Chartway Janitorial marks 25th anniversary by winning major family business award

Chartway Janitorial is celebrating winning a top family business award in its 25th year of trading.

A leading supplier of cleaning and hygiene products celebrating 25 years of trading has spoken of its delight at winning a coveted family business award.

Kent-based Chartway Janitorial was the proud winner of the People’s Choice Award for London & the South East at the recent National Family Business of the Year Awards 2026. It secured the public-voted title at the awards ceremony hosted by Family Business United (FBU). This impressive milestone follows its success last year, when it was named national runner-up in the same awards programme.

Chartway Janitorial was founded in February 2001 by Mick and Anne Elms and is now run by their daughter and son, Hannah Tilley and Jon Elms, who both serve as directors.

Celebrating 25 Years of Customer-First Service

Welcoming the award win, Hannah Tilley said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have won this coveted award in our 25th anniversary year. Our achievement shows that in the tough world of business, customer relationships are key. Quality service is what customers remember, going that extra mile or remembering something personal to them. I would like to say a massive thank you to all our customers who look after us; we appreciate you all.

“We take the time to get to know our customers personally and, with our expertise in the products we supply, we are able to provide the perfect solution for their needs. We also provide an extensive range of environmentally friendly products and packaging to help our customers meet their corporate responsibilities.”

Chartway Janitorial operates in a number of sectors, including healthcare, catering, leisure, education, and industry, and supplies a comprehensive range of professional-grade janitorial products to businesses, public sector organisations, and major attractions across the South East. Products supplied include hand towels, toilet tissue, specialist liquid solutions for general cleaning, hand soaps, cloths, sanitizers, disposable gloves, protective aprons, and heavy-duty refuse and recycling sacks.

The seven-employee company is based in Headcorn, between Maidstone and Ashford. Its client list includes The Aspinall Foundation, the National Trust, the NHS Foundation Trust, and the South East Coast Ambulance Service.

Championing British Family Firms

Family Business United welcomed family businesses from across the UK to the Royal Geographical Society in London for the National Family Business of the Year Awards 2026, celebrating the outstanding contribution family firms make to the economy, communities, and future generations.

Hosted by Family Business United Founder and CEO Paul Andrews, the awards brought together over 200 guests from leading family-owned businesses across every region and sector to recognise excellence, innovation, and the enduring values that set family enterprises apart.

Speaking at the event, Paul said: "Family businesses are the backbone of the UK economy, and these awards provide a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the people, values, and achievements that make our sector so special. From first-generation entrepreneurs to businesses with centuries of heritage, the calibre of finalists and winners this year has been truly exceptional. Congratulations to every winner, runner-up, and finalist who helped make the National Family Business of the Year Awards 2026 another tremendous success."

Family Business United is the leading organisation championing family firms across the UK and internationally. Its annual awards celebrate the innovation, stewardship, values, and long-term perspective that make family businesses the backbone of the British economy.