The British Cleaning Council (BCC) was proud to sponsor the Cleaning Operative of the Year category at the recent British Association for Cleaning in Higher Education (BACHE) Awards.
Hosted last month at Aston University the awards evening, which was part of BACHE’s annual conference and exhibition, saw Kevin Mannion from Manchester Met University scoop the top accolade.
Jiji Jiji Kurian (University of Bristol) was runner up, while Renee Starbuck and Wahida Tighiouart (Queens University) and Hayley Dyer (University of Kent) were commended.
Now in its seventh year, BACHE’s individual award recognises the efforts and professionalism shown by higher education cleaning operatives whilst performing their role in an outstanding or exemplary manner.
Other criteria include promoting a high standard of customer service, being involved in developing an outstanding initiative that has contributed positively to the ‘Student Experience’ and undertaking activities outside of the normal requirements of the job role.
With regards to Kevin’s award, the judge’s comments stated that he was “a well-deserved winner approaching every day with a desire for excellence and always willing to go the extra mile.”
Regarding runner up Jiji Jiji Kurian, the judge said: “He is a hardworking and popular cleaner who is flexible and demonstrates a high level of customer service” and added that he “makes the building a pleasant place to work for colleagues.”
BCC Council Member Philip Morrish, from the Worshipful Company of Environmental Cleaners, presented the BACHE Operative of the Year award on behalf of the BCC.
He said: “The BCC was keen to support this specific category as outstanding operatives in environments like higher education not only make a positive impression on students and staff but also on the influential people who engage with universities and colleges.
“Both Kevin, Jiji Jiji and the highly commended entrants clearly demonstrated exceptional professionalism, and on behalf of the Council and all of its members I would like to congratulate them for their hard work and commitment to raising standards.”
Additional awards given out at the ceremony included the Best Practice Award – which was won by the University of Leeds’ Facilities Support Service – and Cleaning Supervisor of the Year, which was awarded to Amanda Intrier from the University of Kent.
Find out more about BACHE, a BCC member organisation, at http://www.bache.org.uk/