Rising Star
Company: Swiftclean
Nominee Name: Aaron Russell, Compliance Surpervisor, Swiftclean
Supporting Statement
Time at Swiftclean: 18 months
Areas of expertise: Aaron is a multi-skilled supervisor, focussing on kitchen extract, general ventilation cleaning, fire damper testing and remedials.
Aaron works across Swiftclean’s varied portfolio in both the private and public sector. He recently excelled at a complex job at St Charles Hospital in North Kensington, London; a four-storey building with multiple wards, offices and a segregation unit.
Aaron was part of the team called in by mechanical installation and servicing specialists, AMS, to clean the air ventilation system. It soon became clear that locating every part of the system was going to be a challenge. Following a rebuild in 2002, the schematics hadn’t been updated and didn’t match the current state of the building.
Apart from the lack of up-to-date information relating to the location of ductwork, working in a busy, sensitive hospital environment requires a specialist understanding. Keeping essential services operational is key, while being mindful of vulnerable occupants.
Despite these challenges, Aaron and his team successfully cleaned St Charles’ ventilation system, providing up to date reporting on the current schematics, impressing AMS so much that Swiftclean will now be involved in a number of similar NHS Trust projects across the UK.
Aaron’s line manager, Jon Conrad, explains: “Aaron is very diligent, with a professional, ‘can-do’ attitude. Highlighting his recent work at St Charles Hospital, he did an amazing job in some difficult circumstances.
“This site was challenging, and Aaron navigated himself and the team there well, in difficult and sensitive situations. Some extra health and safety precautions had to be put into place; again, Aaron and his team adapted well, and communicated with the client on a daily basis, providing excellent customer service.”
It’s not just Aaron’s line manager that is impressed with his work:
“(Aaron’s) team arrived on time; they were punctual and worked well with our team. There was good communication on the progress of works. Would recommend.” Derek Penfold, Airtech
“Aaron and his colleagues were amazing and did a good job at Heathrow Airport Terminal 3. Thank you.” Lenzel Fernandes (Select Services Partnership (SSP))
Overall, SSP, one of Swiftclean’s biggest and longest standing clients (Swiftclean has worked with SSP for the past 14 years, delivering kitchen extract cleaning across all the major airports in the UK and Ireland), is extremely impressed with the way the team conducts itself:
Tobias Evans, SSP Maintenance Manager UK Airports: “The Swiftclean team are extremely professional and good at their job…quickly sorting any issues should they arise.
“The crucial point here is that issues rarely do arise; in fact, the Swiftclean onsite teams go largely under the radar, doing a great job at keeping our airport portfolio safe and compliant.
“Our clients like them too and their service delivery operatives have excellent relationships with the staff on the ground, built thanks to the same faces going to the same locations so regularly. These guys know our sites inside and out. Airports can be tricky places to work, but we never get any complaints about Swiftclean.”
Aaron’s thoughts on working for Swiftclean: “The thing I like most about the job is the variety. No two days are the same – I get involved with grease, fire ventilation and dampers. It keeps me on my toes and love the challenge. I really enjoy problem solving.
“I also enjoy the culture at Swiftclean; while the job can be demanding, we have some fun too! There are lots of opportunities to socialise, as well as team building.” (Aaron has just got back from climbing Snowdon as part of a charity fundraiser.)
Aaron fell into the world of vent hygiene after taking a job as a driver for H20, where he trained on the job. After a brief stint in sales and retail, he wanted to get back into the sector, so approached Swiftclean two years’ ago. As this award entry proves, Swiftclean is very glad that Aaron got in touch.
Jon Conrad concludes: “All in all, I would describe Aaron as professional and an asset to Swiftclean; he is a real team member and always promotes the company values. In fact, he’s been here for a short time in comparison to some other team members; but quickly instilled himself as an integral member of the team, with others often calling on him for advice.”
A great fit for Swiftclean
The Swiftclean team is characterised by its positive attitude, natural leadership ability and multi-skilled expertise. Every member of the service delivery team can provide the full spectrum of Swiftclean’s portfolio of services. Thanks to its own dedicated training academy, which trains both Swiftclean staff and external candidates, all employees are continuously upskilled in the latest best practice, making Swiftclean technicians amongst the most highly trained in the business.
Many of its courses are industry leading, developed with BESA and members of Swiftclean’s senior management team who have been instrumental in shaping compliance standards (Swiftclean’s MD, Gary Nicholls, is a co-author on TR19® Grease and TR19® Air).
Ultimately, ventilation hygiene is about much more than cleanliness. The service Swiftclean delivers ensures client’s meet ever more stringent compliance standards, ensuring legal protection against accusations of negligence. Through accurate and meticulous record keeping, Swiftclean customers can have full confidence that the correct works have been carried out, full compliance has been achieved, and their building’s meet air quality and safety standards.
Aaron is one of the newest members of a team that, together, represent more than 80 years of combined experience at the forefront of the UK ventilation services industry, helping to shape industry best-practice when it comes to ventilation hygiene and safety in the UK.
Entry ID: 10394
Supporting Documents
Supporting Documents
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