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Supporting the Whole Force 

Enhancing the physical and mental wellbeing of personnel across all military services. 

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The lived experience white paper

As part of its commitment to working closely with the UK government, Armed Forces, and key stakeholders, Sodexo hosted the Lived Experience Forum in November 2024 to explore issues affecting personnel living in Ministry of Defence facilities across the UK.

This white paper outlines current issues and draws on insights from defence, industry, charities, and academia, incorporating solutions discussed at the Forum.

Download the White Paper
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Proud supporters of the Armed Forces 

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    British Army 

    Sodexo has over 30 years’ experience in providing a range of services for the British Army and their families, supporting the MOD in giving personnel everything they need before, during and after service. Our contracts within the Army cater to thousands of personnel, with the provision of food and catering services as well as soft and hard facility management services. We manage officer messes, diners, accommodations, cafés, and convenience stores, keeping soldiers equipped for duty. 
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    Royal Navy 

    Our defence services also cater to the British Royal Navy, serving their needs across key Naval Bases in the UK. As being part of the Force is unique and taxing, personnel in this field require specific needs and services that serve them whilst on land or at sea. That’s where we come in, providing customised, enhanced services, from catering and retail to transport and logistics, as well as grounds management and security.  
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    Royal Air Force 

    In their continuous mission to watch the skies, respond to threats and prevent conflict, Sodexo’s custom Defence services support the Royal Air Force. Whether on land or in the air, we meet the needs of personnel, providing on-base and inflight catering, hospitality, administration, accommodation, and cleaning services, keeping their overall wellbeing in check for optimum performance. 

Catering, facilities and property services 

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    Catering & Food Services 

    Sodexo delivers a wide range of Catering and Food services to meet the unique and varied needs of the Whole Force. Food is necessary fuel for everyone, especially for military personnel, who need to prioritise their physical and mental wellbeing to perform at their best. Our food services include various forms of military dining and catering, from junior rank diners and Sergeants’ messes to event catering and retail provision across various sites. 
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    Soft Facilities Management 

    A wide range of specialised soft facilities management services are provided for our Defence clients. We keep sites running smoothly, keeping buildings, dining areas and work areas in good shape with cleaning and waste management services. Our soft FM services also provide security and administration, with helpdesk and portering services on site. Laundry and tailoring are also provided to keep personnel looking sharp and ready for duty.  
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    Hard Facilities Management 

    Ensuring that client infrastructure and equipment is well cared for is key for a safe and effective environment for everyone. Our hard FM management services supply estate planned and reactive maintenance, as well as lifecycle and project management. We have skilled personnel who handle maintenance of heavy-duty equipment and machinery as well as monitor and report performance to ensure facility efficiency and to conform with compliance standards. 
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Part of the community 

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    Charity Support 

    We support various volunteering and fundraising activities and implement such activities across our Defence sites. Sodexo also supports several military charities, including SSAFA, the UK’s oldest national tri-service charity that provides all round support to people at any stage in their military career. Here, our Stop Hunger Foundation helps to alleviate hunger and encourage good nutrition and cooking skills.
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    Armed Forces Covenant 

    The Armed Forces Covenant promises to recognise and understand that people who have served or are serving in the Armed Forces, alongside their families, should be treated with fairness and regard in society. We were early signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant and are proud holders of a Gold Employer Recognition Award, reflecting our commitment to supporting serving and former military personnel and their families. 
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    Mentoring

    Through our long-standing partnership with SSAFA, we provide mentoring to support members of the Armed Forces to successfully transition to civilian life. Through the SSAFA Mentoring Service, long-term, one-to-one and face-to-face support are made available for people who leave or are leaving the Armed Forces. 

£191M

Revenue

Sodexo employs over 4,000 people across 150 defence sites within the UK, Cyprus and the Falkland Islands. Ex-forces personnel are well represented within our leadership and delivery teams across the portfolio.


We are proud to serve over 50,000 troops and their families, as well as contractors, industry partners and civilians on-site. We support over 25% of the British Army, as well as the largest RAF Station in the UK (Brize Norton) and the home of almost two-thirds of the Royal Navy’s surface ships (HMNB Portsmouth). 

Sodexo impact

Our Social Value Strategy outlines our key commitments to People, Planet, Places and Partners, helping to create a greener, healthier, safer and more prosperous society for all across the UK & Ireland.

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The Sodexo food map

From north to south, east to west, we scour the country for the best ingredients. It’s important to us that our suppliers are knowledgeable and passionate about their products and that sustainability and ethical practices are high on their agenda too.
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Responsible sourcing

When it comes to food service, safety is a non-negotiable. For our consumers and clients, safe food service is a matter of trust.
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Get started with Sodexo

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