From porter to partnerships
Mobilising soft FM services at East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust (ESNEFT) marks a major milestone for Sodexo Health & Care—and Louise Durose is playing a key part.
Louise’s journey is anything but ordinary. Raised in Stoke-on-Trent, her first ambition was to be a farrier. After an injury interrupted her blacksmithing apprenticeship, she took a hospital agency role—initially advertised as a healthcare assistant, but it turned out to be portering. That twist of fate launched a new career path.
She joined Sodexo in 2009 through a TUPE transfer from the NHS. “It was a time of transition, but I quickly saw the stability and opportunity Sodexo offered,” she says. Since then, she’s worked her way through multiple management roles including Portering and Logistics Manager, Quality Manager, and Domestic Manager.
“I’m so excited to see the team on site develop and grow, I feel we can make a difference here.”
Her frontline experience shapes her leadership. “Understanding the nuances of the role helps me support teams effectively,” she explains. During the ESNEFT mobilisation, she’s helped shape services, liaised with teams, and ensured Sodexo standards are met from day one.
She’s also invested in her growth, recently completing a Level 5 leadership apprenticeship—thanks to support from Sodexo and key mentors like Shaun Hollinshead, Jennifer Cleary, and Ruth Freeman.
Louise’s driving motivation remains clear: “It’s always about the patients—safe, dignified care is what matters most.” With her hands-on approach, deep experience, and unwavering commitment, she’s helping to shape the future of healthcare services at Sodexo.
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