Sodexo has appointed former British Army senior officer, James Illingworth OBE, as advisor to its Government board to strengthen its relationships across Whitehall, the armed forces and the charity sector.

With over 35 years of strategic military experience James brings strong corporate leadership and people management skills as well as an acumen for business development. 

James recently retired from the British Army as a Major General.  His last post was Director Land Warfare with responsibility for leading, organising and managing the Army’s delivery of training across the UK and determining the army’s future training transformation.  Previously he was Commander British Forces Cyprus and Administrator of the Sovereign Base Areas in Cyprus.

Paul Anstey, CEO Government, Sodexo UK & Ireland said:

James brings a huge breadth of knowledge and understanding from his many years within the military including leading and managing diverse and complex activities both in the national and multi-national arenas.

His experience working with key government organisations and leading large, complex organisations will undoubtedly help us develop key relationships and will provide us with expert and independent advice to support the growth of our government business.

Sodexo’s Government business segment includes the delivery of a wide range of services to military sites across the UK as well as in Cyprus and the Falkland Islands. Sodexo recently retained its gold medal status in the Ministry of Defence’s employer recognition scheme and has been a supporter of the Armed Forces covenant since it was launched in 2013.

Also included within Sodexo’s Government business is its property professional services team which earlier this year secured a seven year, £45.3 million contract with the Metropolitan Police to manage its estate and property related services across London. The contract covers police stations, New Scotland Yard, communication facilities, residential and training centres as well as air and marine support units that support the broad spectrum of activities performed by the Metropolitan Police.

Other Government contracts include Scottish Fire & Rescue and the Scottish Parliament.

 

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