British Cleaning Council elects new chair

David Garcia has been officially elected as the new Chair of the British Cleaning Council (BCC) at the organisations recent Annual General Meeting

Garcia, who has served as Deputy Chair for two years, takes over the role from Delia Cannings.

Garcia has been in the industry for over 50 years and is a well-known and respected figure in the industry. He was the founder and former Chairman/MD of Polaris (Plastics), one of the UK’s leading providers of refuse sacks, bin liners and ancillary products to the away from home market.

He has been an active member of one of the largest BCC members, the Cleaning and Hygiene Suppliers Association (CHSA), for a number of years and is currently its Treasurer and Vice-President. He is the driving force behind the CHSA’s hugely successful undergraduate bursary scheme and is also responsible for the annual gala ball, a hugely popular event at which association members generously raise significant funds for charity.

Commenting on his new role as BCC Chair, Garcia said: “I’m delighted and honoured to become Chair of the BCC, following on from my colleague and friend Delia Cannings. I applaud Delia for her fabulous job as Chair and I profoundly thank her, on behalf of the sector.

“I’ll be doing my best to fill her big boots and add to the recognition and awareness of the sector and the BCC, which has grown immensely during her leadership. I am delighted to say that Immediate Past Chair Delia has kindly agreed to continue to lead on the education and training strand of our work, which will be an immense help.

“I should also take the opportunity to thank another past Chair, Jim Melvin, who has been doing sterling work leading the BCC’s lobbying campaign, which has seen real and encouraging progress in recent months. I look forward to Jim hopefully continuing to lead on this vital initiative.

“The BCC has a fine history of effective and decisive Chairs over many years and I very much look forward to accepting the challenge in that respect.

“An important theme which I will be prioritising during my tenure is unity. In my opinion, it is essential that BCC members and the industry as a whole pull together.

“Our industry is one of the biggest in the UK, worth nearly £66.9 billion a year to the country’s economy and one which employs 1.49 million people. Staff have a vital role keeping others safe, healthy and well. Yet, despite the progress made recently, our sector and staff still do not enjoy the recognition and respect we deserve. We in the sector can undoubtedly make our voice heard louder if we stand united. We are stronger together and must demonstrate that.

“All it leaves me to do is to reiterate how delighted and pleased I am to take over the ‘hot seat’ and that I will do everything I can to justify the faith my colleagues have shown in me.”

Under Canning’s leadership, the BCC had some notable achievements including launching the UK Cleaning Career Development Zone and clinching approval for the Level 2 Cleaning Hygiene Operative Apprenticeship. The current Government has also been much more receptive so far to the BCC’s lobbying campaign.