Focussed on furthering the recognition of Women in all capacities
Whether you're in senior management or directorate level positions in the Cleaning and Support Services,
we organise activities that support women
About Us
Although the British Cleaning Council 2015 survey demonstrated in general, the female/male ratio was balanced it did not reflect the same value when considering management positions and above. The greatest split was at Board level, a factor across may industries so we are not unique. Research suggests that women and the young will apply for a management or above role if they feel 120% confident in their skills and abilities, yet men will apply for the same opening when they feel just 65% confidence. Our aim is to change this!
Through training, support, mentorship and networking, the CSSA’s Women’s Group aims to support people in the cleaning and support services sectors to become the best that they can be by increasing their confidence, abilities and skills, and directing them to higher roles within their organisations.
The women's group have selected two charities, Safer Places & Breast Cancer UK, which it supports during its events throughout the year.
A focus for the October event further raises awareness and money for research, support & prevention of breast cancer.
Safer Places is an independent charity supporting survivors of domestic abuse. Its mission is to drive down the incidence and impact of domestic and sexual abuse and to support those who use their services in their journey to recovery, resilience and independence.
The Team
Lynn Webster
Consultant - LWC Ltd
Lynn is Director of her own cleaning consultancy business, LWC Ltd, formed in 2004 after over 35 years’ experience across many sectors of the cleaning industry including commercial environments healthcare, retail, leisure, hospitality, and the education sectors. She started her career in the NHS as a National Trainee in Domestic Services having served time as a domestic assistant and cleaning operative whilst at college.
She is one of the original Top 100 most influential women in Hospitality, Travel, Leisure and Tourism and holds the British Institute of Cleaning Science Sholom Gordon Award for outstanding contribution to the Cleaning Industry where she served for over 20 years on the BICSc Council and was their National Chairman 2009 - 2011.
She is a Court Assistant for the Worshipful Company of Environmental Cleaning with time served on Finance, Membership and Education Committees. Her roles for CSSA include being a member of the Technology and Innovations Executive as well as being the Chairman of the Women’s Group. Lynn has provided on a number of judging roles including Golden Service Awards, Cleaning Industry Innovation Awards and the European Cleaning Journal, European Cleaning Awards for whom she is their UK correspondent.
Julie Kitchener
Head of Customer Service & Marketing - ICE
After leaving Southampton University with a Business Studies degree, Julie joined BT on their graduate scheme. She spent 13 years there working in various marketing roles, including launching Broadband throughout the UK. Whilst working for BT she also studied for a Marketing Master’s degree which she achieved in 2006.
Julie joined ICE in October 2014 to run the marketing function where she was responsible for all elements of marketing and PR for the business. Julie was then promoted in January 2019 to Head of Customer Service and Marketing, and is now responsible for the Customer Service, Product Genius and Marketing departments. Julie is also part of the Cleaning Support Services Association (CSSA) Marketing Executive Group.
Soo Bartholomew
Tech Director - Birkin
Soo Bartholomew is the Technical Director for the Birkin Group and has worked in the cleaning industry for over 35 years, having started her career as a cleaner in a local school, she progressed her career and has during the ensuing years been directly responsible at a senior level for the operational delivery and development of cleaning to blue chip locations, 5* international event venues, media, industrial facilities, power generation, pharmaceutical, government, local government, education, and MOD contracts both in the UK and Europe.
Jo Long
Sales Manager - Metsa Tissue
Jo has more than 20 years in the janitorial and paper industries, in Sales, Customer Service and Management roles. Jo has now been with the manufacturer, Metsa Tissue, for 10 years. During that time, she has done much to drive up the importance of education and supporting services for the industry. Jo is a member of several key Industry organisations and is also a Liverymen, she spends much of her time, networking and raising the profile of the key challenges faced by Janitorial organisations including Sustainability.
Lorraine Larman
CMIOSH FBICSc
Lorraine welcomes the opportunity to mentor others entering and developing in our industry. Having been a member of BICSc for over 20 years, her broad portfolio of experiences include overseeing companies in achieving accreditations in ISO 9001, ISO 14001, OHSAS 18001, Investors in People, and other safety accreditations. Her career in the cleaning industry blossomed working through a variety of operational and specialist roles for a contract cleaning company.
H&S and the environment is Lorraine’s specialty. She currently represents the Worship Company of Environmental Cleaners on the Cleaning Industry Liaising Forum, a committee set up by the Health and Safety Executive to oversee health and safety in the cleaning industry, and achieved the Freedom of the City of London. She was later awarded the Eric Hill Memorial Medal for her contribution to training in the Cleaning Industry and now is in progression to become a future Master of the Livery Company.
Ellen Gasson
Marketing Manager - ICE
After leaving university in 2016 with a 2:1 in a Marketing & Events Management degree from Southampton University Ellen started at ICE as Marketing Assistant quickly progressing to Marketing Executive.
Now Marketing Manager Ellen is now overseeing the complete marketing function at ICE.
Ellen has recently passed her Certified Digital Marketing Professional course and is looking forward to building on her current ICE role as well as to the CSSA Women’s Group.