International Women’s Day this Sunday 8 March carries more than symbolic weight. First marked in 1911 and now recognised globally, International Women’s Day stands as both celebration and call to action, anchored this year by the rallying cry to forge progress together.
For the cleaning and hygiene sector, that message feels urgent and practical. This is an industry woven through every hospital corridor, airport terminal and office tower. Its future will be shaped by those bold enough to redesign how it works. Women across the sector are stepping into that role with clarity and ambition, driving conversations around technology, sustainability, workforce standards and smarter business models.
Women building the next chapter of hygiene innovation
For ECS West director of operations Rebecca Barcellos, the next decade hinges on intelligent systems embedded into daily practice. “I think the biggest opportunity in the next five to 10 years is bringing smarter technology into day-to-day cleaning operations, things like real time data, sensors and automated quality tracking,” she says. “The industry still relies heavily on manual processes, and there’s a huge chance to improve efficiency, accuracy and transparency with tools that make the work easier for both staff and clients.”
Barcellos views her role as a translator between innovation and the frontline. “Technology only works if people can actually use it,” she explains. “I focus on training, process design and change management. My role is to bridge the gap between innovation and frontline reality so that teams feel supported and the improvements actually stick.”
That human focus echoes through her view on diversity. “A more gender diverse industry brings different perspectives, leadership styles and problem solving approaches,” she says. “Diverse teams see things from more angles, challenge assumptions and create better, more adaptable solutions.” The result, she argues, reaches far beyond representation. “It leads to improved retention, stronger team culture and ultimately better outcomes for clients. Diversity isn’t just a talking point, it changes how decisions get made and how creative the industry can be.”
If there were one lever to pull, Barcellos points to structured workforce development. “If we standardised training, invested more in employee development and created clearer career paths, the entire industry would benefit,” she says. “When people feel valued and prepared, everything else – technology, sustainability and operational improvements – is easier to implement and scale.”
At Big Clean, operations manager Julie Wang sees the intersection of sustainability and technology as the sector’s defining frontier. “The biggest opportunity sits where sustainability, technology and accountability meet,” she says. “Businesses will expect more than just products, they’ll want systems that save time, reduce waste and deliver measurable results.”
Wang predicts touchless technology, robotics and smart dispensing will become standard practice. “We’ll see more AI-powered machines handling repetitive and high-risk work,” she notes, alongside supply chains with “less plastic, more refill systems and products that are safer for people and the planet.”
Wang says innovation only creates progress when it’s usable and, in her words, that’s where Big Clean adds value. On diversity, she is unequivocal. “Diversity isn’t just about representation, it’s about building smarter businesses, delivering stronger service outcomes and ensuring the industry continues evolving to meet the changing needs of the communities it serves.”
As International Women’s Day calls industries forward, these leaders offer a blueprint grounded in systems, standards and shared accountability. Their vision places people at the core of every technological leap. Together they are forging a sector defined by intelligence, integrity and measurable impact.
