Liz Gentry: A Journey of Growth and Opportunity at Sodexo
Liz Gentry’s career trajectory with Sodexo, spanning over two decades, is a glowing indication of our commitment to nurturing talent and providing opportunities for professional growth.
Liz began her journey with Sodexo in 2002 when she joined as a trainee chef in the Independents sector.
"I was attracted to the company because of the development opportunities it offered. It felt like somewhere I could really build a career instead of 'just another job'."
From those early days in the kitchen, Liz's career has been marked by continuous progression. She moved through various roles, including chef manager, business support manager and general service manager, before taking on her current position as Facilities Manager at the Pinewood Campus in 2020.
In her current role as a Facilities Manager at one of Corporate Services’ clients, Liz oversees a team of 36 employees and is responsible for the full spectrum of Integrated Facilities Management services. Her role encompasses everything from catering and cleaning to security and engineering, all while managing client relationships and driving strategic initiatives.
Throughout her journey, Sodexo's commitment to employee development has played a crucial role. "I've always felt that Sodexo has an incredible number of options for people wanting to develop professionally," Liz explains. "There are multiple set pathways, but also an amazing amount of flexibility and resource available."
Liz has taken full advantage of these opportunities, completing several apprenticeships up to Level 5. "The opportunity to learn and qualify alongside my day job has been great," she says. "It means I can apply learnings in real time, and I can use my experience to enhance the course information at the same time."
Innovation is a key aspect of Liz's role, and she recently implemented cleaning sensors across the site. This technology is already demonstrating how traditional cleaning models can evolve into more efficient, task-based approaches.
Equally important to Liz is her commitment to nurturing talent within her team. Drawing from her own experiences with mentors at Sodexo, she takes a personalised approach to developing her team members.
"My personal approach has always been to get to know the individual and understand what they themselves want to achieve. Sometimes their goals and aspirations might take them in a completely unexpected direction, and all they need to do is find the right door to open."
Liz's dedication to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is evident in her work. One notable initiative is the supported internship programme for young adults with autism, which helps prepare individuals who might have felt excluded from the labour market for paid employment.
Reflecting on her career, Liz's proudest achievement speaks volumes about her character: "I can genuinely say that my proudest achievement has been supporting and mentoring people who've been part of my team and seeing them go on to flourish in their own careers."
Looking ahead, Liz remains committed to her own growth, embarking on a Level 5 coaching apprenticeship and focusing on sustainability initiatives in facilities management.
To those just starting their careers with Sodexo or in facilities management, Liz offers this advice:
"Be inquisitive, believe in yourself and just go for it - embrace every opportunity that comes your way!"