Mentoring programme expanded for Partners with Purpose network
In 2022, Sodexo introduced a new pro-bono mentoring service for its Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise (SME) and Voluntary Community and Social Enterprise (VSCE) supply chain partners. It offers a tailored programme of expertise, guidance and skills development to help these vital cogs in our supply chain to continue to grow and innovate.
To date, the programme has seen Sodexo subject matter experts provide support to mentees in a range of business areas including the pursuit of net zero ambitions, product sourcing, business strategy and community-based projects. The programme is now being expanded as we launch our Social Impact Pledge 2030, with a formal commitment to offer the mentoring service to all 2,500 members of Sodexo’s Partners with Purpose network.
The vital role of SMEs and VCSEs in a diverse and sustainable supply chain
“We’re proud to partner with more than 4,000 suppliers, and we develop strategic relationships with businesses of all shapes and sizes. SMEs and VCSEs are a critical component, representing two thirds of our total supply chain with a 40% share of procurement spend,” says Sonia Mangat, Head of Responsible Sourcing for Sodexo (UK & Ireland).
“This is a deliberate strategy to ensure Sodexo has a diverse, robust and flexible supply chain, and what these smaller enterprises bring is invaluable – agility, flexibility, resilience and innovation. Smaller suppliers are often acutely focussed on niche products or offers, whether that’s in different cuisines or flavour profiles, sustainable sourcing, exciting new technology or showcasing new food trends. They bring fresh ideas that help differentiate our overall market offer.
“SMEs and VCSEs also tend to work with local supply chains, in turn reducing carbon footprint, and directly support their local economies through employment opportunities and community wellbeing activities. This all feeds positively into Sodexo’s Social Impact Pledge and its impact pathways of People, Planet, Places and Partners. They are the backbone of our supply chain and their success is our success, and so supporting smaller enterprises on their business journeys brings a host of mutual benefits.”
Sonia Mangat
Head of Responsible Sourcing, Sodexo UK & Ireland
Exploring business needs to find a perfect mentor-mentee match
Nurturing relationships and supporting SMEs and VCSEs isn’t a new concept. In 2015, Sodexo launched the Supply Chain Inclusion Programme to help cut through the red tape smaller businesses can face when pitching to work with large organisations. The mentoring programme followed, and Sonia’s team has been steadily growing the pool of mentors with a view to expanding the range of expertise available.
“The first thing we ask any supplier is to share some background on their business goals and passions, where they need guidance and what they ultimately want to achieve,” says Sonia. “Having this information from the get-go allows us to build a profile and match them with the right subject matter expert and mentor.”
The programme lasts six to 12 months with a minimum one-hour session per month. “Mentors and mentees take part in an initial ‘chemistry’ session to check the match fits the need, and then they are free to plan their own schedule, holding sessions online, face to face, or a mix of both.”
How mentoring helped Thomas Kneale & Co to cut emissions
Past mentees have included SME Thomas Neale & Co – a Manchester based textile business supplying bedding and towels, who approached Sodexo for guidance on reducing their carbon emissions. Simon Mussett, Net Zero Lead for the UK & Ireland, fitted neatly into the mentor role and helped them to formulate a carbon reduction plan.
“Sustainability can be a daunting subject, and can feel technical at times, but Simon is skilled at breaking down those barriers and his guidance really ignited a spark,’ says Sonia. “They have since gone on to win the King’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development.”
Thomas Kneale’s Director, Brett Mendell, said the sessions renewed his confidence and helped his business to calculate the tangible value of their activities. “We were very pleased with our ongoing work around carbon reduction, yet we had been struggling to translate our actions into clear and meaningful numbers,” he says. “Simon advised which calculators may be suitable to us and what we might do differently in future. We can now show that we’ve reduced our Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 50% compared to our 2018 baseline, and we couldn’t prove that before.”
For Simon, the experience has had a two-fold impact. “Being able to understand some of the complexities and challenges they faced has enabled us to apply this learning into our approach with other SMEs,”
Are you a current SME or VCSE supplier interested in finding out more about the mentoring programme? Contact our team
You may also be interested in...
Our social impact