All Change At The British Institute of Cleaning Science

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12 November 2026 | Updated 11 November 2026

The British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICSc) has announced a number of key council changes including its new Chair who has been joined by new council members. 

At the recent BICSc AGM it was all change, as Soo Bartholomew stood down as Chair following her three-year tenure and she was joined by Frank Veneman who also departed after his triple-year service as an individual council member.

Bartholomew passed on the baton to Yvonne Taylor who has gone from joining the profession as a cleaning operative to becoming the latest Chair of BICSc Council, demonstrating the wide-ranging opportunities available within the industry. She rose through the ranks having started her career as an operative and pot washer, going on to lead global cleaning operations before taking on her latest role. 

Former Chair, Bartholomew, stepped down from the position having spent 40 years in the industry, including 35 years of association with BICSc during which time she “had the privilege of training countless cleaning operatives, supervisors, managers and directors”, before being elected to the BICSc Council in 2011, which she called “a tremendous honour”.

In other BICSc council developments Gytis Kuliavcevas, Jay Adderley and Stacey McAlister were all voted in by members with Mike McCarthy returning to reside for another three years.

With 80,000 members worldwide, BICSc is the largest independent, professional and educational body in the cleaning industry. Established over 60 years ago, the Institute’s mission is to raise the standards of education and to build awareness of the cleaning industry through professional standards and accredited training. 

Yvonne Taylor, Chair of BISCs, said: “It’s an absolute honour. Chairing BICSc represents an opportunity to champion the standards, professionalism and training that has played such an important role throughout my career.”

Soo Bartholomew, Former Chair of BISCs, said: “I have always strived to uphold the responsibilities of the role, promoting BICSc and championing the safety and professionalism of cleaning operatives in everything I do. It has been a privilege to serve as Chair, and I wish Yvonne every success as she takes on the role.”

Neil Spencer-Cook, Group Managing Director of BICSc, said: “We are incredibly grateful for the years of dedication Soo has demonstrated for BICSc and wish her well in the future as we welcome Yvonne as our new Chair. We look forward to the exciting new developments Yvonne will bring in her role for BICSc and the wider professional cleaning community.” 

Picture: An image of the BICSc New Councillors.

Article written by Dave Mapps | Published 12 November 2026

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