10 Questions with... John Shonfeld


Each month we ask a cleaning industry professional the


Tomorrow’s Cleaning 10 Questions. This month, we chatted to John Shonfeld, Master of the Worshipful Company of Environmental Cleaners.


1 2


WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB? I was a technician in a physics laboratory at Nottingham University, specialising in high vacuum and nuclear physics.


HOW DID YOU GET INTO THE CLEANING INDUSTRY?


At the age of 19 I started working as a trainee manager earning £6 per week in a laundry in Manchester, at Ashton under Lyne. After 10 months I was promoted to Plant Manager earning £8; I quit my job when I found out I that the normal salary for that role was £9 and I wasn’t going to earn that. Sadly, I found out recently that this business only just stopped operating as a laundry business this year, it lasted a long time and I look back on it fondly.


3 4


5


WHICH THREE WORDS DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?


Tenacious, driven and loyal.


IF YOU COULD VISIT ONE PLACE IN THE WORLD, WHERE WOULD YOU GO AND WHY?


Madikwe Game Reserve in South Africa. It’s a very special to me as that’s where my wife and I celebrated our Golden Wedding anniversary.


HOW WOULD YOU IMPROVE THE CLEANING INDUSTRY?


needs in our environment. This is particularly relevant during the COVID-19 pandemic, as there’s a growing onus to deliver deep cleaning services to a variety of sectors preparing to restart their businesses. The sector needs training, and increased expertise to evolve. This global health emergency has proven just how essential cleanliness and hygiene are, in our built environments especially. The world will depend on us now more than ever, and we must be ready.


6 7


IF AN INTERN WERE TO START TOMORROW, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE THEM?


Persevere: it’s not about where you start, it’s where are you going.


IF YOU WON THE LOTTERY TOMORROW, HOW WOULD YOU SPEND YOUR FORTUNE?


I’d provide for my children and grandchildren financially. I’d also give to Cancer Research, which has significant meaning for me as close members of my family are affected by the disease.


8 9


IF YOU COULD HOST A DINNER PARTY AND INVITE ANY PEOPLE, DEAD OR ALIVE, WHO WOULD THEY


BE AND WHY? Horatio Nelson, T.E. Lawrence and Margaret Thatcher. I’m sure they would provide excellent conversation in light of what they’ve experienced. Furthermore, I appreciate what they have contributed to our heritage.


WHAT, DO YOU THINK, IS THE FUTURE OF THE CLEANING INDUSTRY?


It has a great future as long as it can adapt to the changing needs of the environments in which it operates. I foresee more consolidation between businesses and diversification of services. I think these strategies will be necessary to survive as an industry.


Lilia Lamberto, HR Director at Principle Cleaning Services, asks: 10


I think the cleaning industry would benefit by offering a professional qualification in our Practitioners Certificate. The reason for this is that we must elevate our status as a professional delivery service and adapt to the changing


76 | 10 QUESTIONS


IF YOU WERE 18 AGAIN, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE YOURSELF?


Be healthy and happy in your chosen profession.


www.wc-ec.com Check out next month’s issue to see what John asked our next industry professional...


twitter.com/TomoCleaning


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86