Walking into the modern office, one might notice a vibrant change: greenery is taking over, adorning desks, windowsills, and communal areas. This trend, known as biophilic design, isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about creating a healthier, more engaging environment. In a recent article published by Knight Frank’s “Office Insights” team, the benefits of biophilic design are clearly set out and were spearheaded by the tech giants in their bid to attract and retain top talent. Amazon’s head office in Seattle includes rope bridges and treehouses, streams and green walls; it includes thousands of plants strategically placed to encourage employees to think creatively.

At Julius Rutherfoord & Co., we’ve observed this shift and adapted our premium cleaning services to support it.

Understanding biophilic design

In simple terms, biophilia is the human need to connect with nature. Biophilic design integrates natural elements into built environments, aiming to connect people more closely with nature. This approach has numerous advantages:

Reduced sickness and absenteeism and improved staff retention Greenery in the office has been linked to lower rates of sickness and absenteeism. By creating a healthier atmosphere, plants help reduce the number of sick days taken by employees. In terms of employee retention, improving the office environment is said to boost staff loyalty across all generations, with this being even more evident among younger employees (Raconteur)​.

1. Reduced stress and enhanced wellbeing Plants in the workspace are proven to reduce stress and promote health and wellbeing. The presence of greenery helps create a calming environment, making employees feel more relaxed and at ease (MDPI).
2. Increased productivity, creativity, and happiness Studies have shown that plants can boost productivity and creativity. Employees working in green environments report higher levels of happiness and job satisfaction, leading to improved performance and innovative thinking (Knight Frank).
3. A more inviting environment Plants and flowers make the office more inviting for both employees and visitors. A green, vibrant workspace is more welcoming and can positively influence the first impressions of clients and guests (Planteria).
4. Improved air quality Plants improve air quality and reduce allergens by cleansing the air. They filter out toxins, which can decrease symptoms of fatigue and discomfort, leading to a healthier indoor environment (Built | The Bluebeam Blog). According to research by the US Joint Commission, 40 percent of all sickness absence is due to indoor air pollution or poor air quality. As Philippe Pare, design director at architecture and design consultancy Gensler, says: “Improved air quality has to be up there as one of the biggest benefits of biophilic design as it plays an important role in reducing absenteeism, which is a huge business cost.”
5. Branding and Image A biophilic design not only enhances the physical workspace but also strengthens the company’s brand. A commitment to a green office reflects a company’s dedication to sustainability and employee wellbeing, which can attract talent and clients alike (Raconteur)​.

We recently marked a significant milestone – 30 years as an incorporated company – at our JR&Co Summer Party. Held at the beautiful Battersea Park, the event was a wonderful gathering of our employees, their families, and friends, all coming together to celebrate our journey.

A Day Full of Joy

The party was filled with delicious food, lively music, and plenty of fun activities. From the moment everyone arrived, the park was filled with laughter and excitement. It was a perfect day to unwind, enjoy great company, and make new memories.

One of the best parts of the day was seeing our JR&Co community come together. Our team members, along with their loved ones, enjoyed every moment, reflecting the personal and passionate spirit that defines us. The event truly captured the essence of our values – meticulous planning ensured everything went smoothly, and our expert team made sure everyone had a fantastic time.

For those who couldn’t make it or just want to relive the fun, we’ve put together a video highlighting the best moments from the day. From the vibrant interactions to the amazing performances, this video showcases the energetic spirit of the JR&Co family.

Looking Ahead

As we celebrate our 30th anniversary, we’re filled with gratitude for the support and dedication of our team and partners, and the trust of our clients. This celebration wasn’t just about looking back – it’s also about looking forward with optimism and enthusiasm for the future.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and made the day so special. Here’s to many more years of success and togetherness at JR&Co!

Our JR&Co team recently spent three days in Amsterdam attending the Interclean exhibition.

This event is a key gathering in the cleaning industry, and it gave us a great opportunity to explore the latest trends and technologies in cleaning.

Leading in Sustainability and Safety

At Interclean 2024, we saw many familiar innovations, reinforcing our commitment to sustainability and safety in our cleaning practices. The event focused on eco-friendly and efficient cleaning solutions, which aligns with our goal to lead in these areas.

Attending events like Interclean helps us stay current with the latest developments in the cleaning industry. By learning about new technologies and best practices, we can continue to offer top-notch, expert services to our clients. Our meticulous approach ensures we always have the best tools and knowledge to meet our clients’ needs.

Our Interclean Experience

We created a video to share our experience at Interclean 2024. It showcases some of the innovative solutions and technologies we encountered. From sustainable products to advanced cleaning methods, the event was full of useful information and ideas.

