INDUSTRY NEWS
One of the original founders of Cleankill Pest Control is retiring after building the company into one of the South East’s leading pest control businesses.
Paul Bates joined Cleankill in 1997 after a 16-year career with Rentokil, where he progressed from technician to sales, service and branch management.
Cleankill was founded with a clear aim: to provide high-quality pest control delivered by well-trained, motivated staff who genuinely care about customers.
The directors wanted to build a company that they would want to work for.
Three decades later, that vision has helped Cleankill grow into a multi award-winning business employing 58 people, with turnover approaching £6 million and thousands of customers across London, Surrey, Sussex, Kent and the wider South East.
Under Paul’s leadership, Cleankill has become known for its technical expertise, strong customer retention, ethical approach, environmental responsibility and investment in people.
The company has won numerous regional and national awards and is the only pest control company in England to achieve and retain Gold Investors in People three times in a row.
Paul has also played an active role in the pest control industry as well as the wider business and local community.
Within the industry, Paul was an active member of BPCA's Outreach and Communications Committee.
He has been involved with Gatwick Diamond for 11 years, regularly supports networking and business events, mentors smaller pest control businesses and gives talks at national pest control conferences, schools, colleges and community groups.
Outside work, Paul is equally well known for his voluntary service. He has spent decades as a Scout leader, helping hundreds of young people experience outdoor activities, camps and new challenges.
In 2011, he was awarded the Chief Scout’s Medal of Merit for Outstanding Service to Scouting. He was also a church warden, sings in a church choir and is a lifelong Crystal Palace Football Club supporter and season ticket holder.
Fittingly, Paul will celebrate his retirement at the home of the Eagles surrounded by colleagues, family and friends.
Commenting on his retirement, Paul said: “Cleankill has been a huge part of my life and I’m incredibly proud of what we have achieved. When we started, we wanted to create a pest control company that did things properly - looking after customers, investing in staff and building long-term relationships.
"Seeing the company grow and helping so many people develop to their careers with us has been one of the greatest privileges of my working life.
“I’ll miss the people and the day-to-day involvement, but I know Cleankill is in a strong position for the future. I’m looking forward to spending more time with my family, continuing my community work and, of course, cheering on Crystal Palace.”
Cleankill Director Clive Bury added: “Paul has made an extraordinary contribution to Cleankill and to the pest control industry. He combines technical knowledge, commercial understanding and a genuine concern for people, which has shaped the culture of the business from the beginning.
“Paul has never been the kind of Managing Director who stays behind a desk. He has always been willing to get involved, support colleagues and lead by example. His values, including professionalism, integrity, customer care, environmental responsibility and community commitment, are woven into what we call the Cleankill Way.
“Everyone at Cleankill wishes Paul a long, happy and very well-deserved retirement.”
Cleankill’s customer retention reflects the strength of the business Paul has helped build, with more than 60 percent of customers having been with Cleankill for more than five years.
Paul’s retirement marks the end of a major chapter in Cleankill’s story, but the values he helped establish will continue to guide the business in the years ahead.
GOT A STORY?
Tell us your news and we could share it with the pest control industry.
hello@bpca.org.uk