This hands-on approach has defined Paula’s nearly three-decade career at Sodexo. Whether she’s supporting a mobilisation or mentoring a colleague, her belief is simple: to lead effectively, you have to live it.
From RAF roots to the kitchen
Born in Aberdeen, Paula’s early life was shaped by her parents’ careers in the RAF. “I was lucky to travel the world with my dad’s job,” she says.
At just eight years old, she attended at an all-girls boarding school, Morcott Hall in Rutland, and stayed there until she was sixteen: “I really valued my childhood – I had a stable upbringing, a loving family, and a great opportunity for education, which I grasped with both hands.”
Her independence and discipline were forged early, and when it came time to choose a career, a conversation with her father proved pivotal: “He told me that computers could never replace the personal touch of two roles: an undertaker or a chef. I chose chef – and I’ve never regretted it.”
After leaving school, Paula joined the Youth Training Scheme (YTS), which offered her a pathway into hospitality. She then attended catering college and, upon graduating, took a bold step by moving to Germany to work as a civilian chef on army bases. “It was an amazing opportunity,” she recalls. “I learned so much from master chefs – skills, discipline, and culinary techniques that have shaped me throughout my career.”
Her time in Germany was a full-circle moment, reconnecting her with the military environment she grew up in.
Facing the challenge of COVID-19
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Paula found herself navigating one of the most demanding periods of her career. With her sites operating independently and restrictions preventing her from being physically present, she had to lead remotely while her managers remained on the ground, navigating the unknown.
Private hospitals were suddenly facing realities they hadn’t prepared for. “We very quickly went from looking after private health – cosmetic procedures like hips, knees and joints – to suddenly supporting NHS patients and caring for the elderly and those experiencing delayed transfers of care,” she reflects. “We saw so many deaths and because private hospitals have a low volume of end-of-life care, they don’t have mortuaries. It was a huge shock to us all and a completely new way of working.”
Paula experienced her first death in service during this time, and her teams were deeply affected. Despite the distance, she remained a constant source of support – checking in, listening, and leading with empathy. She describes the experience as transformative, reshaping how she viewed her role and the resilience of her people. “You’re sitting on a screen, trying to support from a distance, while they’re living and breathing it. It changed my whole outlook on my team. They went to work every day, not knowing what this illness was, and they could have been taking it home.”
Throughout the crisis, Paula credits Sodexo for its unwavering commitment to its people – they provided counselling, resources, and tools to help teams cope with the emotional strain.
The importance of mentorship and belonging
As Paula’s career has grown over the past 28 years, so too has Sodexo. In her early days, she often felt like an underdog, needing to work harder to be seen and heard. “As a woman, I had to work harder to get myself above the parapet,” she reflects. But that determination was met with encouragement and belief from those around her. Over time, she’s witnessed Sodexo evolve into a workplace that champions inclusion and belonging, nurtures talent, offers opportunity, and creates space for everyone to thrive.
Paula’s sense of belonging at Sodexo is deeply tied to being trusted with major projects: “Being asked to support the mobilisation of East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust (ESNEFT), one of our biggest wins, and attending and informing high-level meetings with senior leaders has made me feel valued,” she smiles. “That’s what has kept me here for all these years.”
Mentorship has played a pivotal role in shaping Paula’s career journey, accelerating her growth and helping her realise her potential. One person who made a lasting impact is Kirsty Price, the Learning & Development Manager when Paula first joined Sodexo – and someone who, like Paula, remains with the business today as Head of Client Retention, UK & Ireland. “Kirsty saw potential in my eagerness to learn. She became – and still is – my mentor. Her guidance has been invaluable, and she told me that anything is achievable if you work for it.”
