The winners of the inaugural European Cleaning and Hygiene Awards were announced at a glittering ceremony in Barcelona and former BCC Chairman Doug Cooke came away with the Lifetime Achievement award.

Doug Cooke receives his award

Finalists, industry leaders and sponsors gathered at the Majestic Hotel to celebrate and recognise the high standards of innovation and quality being achieved by cleaning industry companies.

There were 10 categories, each of them with nominated finalists selected by the pan-European judging panel.

The awards panel said:” Doug Cooke has established a successful, socially responsible and highly respected cleaning company (Principle Cleaning ). But going beyond that, he has always worked hard to promote the interests of the professional cleaning sector as a whole…he has become a well-known and well-loved figure worldwide. And he has always been willing to give his time, energy and commitment to furthering the profile and interests of the sector”

Doug stepped down from his role as BCC Chairman in July 2015 after successfully steering the Cleaning Show from Birmingham to its new home at the London Excel. Current Chairman, Simon Hollingbury, said the honour was ‘richly deserved’.