Last week, we attended the Cleaning Excellence Conference and Awards in Coventry. Together with members from the AQS team and wider Tudor Group teams, we spent the day attending seminars – from sustainability to robotics - and meeting contacts from within the facilities management industry.

The Cleaning Excellence Awards were held the same day, and with the AQS team renowned for their conscientious, can-do attitudes, we were delighted that our colleagues had been recognised for their hard work, and were shortlisted in three award categories:

Cleaning & Hygiene Team of the Year - Principality Stadium

Headed up by George Olteanu, Mihai Roncea, and Vasil Alexandru Petcu, the Principality and Specialist Cleaning team work across hundreds of events over the course of a summer, keeping stadiums looking their best for thousands of spectators. The operatives are often barely noticed by those enjoying themselves, even when working during the event, but our team ensures that every visitor experiences the event in an immaculate setting.

In June this year, for example, Coldplay, renowned for their awe-inspiring performances, took the stage at the Principality Stadium. 

For two consecutive nights, the shows brought in a staggering 61,000 spectators each, posing a significant logistical challenge for the AQS team. The aftermath included a sky strewn with balloons and a ground blanketed in confetti, prompting an enormous cleanup effort.

With a dedicated team of approximately 250 AQS operatives on-site per night, the daunting task was methodically tackled. While litter pickers looked after discarded programmes, cups, and navigated the confetti-laden floor—kitchen staff replenished refreshment zones and food counters for another night of satisfying hungry fans.

AQS’s summer achievements at the Principality Stadium showcase our expertise, adaptability, and commitment. What truly sets AQS apart, however, is not just our operational prowess but also our passion.

Going Above and Beyond Expectations - Anna Psztyk

For the last 5 years Anna has been a manager responsible for the ‘Student Accommodation Summer Deep Clean’ across the UK (for example: Cardiff, Bath, Bristol, Manchester, Sheffield, Liverpool, Bangor) – no mean feat!

Anna is also currently managing one of the biggest contracts for AQS – schools (Cardiff and Vale College – Cardiff & Barry, Eastern High School – Cardiff, Ysgol Bro Morgannwg – Barry, Ysgol Y Deri - Penarth & Barry, Ysgol Drew Newydd – Barry).

Both areas of this educational sector require total commitment, great physical and mental endurance (long distances between facilities, time pressure - to complete all the work on time or before the opening of schools), and second to none communication skills, effectively managing contractors, cleaners and supervisors.

Anna’s attention to detail is faultless, whilst at the same time demonstrating an above-average ability to handle various challenges simultaneously. Anna is not only line manager for 4 managers, 10 supervisors and about 200 cleaners a day, but if the situation requires it - she cleans herself and her motto is: "the example comes from above".

Supervisor of the Year - Viktoriia Griscenko

Viktoriia joined AQS Ltd in 2020 in a cleaning role, giving her the necessary knowledge of the company's products and methods. Thanks to her great attention to detail, the standards in the schools she runs have been raised to a high level.

Operating on the principle "know your team", Viktoriia’s teams are made up of people of all ages and abilities, but because she knows their capabilities, she can divide up the work on the sites to suit the individual operative.

In this way, the team can play to their strengths and Viktoriia is able to utilise their potential in the best way to fulfil the requirements of the contract. Planning the work in advance results in good organisation and her team knows exactly what is expected of them at any given time.

The team Viktoriia has built up includes a ‘standby’ team, able to travel to the workplace in a short space of time if additional help is needed. Viktoriia’s whole team has noticed the difference when they help each other, and have a greater understanding of how important each individual team member is within a team.

To have been shortlisted for these awards was a wonderful achievement for the whole team, particularly considering the high level of competition, but we then also went on to win two ‘Highly Commended’ awards, for ‘Cleaning & Hygiene Team of the Year’ and ‘Going Above and Beyond Expectations’.

Commenting on the day, Fabien Caqueret, Tudor Group Managing Director, said: “We’re so proud of the incredible team we have at AQS.  To be recognised for the work they do on a daily basis is a wonderful achievement, congratulations again.”

To find out more about how we work, or to find out how to work with AQS, get in touch today on 01443 217000 or via our Contact page.