We know that our people are the heart of our success. As a family-led business, we are shaped by traditional values, but our strength lies in the dedication, ambition and talent of the individuals who make up our team.
We believe in championing talent, creating meaningful pathways and ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to grow. Our commitment to equal opportunities is embedded in our culture and driven by our Beyond Cleaning strategy, and we’re always striving to build a stronger, more inclusive workplace where success is driven by ability and dedication.
In the lead-up to International Women’s Day, we have been highlighting some of the inspiring women at DOC Cleaning who have made a lasting impact on our business. From HR and operations to leadership roles across key sites, their contributions not only drive our company forward but also challenge stereotypes in the cleaning and facilities management sector.
Driving Change Through Inclusion
In a male-dominated industry, I am very proud of our strong and intelligent all-female HR team.
One of the many outstanding women in our business is Leigh Goldsmith, our Senior HR Manager, who has been instrumental in shaping our workplace culture and driving forward initiatives that promote inclusion, support and career development.
In September 2024, Leigh was recognised for her work in establishing a new charity partnership and developing an inclusive community engagement strategy. Her efforts have contributed to creating a lasting positive legacy that aligns with our Beyond Cleaning strategy, reinforcing our dedication to corporate social responsibility.
Leigh’s leadership continues to inspire those around her, and her work is a testament to the role that women play in shaping a fairer, more equitable workplace.
Leigh shared: “In a male-dominated industry, I am very proud of our strong and intelligent all-female HR team. We support each other on a daily basis with all aspects of work and life and strive to empower each other in all we do.
I have worked at DOC for 6 years now and within this time I have appreciated the support and flexibility of my colleagues at DOC as I have juggled a full-time job with 2 children. As a woman and a mother, I lead a very busy life which often can be difficult if you do not have the support and understanding of a team and a company.
Without this I would not have been able to return to work in the capacity of Senior HR Manager. Women often have to sacrifice a career to raise children so being able to do what I love and raise my family simultaneously is invaluable.”
Leading Operations at One of London’s Most Prestigious Sites
DOC is a company with a true identity, leading in gender equality with diverse representation in leadership roles.
A second shining example of leadership at DOC Cleaning is Patricia Oliva, our Operations Manager.
Patricia plays a pivotal role in ensuring the smooth running of cleaning operations at one of London’s most prestigious sites Tower 42, the sixth tallest building in the City. Managing a large, dedicated team of operatives, she ensures that thousands of staff, customers and guests experience a safe and clean environment every single day.
With over a decade of experience in the facilities management sector, Patricia’s knowledge, skills, and leadership help our team consistently deliver the highest standards of service. Her role is not just about operations it is about breaking stereotypes and proving that women are thriving in all areas of this industry.
“All these years of being part of the DOC family have massively contributed to my personal and professional development and growth. DOC is a company with a true identity, leading in gender equality with diverse representation in leadership roles,” Patricia commented.
She continued: “I’ve been positively influenced to reach out to colleagues, clients and people from different sectors with a warm approach and a consistent quality of work. I like to think of myself as one of the threads that weaves the workplace fabric together – and the fabric of society as a whole – regardless of gender, belief or background.”
Finding Success in a New Environment
The support I’ve received from my colleagues and the leadership team has been instrumental in helping me build my confidence, skills and career.
Barbara Mathias has been part of the DOC family for more than five years. As another of our Operations Managers, her work is instrumental in ensuring our teams deliver excellent service every day.
“I could talk all day about how pleased I am with DOC, especially coming from another country with a different culture and language,” Barbara shared. “As a woman, working for DOC has had a profound impact on both my professional and personal life.”
She continued: “From the very beginning, the company has provided me with opportunities to grow, learn and take on leadership roles that I may not have otherwise had access to. The support I’ve received from my colleagues and the leadership team has been instrumental in helping me build my confidence, skills and career. I’m grateful for the opportunity to share my experience.”
Ensuring High Standards Across the Entire Business
DOC has offered specialised training in compliance and provided all the necessary support to help me grow.
We caught up with our Compliance Administrator, Ledimar Uliano, who shared an insight into her daily role.
“My day kicks off with a quick prioritisation of tasks. Once I’ve organised any critical items that require my attention, I dive into monitoring the company’s key systems, ensuring everything is running smoothly and addressing any glitches that pop up. I then run internal audits, checking for discrepancies and reviewing our policies to make sure everything is up-to-date.
Throughout the day, I’m juggling support for site managers, offering guidance where needed, and responding to client communications to keep things on track. As the afternoon rolls in, my focus shifts to creating risk assessments and procedures, weighing potential risks and planning for how to mitigate them, ensuring the company is always prepared for whatever might come. With each task, I balance immediate priorities with long-term objectives, staying on top of everything to keep the company operating efficiently.”
Ledimar then shared her thoughts on how DOC has helped shape her career and her experience of gender in the workplace, stating: “DOC has supported my career by offering specialised training in compliance and providing all the necessary support to help me grow. What truly motivated me was when my manager, before offering any training, took the time to have a conversation with me – asking about my career goals and how the company could support my development.”
“It is truly rewarding to work for a company that values its employees, regardless of gender,” she added. “All my previous managers were men, yet I have never felt treated differently because I am a woman. I strongly believe that stereotypes have no place in here, and from my experience at DOC, I can confidently say that the company promotes equal treatment in terms of training, pay and support. I have never observed anything to the contrary.”
Behind every smooth-running operation is a dedicated team, and Ledimar’s role is a perfect example of that. We’re grateful to have her expertise and commitment helping to keep everything on track.
Hard Work and Dedication in Action
My team has been a constant source of support, encouraging me to continue growing, achieve my qualifications in HR and earn my degree.
We also had the opportunity to speak with Josie Blayney, who has experienced firsthand what inclusion and career growth look like at DOC Cleaning.
Josie joined the DOC family in 2017 as an HR Administrator and, through hard work and continuous development, recently progressed to the role of HR Advisor following the successful completion of her apprenticeship programme. Her journey is a reflection of our commitment to supporting employees in their career paths, ensuring that ambition and dedication are met with real opportunities to progress.
“This International Women’s Day, I reflect on the journey I’ve had working with this company for the past 8 years. Throughout this time, my HR team has been a constant source of support, encouraging me to continue growing and achieve my qualifications in HR and earn my degree.
Their continuous support and guidance have made all the difference, and I truly couldn’t have done it without them. I’m grateful for the teamwork, empowerment, and opportunities that have shaped my growth both personally and professionally.”
Thank You to the Women of DOC Cleaning
International Women’s Day is not just about celebration it is also about acknowledging the challenges women continue to face and the importance of driving real change. The cleaning and facilities management industry has historically been perceived as male dominated in leadership roles, but the experiences of women like Leigh, Josie, Ledimar and Patricia prove otherwise.
As we celebrate International Women’s Day, we want to take a moment to recognise and thank all the incredible women who are part of our team. Your hard work, leadership and dedication help shape our company and inspire those around you.
We hope that by sharing these stories, we have not only celebrated the women who make DOC Cleaning what it is today but also inspired others to challenge stereotypes, embrace opportunities, and continue striving for a more equal future.
Happy International Women’s Day!