Cleanzine: your weekly cleaning and hygiene industry newsletter 18th April 2024 Issue no. 1110
Your industry news - first
The original and best - for over 20 years!
We strongly recommend viewing Cleanzine full size in your web browser. Click our masthead above to visit our website version.
Social enterprise recognised at inaugural CSSA Innovation Showcase
Clarity - The Soap Co. was given a Recognition Award for its social enterprise innovation at the inaugural Cleaning & Support Services Association Innovation Showcase 2018 - sponsored by the Cleaning & Hygiene Suppliers' Association. Held at The Brewery, London, last month, the event celebrated the cleaning industry's six most innovative products, services and initiatives.
Camilla Marcus-Dew, head of commercial at the company, presented the product and social action innovation credentials at a Dragon's Den type panel in February, and as a result the social enterprise was shortlisted to attend the Showcase.
The great and the good from the cleaning services world were in attendance - including: Doug Cooke - chairman CSSA and executive chairman Principle Cleaning Services, Sean Taylor - deputy chairman CSSA and managing director The Forces Group, David Cousins - member CSSA Innovation & Technology executive and managing director Bunzl Cleaning & Hygiene Supplies and Neil Nixon - editor C & M and seminar organiser for London & Manchester Cleaning Shows.
"We would like to congratulate the Cleaning & Support Services Association on the great success of its first Innovation Showcase," says Camilla Marcus-Dew (pictured with colleague Stephen Steppens). "We were delighted to be present and to achieve an award.
"As a thriving social enterprise that manufactures soap products for business, the opportunity to showcase our social action agenda and to present our range of products is greatly appreciated.
"Achieving a Recognition Award highlights that businesses are becoming ever more willing to commit resources to supporting social action and to switching soap for social good. The fulfilment of Corporate Social Responsibility is no longer simply a tick box exercise but a serious consideration in procurement decisions."
Suzanne Howe, founder of agency, Suzanne Howe Communications, a key influencer in the cleaning and hygiene sector, writes: "Camilla and her team were delighted to see so many key individuals at one event. Many of them showed a real interest in Clarity products. It would be great to see this interest translate into sales over the coming months."
Stephen Harrison, chairman of the CHSA and managing director of Harrison Wipes, says: "Innovation is the lifeblood of our members, and we applaud the CSSA's initiative in establishing this Innovation Showcase and are delighted to sponsor it. We're encouraging our members to shout about their innovations and achievements and apply to be part of the Innovation Showcase."
The Soap Co. is an ethical luxury brand with products that are good and do good. Based in East London, and with a traditional workshop in the Lake District, The Soap Co. creates body care products with sophisticated fragrances, minimalist design and a strong social and environmental ethos.
It is part of Clarity, the UK's oldest social enterprise (founded in 1854) which has produced soap for 80 years. Some 80% of its staff are visually impaired, disabled or otherwise disadvantaged. All the profit goes back into providing jobs and training. Over 10,000 hours of employment are created annually for its staff which has helped dozens transition into full time work elsewhere.
T: 020 3078 8950
W: www.thesoapco.org
5th April 2018