Golden Service Awards 2024 – Awards Categories


Bonus Awards


Supervisor of the Year

For excellent performance by a site supervisor

  • The judges will be looking for a site supervisor who has a thorough understanding and knowledge of the site, demonstrates exceptional leadership and management skills and shows outstanding dedication to the customer
  • They will also be looking for a site supervisor with clear communication skills who has ideally undertaken relevant training programmes
Please Note
  • If a supervisor is put forward for this award, they must be available for an interview at the site visit and they must attend the awards ceremony
  • If you are entering a supervisor for more than one award, please ensure they are nominated on each application form. Please note, the supervisor will only be interviewed once
  • If your site application does not make it through to the next stage the supervisor will no longer be eligible

Cleaning Operative of the Year sponsored by Nationwide Hygiene Group

For excellent performance by a cleaning operative

  • The judges will be looking for a cleaning operative who has a thorough understanding and knowledge of the site and shows outstanding dedication to the customer
  • They will also be looking for a cleaning operative with clear communication skills who has ideally undertaken relevant training programmes

Please note:

  • If a cleaning operative is put forward for this award, they must be available for an interview at the site visit and they must attend the awards ceremony
  • If you are entering a cleaning operative for more than one award, please ensure they are nominated on each application form. Please note, the cleaning operative will only be interviewed once
  • If your site application does not make it through to the next stage the cleaning operative will no longer be eligible

1. Healthcare sponsored by Kärcher

To include hospitals, care homes, surgeries, clinics, and dentists

  • Judges will be looking for high standards of cleanliness, a good understanding of the site, teamwork, good management skills, difficulties faced and how they have been overcome, effectiveness of staff and good communication with clients
  • The knowledge and understanding of PAS and the new healthcare standards for cleaning and hygiene will also need to be demonstrated
  • There will be a site visit from a BICSc auditor
  • A client testimonial is required which should include the name of the company, director’s name and title, and a sentence to say that he/she has read the entry and it complies with the work undertaken

2. Education sponsored by SOAP2O

To include pre-schools, nurseries, primary schools, secondary schools, universities, and colleges

  • Judges will be looking for high standards of cleanliness, a good understanding of the site, teamwork, good management skills, difficulties faced and how they have been overcome, effectiveness of staff and good communication with clients
  • An understanding of how the service impacts the users of the building is also important, in particular the importance of hygiene factors affecting children/students
  • There will be a site visit from a BICSc auditor
  • A client testimonial is required which should include the name of the company, director’s name and title, and a sentence to say that he/she has read the entry and it complies with the work undertaken

3. Office areas below 10,000 square metres

For all or part of a building

  • Judges will be looking for high standards of cleanliness, a good understanding of the site, teamwork, good management skills, difficulties faced and how they have been overcome, effectiveness of staff and good communication with clients
  • An understanding of how the service impacts the users of the building is also important
  • There will be a site visit from a BICSc auditor
  • A client testimonial is required which should include the name of the company, director’s name and title, and a sentence to say that he/she has read the entry and it complies with the work undertaken

4. Office areas between 10,000 and 30,000 square metres

For all or part of a building

  • Judges will be looking for high standards of cleanliness, a good understanding of the site, teamwork, good management skills, difficulties faced and how they have been overcome, effectiveness of staff and good communication with clients
  • An understanding of how the service impacts the users of the building is also important
  • There will be a site visit from a BICSc auditor
  • A client testimonial is required which should include the name of the company, director’s name and title, and a sentence to say that he/she has read the entry and it complies with the work undertaken

5. Office areas over 30,000 square metres sponsored by Facilities Management Journal

For all or part of a building

  • Judges will be looking for high standards of cleanliness, a good understanding of the site, teamwork, good management skills, difficulties faced and how they have been overcome, effectiveness of staff and good communication with clients
  • An understanding of how the service impacts the users of the building is also important
  • There will be a site visit from a BICSc auditor
  • A client testimonial is required which should include the name of the company, director’s name and title, and a sentence to say that he/she has read the entry and it complies with the work undertaken

6. Retail/Shopping Malls under 100,000 square metres

  • Judges will be looking for high standards of cleanliness, a good understanding of the site, teamwork, good management skills, difficulties faced and how they have been overcome, effectiveness of staff and good communication with clients
  • An understanding of how the service impacts the users of the building is also important, in particular the importance of hygiene factors affected by external environments
  • There will be a site visit from a BICSc auditor
  • A client testimonial is required which should include the name of the company, director’s name and title, and a sentence to say that he/she has read the entry and it complies with the work undertaken

7. Retail/Shopping malls over 100,000 square metres sponsored by Tomorrow’s Cleaning

  • Judges will be looking for high standards of cleanliness, a good understanding of the site, teamwork, good management skills, difficulties faced and how they have been overcome, effectiveness of staff and good communication with clients
  • An understanding of how the service impacts the users of the building is also important, in particular the importance of hygiene factors affected by external environments
  • There will be a site visit from a BICSc auditor
  • A client testimonial is required which should include the name of the company, director’s name and title, and a sentence to say that he/she has read the entry and it complies with the work undertaken

