7:50am Friday 9th October 2009
A WHITEFIELD woman who has achieved one of the cleaning industry’s highest accolades has picked up another “capital” honour at the same time!
For Lesley-Jane Holt, a national manager at Remploy, has been awarded the Freedom of the City of London.
Mrs Holt helped establish Remploy’s professional cleaning company to train people with disabilities and health conditions in cleaning techniques.
Now, she has been admitted as a member of the Worshipful Company of Environmental Cleaners, and so has also been awarded the Freedom of the City of London.
The 52-year-old is in exalted company too. For other notable recipients include Diana, Princess of Wales, Nelson Mandela and Florence Nightingale.
Remploy is the UK’s leading provider of specialist recruitment services for people who experience complex barriers to employment. The company’s cleaning academy, established five years ago, is based at Remploy’s factory in Burnley.
More than 600 people with disabilities or health conditions have gained sustainable employment in the retail and commercial sectors since the academy opened in 2004.
For centuries, Freedom of the City of London gave holders of the title the right to trade in the capital. Still a significant honour, the Freedom is one of the necessary qualifications for holders of the office of Lord Mayor, Sheriff, Alderman or Common Councilman.
Mrs Holt, of Westlands, Whitefield, who works UK-wide with Remploy, said: “I do not have any intention of standing for such positions.
“However, I was delighted to receive the honour on behalf of my colleagues and all the candidates we have supported into employment in the professional cleaning sector.”
The award was presented at London’s Guildhall when Mrs Holt swore an oath and was handed her certificate.
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