The Cleaning Show


A major announcement came from the British Cleaning Council (BCC), which launched its annual report detailing the cleaning, hygiene and waste industry’s £66 billion contribution to the economy in 2022. The BCC also unveiled a new “Career Development Zone” at the show, aimed at attracting younger workers into the industry. This initiative is part of the ongoing effort to address the ageing workforce, with Delia highlighting that only 9% of workers are under 25, while 27% are over 55.


The conference showcased the growing role of innovation and technology in the cleaning sector. What’s new at The Cleaning Show featuring Neil Nixon, Conference Director at The Cleaning Show; Paul Ashton, CEO at Birkin Group and Chairman of the CSSA; Morten Elstrup, Managing Director of Chamberlaine Cleaning Services; Matt Dean, Product Design Manager at ISS and Alexandra Diaz, Founder and Managing Director of Purgo Supply Services, highlighted cutting-edge products and developments at the show’s CSSA Innovation Showcase that are shaping the future of cleaning.


Alexandra’s highlight was Exact Comms, a communications innovation that promises to change how the industry communicates. Matt examined InvisiGuard, a new product that is rapidly gaining traction, while Morten praised Greenspeak, a B Corp-certified company, for its impressive product development. Paul discussed Purgo, a tech-driven service that is reshaping client expectations and perceptions within the cleaning industry. Another key trend to watch out for was the increasing use of robotics, with iWalk providing a glimpse into the future of robotic cleaning technology.


The event also delved deeply into sustainability, with


discussions on the importance of regulatory compliance and the challenges of making green claims. In Sustainability: Why regulations matter - Lorcan Mekitarian, Sales Director at Berry Global and Chair of the CHSA; Peter Thistlethwaite, Technical Manager at MSL Solution Providers; Nicholas Parrish, Managing Director at Whiteman and Parrish; Vikki Morris, Environment and Sustainability Manager at Evans Vanodine; Chloe Andrews, Customer Sustainability Manager at Lyreco UK & Ireland and Ross Osborne, Sustainability and Innovations Director at Jangro the panel discussed the difficulty in ensuring that optimistic product claims hold up under scrutiny, with Nicholas advising businesses to challenge unsupported claims. Chloe spoke about the excitement surrounding more sustainable and affordable products, stressing that consumers have a responsibility to do their research and verify claims. The conversation around sustainability also touched on upcoming European regulations, with Vikki pointing out their growing impact on UK businesses. Ross highlighted the need for businesses to ensure that their marketing claims are accurate, particularly with regard to environmental benefits.


A Structured Approach to Training, Education Consultant; Michelle and


Development for the Cleaning Sector featuring Neil Spencer- Cook, Group Managing Director at BICSc; Lauren Kyle, Cleaning & FM Industry


Brightly,


Co-Founder of Ingage FM Training; Lorraine Larman, Managing Director at Safety Solutions and member of Worshipful Company of Environmental Cleaners and Kelsey Hargreaves, Technical Manager at BICSc looked at the future of training and development in the cleaning sector. Michelle discussed the growing trend of


recruiting talent


stressing the importance of robust onboarding processes and succession planning to retain talent. Lorraine and Kelsey both emphasised the wide range of opportunities within the sector and how the industry is evolving to provide pathways for young people. Michelle also pointed out the critical need for technology- focused training to keep pace with rapid changes in the industry.


fmuk 31


The conference also


the role of explored AI


and robotics in the cleaning industry,


with


several speakers offering their insights on the challenges and benefits of adopting these technologies. Paul Ashton, CEO at Birkin Group and Chairman of the CSSA; Darren Marston, Chairman and Founder of ICE; Alexandra Diaz, Founder and Managing Director of Purgo Supply Services; Merci Marosi, Co-founder of Bubble Duck Marketing and Yu Ping, Sales Director Europe at Cenobots came together to discuss AI in the Cleaning Sector - Change is a Fact…But How do we Embrace it? Darren focused on the need for integrating robots with human workers to enhance efficiency. Alex highlighted the difficulty of getting technology to work in cleaning environments that are not yet accustomed to tech adoption, emphasising the need for thorough site evaluations. Yu discussed the potential of AI to reduce repetitive tasks, giving workers more time to add value, while Merci reflected on how generative AI can help but also noted the challenges of prompt engineering. Throughout these discussions, there was a clear consensus that the industry must embrace change and continue to adapt to new technologies for future success.


Window Showdown


The event also welcomed back the Window Cleaning World Cup 2025 which saw eleven top window cleaning professionals from around the world compete in a high-stakes challenge to determine the fastest and most skilled in the industry. After a thrilling competition, French competitor Frank Lorat was crowned the winner, showcasing exceptional speed, skill, and precision. Lorat claimed the coveted title with a time of 14.48 seconds and the grand prize of £1,000 in cash.


Innovation On Show


The 2025 CSSA Innovation Showcase at The Cleaning Show celebrated


groundbreaking companies revolutionising the


cleaning industry. This year’s winners included CAM Specialist Support, Exact Comms Ltd, Lime Sustainable Supplies, Orion Eco Solutions, Pego, CPR Chartered Environmental Cleaners, and YuLife. These innovators are pushing boundaries with smart technology, sustainability, and efficiency-boosting solutions.


Paul Sweeney, Event Director of The Cleaning Show, commented: “What an event! With the atmosphere and innovation on display at the largest Cleaning Show ever last month, it’s clear the cleaning and facilities industry is moving forward at an impressive pace. The event successfully brought the whole industry together, fostering crucial networking and collaboration opportunities that will undoubtedly shape a bright future for the industry.”


The Cleaning Show 2026 will take place in Manchester from 18th-19th February 2026 and The Cleaning Show 2027 will take place from 16th-18th March 2027.


from outside the industry,


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