Industry Panel: Future-Proofing - Attracting the Next Generation of Cleaning and FM Industry Professionals
This expert panel will review efforts taken so far to attract the next generation of cleaning and FM sector professionals and look at what still needs to be done. Recruitment and retention of staff remain key challenges for the sector so how do we make the cleaning and hygiene sectors more appealing as a career choice, and how do we retain and develop our personnel once they have been recruited?
Session Speakers
For more than ten years, Daniel Cross has shaped the UK marketing strategy for some of the cleaning industry’s most respected brands, including Vaclensa, IPC and Tennant Company.
In addition to his professional achievements, he is a long-standing committee member of the CSSA and a key driver behind The Clean Start Initiative, which champions new talent and raises the profile of the cleaning sector.
His contributions have earned him recognition at the Manchester Young Talent Awards, where he was a finalist for his marketing work, and most recently at the European Cleaning Journal Awards, where The Clean Start Initiative was shortlisted under the category of ‘Best Initiative Raising the Profile of the Cleaning Sector’.
Kelsey Hargreaves, in addition to her role as Technical Manager at BICSc, is the youngest ever person to receive her chartered practitioner status and is a Youth Ambassador for Youth Employment UK and the Youth Futures Foundation.
She has experience in the cleaning industry over a range of challenging frontline positions within the NHS during the COVID pandemic. She brings extensive experience in site inspections, project management and overcoming the issues faced in operational cleaning service and particularly training models.
Joanne has over 40 years’ experience working within the cleaning and hygiene industry, having headed up Jangro for over 20 years and ensuring that the group provides an innovative and unrivalled offering and service.
Highly regarded in the industry, Jo sits on several industry boards and is proud to be a Court Assistant of the Worshipful Company of Environmental Cleaners.
Daniel Quigley is Operations Director at Dove Cleaning, a family business founded in 2011. Dan began his career with after-school and weekend cleaning shifts before moving through every layer of the company, gaining first-hand insight into the realities of frontline cleaning.
Over the last 11 years, he has become a resilient operations leader, designing and implementing systems that scale, from employee onboarding and contract mobilisation to risk planning and data-led client retention. Deeply embedded in the FM world, Dan combines family values with a people-first approach, driven by a passion for both the industry and the people within it.
Dan is now focused on how family businesses like Dove can adapt, attract the next generation of talent and continue raising standards across cleaning and FM.
Max Reames, Senior Business Development Manager at Peartree, drives growth through client-focused solutions and social impact initiatives.
Since joining in 2021, he has led key business expansions, supported talent development and advanced ESG projects, including a partnership with Beam. Max’s strategic approach fosters strong client relationships and reinforces Peartree’s industry leadership.
