NIC FM is celebrating a proud moment after Group Chairman John Spencer was named Leader of the Year at the European Cleaning & Hygiene Awards 2026, held at Pueblo Español in Palma de Mallorca.
The prestigious award recognises leaders whose influence extends beyond their own organisation, celebrating those who invest in people, champion innovation and make a lasting contribution to raising standards across the cleaning and hygiene industry.
For John, the recognition reflects a lifetime dedicated to the sector and, above all, to the people within it.
Accepting the award, John said:
“This award means everything to me because this industry means everything to me.
To be recognised alongside such outstanding people is an enormous honour. But this isn’t my award. It’s my team’s award.
Everything we’ve achieved has been built together. I’m surrounded by people who work incredibly hard, care deeply and give so much to our customers, our business and each other.
My job is to lead, to back them and to open doors. Seeing people grow and helping them achieve things they might never have thought possible—that’s what makes me proud.
I don’t do this for personal recognition, but accepting this award on behalf of my team means more than I can say. To everyone at NIC, thank you. This belongs to you.”
Ken Atherton COO commented:
“Having worked alongside John for the past 21 years, being there in Palma to see him announced as Leader of the Year was one of the proudest moments of my career. It was a privilege to be sitting alongside him as his name was called, and it was a moment I’ll never forget.
John’s leadership has shaped the culture of NIC FM for many years. He has always believed that if you invest in people, support them to grow and empower them to succeed, outstanding results will follow. This award recognises not only what he has achieved at NIC FM, but also the enormous contribution he has made to our industry and the countless people whose careers he has influenced.
Those of us who work alongside John every day know that he has never sought personal recognition. His passion has always been about creating opportunities for others, driving innovation and building a business where people can thrive. Everyone at NIC FM is incredibly proud to see him recognised on the European stage with such a prestigious award. It is thoroughly deserved.”
John’s contribution reaches far beyond NIC FM. Through his work with the British Franchise Association, the Worshipful Company of Environmental Cleaners and numerous community initiatives, including Yorkshire Visually Impaired Tennis, he has consistently championed the development of both people and the wider industry. His vision has also led to the creation of one of the largest privately owned training academies in the North of England, providing opportunities for colleagues to develop rewarding, long-term careers.
Everyone across NIC FM extends their warmest congratulations to John on this outstanding achievement. The award is a fitting recognition of his passion, integrity and commitment to helping others succeed, and reflects the values that continue to drive our business forward every day.
Image L-R: Lynn Webster, European Cleaning & Hygiene Judge; John Spencer, NIC Group Chairman; Kevin Meighan, Master of the Worshipful Company of Environmental Cleaners
