This year marks the 25th anniversary of CleanTEC Services. While our size and services have expanded, one thing has never changed: people remain at the heart of everything we do.
To recognise this, we spoke to three of our longest-serving team members, Eric and sisters Mary and Kate, who have all been with CleanTEC since the very beginning. Drawing on a combined 75 years of service, their reflections show what it truly means to be part of CleanTEC.
What brought you to CleanTEC?
“A friend told me there was a job in Watford and they were looking for someone who could drive,” Eric recalls. “I just said OK, let’s go, and i was introduced to the manager and got started”
“We saw it advertised in the paper,” says Mary. “We rang up and we’ve been here ever since!”
Many of our early team members joined through word of mouth, a local ad, or a chance conversation, reflecting our humble beginnings that shaped the company. Today, CleanTEC has expanded to recruit nationwide, but that sense of community remains at our core.
What made you stay?
When Kate, Mary, and Eric were asked why they’ve stayed with CleanTEC for so many years, their answers were clear and consistent: it’s because of good people, trust, and respect.
“When you work for a company and they treat you well, that’s the reason you stay” says Eric.
“They’re all very nice people,” Mary and Kate agreed. “We’re all like friends, really, even the client staff. They treat us really well.”
“When you work for a company and they treat you well, that’s the reason you stay”
How has your role changed?
For Eric, growth has meant learning new skills.
“I started out doing general cleaning, then learnt how to wash carpets and polish floors. I didn’t know how to do that before. I was taught on the job by supportive managers.”
For Mary and Kate, the work itself has been steady, but the heart of it has always been people.
“If you do your job, they’re happy and we’re happy,” says Kate. “You’ve got to get into a routine, that’s the key.”
What sets CleanTEC apart?
Trust and support are what make the difference.
Mary and Kate shared, “They don’t interfere, but if you have to phone Antonio up at the last minute, he’s always says ‘don’t worry, I’ll sort it.’ I know it’s difficult for him to find somebody, say, if your car broke down, but he never moans. That’s what we like about him, he’s very kind.”
Eric agrees: “Antonio’s a very good manager, he knows how to treat people.”
Strong management at CleanTEC doesn’t mean hovering or micro-managing. Instead, it’s about trust, respect, and stepping in with support when it’s needed. That people-first leadership style has shaped CleanTEC’s culture over the past 25 years.
The team also recognises how deeply those values run:
“Peter and Chris (CleanTEC’s Co-Founders) have done it themselves, they know what the job’s like. That’s why they’ve kept those family values” says Mary.
Eric adds, “I worked for another company once, and there was a big difference in how staff were treated. That’s what sets CleanTEC apart.”
"They know what the job’s like. That’s why they’ve kept those family values”
What advice would you give to someone starting at CleanTEC today?
“Treat every job as if it were your own,” says Eric. “Use everything you have to help.”
“Do your job, that’s the main thing,” Mary and Kate agree. “Get into a good routine, and the rest will follow.”
What 25 Years Looks Like
25 years at CleanTEC looks like:
- Teams that treat each other with respect
- Managers who listen, support, and don’t micromanage
- Clients who value relationships
- A company that’s grown, without losing its core values
- People who show up every day, do their job well, and take pride in what they do
To Eric, Mary, Kate, and so many others: thank you for shaping CleanTEC’s past and helping to build its future.