8. Leisure

To include stadiums, outdoor shopping malls and plazas, theme parks, airports, and stations

  • Judges will be looking for high standards of cleanliness, a good understanding of the site, teamwork, good management skills, difficulties faced and how they have been overcome, effectiveness of staff and good communication with clients
  • An understanding of how the service impacts the guests and users of the building is also important, in particular the importance of hygiene factors affected by the high levels of occupancy
  • There will be a site visit from a BICSc auditor
  • A client testimonial is required which should include the name of the company, director’s name and title, and a sentence to say that he/she has read the entry and it complies with the work undertaken

9. Hospitality

To include hotels, restaurants, cafes, and holiday parks

  • Judges will be looking for high standards of cleanliness, a good understanding of the site, teamwork, good management skills, difficulties faced and how they have been overcome, effectiveness of staff and good communication with clients
  • An understanding of how the service impacts the guests and users of the building is also important, in particular the importance of hygiene factors affected by the high levels of occupancy
  • There will be a site visit from a BICSc auditor
  • A client testimonial is required which should include the name of the company, director’s name and title, and a sentence to say that he/she has read the entry and it complies with the work undertaken

10. Manufacturing

Factories – across all sectors including food, processing plants and power stations

  • Judges will be looking for high standards of cleanliness, a good understanding of the site, teamwork, good management skills, difficulties faced and how they have been overcome, effectiveness of staff and good communication with clients
  • An understanding of how the service impacts the manufacturing process and the hygiene levels required
  • There will be a site visit from a BICSc auditor
  • A client testimonial is required which should include the name of the company, director’s name and title, and a sentence to say that he/she has read the entry and it complies with the work undertaken

11. Sustainability Leadership sponsored by BCHS

For companies that have taken significant steps in their responsibility of the environment

  • Judges will be looking for a company with a suitable Environmental Management System in place that brings an obvious benefit to both the organisation and individuals involved
  • The company must also be able to show results which can be quantified and linked to original objectives as well as training which has resulted in certification or accreditation
  • Environmental records can include:
    • Records of significant environmental aspects
    • Records of environmental meetings
    • Environmental performance information
    • Legal compliance records
    • Communication with interested parties
    • Suitable Environmental Management Systems
  • This award will not require a site visit or a client testimonial

12. Social Impact (NEW) sponsored by BioVate Hygienics

For companies that have made significant positive impact on people and communities.

  • Judges will be looking for a company that can demonstrate how they are making a positive difference to people and communities, this could be through ongoing programmes, projects, or partnerships

Examples Include:

  • Local, national community projects and/or volunteering
  • Apprentice, mentoring and advisory schemes, work experience, outreach, and career opportunities
  • Tackling economic inequality
  • Challenge stigmas, championing equality and the progress of minorities
  • Product donations, charity events, charitable giving
  • Implementation of the social value model and/or UN SDG's
  • This award will not require a site visit

13. Inclusion & Diversity sponsored by ICCA

For businesses that have the best initiative which demonstrates the company practises diversity and inclusion

  • Diversity in the workplace promotes acceptance, respect and working together despite differences in race, gender, age, religion, and sexual orientation for example
  • The judges will be looking for the best initiative which demonstrates the company practises diversity and inclusion. Examples include:
    • Cultural training
    • Parental leave for men and women
    • LGBT+ forums and groups
    • A workplace that is comfortable for employees with mental or physical disabilities
    • Language training
    • Diversity awareness programmes
  • This award will not require a site visit or a client testimonial

14. Training sponsored by BICSc

For cleaning service companies with excellent innovative training strategies that give consideration to the national training policy

  • Companies can enter specific projects or organisation-wide training for this category
  • The judges will be looking for:
    • Training which links clearly to the organisation’s needs and helps to move the business forward
    • Training which links to the industry’s training and development strategies and brings an obvious benefit to both the organisation and individuals involved
    • Results which can be quantified and linked to original objectives
    • Training which has results in certification or accreditation
  • There will be a site visit from a BICSc auditor

15. Small business

For contract cleaning or FM companies with a turnover of £3 million or under

  • The judges will be looking for evidence of excellence in staff training, sustainable operations, and health and safety
  • The judges will also want to look at and discuss the company’s current business plan as well as financial, sales, and marketing strategies
  • The evidence supplied should demonstrate that all clients benefit from the evidence put forward
  • Evidence of client surveys and action will strengthen an application
  • This award will not require a site visit
  • No client testimonial

16. Cleaning Team of the Year (NEW) sponsored by Cleaning Matters

For excellent performance by a cleaning team

  • The judges will be looking for a cleaning team who have a thorough understanding and knowledge of the site and show outstanding dedication to the customer
  • They will also be looking for a cleaning team who communication together clearly and have ideally undertaken relevant training programmes

Please note:

  • If a cleaning team are put forward for this award, they must be available for an interview at the site visit with representation at the awards ceremony
  • If your site application does not make it through to the next stage the cleaning team will no longer be eligible

Gold Sponsor:

Silver Sponsors:

Bronze Sponsors:

Media Partners