After a long hiatus, this evening’s fixture versus West Ham will see the much-awaited return of fans to The Hawthorns.
Following further government easing of restrictions just over 6000 of the Baggies faithful will be back in the stands to cheer the team on this evening.
In readiness for tonight’s game both our onsite Stadium Cleaning Team plus the we cleanSpecialist Cleaning Division have been working extremely diligently to ensure that the Stadium is clean, tidy and fully sanitized to maximize the safety of all players, staff and fans alike.
Our Stadium Cleaning Team managed by Contract Manager Jane Shields have been providing essential cleaning services throughout the entire COVID-19 pandemic, with a particular focus being placed on maintaining hygienically clean standards down at the extensive WBA Training Ground Complex.
However, in more recent weeks the focus has switched to the ‘Hawthorns’ ensuring all stadium seating received a thorough clean through a rigorous cleansing and sanitisation process using the advanced ‘Viral Plus’ cleaning agent in conjunction with micro-fibre cleaning technology eliminating and killing any potential enveloped viruses or bacteria on all hard surfaces.
In addition to the seating works the Specialist Cleaning Division have also carried out intensive Hot Water Pressure washing of all concrete steps in the lower stadia areas addressing the build-up of algae and other debris in these areas resulting from being covered over by Premier League approved banners for the duration of this season.
We are very proud to be the Baggies appointed cleaning partner supporting the clubs onsite Operation and Facilities Team and seeing at first-hand the lengths the custodians of this great footballing institution have gone too to ensure the maximum possible safety for everyone visiting the Hawthorns tonight.
We wish all of the fans a very happy return to long awaited ‘live football’.
It seems a lifetime ago since we were able to enjoy a cold pint or G&T with our family and friends in our favourite pub, bar or restaurant and whilst there is still some way to go before we arrive at the ‘new normal’, today’s easing of restrictions is certainly a step in the right direction with outdoor hospitality being allowed to reopen and welcome customers once more!
In terms of hospitality within Birmingham city centre three high profile and immensely popular venues will be eagerly anticipating the arrival of customers for the first time since 2020.
One such venue is our client Paradise Birmingham where we provide daily cleaning services through managing agent Argent LLP.
Paradise is currently undergoing a mega transformation consisting of pristine office space, accommodation, a ‘world-first’ residential octagon as well as top eateries includingDishoom which is renowned for it’s Bombay fusion cuisine where we also provide daily cleaning support.
Paradise is set to be truly spectacular once fully developed with global professional institutions of the likes of PWC, DLA Piper and several other firms having secured long-term deals to occupy the stunning new office space looking out on to Chamberlain Square, the jewel in the crown of this estate, which reopened two weeks ago following a tasteful restoration.
Our cleaning presence at Paradise has remained steadfast during the extensive lockdown period but our professionally presented onsite cleaning team look forward to meeting the demands of this prestigious development once it is teeming with visitors.
Brindleyplace, a long standing cleaning contract for we clean is also busy making preparations to welcome back patrons to its numerous bars and restaurants that line the hub of the Birmingham canal network. Like Paradise, this premier multi-use estate offers exceptional Grade A office space and has certainly been considered ‘The Place’ for many in Birmingham to go to over the past 20 years or so whether that be for a day out by the canal or for a night of lively entertainment.
Our on-site team managed by Darren McLean, Estate Cleaning Manager have been hard at work ensuring that Brindley is immaculate for all those that will be visiting today.
The latest addition to our key Birmingham based venue contract portfolio is the hugely popular and vibrant entertainment area Arcadian where we clean have been providing the Daily Cleaning support through managing agents LCP Group since the autumn of last year.
Contract Manager Debbie Rhodes responsible for the delivery of our onsite cleaning services is certainly looking forward to the long awaited re-opening:
“The Arcadian is a fantastic addition to our already extensive portfolio of high profile venues within Birmingham’s city centre and I am delighted to be overseeing the management of the contract. The team here are very hard working and they have responded brilliantly to our in house training and general operational approach. Although we have been operating on slightly reduced hours due to COVID-19 the team are fully prepared for the reopening and the site is looking great – so fingers crossed for warm weather over the coming weeks!”
As a Birmingham based owner managed business we clean is immensely proud to partner with three of the city’s most popular and iconic locations and whilst the last 12 months has been a particularly challenging time for the retail and hospitality industry we are delighted to play our part in helping Paradise, Brindleyplace and the Arcadian re-open their doors for better times ahead!
With the theme for this year’s International Women’s Week being ‘Women In Leadership’ it has provided us with an ideal opportunity to feature the success of our ‘very own’ Gaynor Powell who heads up the Company’s extensive HR function and has been a we clean Board Member since 2016!