We are excited to bring these new practices into our work, demonstrating our commitment to high-quality, sustainable cleaning. At JR&Co, we believe that staying informed and engaged with industry trends is key to delivering the best service.

At Julius Rutherfoord & Co, we believe in the transformative power of appreciation.

Our JR&Co Stars Awards is more than just a recognition programme; it’s a testament to the passion, dedication, and meticulous care our team brings to every space they clean. This year alone, we’ve received over ten nominations for our cleaning teams with remarkable stories of empowerment, outstanding service, and the profound impact our people have on the environments they tend.

Established over 30 years ago, the Kimberly-Clark Professional™ Golden Service Awards are renowned as the ultimate accolade of excellence for cleaning teams.

Covering diverse sectors such as office and education, they are often dubbed the ‘Oscars of the Cleaning Industry’. These awards not only acknowledge outstanding performance and innovation but also establish the benchmarks that will guide industry standards in the coming year.

At JR&Co, our unwavering commitment to delivering excellence to each of our clients is a daily practice, and we couldn’t be happier to announce that our QEII team has been shortlisted as finalists for the ‘Cleaning Team of the Year’ Award.

The judging is carried out independently by The British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICSc), and we will now be submitted to the next stage, which will include site visits.

The judges have announced there was a 30 percent increase in entries this year. The winners will be announced on Thursday the 23rd of May 2024 at the London Hilton on Park Lane.

This achievement is testament to our incredible teamwork, combining our forces and ensuring exceptional services for our clients. Congratulations to this expert and passionate team and a huge thank you to everyone involved!

Just like any other day, our cleaning teams are always the first to arrive and the last to leave.

They work tirelessly behind the scenes, ensuring that our clients’ spaces are not just clean, but meticulously so. Their dedication often goes unnoticed, but that is not the case here at JR and specially not on Thank Your Cleaner Day.

Thank Your Cleaner Day is a special occasion dedicated to recognising the hard work and commitment of cleaning staff worldwide. This year, we at JR&Co took the opportunity to celebrate our incredible cleaning teams in grand fashion once more.

a day filled with appreciation

The day was filled with surprise visits, tokens of appreciation, and heartfelt moments of gratitude. Our Head Office Centres of Excellence left their desks to visit our on-site teams, showing appreciation and celebrating their exceptional work. The benefits of these visits were immediately apparent – a boost in morale, stronger teamwork, and a deepened connection between our support teams and those who make our cleaning services extraordinary.

more than just colleagues

At JR&Co, we’re more than just colleagues; we’re a family. Thank Your Cleaner Day served as a reminder of the unity that makes us truly extraordinary. Our cleaning heroes are the heart of our operation, turning chaos into order with their expertise and meticulous attention to detail. They’re not just cleaning spaces, they’re creating inspiring environments that make every day sparkle a little brighter.

capturing the highlights

To commemorate this special day, we’ve put together a short video capturing some of the day’s highlights. From laughter to heartfelt moments of gratitude, this video is a testament to the incredible spirit of our cleaning heroes.

Thank Your Cleaner Day was a great success, and we look forward to continuing to recognise and appreciate our amazing cleaning teams throughout the year. After all, they’re not just keeping our spaces clean; they’re making a difference every day.

As the leaves turn golden and the air gets crisp, we at JR&Co don’t just welcome a new season; we also celebrate a new superstar!

Throughout the year, we gather nominations and celebrate our SuperStars of the Season on a quarterly basis. This initiative not only serves as a significant source of motivation for our talented support employees but also underscores our commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction.

The results are now in and Nana from HR has won the JR Autumn Superstar award! She received an impressive six nominations and has earned an extra day off!

In the fast-paced world of business, adaptability, and commitment to excellence are paramount.

At JR&Co, we understand this well and are happy to share that we have recently completed a rigorous recertification process with NQA Management Systems. We have not just passed but passed with flying colours! This recertification reaffirms our commitment to delivering top-notch quality, environmental sustainability, and safety in everything we do.

Our Ongoing Commitment to ISO Standards

Since our initial certification in 2012, JR&Co has continuously demonstrated its dedication to upholding the highest industry standards. This commitment has been the cornerstone of our success, ensuring the seamless fulfillment of customer and stakeholder requirements. Let’s delve into the three ISO standards we have been recertified for and explore what this means for our company and clients.

ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management Systems

Quality is at the heart of everything we do at JR&Co. ISO 9001:2015 certification signifies our unwavering dedication to maintaining and improving our quality management systems. It’s a testament to our commitment to consistently provide products and services that meet or exceed customer expectations.

