The Worshipful Company of Environmental Cleaners (WCEC) has welcomed Jim Melvin as its new Master, following his installation ceremony on Friday 21 April 2023 at St Olave’s Church in the City of London.
Jim succeeds Gary Fage, who has held the role since 2021.
Jim has been a WCEC member for 22 years. Among his valued contributions is his ongoing support of the WCEC’s facilitation of the Chartered Practitioner’s Register (CPR) in Environmental Cleaning. The CPR confers Chartership status to anyone from the cleaning and facilities management industries who fulfils the necessary criteria, earning the corresponding post-nominals of C.Env.Cln.
In fact, right after Jim’s installation ceremony as WCEC Master, he received confirmation of his own Chartership status, having recently completed all his requirements for entry on the Chartered Practitioner’s Register.
Jim said: “I am honoured twice, not only to be named Master of the WCEC, but also in receiving my chartership, which is a testament to our livery’s commitment to raise recognition of the cleaning industry’s professionalism in the UK and beyond. I have also been fortunate and privileged to have worked with, and to be following an excellent Master in Gary Fage. I aim to continue in the same vein, raising our industry’s profile, giving it a voice and building on its excellent potential.”
Jim has enjoyed a long and successful career in the cleaning industry and is the CEO of the Exclusive Services Group. He is probably best and widely known in his role as Chairman of the British Cleaning Council (BCC), elected in 2021 having been Deputy Chairman for two years prior. He has been a steadfast ambassador to the cleaning industry, raising awareness of its contribution, potential and future direction. He is also dedicated to the further development of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for the Cleaning and Hygiene Industry.
During his tenure as Master of the WCEC, Jim’s focus will be on securing recognition of cleaning operatives as Key Workers, and continuing his work with the APPG to develop a national cleaning qualification under the Apprenticeship Levy.
He also intends to start an initiative where the WCEC partners with other organisations to help disadvantaged persons to gain employment within the cleaning and facilities management industries. It will offer guidance and support to employers and potential employees on how to overcome challenges and obstacles to expanding the industry’s workforce, while revealing the positive potential in others who are not usually afforded an opportunity to succeed.
