The post Sodexo awarded 8-year place on Government Commercial Agency’s FM & Security framework appeared first on Cleaning Hygiene Today.
]]>The national framework, which replaced both the RM6232 Facilities Management & Workplace Services and RM6257 Security – Physical, Technical & Support Services frameworks earlier this year, enables selected suppliers to bid for public contracts.
RM6378 represents £120 billion of public procurement funding, covering a range of Total Facilities Management (TFM), Hard Facilities Management (Hard FM), Soft Facilities Management (Soft FM), Guarding Services and Security Services, such as catering, cleaning, waste management, security, asset and building maintenance, and care and custody services, among others.
Part of The Procurement Act 2023, the framework is available to all UK public sector bodies to easily access services from a range of trusted suppliers who have already gone through a procurement process to assess the quality and prices of services.
Individual users of the framework can tailor requests to match their social value and sustainability priorities.
This award follows the UK Government recently announcing changes to the weighting of £90 billion worth of public contracts, prioritising local community value and creating opportunities for young people over other criteria.
Paul Anstey, Chief Executive Officer (Government & Energy) at Sodexo UK & Ireland said: “We’re delighted about the continued trust and confidence in Sodexo as a strategic supplier that being approved onto this framework represents. For more than 30 years, we have developed a strong track record delivering a wide range of services and added value to the communities and people we serve across the UK in partnership with Government.
“Looking ahead towards eight more years of collaboration, our team is relishing the opportunity to build on our reputation as a trusted partner by continuing to bring expertise, skills, and passion to the services we provide across the Government sector.”
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]]>The post Hospitality and hygiene on agenda for PestAware Summit appeared first on Cleaning Hygiene Today.
]]>The PestAware Summit 2027, hosted by British Pest Control Association (BPCA), brings together for the first time, professionals, stakeholders and decision-makers for focused discussions around the practical challenges posed by pests.
With four separate conference programmes comprising expert talks and case studies, along with an exhibition, live debates and networking, the summit has a dedicated Hospitality and Hygiene stream, designed for professionals working in cleaning, facilities management, hospitality, hygiene, accommodations and venues.
Rosina Robson is Chief Executive at BPCA. She said: “The PestAware Summit brings together the professionals who are responsible for protecting people, places, products, premises and the environment from pest risk.
“Pest management is a cornerstone of brand protection and customer satisfaction.
“In customer-facing businesses, pest issues can escalate quickly. A single sighting can become a complaint, a failed inspection, a social media story or closure risk.
“This conference stream will focus on pest awareness for staff teams, staying ahead of bed bugs, emerging risks in hospitality and stewardship in reducing reliance on chemicals.
“Pest risk is not a small operational problem – it is a national resilience issue.”
An independent report commissioned by BPCA, found that pest management firms are estimated to have attended more than 4.4 million client jobs in 2025 – more than 12,000 every day, across homes, high streets, hospitals, schools, warehouses, farms and transport hubs in every region of the United Kingdom.
The No Small Matter report found that 15 per cent of client jobs are in food services, six per cent in short-term accommodation and four per cent in entertainment venues.
It also outlined the legal, financial and reputational consequences that businesses can face without professional pest management.
Robson added: “The summit is open to anyone with responsibility for protecting reputation, compliance and trust.
“It offers an opportunity to understand how pest management, including prevention and proofing, can help avoid pest problems before they become customer, compliance or reputation risks.”
PestAware Summit 2027 takes place at East Midlands Conference Centre, Nottingham, on Wednesday 17 March 2027. Tickets are available at an early bird price of £149 until 1 October 2026 at: bpca.org.uk/summit using discount code EARLYBIRD.
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]]>The post ISSA launches new ISSA Academy appeared first on Cleaning Hygiene Today.
]]>Built around the idea that professional development should be a journey, not simply a catalog of courses, ISSA Academy brings together industry education, training, and certification in an intuitive learning environment. At the centre of the Academy are Career Pathways, structured learning journeys designed to guide professionals from foundational knowledge and frontline skills through advanced expertise and enterprise leadership.
“With ISSA Academy, we are creating a clearer roadmap for professional growth while giving organizations flexible tools to develop their people,” said ISSA Executive Director Kim Althoff. “Whether someone is beginning a career in the industry, building specialized expertise, or preparing for a leadership role, we want them to be able to see what comes next and have the education to help them get there.”
