Her Majesty the Queen recognised the Facilities Management sector and The Cleaning industry for it continued and stellar work during the Pandemic, with MBEs and BEMs.
Kim Phillips, Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council, head of catering and facilities services & British Cleaning Council Director (BCC) receives an MBE for public service supporting essential frontline services in cleaning, school catering, caretaking, and school crossing patrols. She is also the National chairperson of BCC members the Association of Building Cleaning Direct Service organisations (ABCD). She joined the borough council in 2005 to lead soft facilities management provision. Along with colleagues, she set up the Lateral Flow Test Centre at Riverside House in Rotherham, and during the pandemic has shared her expertise on cleaning and hygiene in national webinars.
Kim said: “I am deeply honoured to receive this award for public service which has been my career and my life.
“I am one of hundreds of employees across the country who have endeavoured to fight the pandemic and keep everyone safe, and I would like to dedicate the award to all the unsung frontline heroes who have maintained a positive attitude in the face of adversity, which is just as important to success as ability.”
Phillips was elected national chairperson of the ABCD, which comprises managers of building cleaning services employed by local councils, four years ago and became a BCC director in June 2020.
BCC chair Jim Melvin said: “My warmest congratulations go to our colleague Kim for this well-deserved recognition. I am equally sure that her family will be beyond proud, as they should.
“Kim has made an invaluable contribution both to the cleaning and hygiene sector and the wider community thanks to her expertise, dedication, commitment and hard work. Everyone at the BCC is extremely proud of her.
Councillor Chris Read, leader of Rotherham Council, said: “Throughout the pandemic, she has worked above and beyond in the efforts to keep the public and staff safe. These awards are a testament to the hard work and dedication public service colleagues have shown over the past two years, and Kim’s award is thoroughly deserved.”
June Patterson, 76 Northern School of Art in Middlesbrough, cleaning supervisor has been awarded the BEM for her services to education. Patterson, from Acklam, ensures that young people in the Tees Valley area receive a high-quality education in tidy and clean campus premises. She told Teesside News: “I’m still in shock. When the letter came it was to go to a proper service. I thought it can’t be a proper service, I’m too old!
“I just went into a heap really! I thought this can’t be happening to me. I thought I’m getting a medal! I think it’s because I have been at the place for 45 years. Last year I got a lifetime achievement award from the principal. I have no plans to retire until they throw me out. I will be there with a walking frame!”
Angela Blower, 59, School cook from Redcar, who retired in 2021 after spending her entire career working for Middlesbrough Council, was another BEM recipient for her services to education. She began working for the local authority after leaving school, working her way up to be catering manager, a post she held for 24 years. On being awarded a BEM for services to education, she told the Northern Echo: “I was so surprised and shocked. It was totally unexpected. It’s a pleasure, really. I’ve done 43 years with the council, and it’s been a lovely career.”
David Porter, 67, a retired security guard at Sunderland University, was made an MBE. In 2017, Porter was awarded Security Officer of The Year by the Association of University Chief Security Officers (AUCSO) for his actions during a routine patrol that saved a woman’s life. This incident came only months after he had evacuated students and coordinated emergency services at the halls of residence after a fire broke out. When the Covid-19 epidemic began, he deferred retirement to assist the university security team. Speaking to the Sunderland Echo about the moment he discovered he had been nominated for the honour, he said: “To tell you the truth, I thought it was joke or prank. I was about to tear it up and put it in the bin.”
Avin Rabheru, founder and CEO at Housekeep, has been awarded an MBE for services to entrepreneurship and digital innovation, housekeep started in London in 2014 and has delivered millions of regular cleans to homes across the capital. For the past three years the firm has featured in the Financial Times ‘FT1000’ list of fastest-growing companies in Europe, reaching 6th place in 2019. On the firm’s website, he said: “I’m delighted to be recognised in the Queen’s Honours list. Credit must go to the terrific colleagues who have built Housekeep alongside me, as well to our cleaners and tradespeople, who are the lifeblood of our business.”
Janet McAlister, lately lead officer for NISCA, the Northern Ireland School Caterers’ Association, in Northern Ireland, was awarded an MBE for services to education in the province. She has pioneered encouraging healthy eating among young people.
Hardip Lawana, Home Office Border Force in Greater London, has been awarded the MBE for services to border security and workplace wellbeing.
Antonis Eleftheriou, contract director, Sodexo Sovereign Base Areas is awarded an MBE for services to FM in support of the British Forces in Cyprus. He Has worked for Sodexo in Cyprus since 2003. On receiving the award, he said: “I am honoured to receive an MBE. It is very much a team award as I could not have achieved it without the determination, commitment and hard work of all those that work with me.”
Marcia Glanvill Merseyside, HM Revenue and Customs, receives an MBE for services to workplace wellness and to the community in Merseyside.
Paul Mayo Holt. Ayston, Rutland For services to International Trade, to Education, and to the UK’s PPE Supply Chain. =]

Share this page