National Safeclean Conference 2025

A week on, we are only just getting over our Safeclean Conference!  To everyone that attended, I hope everyone enjoyed their time with the Safeclean by Guardsman network, partners, Head office staff, guest speakers , suppliers and trainers who supported. Thanks to John Glaysher and Richard Oloyede from Guardsman, Chris, and Kerry from Alltec, and Paul and Sandra Pearce for their support, stalls, sessions, and such engaging content and informative delivery.

We began with a review of Sixty years of Lilly industries involvement in the UK, and the creation of Safeclean as a concept and brand, born of the late Desmond Cook in Upton Oxfordshire. How wonderful that we finalised the day with a moving presentation and speech from his daughter, Emma Gilbert-Cook, who closed the day as our surprise guest. The emotion was tangible and some tears of sadness and joy at what Desmond and his Wife had left in that room as his legacy, after the sale of Safeclean to Guardsman in the early 1990’s. Emma was so moved to see that legacy, living, and breathing in our network, in that conference centre, as she stood beneath the pictures attached of her father and mother. There were several long established and engaged Franchisees who remembered Emma and Desmond with such happiness. Thanks to Emma and her partner Robin for their support, and Kate Way (Guardsman Marketing Manager) for her suggestion and connection after the serendipity of a random meeting with Emma and Kate on a hen do a few weeks earlier. Mysterious ways!

We moved through the day from the creation of the business, the required changes of 2024, where we are now with the new structure, and most importantly our plans for 2025, and the strategy and direction for a prosperous and successful future in franchising for our Safeclean by Guardsman business and network.

From my perspective, and from feedback from many franchisees on the day and evening, it was the best and most Safeclean relevant conference many have experienced. The presentations from Martin, Rob, Kim & Steve, who sat as our expert panel for the Q&A session, were so informative. A huge well done to all the award winners and to all the partners who supported and enjoyed the wonderful dinner and evening celebrations.

We were thrilled to have 70% of our franchisees attend this year’s event, which made for a truly vibrant and collaborative atmosphere. It was fantastic to see so many of our franchisees actively participating, sharing ideas, and engaging in discussions that will help shape the future of our franchise.

I would just like to highlight our award winners, congratulations to you all!

Safeclean Franchisee of the Year 2025 - Stephen White

Safeclean Sales & Marketing Excellence 2025 - Robert Loomes
Safeclean Business Development 2025 - Elliott Hollyman

Safeclean Special Recognition 2025 - Steven Alderman

Safeclean by Guardsman Highest Achieving First Visit Fix 2024 - Steve Court

Safeclean by Guardsman 2-10-2 Excellence Award 2024 - John Joannides

Safeclean by Guardsman Most Improved First Visit Fix 2024 - Elliot Wright

Safeclean by Guardsman Most Improved 2-10-2 2024 - Robert Loomes

Favourite Franchisee as voted for by Guardsman 2025 - Robert Loomes

Gold MSC Contributor 2024 - Richard Bent

Silver MSC Contributor 2024 - Elliot Wright

Bronze MSC Contributor 2024 - Martin Jordan

Two people, who we simply couldn’t have done this without, are our highly valued Safeclean support team of Joanne Reynolds and Jamie Copas. The amount of work, planning, content, and event management they both put into this event is incredible. I wanted to thank and applaud their professionalism, creativity, youth, energy, and grit in making this such a success. It’s so good to see them liberated and so engaged to truly drive the brand and service on.

Thank you Jo & Jamie, just the best team I could have on this area of our business in my new role as Head of Networks UK, ROI & Europe in managing all third-party claims and business fulfilment providers. I’ve always so enjoyed my involvement with our own in-house specialists of Safeclean by Guardsman and my commitment to this area of the business remains as strong as ever.

For those who sadly couldn’t attend, as we understand dates never work for everyone, we have saved a copy of the presentation on Safeclean 360. Please let us know if you help accessing your account.

Once again, thanks to you all and wishing you a prosperous, fulfilling, and successful 2025 and beyond.

Kind regards, Will