Gaynor has been an integral part of we clean since its inception back in 2003 where she contributed greatly in laying the foundations for the Company’s successful development over the past 18 years.
As an ever-present constant throughout this period of growth Gaynor has seen we clean develop from a business with a handful of employees to one that now employs over 500 Management, Administrative and Front Line Cleaning staff servicing over 200 key client accounts.
During her time with the Company, Gaynor has developed her professional career successfully completing several CIPD qualifications which has assisted her greatly in managing a very demanding HR function but one that offers an immense amount of job satisfaction.
In 2015 we cleanestablished a formal board of Directors consisting of David Harker / Paul Concannon Directors and owner managers of the business together with Steve Rawlings and Tim Byng Directors of the Specialist Cleaning Division supported by Keith Dixon as Non-Executive Director.
Gaynor was quickly appointed to the Board in early 2016 to assist with the Strategic Direction of the business as it went about building the we clean brand and establishing itself as the premier provider of Commercial Cleaning Services within the Birmingham and wider Midland’s area.
Gaynor is a positive flag bearer not only for all of the women currently working within our organisation but for the many women working in industry and commerce highlighting how through hard work, resilience and having a genuine passion for her role, she has become a real leader and role model within thewe clean team!
We sat down with Gaynor for an in-depth discussion on her career to date, women within the workplace and several other topics:
So Gaynor, tell us about your journey with we clean? How did you join the organisation and what are your memories from the ‘early years’?
I have had a friendship with Directors Paul, David, Steve and Tim for over 23 years. I worked with them previously at ‘We Are Cleaning’ a large Regional Cleaning business that was bought out by a Multinational Facilities Management company in 2002.
Our business we clean was created from scratch and the Directors were keen to map out a clear career path for me with the opportunity to complete various individual training courses with the highlight being the completion of my Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) Diploma in 2011 wherewe clean gave me the necessary flexibility and support to complete the course over a four year period whilst also raising two young children at the time.
What does it mean to be a female Board Member and be involved in the strategic and tactical plans that will guide the company moving forward?
I am very proud to be a member of the Board, I am involved in the decisions that drive the Company forward by reviewing the past performance of the organization, learning from those experiences and then engaging strategic plans of action to provide ongoing support of the organization through its various stages of growth.
Only 20% of Board Seats are made up of women in the UK and so to have a seat and to have my voice heard is extremely important to me and I certainly think our approach to diversity in general is one of the key ‘cornerstones’ that helps create our unique business culture. It is really satisfying to know that I have a genuine say in the future direction ofwe clean.
What is it about we clean that you feel fosters successful career opportunities for women within the business?
We are very inclusive and promote diversity, we identify talent regardless of gender or race and always look to internally promote individuals from within and provide the relevant training for all employees to further themselves and have lengthy careers with we clean.
It is fantastic to see the likes of Debbie Rhodes, Jane Shields, Maureen Francis, Charlene Bowen and Karen Lord all holding responsible operational positions with the Company. At our Head Office we have Amanda Headland who oversees our entire ISO Accreditation Management System which is critical to the long term sustainability of the business whilst Rachael Peacock is currently completing her CIPS Qualification in Procurement Management.
This wide representation of women illustrates that we as a business genuinely encourage females to develop their careers and grow within we clean and I am very confident that as the organization continues to evolve over the coming years ahead there will be further female representation in our Boardroom!
What have been the main challenges for we clean over the last 12 months throughout the COVID-19 crisis? And what trends do you see emerging within the Industry over the coming years?
The pandemic has been the single most significant global crisis of our generation and inevitably it has had a major impact upon our business operation! The Furlough (Job Retention) Scheme has been a massive help in softening some of the immediate financial pressures presented by the crisis and has ensured that we have remained in a strong position to retain the majority of our staff and avoid as far as possible employee redundancies. We have also been very mindful of the wellbeing of our staff during this period who unfortunately may have found themselves furloughed and we appreciate the mental health effects for our staff being off work and potentially isolated from colleagues and friends and the impact this can have. It certainly has been a challenging time for everyone!
We certainly hope that in line with Government guidelines we start to see people return to work and that offices start to fill up once more, however we are fully aware that the working landscape will look different in the new ‘norm’ where flexibility in peoples working patterns is going to alter the traditional 9 – 5 office environment.
What are your passions outside of the workplace?
I am married and have twins aged 22 with our latest addition being our beloved dog – Doris. I particularly enjoy spending time with my large circle of family and friends and enjoy long walks in the countryside. In addition, I love to travel and experience new cultures and I like many others look forward to getting away on holiday once it is safe to do so!
