After joining a Swallow Hotels graduate programme, Nicky developed her career in business development by channelling her love of solving problems.
Nicky Biggart, UK & European Sales Manager at Evans Vanodine, is a natural problem solver. “Whether my customers have been chefs, hoteliers, cleaning companies or distributors, my goal has always been to identify the challenges they face and help them find the right solution. I’ve built some incredibly rewarding business relationships in the process. Today, as I reflect on the role of the cleaning and hygiene sector during the coronavirus pandemic, I’m proud of the way we have collaborated to make our contribution.”
Nicky Biggart’s career began at Swallow Hotels, on the company’s graduate programme. Today, after about 30 years in the cleaning and hygiene sector, she is UK & European Sales Manager for the Professional Hygiene division at chemicals manufacturer, Evans Vanodine.
“People come to the cleaning and hygiene industry and stay. It means that, while the industry itself is always changing, there is plenty of potential for developing good, strong, long-term relationships. They give us a great platform from which to get things done and really make a difference.”
Joining Swallow Hotels Graduate Programme was a natural first step onto the career ladder after completing her BA in Home Economics at Queen Margaret’s University, Edinburgh. It wasn’t long before she moved to John Deas & Company, the well-known, family- owned Glasgow-based independent distributor that served the hospitality sector.
“I stayed for 11 years,” said Nicky. “I valued the ethos of the company. It’s focus on getting the right solution for its customers really resonated for me.
Nicky moved into the manufacturing sector for the next step in her career. “I worked for Peter Grant Papers, now Northwood Hygiene Products. I was there for 10 years before moving onto SCA, now Essity. I enjoyed the paper tissue industry. The focus was always on continuous improvement – how could we develop new systems that would help us optimise cost in use for the end user, without compromising on quality and reducing the impact on the environment.”
Nicky continued: “Working in manufacturing was quite different to distribution. In distribution the goal was always to understand our customers so we could make sure we sourced and delivered exactly what they needed. In manufacturing I got involved at the very beginning, from the emergence of the first tentative concepts of a new product. I would stay with project through the manufacture to the final launch, working with distributors to secure new business.”
Staying in manufacturing, Nicky’s next role was in senior management with chemicals manufacturer, Evans Vanodine. She joined the business in 2017. “Moving from the paper industry to a chemicals manufacturer was a big transition,” said Nicky. “The chemicals sector is heavily regulated. It’s right that it is, but it does mean the process of developing new products and bringing them to market is complex. The market is also relatively mature. This, combined with the regulatory control, can at times, restrict the potential for innovation.”
The coronavirus pandemic presented particular challenges. Nicky explains: “There has been a new emphasis on cleaning and hygiene since the pandemic hit. People have a new understanding of the importance of cleaning and hygiene. We have had to respond quickly as customers have clamoured for solutions to problems they hadn’t previously recognised and to soaring demand. We’ve had to be incredibly agile. It’s been tough in a heavily regulated industry, but our motivation has always been to help our customers navigate through a very difficult period. That means providing expertise and insight as well as the products they need in the volumes they need them.”
Nicky continued: “Since the pandemic hit we have seen a number of businesses emerge and come forward with extravagant claims for their products, aiming to capitalise on the enormous potential created by the unprecedented demand. Looking ahead, the industry has to tackle the challenges presented by the marketing of these products. Customers need to understand which product claims they can trust.
“I have always been passionate and enthused by the educative role of the chemical industry. We are committed to making sure our customers understand the products and what is required for their safe use and regulatory compliance. It’s this philosophy that will ensure our customers are not compromised by buying product not fit for purpose from unscrupulous providers.”
Nicky believes now is the perfect moment to join the sector. “People’s understanding and the importance of cleaning and hygiene is getting better and better, offering a rewarding career with plenty of growth potential.
Right now, we have a huge opportunity to educate and advise our customers, helping them to grow and develop in the process. The recently formed All Party Parliamentary Group for the Cleaning & Hygiene Sector is part of the process. Focused on raising the awareness of and status of the industry, I am certain it will prove to be another important step forward.”
Evans Vanodine is a member of the Cleaning & Hygiene Suppliers Association (CHSA). The Cleaning & Hygiene Suppliers Association’s (CHSA) Code of Practice and Accreditation Schemes give buyers of cleaning and hygiene products the certainty their supplier is ethical and what’s on the box is what’s in the box.