ISSA Academy’s Career Pathways provide a five-level framework that helps professionals progress from frontline fundamentals to technical expertise, supervision, management, and enterprise leadership. Along the way, the pathways incorporate many of ISSA’s recognised education and certification programs, giving learners a clear understanding of how individual courses and credentials can contribute to long-term career growth.
For example, frontline professionals can build foundational skills through CMI’s Certified Custodial Technician (CCT) Basic program and GBAC-Trained Technician education before progressing to advanced CMI training. As professionals move into supervisory roles, pathways incorporate programs such as the CMI Custodial Supervisor Certification, with increasingly advanced education supporting continued progression into management and leadership.
By connecting these established programs within a structured framework, ISSA Academy helps professionals understand where they are in their careers, what skills they need to develop, and what learning opportunities can help them take the next step.
ISSA Academy is designed to serve professionals throughout the cleaning and facility solutions industries, including frontline cleaning professionals, building service contractors, facility managers, manufacturers, distributors, residential cleaning professionals, and emerging industry leaders.
The platform organises learning around industry sectors and career development needs, making it easier for users to identify education relevant to their role and professional goals. Current sector-specific areas include building service contractors, healthcare, residential cleaning, K-12 and higher education, manufacturers, distributors, emerging leaders, and advocacy and government affairs, with additional areas planned.
Beyond individual professional development, ISSA Academy provides organisations with flexible options to support employee onboarding, ongoing training, career development, and workforce advancement.
Organisations can use ISSA Academy to create more consistent learning experiences across their teams, identify training aligned with employee roles and career goals, and provide employees with opportunities to continue building their skills throughout their careers.
Solutions range from individual courses and career-focused learning bundles to team training subscriptions and enterprise learning options, allowing organisations to develop an approach that fits the size and needs of their workforce.
The launch of ISSA Academy reflects ISSA’s continued commitment to advancing the cleaning and facility solutions industry by strengthening the knowledge, skills, and professional development opportunities available to the people who power it.
To explore ISSA Academy and available learning opportunities, visit academy.issa.com.
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]]>The post Truvox International launches the Valet Backpack PRO in partnership with Pacvac appeared first on Cleaning Hygiene Today.
]]>This follows the launch of the Valet Backpack PRO Battery at Interclean Amsterdam 2026.
Ideal for use in education, retail, leisure and facilities management, the easy-to-use Valet Backpack PRO is lightweight – weighing just 5.2kg – and is designed for all day comfort, therefore reducing fatigue. The built-in adjustable ‘Ecoharness’ delivers a personalised, supportive and comfortable fit. Plus, the harness is made with 50 per cent recycled materials, reducing environmental impact without compromising durability.
“We’re proud to continue our partnership with Pacvac Australia, a global leader in vacuum innovation, and we’re excited to continue growing our businesses together with new products,” says Gordon McVean, Executive Director, Truvox International. “Across any environment, the Valet Backpack PRO delivers versatility as users can easily switch surfaces seamlessly with the onboard tools including dusting brush, crevice and upholstery tools.
“We have now introduced a total of six new floorcare solutions this year, including the Valet Aqua range, our Hydromist® 40 carpet cleaners and the Valet Backpack PRO Battery. These exciting new products join other well-established solutions such as the popular Multiwash PRO range.”
The user-friendly Valet Backpack PRO features an easy to reach on/off switch and the lid can be rotated to suit left or right-handed users. Effective on both carpets and hard flooring, the Valet Backpack PRO features four stage filtration for cleaner air quality. The Valet Backpack PRO is supplied with a full accessory tool kit, including: hose; two-piece wand; and all-purpose floor tool.
“Pacvac is proud to extend its strategic OEM partnership with Truvox International. Seeing the Valet Backpack PRO and Valet Backpack PRO Battery come to life in the Truvox branding is a testament to our shared commitment to innovation and excellence in the floorcare industry. We are excited to support the Truvox team as they bring this latest cleaning solution to their extensive network across the UK, Europe, and EMEA,” says Donna Rothwell, Executive Director, Pacvac.
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]]>The post Creating safer laundries: TSA launches AI risk handling assessment tool appeared first on Cleaning Hygiene Today.
]]>Now the Textile Services Association (TSA) has teamed up with Cardinus, the health, safety and risk management specialists, to give members access to the RiskAI Manual Handling Assessment Tool. The tool combines artificial intelligence with recognised methodologies to make manual handling risk assessments quicker, simpler and more consistent, generating a comprehensive risk assessment within minutes.