With this recertification, our clients can rest assured that they are working with a company that places quality at the forefront of its operations. Every process, from project planning to execution, is meticulously managed to ensure the highest standards of quality.

ISO 14001:2015 Environment Management Systems

We take our environmental responsibility very seriously. Achieving ISO 14001:2015 recertification underscores our commitment to minimising our environmental impact. We’ve implemented comprehensive environmental management systems that help us identify and mitigate risks, reduce waste, and promote sustainability.

This recertification assures our clients and partners that we prioritise eco-friendly practices. By choosing JR&Co, they align themselves with a company that actively contributes to a greener and more sustainable future.

ISO 45001:2018 Occupational Health & Safety

The safety and wellbeing of our employees, clients, and all stakeholders are of paramount importance to us. ISO 45001:2018 recertification is a reflection of our robust occupational health and safety management systems. It demonstrates our unwavering commitment to providing a safe and secure work environment.

Our dedication to safety not only safeguards our workforce but also enhances the overall quality of our service delivery. Clients can have peace of mind knowing that we prioritise safety in every project we undertake.

Achieving these recertifications reaffirms our dedication to excellence in quality, environmental practices, and safety. We owe this success to our hardworking teams who take immense pride in achieving and maintaining these high standards.

As we move forward, we remain committed to delivering expert and meticulous service. We are confident that our continued adherence to these ISO standards will not only benefit our clients but also contribute positively to the industries we serve and the world at large.

Julius Rutherfoord & Co, one of London’s largest independent cleaning companies, has successfully retained one of its most prestigious contracts, through a competitive tender process.

The contract, awarded by the United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE), underlines the company’s exceptional commitment to excellence and service.

JR&Co embarked on its partnership with the UGLE, which is the governing body of Freemasonry, in September 2016. The Premier Grand Lodge was founded in London in 1717 and became the United Grand Lodge of England in 1813.

With a global membership of 175,000 and over 7,000 Lodges, UGLE occupies a unique place of influence. Its headquarters is at Freemasons’ Hall, a stunning Grade II* listed Art Deco building that proudly stands on Great Queen Street in Covent Garden, London.

JR&Co’s contract retention will see them continue to provide cleaning and washroom services to the Covent Garden hot spot. The renewal was awarded due to the company’s ability to deliver and excel at customer service; its proactive cleaning approach and the flexibility it demonstrates in its day-to-day service offering.

Richard Jewitt, Director of Building Services at UGLE, said: “We are very pleased that JR&Co has been reappointed as our contract cleaners. Over the last 7 years, their on-site team has consistently delivered very high standards day in and day out for us, and has looked after our unique building, so it is always clean and always looking great.”

Managing Director, Chris Jarvis, comments on the news: “The extension of this contract is testament to the hard work of our dedicated people. At JR&Co, we believe that our business success is based on the service delivered by our expert teams, which is why we pay such great attention to making sure that they are rewarded and recognised.”

Jarvis continues, “Client satisfaction means a lot to us at JR&Co. We have built a market-leading reputation off the back of getting to know our clients, their businesses, and their needs. There is no greater endorsement from a client than a contract extension, as it demonstrates the value they place on us as a part of their own team.”

JR&Co was incorporated in 1994 by two brothers-in-law, and passionately believes that clients should receive a truly professional and high-quality service, one that delivers meticulously cleaned premises, cost-effectively and securely.

At JR&Co, we believe in the power of collective action to create a positive impact on our planet. That’s why we are beyond excited to share some incredible news on our sustainability efforts!

For the third consecutive year, we have offset our carbon footprint. But this year’s achievement holds special significance as we took a giant leap forward by partnering with Carbon Neutral Britain and becoming officially Carbon Neutral Certified.

Yet, this milestone is just another step in our journey towards a greener future!

Our commitment to sustainability runs deep in our veins, and our actions speak louder than words. From using products that are safe and non-hazardous, to actively working towards achieving zero waste to landfill and embracing the circular plastic economy, we are dedicated to making a positive impact on the environment.

We’re determined to measure and further reduce our emissions annually, relentlessly striving to be a driving force for positive change in our industry and beyond. By diligently calculating and offsetting our total emissions, we are also actively supporting impactful carbon offsetting projects worldwide, making a tangible difference in the fight against climate change.

None of this would have been possible without the dedication and passion of every member of our team. Our collective efforts and eco-conscious choices have been the driving force behind this success. Together, we are building a more sustainable world for generations to come.

Stay tuned for more updates on our sustainability journey and the impactful initiatives we embark upon. Our planet needs us, and we are ready to rise to the occasion!