CCIS Blog

Street Cleansing Brothers Shortlisted for National Award

CC-Infrastructure Services street cleansing team Ilidio and Agostinho made the shortlist for the National Association of Town & City Management ‘Best Ambassador, Street Warden’ Awards 2026.

The brothers, Ilidio and Agostinho, have worked for CC-Infrastructure Services for 22 and 18 years respectively. For the last 13 years, part of their week has been dedicated to Croydon BID carrying out street cleansing work including washing pavements, bins, benches and street furniture, removing chewing gum and graffiti. Their commitment to keeping Croydon looking good for its residents and business has seen them, in the last year, remove more than 1,700 pieces of graffiti and fly posters, clean more than 3,200 street items, deep clean 60,000 square metres of public space and support over 200 businesses with specialist cleansing requests (Source: Croydon BID).

But it’s their personalities that have won the hearts of the Croydon community. Known locally as the smiling brothers, if you’re from the area you’ll have met them! And judging by the feedback on LinkedIn from people they work with it’s no surprise they’ve been shortlisted.

Matthew Sims, Chief Executive of Croydon BID, said of the shortlisting:

“It is difficult to put into words the value that Ilidio and Augustine bring to Croydon BID, our businesses and of course Croydon town centre.

They are and have always been our unsung heroes. Diligently delivering while most of us are still asleep. Improving the look and feel of our town centre with a warm, welcoming smile that dispels the myths we all read and hear about Croydon.

After 14 years of unyielding dedication, we desperately want to acknowledge and recognise Ilidio and Augustine for all that they give. It’s not just a job to them. It is a vocation and our town and city centres need more people like them.

The award is for them. They have been with me right from the beginning and we love them both so very much.“

Benedict Selvaratnam, Co-Founder of Croydon Business Association CIC, said:

“Massive congratulations to Ilidio and Agostinho on this well-deserved recognition! 

For years, they’ve been the friendly faces helping keep Croydon welcoming, clean, and vibrant for residents, businesses, and visitors alike. Their dedication, positivity, and commitment to our town centre never go unnoticed.

They truly represent the very best of Croydon BID and our wider community spirit. Wishing them every success at the National Association of Town & City Management Awards 2026, winners already in the eyes of Croydon!”

Maria Chapman-Beer, Policy Manager at Savills Place-Shaping & Marketing, also commented:

“Many congratulations to Ilidio and Agostinho for being short-listed, so well deserved. I remember when Ilidio started in Croydon Town Centre, all those years ago, always a smile and willing to help in whatever way he could. Agostinho joining Ilidio made a “super team” and their commitment to the town centre has been outstanding.”

Well done to the brothers, you’re an absolute credit to the CC-IS team.