To introduce the new service the TSA is hosting a webinar on 24 September, from 10am to 11.30am. The event will demonstrate how the app works, explain the assessment options available, and walk through a series of live examples to show how it can be used in real workplace situations. There will also be a live Q&A with experts from Cardinus, giving attendees the opportunity to ask questions and discuss how the tool could support their own organisations.
“Health and safety is at the top of the industry’s agenda,” says Emma Kiviniemi Wilson, the TSA’s Managing Director. “The RiskAI Manual Handling Assessment Tool will help members reduce the risk of injuries and improve workplace safety. It is designed to support, rather than replace, professional judgement, saving health and safety teams time so they can focus on implementing improvements rather than producing paperwork.”
The TSA’s Projects Director, Andrew Glassford, has been heavily involved in the initiative. “The RiskAI App provides a consistent, evidence-based assessment that helps managers, supervisors and health and safety professionals make informed decisions,” he says. “It allows them to target interventions where they will have the greatest impact and demonstrate a robust approach to managing manual handling risks.”
After the launch of the RiskAI App the TSA will be looking to add more support for members, by working with health and safety specialists Pristine Condition to put together guidance and training documents.
To register for the webinar click here.
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]]>The post CBAi extends practical AI training for essential industries appeared first on Cleaning Hygiene Today.
]]>Working in the UK and internationally, CBAi helps leaders and teams understand generative AI, put the right governance in place, and apply it to real business challenges. From senior leader workshops to full AI implementation, the training helps make time-consuming tasks easier, from tenders and compliance documentation to reporting, planning and admin.
CBAi Founder and Managing Director, Ceris Burns, said: “AI isn’t just about robotics and smart systems. It can streamline everyday tasks, from tenders to reporting, without the need for costly or complex systems. We provide practical ways to make AI work for your business.”
The five CBAi training programmes designed for today’s industry challenges are:
- Practical AI for Senior Leaders: A hands-on day helping directors and leaders make confident decisions on AI spend, tools and policy, with industry-specific demos.
- GenAI for Business: A one-day workshop for any business role, exploring how generative AI works and how to apply it safely and consistently across your business.
- Copilot Essentials for Work: Six sessions covering all five Copilot features: Chat, Create, Apps, Agents, and Notebooks. Apply Copilot for reports, KPIs, toolbox talks, and tenders.
- AI Marketing Roadmap: A 10-module on-demand course covering AI foundations, tenders, content strategy, and AI discovery. Plus, ongoing support through monthly live Q&A sessions.
- AI Strategy Accelerator: A six-week bespoke programme for businesses seeking company-wide AI implementation and tailored in-house training sessions.
Alongside the training programmes, CBAi’s wider offering includes AI consultancy and bespoke systems designed around the specific needs of individual businesses. From AI policy and governance to custom tools and workflows, each solution is designed around how an organisation works. Every programme and project is built on real sector examples, not generic corporate case studies.
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]]>The post Winners of the CHSA’s 2026 Bursary announced appeared first on Cleaning Hygiene Today.
]]>The Bursary offers substantial financial support to the children of CHSA members’ employees. For CHSA members it presents a valuable opportunity to thank employees for their contribution, while introducing the next generation of talent to the cleaning and hygiene industry.
Following a panel interview, chaired by David Garcia, Vice President and Treasurer of the CHSA, Finlay Dowling, Emma Lawrie, Elisha Round and Ellie Wakefield were selected as the recipients.
The four recipients will each receive £6,000 over the course of their university career, paid in three installments. At the start of each academic year, or the first three years if the degree is longer, the successful applicants will receive £2,000.
- Finlay Dowling is planning to study dentistry at Newcastle University. His parent works for CHSA member Essity.
- Emma Lawrie, whose parent works at Ramon Hygiene, is planning to study an MEarthSci Earth Science at the University of Edinburgh.
- Elisha Round is planning to study an MChem in Chemistry at Lancaster University. Her parent also works at Essity.
- Ellie Wakefield’s parent works at Vectair Systems. She is planning to study a BA (Hons) Business & Management at Sheffield Hallam University.
Since it was first awarded in 2016 in its current form, the Bursary has made it possible for young people to capitalise on the potential of all that is on offer at university. They have used it to pay for books and study materials, field trips and club memberships.
