Douglas Cooke

Douglas Cooke is Executive Chairman of Principle Cleaning Services.  As Douglas celebrates 55 years in the cleaning industry, this is the perfect time to recognise his pioneering influence in a sector that is so often overlooked, yet which is essential to the successful operation of British business. Many organisations in the City of London rely on Principle and it is no exaggeration to say that by providing the staff that make their premises clean and safe places to work, Doug is playing a central part in the smooth running of UK plc. Among his outstanding achievements, he was the first boss of a major cleaning business to introduce the London Living Wage, galvanised government to follow suit with the National Living Wage and never works with clients who pay less. He pioneered daytime cleaning through his innovative Hybrid Cleaning Process, humanising cleaners as they have become a visible part of office life. Principle has an exceptional staff-retention rate – 93% against an industry average of 63% – and is the first large cleaning company to transfer the majority if its shares to its staff via an Employee Ownership Trust. Doug is a leader in sustainability, ESG and innovation – for example as UK leader in the use of drones to clean windows in high-rise buildings. He has an impressive string of award wins, as well as two personal Lifetime Achievement Awards, and his pro bono service to the sector is exceptional, having twice been Chairman of the Cleaning and Support Services Association.