The British Cleaning Council (BCC) has paid tribute to Terence King, one of its co-founders who died earlier this year at the age of 82.
Terence King and two industry colleagues – Robert Burtinshaw and David Watt – set up the BCC in 1982 after hearing the Master of the Worshipful Company of Environmental Cleaners (WCEC) tell an audience during a speech that he felt all sectors of the UK cleaning industry should amalgamate to advance their common interests.
The WCEC, the Industrial Cleaning Machine Manufacturers’ Association (ICMMA), the Janitorial Supply Association (JANSA), the British Association for Chemical Specialities (BACS), the British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICSc), the Federation of Window Cleaners (FWC) and the National Carpet Cleaners Association (NCCA) became founder members of the BCC.
The aim of the new body was to draw together all the many strands that make up the UK cleaning industry, and be an umbrella organisation under which all other industry associations could convene. The objectives were to improve health, hygiene and general cleanliness, and to raise the profile of the industry both at home and abroad.
Terry King went on to become the second chairman of the BCC from 1988 to 1990. Along with fellow BCC founders he also came up with the idea of setting up a joint venture to provide regional and national cleaning exhibitions, which resulted in ‘BCCE 88’, the forerunner of today’s Cleaning Show. He was also Past Master Emeritus of the WCEC, having served as Master from 1997 – 1998.
BCC Chairman, Jim Melvin, said: “I was immensely saddened to hear of Terry’s passing. I obviously knew Terry from the industry and also from the WCEC. Terry had a huge impact on the UK’s cleaning and hygiene sector, via the foundation of the BCC and establishing the forerunner of the Cleaning Show.
“Terry was a founding chairman of the BCC and without his drive and forethought, we would simply not be here today. That cannot and should not ever be underestimated and we should be eternally grateful.
“However, and to add to the above, Terry was simply a lovely man who was always a pleasure to see. His experience in the industry and his passion for it were unquestioned, and whilst I knew that he had been unwell for some time, it was still a great shock and extremely sad to hear of his passing.
“He will be greatly missed and my thoughts, prayers and sincere condolences both personally and on behalf of the BCC go to Terry’s family at this particularly difficult time.”