Applicants were assessed according to need, worthiness endeavour, and overall performance.
David Garcia explained: “The Bursary is incredibly important to the CHSA. We are very proud of the opportunity to give something back in such a tangible way.
“Meeting these talented young people is always a pleasure but making the final decision this year was more difficult than ever. We had a record number of applicants and the standard was extraordinary. We could have awarded the Bursary many times over, but we had to make a decision. After two days of interviews and detailed discussions we settled on the four who excelled in the criteria: need, worthiness, endeavour and overall performance. We very much hope the final four, and all the applicants, enjoy their time at university and wish them the very best for the future.”
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]]>The post Mrs Buckét strengthens commitment to quality and sustainability with double ISO certification appeared first on Cleaning Hygiene Today.
]]>Leading commercial cleaning company Mrs Buckét has secured two internationally recognised ISO certifications – ISO9001 for quality management and ISO14001 for environmental management – demonstrating its commitment to delivering consistently high standards throughout the business.
ISO9001 is one of the world’s leading certifications for quality management and assesses how effectively an organisation manages its processes, customer satisfaction and continuous improvement.
ISO14001 focuses specifically on environmental management and provides a framework for businesses to manage and reduce their waste and resources across all areas.
Debra James-Bailey, Divisional Manager at Mrs Buckét, said: “Having worked in manufacturing for many years, I understand how important ISO certification is. It is not simply about gaining a certificate; it is about having strong systems, clear processes and a culture where standards are measured, reviewed and continuously improved.
“Achieving ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 is a significant milestone for Mrs Buckét and reflects the hard work taking place across the business as we continue to grow. It gives our clients confidence that we have recognised systems in place to manage quality, monitor our performance and demonstrate a clear audit trail. For our clients, particularly those operating within highly regulated or audited environments, this provides additional reassurance that they are working with a cleaning partner that understands compliance, accountability and the importance of delivering a consistent service. ISO 14001 also demonstrates our commitment to reducing our environmental impact, which is becoming increasingly important to both our clients and our own business.”
Founder and CEO of Mrs Buckét, Rachael Flanagan, said: “ISO is such a widely recognised benchmark and I’m immensely proud that we have secured both of these certifications. It also gives our customers additional confidence in the promises we make around quality and our commitment to the environment.”
Mrs Buckét launched in 2005 and has experienced significant growth throughout its 20 year history. In 2025 it achieved a 30 per cent increase in business performance and securing 30 new clients across multiple sectors.
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]]>The post Rentokil launches new connected rat control technology for Irish businesses appeared first on Cleaning Hygiene Today.
]]>Rentokil, Ireland’s leading pest control provider, has launched T-Rex Connect, a new digitally connected rat control solution designed to help businesses identify and tackle rodent activity more quickly and effectively.
The launch comes as businesses across sectors, including food production, retail, warehousing and hospitality, continue to face increasing pressure to maintain high standards of pest prevention and site hygiene.
T-Rex Connect forms part of Rentokil’s PestConnect monitoring system, providing 24/7 digital monitoring and rapid notification of rat activity, to allow pest control technicians to respond more quickly.
Testing by Rentokil across a variety of environments and locations has revealed that the T-Rex Connect is more than four times as effective at securing successful captures compared to a leading, readily available alternative snap trap.
The true breakthrough, however, lies in the synergy between hardware and housing. The ultimate performance is unlocked when the T-Rex Connect is integrated into Rentokil’s Eradico bait station housing system. When paired, this powerhouse combination has been found to outcompete the capture rates of standard commercially available trap set ups by three times.
Colm Moore, Regional Technical Manager for Rentokil Ireland, said: “Rodent infestations continue to present significant challenges for businesses across Ireland. Beyond the obvious health and hygiene concerns, infestations can result in operational disruption, reputational damage and regulatory issues.
“T-Rex Connect represents the next generation of pest management technology. By combining continuous digital monitoring with highly effective rodent control, businesses can identify activity earlier, respond faster and reduce the risk of infestations becoming established.
“The introduction of connected technologies such as T-Rex Connect reflects a wider shift within the pest control industry towards data-led prevention rather than reactive treatment. Early detection remains one of the most effective ways of preventing rodent issues from escalating.”
Rentokil says demand for connected pest management solutions has continued to grow among Irish businesses seeking greater visibility of pest activity and more detailed reporting capabilities across their sites. The company advises businesses to remain alert for common signs of rodent activity, including droppings, gnaw marks, damaged packaging, scratching noises and evidence of nesting materials.
