Cleanzine: your weekly cleaning and hygiene industry newsletter 18th April 2024 Issue no. 1110

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Public sector Cleaner of the Year 2015 announced

Staffordshire County Council school cleaner Samantha Bucknall, has been named Britain's Cleaner of the Year 2015 in the inaugural awards for public sector cleaning staff.

The awards scheme has been created jointly by the Association of Building Cleaning Direct Service Providers and Denis Rawlins, which also sponsors the award.

The aim of the competition is to recognise the special contribution made by cleaners working in council libraries, schools and other public buildings across Britain.

ABCD members nominate cleaning staff who 'have gone the extra mile' to maintain high standards of cleanliness and customer service. Other criteria include their willingness to learn and improve, and skills in communicating with clients and building users.

The award judges this year were James White, managing director of Denis Rawlins, and ABCD president Ken Baxter, who both interviewed the three finalists.

"It has been agonisingly hard to choose between the finalists, who were selected from the thousands of cleaning staff who look after our many public buildings day in, day out," reveals James.

"Each of the short-listed candidates has shown great dedication to their work and a commitment to excellent customer service that is truly inspiring and humbling. They all deserve our respect and thanks, and Samantha is a worthy winner."

Samantha demonstrated all-round ability and initiative, while her team was without a supervisor, by motivating colleagues, raising cleaning standards and keeping staff at King Edward VI School informed of progress and changes to cleaning patterns.

Her prize, £250 of shopping vouchers and an engraved glass trophy, will be presented at the ABCD's National Conference in Chester on 14th May.
Second prize (a £125 voucher) goes to Collette Riley, who works for Nottinghamshire County Council. Collette cleans in many facilities, including libraries and schools, often starting work at 04:00 when teams are short-staffed. "Collette is an extremely positive and high-achieving team player, unimpaired by her hearing disability, which must make her role more challenging," notes James.

Winner of third prize (£75 voucher) is Jayne Wodjak of Blackshaw Moor School - also in Staffordshire. Apart from cleaning to a very high standard, Jayne often helps out after school and on class trips. "Jayne has even overcome six feet of snow to open up the school, and is highly popular with the pupils who see her as an invaluable member of the primary school's team," adds James.

The Association of Building Cleaning Direct Service Providers represents Building Cleaning Services Managers employed by local authorities in Great Britain. It aims to share best practice in cleaning and enhance the profile of public sector cleaning and associated services.

Denis Rawlins, is a national provider of cleaning advice and equipment, based in Sutton Coldfield. The company is a supplier partner of the ABCD.

www.abcdsp.org.uk / www.rawlins.co.uk

30th April 2015