Cleanzine: your weekly cleaning and hygiene industry newsletter 25th April 2024 Issue no. 1111

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Industry wants answers after vague BFG closure statement

The cleaning industry was rocked last week with the news that The Building Futures Group had folded. Now people are justifiably asking what went wrong?

BFG made the announcement with a brief press release claiming it was closing after 'two successful years', but offered no explanation as to why the end had come now.

There is no option to contact the organisation through its website, as the content from both BFG's and Asset Skills sites has been removed. The lack of clarity surrounding its demise has raised questions about the company's probity, particularly as it's received a substantial amount of government funding.

There is no suggestion, at this stage, that any impropriety has taken place, but there is genuine concern that legitimate questions about the merger, and the subsequent business failure, have not been addressed.

The Building Futures Group was formed in April 2014 from Asset Skills and the Facilities Management Association. At the time chief executive, Sarah Bentley, said: "The industry lacked a consolidated, industry voice... BFG will provide a platform that has been badly missing."

But although the new company started brightly enough, no platform was established, and now industry professionals are left pondering some unanswered questions.

BCC Chairman, Simon Hollingbery, said: "It's never good to hear about a company closing, but the lack of information coming from BFG about the reasons for its closure is disappointing. The BCC and the rest of the cleaning industry need to know what exactly went wrong, so that we can all learn lessons for the future.

"Fortunately there are other associations within the BCC offering member services and training provision, and so we hope those people who have been let down by the closure of BFG can find support there".

www.britishcleaningcouncil.org

21st January 2016