KATE GARD APPOINTED MANAGING DIRECTOR OF
WATER DIVISION AT COMPLII Complii, a specialist in integrated safety and regulatory compliance across water, air, fire, and electrical sectors, announced the official appointment of Kate Gard as Managing Director for its water division. Gard will be responsible for leading the water compliance division, focusing on strategic growth and operational excellence.
Gard’s professional trajectory is marked by a diverse background in manufacturing and finance. She began her career by earning an MCIPS while working in the manufacturing sector. Seeking a new challenge, she retrained to become a Chartered Accountant, bringing a rigorous analytical perspective to her leadership style.
She joined Zeta, part of Complii, in 2011 and was appointed its Managing Director in 2022. Under her leadership, Zeta achieved exceptional financial performance, doubling its revenue and increasing
PRINCIPLE CLEANING SERVICES FOUNDER NAMED AMONG TOP 100
INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE 2026 Principle Cleaning Services (Principle) has announced that Douglas Cooke, Founder and Executive Chairman, has been recognised in the Top 100 Influential People 2026, a programme administered by Awards Intelligence.
Following five decades of leadership, innovation and advocacy, Douglas is a highly influential figure in the cleaning and facilities management industry. Douglas founded Principle in 1989, and today the company
EBITDA by 400%. This success was driven by her commitment to empowering her team and simplifying complex processes to enable scalable success.
"We are thrilled to have Kate officially step into the role of Managing Director of the water division," said Sarah Dixon, CEO of Complii. " She possesses a unique blend of commercial acumen and proven operational leadership. Her strategic focus on aligning operations and fostering a high- performance, people-first culture makes her the ideal leader to drive the next stage of our water division’s growth."
In her new role, Gard aims to drive a cohesive culture that prioritises both customer satisfaction and employee engagement.
"My vision for the division is to align our businesses and create a great place to work," said Kate Gard. "I want to make things simple - both for our customers and our employees. I am motivated by shared goals and meaningful collaboration, and
employs over 3,000 people, generates a turnover exceeding £120m and is the trusted cleaning partner to many of London’s most iconic buildings, towers and mixed-use estates.
Under his leadership, Principle is known for exceptional service, innovation, corporate social responsibility and employee wellbeing. In 2023, Douglas led the company’s transition to an Employee Ownership Trust (a London-first for a cleaning partner). He was an early advocate for the London Living Wage, influencing the introduction of the National Living Wage, and he pioneered daytime cleaning through Principle’s trademarked Hybrid Cleaning Process, enabling full- time employment and transforming cleaners into visible workplace community members.
Beyond Principle, Douglas has significantly shaped the industry and has so far served as a CSSA Director for 33 years, including eight years as Chairman. His wider roles included Chair of the British Cleaning Council and UK representative to
I believe that by delighting our customers and colleagues, we will ensure sustained success and technical excellence."
Complii is a provider of building safety and regulatory compliance services. Through its ‘buy and build’ strategy, the company has assembled a network of specialist businesses delivering mission-critical services in the Water, Air, Fire, and Electrical compliance sectors. The group supports thousands of clients across the public and private sectors, ensuring their properties are safe and compliant with all relevant building regulations.
www.complii.com
the World and European Cleaning Federations. He received the European Cleaning & Hygiene Awards Lifetime Achievement Award (2016) and the CSSA Lifetime Achievement Award (2022) and was instrumental in Principle achieving the Cleaning Industry Management Standard.
Douglas commented: “I am deeply honoured to be included in the Top 100 Influential People 2026. This recognition reflects not only my journey, but the dedication and passion of every member of the Principle family. I remain grateful for the trust of our clients, the commitment of our people and the strength of our partnerships. I hope this acknowledgement inspires others in our sector to lead with integrity, courage and a focus on people first.”
The Top 100 Influential People programme recognises those whose leadership, innovation and impact extend beyond business results to influence positive change within their industries and communities.
www.principleclean.com
www.tomorrowsfm.com
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