Me, Alan and Kamil had an absolutely fantastic night at the Living Wage Awards 2025!
I was incredibly proud to be nominated for the Trailblazer Award this year, alongside so many inspiring organisations who are actively raising standards in their industries.
The venue was brilliant, and it was great to hear about the recent revamp at Heart of Midlothian Football Club, including their new restaurant and hotel. Hearts being the only football club that is a Real Living Wage employer is a powerful example of leadership in action.
The cleaning industry needs more of that leadership. We are a genuine Living Wage employer in one of the most competitive sectors out there, where being even £1 cheaper can win a contract. Too often, the industry is driven by a race to the bottom — and we have chosen not to be part of that.
I’ve spoken to many cleaning companies who claim to be Living Wage employers, only to find that their workers are classed as self-employed. I’m often told this offers “flexibility”, but the reality is that self-employed workers miss out on holiday pay, pensions, employer National Insurance contributions, and often even basic protections. That is not fair work, and it is not genuine Living Wage employment.
We know this approach is harder, especially in today’s climate. Rising costs have made responsible employment more challenging, and I’m frequently asked if roles can be paid “cash in hand”. Our answer is always no.
We will continue to lead by example, creating secure, fairly paid jobs where people feel valued and supported. Being a trailblazer means doing the right thing, even when it’s difficult. Times are tough, but we’ve always come through thanks to our incredible team, and we’ll keep pushing forward together.
Thank you to the Living Wage Foundation for a truly inspiring evening — we were proud to be part of it.
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