What does it take to be an employer where everyone has the opportunity to thrive? 

We are incredibly proud of this achievement. But as I reflected on what it means, I found myself thinking about a broader question: What does it take to be an employer where everyone has the opportunity to thrive?

The answer is not a single initiative, policy or programme. 

And it is certainly not an award. 

Recognition is important because it helps organisations measure and celebrate progress. It provides an opportunity to pause and see what is working, and where we have opportunities to push ourselves differently or further. 

For us, awards are not an end point; they are an opportunity to reflect, learn and drive continuous improvement. 

The objective is creating a workplace where people feel they belong, can develop their skills, fulfil their potential and build rewarding careers. This is the bedrock of our employee value proposition: Belong, Act and Thrive. 

At Sodexo, that ambition sits at the heart of our purpose and has been a cornerstone of a culture built by Piere Bellon, Sodexo’s founder, 60 years ago. We know that people perform at their best when they feel valued, supported and able to be themselves. Creating that environment is not only the right thing to do, but also essential to building a strong and successful business.

That is why I am proud that women now represent 45% of our UK & Ireland senior leadership team and 36% of our operational leadership roles. These figures demonstrate progress, but they are not the whole story. 

Representation matters. But opportunity matters even more. 

Creating opportunities means looking beyond who joins an organisation and focusing on who progresses, who is heard and who has access to development and growth.

 It means understanding and removing barriers that may prevent talented people from reaching their full potential. 

It means ensuring that someone’s background, gender, circumstances or life experiences do not limit their opportunities.

 

Importantly, this is not simply about our colleagues. The diverse teams working across Sodexo everyday support clients, customers and communities in workplaces, schools, universities, hospitals, prisons, military bases, sporting venues and cultural destinations across the UK and Ireland. 

When people from different backgrounds and experiences come together, they bring new perspectives, fresh ideas and stronger problem-solving. That leads to better decisions, better services and better outcomes for those we serve. 

Creating opportunity therefore has a ripple effect that extends far beyond the workplace. 

Of course, there is still more to do.

No organisation can claim to have all the answers when it comes to inclusion, equity and opportunity. Expectations evolve, society changes and new challenges emerge. The important thing is maintaining a willingness to listen, learn and take meaningful action.

For me, creating opportunities for everyone to thrive is not a destination. It is an ongoing commitment. 

A commitment to remove barriers. 

A commitment to widen opportunities.

A commitment to ensure that every colleague has the chance to fulfil their potential. 

The recognitions we have received this year are encouraging signs that we are moving in the right direction. But they are not what defines success.

Success is knowing that people can join our organisation, be themselves, develop their careers and build a brighter future for themselves and those around them. 

That is the kind of workplace we will continue striving to create.