ECJ EUROPEAN Cleaning Journal

The British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICSc) announced the winners of its 2026 awards during a gala dinner in Northamptonshire last week. 

The awards recognise individuals and teams for their achievements and contribution to the professional cleaning and hygiene sector - and BICSc reported a record number of entries this year.

"We were delighted to celebrate with all our worthy winners at this year's BICSc Awards, which again proved phenomenally popular," group managing director Neil Spencer-Cook said. "We were thrilled to receive so many entries, which were of the highest calibre and demonstrate the level of exceptional experience and outstanding achievements by so many working within the professional cleaning and hygiene sector."

Spencer-Cook added that the awards provided an opportunity to recognise the contribution of people working across the industry. "The Institute takes immense pride in shining a spotlight on those incredible individuals who collectively continue to raise standards across the industry in the UK and worldwide," he said.

A special recognition award was presented to BICSc Commercial Director Denise Hanson, who is due to retire at the end of the year, in recognition of her more than three decades of service to the Institute. Paying tribute, Spencer-Cook said she had supported learners, assessors, members, volunteers, staff and council, while also helping to shape decisions, influence standards and support BICSc through periods of change.

The award recognised what he described as "more than three decades of dedication, commitment, leadership, humour and service".

Fellow BICSc colleagues James Atkins and Teresa Sacco also received recognition as recipients of The David Bellamy Award for their 10 years' service with the Institute.

Here is the list of winners:

The David Bellamy Award - James Atkins and Teresa Sacco
The Chairman's Award - Jay Adderley
The Eric Hill Award - Soo Bartholomew
The BICSc International Award - ACCIONA
Innovation Award - Total Clean
Environmental (ESG) Award - Intelligent Workplace Solutions
Corporate Member of the Year - CleanManager
Accredited Training Member of the Year - HMP Peterborough
Assessor of the Year - Byron Andagoya Manosalvas, King's College London
Accredited Trainer of the Year - Muhammad Rizwan, Whitespot Facilities Management Services LLC
Cleaning Operative of the Year - Olagoke Olusomoka, Clarion Housing
Outstanding Candidate of the Year - Antonia Pheysey, Mitie
Lifetime Achievement Award - Hernando Palacios, King's College London