Power of collaboration on display at Sodexo’s annual ‘Partners with Purpose’ supplier conference
Sodexo UK & Ireland welcomed 40 strategic supply partners to Brighton & Hove Albion’s American Express Stadium for its third annual ‘Partners with Purpose’ conference.
Recognising the power of partnership, this year’s conference focused on three key themes: enhancing understanding of Sodexo’s operations, increasing collaboration and innovation, and recognising shared progress on sustainability and social impact programmes.
Attended by representatives from its supply chain, including SMEs and VCSEs, Sodexo’s ‘Partners with Purpose’ conference facilitated insightful discussions and sessions with senior leaders from across the company. They shared the latest developments, priorities, and plans in areas such as supply management and growth enablement, social impact, ambitions for Sodexo’s food brands, and how the company is delivering valued experiences through the digitisation of facilities management.
At the inaugural conference in March 2023, Sodexo launched its net zero supply chain engagement strategy—a roadmap to help supply partners contribute to both Sodexo’s and their own net zero goals. Building on that foundation, the March 2024 event introduced Sodexo’s Green Line vision—an initiative aimed at positioning the organisation as a sustainability market leader and broadened the focus to include wider social impact priorities for the years ahead. This year’s conference included an update on Sodexo’s progress toward delivering that vision.
Since its launch, Sodexo UK & Ireland’s forward-thinking, collaborative net zero supply chain engagement strategy has earned three prestigious national awards for sustainability excellence: the Reuters Sustainability Awards, the edie Awards and the National Sustainability Awards.
The conference also marked 20 years of the Stop Hunger Foundation by thanking suppliers for their continued support and encouraging them and their colleagues to volunteer with the Foundation’s charity partners. Established in 2005 in the UK & Ireland, the Foundation is a UK-registered charity committed to tackling food insecurity and building a better future. Its work goes beyond food aid, providing support through fundraising, grant-giving, volunteering, and partnerships with national and local charities to ensure help reaches those most in need.
Our supply partners play a vital role in enabling us to deliver on our purpose every day. 'Partners with Purpose' has become a key event that strengthens collaboration, celebrates progress, and aligns on the challenges and opportunities ahead. What makes our proposition truly unique is the strength of our long-term relationships with our most critical and strategic suppliers. Their reliability, innovation, creativity, and partnership is deeply valued.