Sodexo’s HR director Rachel Evans appointed co-chair of MOD’s Gold Award Association
HR director for Sodexo UK & Ireland’s Government business has been voted as co-chair of the Gold Award Association (GAA), the body which supports gold award employers in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.
Rachel, alongside Emma Morgan, programme manager, global military affairs at Amazon, will support other gold award employers with their commitment to making a positive difference for both industry and the whole armed forces community.
Rachel has over 20 years’ experience in HR, with almost 14 of those with Sodexo. She was appointed HR director for Sodexo’s Government business in 2021 having previously worked in several HR leadership roles specifically within the defence market since 2012, in the UK and in Cyprus. Rachel is committed to driving positive, sustainable change with long lasting impact at every opportunity, and already engages in various activities across the defence industry.
Sodexo was an early signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant when it was launched in 2013 and was first awarded the gold award in 2017 and again in 2022.
Rachel has been instrumental in Sodexo achieving and retaining its gold status, helping the organisation continually develop and demonstrate its forces-friendly credentials in the employment of ex-armed forces personnel and their families as well as those employees who are members of the Reserves. Sodexo’s commitment is reinforced through its Social Impact Pledge and signatory to SSAFA’s Friendly to Forces campaign.
"I have been a passionate advocate of ensuring we are doing all we can to support the armed forces community and to build mutually beneficial relationships between business and the military.
Being appointed co-chair is a career milestone for me, and I am delighted to be undertaking the role alongside Emma Morgan.
Together we will strive to inspire others to share best practice and to collectively champion key defence people policies, support the wider Armed Forces Covenant community and strengthen the connection between the military and industry."
Rachel has also recently been appointed on the advisory board of Women Empowering Defence (WED) network, a new organisation created and founded for all those that work in the Defence and Security Sector, with the aim to actively break stereotypes and challenge biases by highlighting diverse achievements of women across various fields. Its ambition is to break down societal barriers and encourage a more inclusive and accepting attitude towards women's capabilities and contributions.
"We are incredibly proud of Rachel and the unwavering support she has given to the defence community over the years. She has inspired many within Sodexo to support ex-service personnel transition and thrive in civilian employment and to participate in mentoring schemes.
Her leadership as co-chair of the GAA and in her role on the advisory board of the Women Empowering Defence network demonstrates the high esteem she has gained in the industry, and we look forward to supporting Rachel and Emma in their role with the GAA and to seeing the WED network flourish."
"The mission of the Gold Award Association is to be an independent, collective voice of enlightened employers that wish to develop best practice, mentor and inspire those wishing to fully embrace the potential of their Armed Forces Covenants.
Organisations which are signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant are able to apply for bronze, silver of gold status in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme with the highest badge of honour, gold, awarded to those truly championing the value that Armed Forces community members bring to the workplace."