened the professionalism of the Association, developing its reputation and that of its members for integrity and transparency. He has also helped reinforce the rigour and credibility of the CHSA's Accreditation Schemes, helping to ensure the Association continues to be trusted as the guardian of standards in the cleaning and hygiene sector.
Nick’s appointment follows a comprehensive recruitment process. The Association invited applications from across the market. A panel of experienced industry executives interviewed the shortlist, and the selected candidate was then voted for and confirmed by the CHSA's Governing Council.
Nick currently acts as an advisor to organisations operating in the FM and business support space, is an Independent non-executive director of the IOSH Services, an Advisory Board Member at the London School of Science & Technology, and chair of a Prison Employment Advisory Board. During his career he been senior vice president global FM services at Sodexo, and group director of workplace services at Royal Mail Group. He will bring expertise, vision and market experience to the CHSA and is well placed to lead the Association through the next phase of its evolution.
"I am very pleased to take up the role of chair of the CHSA,” he says. “The Association and its Accreditation Schemes are important to maintaining standards in the industry. I am looking forward to meeting members and representing their interests as we evolve the Association and continue to strengthen the rigour of the Schemes and the value of membership."
The CHSA is run by its members for its members. In his first 100 days as chair, Nick will focus on meeting members. His intent is to understand their priorities and so shape the Association's future direction to ensure it represents members' interests effectively.
The CHSA is a strategic organisation and the recognised guardian of standards within the cleaning and hygiene sector. Through its work it ensures members uphold the principle: ‘Our Standards. Your Guarantee’.
The CHSA maintains standards through its Accreditation Schemes for Manufacturers of Soft Tissue, Plastic Sacks, Cotton Mops and Cleaning Chemicals, as well as for Distributors of Cleaning & Hygiene Products. These schemes guarantee that ‘what's on the box is what's in the box’. Their validity is underpinned by independent inspection, with members audited annually to ensure continued compliance.
In addition, all members adhere to the CHSA's rigorous Code of Practice, which includes the Competition and Markets Authority's Green Claims Code.
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