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]]>The post How new technology and the march of AI is leading to major advances in the commercial cleaning sector appeared first on Cleaning Hygiene Today.
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By Juliet Widdicombe, MD of Cleanology
With the advent of AI, and new technological advances in all areas of industry, business owners and managers are reviewing how these new technologies can take their company operations to the next level of efficiency.
Even if your business is not ready to invest heavily in technology at the moment, there are still several ways you can benefit from it now, but without it impacting on your bottom line.
One area where there have been significant advances in, is in the commercial cleaning industry.
These new technologies can enhance a working environment, helping businesses to excel with a more hygienic, non-toxic, safer premises for their employees and also create the right impression with their customers.
Automated Floor Scrubbers
The use of robotics has accelerated within different industries, including commercial cleaning.
Robotic floor scrubbers are highly efficient and deliver a powerful cleaning performance, making a significant difference to a working environment.
These floor scrubbers not only save time, but also are kind to cleaning staff because of their ability to tackle those heavy-duty jobs that are tiring and hard going, but with better and more effective results – and therefore reducing the risk of workplace fatigue.
UV-C Disinfection
Other stunning developments in cleaning technology include the use of Ultraviolet light (UV-C) to disinfect and sterilise surfaces and equipment. The application of UV-C via handheld devices to work surfaces causes the DNA of microorganisms to be destroyed. This disrupts their cellular function, causing the prevention of the multiplication of viruses and bacteria – meaning they are unable to spread.
Clearly this will have an impact on the health and wellbeing of your employees, it also reduces the need for strong disinfectants, helping to improve air quality, which is another clear benefit.
Air Quality
Numerous studies show that poor air quality in the workplace can impact concentration levels and cause sickness amongst your employees. Symptoms usually include headaches and coughing and can also make respiratory problems such as asthma worse. Poor air quality has also been linked to sick building syndrome.
One of the simplest ways to use the latest technology to improve air quality is to check if your cleaning company uses the most up to date vacuum cleaning methods. High Efficiency Particulate Air Filters are one of those advances and are designed to trap the dust particles that other cleaners recirculate back into the air.
Smart Waste Management Systems
Waste management has also become smart. Smart waste management systems use sensors to improve the way waste is handled, calculated and assessed, including its collection, disposal and recycling.
Through the use of IoT technologies waste is managed through real-time monitoring. Patterns of waste disposal can be predicted and also smart technology will let you know when your bins are getting full helping to ensure they don’t overflow, therefore preventing waste spillage, reducing vermin and maintaining sanitary conditions.
Smart bins which include waste management capabilities also help businesses to reduce their impact on the environment by the efficient sorting and recycling of waste.
Nano-Coating Technology
Other developments include the use of nano-coating technology in the commercial cleaning industry. This is ground-breaking and can totally transform your working environment.
When nano-coating solutions are applied to a surface they repel stains. The beauty of this is that any spilt liquid simply slides off without making marks. The effect is long-lasting and makes subsequent cleaning much easier, reducing the need for frequent cleaning and thereby reducing your cleaning costs, which is good news all round.
Nano-coating technologies have anti-microbial and anti-viral properties which negates the use of strong disinfectants to sanitise surfaces. This lessens air-pollution in the workplace, because of a reduction in the use of chemicals. That reduction has a knock-on effect on the environment with less chemicals needing to be disposed of.
Nano-coating can be applied through a spray solution and is used to clean and protect toilets, kitchen areas, workstations and flooring and other areas such as windows and door handles, as well as a number of other surfaces.
Advantages of Using Modern Technology in Office Cleaning
There is no doubt that commercial cleaning practices are benefiting from the practical application of modern technologies. These technologies are literally improving the workplace and making it a better, cleaner, safer place to be.
Enhanced Efficiency
New technology also streamlines the cleaning process, saving time and resources and firms like Cleanology use it to help them deliver swift and effective cleaning services.
Improved Hygiene Standards
These new practices are ensuring higher standards of hygiene, which help businesses avoid the spread of germs and bugs and promote cleaner air-quality – which all makes for a healthier and cleaner workplace.
Cost-effectiveness
Finally investing in modern cleaning technology reduces long-term operational costs with less cleaning required, reducing cleaning hours but improving efficiency.
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