And lastly… What is it that makes working for we clean so special?
It is not a family business, but it certainly feels like a family business – which is what makes it so special!
You are given the freedom and responsibility to take control of your own role and I feel that this is reflected in the committed work our people carry out here daily.
I have loved my time working within such a ‘can do’ environment over the past 18 years and very much look forward to the future with we clean and playing my part in its continued success!
David Harker Director reflected on Gaynor’s huge contribution to the business when noting:
“Gaynor is first and foremost a wonderful person with tremendous ‘integrity’ who cares passionately about her role within the business. Her professionalism and diligence has delivered critical improvements to the day to day running of our Company operations and her contributions to the main Board has ensured we clean continues to evolve its brand identity”
The Dee Richards Pride Award is the highest accolade an employee within our organisation can attain and it offers a fitting and lasting memorial to our very own ‘Dee Richards’ who epitomised more than anyone the unique we clean ethos during her 13 years working within the business before her sad passing back in 2016.
Each year, a ‘Dee Richards Pride Champion’ is chosen alongside a number of other Pride Award winners who have been carefully selected by thewe clean management team for their commitment to our business and their ‘desire to do the job right’!
With this in mind, our 2020 Dee Richards Pride Award Champion is so deserving of this most special award and an employee who Dee knew well and that is our long-standing Cleaning Operative Angela Reid, who would have surely received Dee’s endorsement in full as our Champion Pride Award winner.
As the principal Cleaning Support on site at the iconic mac (Midland Arts Centre) near Cannon Hill Park, Angela has offered incredible commitment and dedication to her cleaning role for over a decade. This has particularly been the case over the last 12 months where she ensured that the administration areas within the mac have been kept clinically clean to allow key Management staff to continue their work on site safely in order to make the necessary preparations for when this much loved venue can re-open to the public.
Angela was incredibly excited and overwhelmed in receiving her award:
“I am so shocked! I honestly wasn’t expecting this and to be chosen by Maureen Francis (Contract Manager) and Raf (Site Cleaning Manager) to be put forward for this award means so much to me. Dee was an amazing lady and to have my work acknowledged by her standards really makes me feel proud!
I would also like to thank the mac staff and particularly Damien Vincent (Head of Customer Services) who has been so supportive of me particularly during the COVID affected period, it’s a real pleasure to work with him and all the mac staff on a daily basis. Finally a big thanks to the Directors David and Paul for looking after me over so many years and giving me a sense of real worth in the role I have within the company – I really couldn’t be happier right now!”
Like many public facing venues COVID-19 unfortunately forced the mac to close its doors in early 2020, however they have taken the opportunity during this ‘closed period’ to carry out an extensive refurbishment of its café / restaurant facilities whilst also overseeing the construction of a brand new state-of-the-art dance studio. This required Angela’s role on site to be specifically tailored to ensure that the building and construction staff could operate safely in a sanitized environment whilst maintaining at the same time general cleaning standards across the contract.
Angela’s fantastic work within the mac throughout the pandemic has not gone unnoticed with Deborah Kermode, mac CEO & Artistic Director commenting:
“We are delighted that the management of ‘We Clean’ have awarded Angela Reidwith the Dee Richards Pride Award for 2020. Angela goes above and beyond in her role at the mac, showing real professionalism and reliability, and always with that lovely beaming smile of hers”.
“We Clean Limited have continued to provide us with an ‘essential service’ over the past year, ensuring our venue is safe for all our staff and contractors -. Many congratulations Angela and thank you from all of us here at the mac”.
A small and socially distanced presentation took place on site at the mac where Michelle Smith Strategic Operations Director for the venue was on hand to present Angela with the prestigious Pride Champion Trophy.
Director Paul Concannon commented:
“I can remember clearly Angela’s first day with the company as we initially employed her as a Cleaning Operative at the Edgbaston High School for Girls, her diligence, commitment and lovely persona shone through right from the start hence we moved Angela to the mac when it relaunched following major refurbishment and building works back in 2010!
Since that time, she has displayed everything good about ‘we clean’ professionalism, reliability and that inherent sense of ‘integrity’ to do the job right! I am delighted that after so many years of commendable service and loyalty to our organization we are able to formally acknowledge her outstanding contribution to the business – Well done Angela and thank you!”
In what has been a challenging year for business and particularly for the arts and entertainment sector we were really pleased to end the year on a positive note, and to see Angela so excited and genuinely proud to receive her award was an immensely special moment.
Congratulations Angela Reid – Our Dee Richards Pride Award Champion!
