The Worshipful Company of Environmental Cleaners (WCEC) has announced the installation of Lorraine Larman as its new Master. She succeeds the former Master, Jim Melvin.
The Ceremony of Installation and a Service of Re-dedication took place on Friday 19 April 2024, at St Olave’s Church in the City; this was followed by the Installation Banquet at Mansion House, attended by the Lord Mayor.
Lorraine has worked in the service industry for 35 years and has been a dedicated member of the WCEC for the past 12, specialising in compliance and health and safety in environmental cleaning. Among her varied representations in the cleaning industry, Lorraine was a Board member of the British Institute of Cleaning Science, and she has also been instrumental in helping to draft the infrastructure of and implement the Chartered Practitioners’ Register, which is facilitated by the WCEC. The latter affords chartership to environmental cleaners all over the world.
Lorraine is looking forward to a year of collaboration with the WCEC Court and members, with a focus on openness. She also intends to encourage a more corporate approach, with an emphasis on organising procedures and streamlining processes for the benefit of WCEC members.
Lorraine has been working closely with No Going Back, a charity supporting people from prison to employment, with which the WCEC has strong links. Bringing people back to the community through rehabilitation, training, opportunity and social support are efforts that she truly believes in. She plans to continue building on the livery’s initiatives in this regard.
She also advocates for the development of existing cleaning and hygiene professionals. By encouraging a ‘back to basics’ approach, empowering through training and compliance, it makes strong foundations for businesses to thrive. This process only succeeds through people and this is where the WCEC can play a positive role in supporting the talent of the cleaning industry.
Looking ahead to her tenure at the helm of the WCEC, Lorraine remarked: “I am honoured to be appointed Master and represent the WCEC as such. I am an example of how, with the right training and support, one can start at the very bottom, with a dream and hard work, and attain credibility as the founder of a successful business and enjoy senior membership of esteemed institutions. Through the WCEC’s resources, guidance and support for Chartership, we can encourage and facilitate similar paths for others.”
This is especially relevant, as Lorraine is keen to encourage new and younger membership, confirming that the WCEC is for everyone, not just the older generation.
