Supporting the hospitality sector is a fundamental part of who we are at Act-Clean. From delivering exceptional cleaning services to championing industry initiatives and advocating for education and equality, we believe in showing up, investing in people and giving back.
We spoke with Bronwyn Groves, Sales and Marketing Director at Act-Clean, about why supporting the sector matters and how Act-Clean continues to drive positive change.
Why is supporting the hospitality sector so important to Act-Clean?
“We love our sector. We want to support it. It’s that simple.
Clearly, every day we support by providing services: night cleaning and kitchen porters, and we support our clients by becoming part of their team and working together to meet their goals. That’s not just clean areas and crockery, but also working with them on their priorities. Right now, ESG goals, trialling new eco-chemicals, waste management and recycling are top of mind for our clients, and we’re keen to support them.
Cleaning may not be regarded as the ‘sexy’ part of hospitality, but it’s essential. And we’re proud of our teams, of the work we do and we’re proud to play our part. We’re proud of how we continue to improve. We’re proud of our clients, of the incredible experiences they offer.”
Beyond our direct services, Act-Clean’s commitment to the sector is about long-term investment in its future.
“We support the sector because it’s important for longevity, for a strong future for the industry and for our business within that. Our sector creates opportunities for careers, social mobility and travel. There is a job for anyone in hospitality.
Our sector is key for experiences – the many social experiences it gives friends, families and relationships. It’s important to our culture and wellbeing, creating places for people to gather together.
Because we believe in the pursuit of excellence and equality, supporting associations like The Innholders Scholars, The Royal Academy of Culinary Arts and the UK Housekeepers Association is important to drive education, excellence and to support the future leaders of our industry.
Our ongoing support of Hospitality Action and Boutique Hotelier’s Women in Hotels event is about protecting the people in our sector – those who need additional support in challenging times and those who are not represented equally.
Supporting women through networking, mentoring and providing support, even in a social context, is important. Our industry employs about 60% women, yet only 30% are in senior management roles. We want to see that change. Act-Clean has a 50/50 male-female balance in our management team and it works.”
How does Act-Clean support the sector beyond its core services?
“We see our key sponsorships as year-round relationships, ongoing partnerships, and we’re contributing throughout the year – it’s not just about turning up for an event.
We’ve been involved with many of these initiatives for years, and we’ve built long-lasting and deep relationships, supporting their activities in meaningful ways.
Gillian and I are both Hospitality Action (HA) ambassadors because the work HA does is so important in helping people in our sector who need it most. There are some incredible, inspirational stories of individuals HA has helped, and continues to help every single day.
We’ve cycled, walked laps around Battersea Park and begged for sponsorships! And every year, we’re encouraging more of our team to get personally involved. It’s great to see more of our team doing their bit to support the sector.
Our leadership team at Act-Clean has all come from working in the sector, so we understand it, love it and appreciate what it has given us – so it’s natural for us to want to give back. Whether it’s organising drinks for women in our network, hosting a Housekeeper’s Lunch, Back of House Manager’s drinks, or General Manager hospitality events, it’s our way of supporting those individuals.”
How does Act-Clean’s commitment to supporting the sector positively impact its clients and the wider industry?
“I think our clients appreciate that we get involved, that we are making an investment into the people and the future of the sector. It’s not just the financial investment, but the time we invest, the fact that we show up.
Showing up is one of our company values. Not just for our cleaning teams, but across all our roles, and I think that’s noticed and appreciated.
We love people, and we love seeing people and I think speaking and engaging helps us truly understand what is going on: the challenges, the future of our industry and how our business needs to adjust within it. Sitting behind a desk doesn’t give us that insight. Getting out there and engaging does.
I think our clients see us as peers, and it creates better partnerships because they can speak openly about challenges. They appreciate our flexibility and our willingness to evolve alongside them, and for the industry as a whole.”
Looking ahead: How do you see Act-Clean’s role in the industry evolving to continue making a difference?
“In some ways, it will be the same – supporting people and the key areas of the industry will continue.
But we’re always evaluating: Did that work? Did we do enough? What will we do differently next time? We’re always evolving.
We keep informed about what’s happening in the sector. We ask: What’s new? What else can we do? Where will our expertise and knowledge be of use? Who will benefit? If we can get involved in something that will benefit the sector, we will.
That includes our decision to use LinkedIn more, to showcase our team and the ways we support the sector, this is part of our commitment to the future. We want to raise awareness for the great things the sector is doing, because awareness makes a difference.
We embrace change. And as the industry changes, we will adapt and evolve to continue our support.”
Act-Clean’s commitment to supporting the hospitality sector is part of our DNA. Whether it’s through our services, our sponsorships, our advocacy, or simply being there for our industry peers – we are here to support, elevate and help shape the future of hospitality!
If you’d like to learn more about how Act-Clean can support your business, get in touch.