The British Cleaning Council (BCC), which represents over 20 national trade associations linked to the UK’s cleaning, hygiene and waste management sectors, has officially elected a new Chairman and Deputy Chair.
Paul Thrupp, the Council’s Deputy Chair and Operations Director at OCS, was voted in as the new BCC Chairman at the Council’s recent Annual General Meeting (AGM). Mr Thrupp will also continue to represent the Federation of Window Cleaners on the Council.
Mr Thrupp succeeds Stan Atkins, who stepped down after two years at the BCC helm. Mr Atkins will remain a member of the BCC in his role as Council member for BICSc.
Following a second vote, the vacant Deputy position was taken by Jim Melvin. Mr Melvin is Group Chief Executive of Exclusive Services Group and has represented the CSSA on the British Cleaning Council since November 2017.
A third vote saw Simon Hollinbery, a former BCC Chair, re-appointed as the Council’s Company Secretary.
Paul Thrupp commented: “Stan Atkins will be a tough act to follow, and I would like to thank him for all of his hard work and dedication to the BCC over the last two years. As Deputy Chair during Stan’s tenure I gained a clear understanding of the issues, challenges and priorities which are important to both our members and the wider cleaning industry.
“My aim is to therefore build upon the great work of Stan and other BCC colleagues while further exploring how the BCC can widen its remit and make an even bigger impact on policy makers, industry partners and other influencers on behalf of the whole sector.
“I’m also thrilled that Jim Melvin will be the BCC’s Deputy for the next two years. We have worked together before professionally when Jim was working at Strand, which is part of the OCS Group, so it’s fantastic to be reunited with him via the BCC.”
Jim Melvin added: “The British Cleaning Council is the voice of cleaning in the UK and I am proud to have been elected to this position by the BCC membership. I am greatly looking forward to working closely with Paul, Simon and the Council to help improve the cleaning, hygiene, waste management and FM sectors which our 22 members collectively represent.”
Immediate Past Chair Stan Atkins said: “Under its constitution the BCC has to elect a new Chair and Deputy every two years, so my stepping down is as much procedural as it is timely.
“Paul and Jim will I believe make a great team and will help to take the Council forward. I also hope that some of the initiatives which I helped to instigate as Chair will continue to be pursued by the new executive.
“I would also like to pay tribute to the work of Simon Hollinbery as Company Secretary, and I am delighted that he has been re-appointed by the Council for what is a key role within the organisation.”
