Kim cleans up at Buckingham Palace

A LEADING figure in the cleaning industry has picked up her  MBE at Buckingham Palace.

Kim Phillips is a director at the British Cleaning Council (BCC), the National chairperson of BCC member the Association of Building Cleaning Direct Service organisations ABCD and head of catering and facilities services at Rotherham Council.

She was recognised in the New Year’s Honours list in January for public service after supporting communities within the borough of Rotherham, including during the Covid-19 crisis.

Kim, of Wickersley, collected her award at the palace from Princess Anne.

She said: “The whole day was a wonderful experience and being able to share it with my family was a bonus.

“When presenting the MBE, the Princess Royal referred to my years of experience which must have helped if any staff were concerned during the pandemic.  

“I discussed how positive messages, constantly updating instructions and leading by example helped with building confidence for cleaning operatives working during, and with, Covid.

“I am honoured to receive this award on behalf of all of the frontline staff who work to keep everyone safe on a daily basis.”

With colleagues at Rotherham Council, Kim Phillips set up a Covid-19 lateral flow test centre in the borough and shared her expertise on cleaning and hygiene in national webinars throughout the pandemic.

She also helped prepare meals for children during school holidays, helping to pack 3,000 school hampers for Easter with help from her family.

Kim, who told the Advertiser in January that she was “floored” by the news of her MBE, is responsible for the cleaning of Rotherham’s schools, community and civic buildings, as well as school catering, crossing patrols, and caretaking services.

She 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.