Jo Gilliard is the CEO of Jangro, the UK and Europe’s largest network of independently owned janitorial and cleaning distributors. With nearly 40 years of experience in the cleaning and hygiene industry, Jo has become a leading figure, ensuring that everything, from Membership and Head Office operations to the management of blue-chip national accounts, runs seamlessly. Under her leadership, Jangro delivers an unrivalled service and offering across the sector.
A highly respected industry professional, Jo sits on key association boards, including serving as a board director of the Cleaning and Support Services Association (CSSA). This year, she was also named a Northern Leader, a recognition of her commitment to creating a business that champions sustainability and community-focused charity initiatives – all while proudly representing her Bolton roots.
The path to CEO of Jangro
The journey to becoming CEO of Jangro is shaped by ambition and a willingness to seize every opportunity. From a young age, Jo knew she wanted to work in an office, starting as an office junior while still at school, which led her into the hygiene sector.
One of the advantages of this industry, which Jangro continues to embrace today, is the chance to gain experience across multiple areas, rotating through marketing, finance, export, logistics, and customer service. Along the way, she discovered that her true passion lay in sales and working with people.
Alongside her career, she pursued further education, completing night school, business management courses, and degrees at the University of Bolton to prepare for executive roles. Determination and integrity helped her progress from office junior to operations director and, ultimately, CEO, bringing extensive experience and a reputation for credibility and decisive leadership.
Today, Jo actively encourages young people to explore careers in the hygiene sector, highlighting the many opportunities and support available. Her journey stands as a powerful example of how continuous learning can lead to success in the industry.
Championing a sustainable business
Jo has transformed Jangro into a purpose-driven business where commercial success and sustainability go hand in hand. Under her leadership, Jangro has achieved the EcoVadis Silver Medal, ranking among the top 5% of companies globally for sustainability, and earned Planet Mark certification, recently winning the Sustainability Game Changer award.
She has embedded strong ESG principles across the organisation, reducing environmental impact and setting new benchmarks for responsible business. Initiatives such as Nurture by Jangro, which has seen forests planted in Cumbria and Bristol, highlight how sustainability is embedded into both business strategy and community engagement.
Jo’s commitment to recognising operatives
One of Jo’s core passions is ensuring that cleaning operatives receive the recognition they deserve. Operatives are frontline contributors to public health, ensuring that workplaces, schools and homes remain safe and hygienic.
She is determined to challenge the outdated perception that front-line hygiene professionals are “just cleaners.” In reality, cleaning is the backbone of public health, a profession that protects people every single day.
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Fostering a positive workplace and community impact
Jo also places equal emphasis on employees and the community, shaping Jangro into an inclusive and socially responsible workplace. Jangro is now a period-positive certified business, and in her leadership, she has created meaningful pathways for young people to build sustainable careers in the sector.
Jo ensures Jangro’s commercial success benefits society. The business has raised over £100,000 and donated more than half a tonne of food to the Trussell Trust, supported local charities, and embedded initiatives such as Gift and Gain volunteering days and tree gifting. She also drives commitments across Jangro’s network, demonstrating that business success and ethics go hand in hand.
Through these actions, Jo demonstrates that businesses can succeed commercially while championing social responsibility and community impact – setting a benchmark for purpose-driven leadership.
Leading with purpose and positive practices
From pioneering ESG initiatives to fostering an inclusive workplace and supporting local charities, Jo‘s ambition for Jangro sets the standard for purpose-driven leadership in the cleaning and hygiene sector.
Want to learn more about Jangro? Visit our blog to see how we’re leading the way in the cleaning industry.