Sodexo stars recognised at annual Spirit of Sodexo awards

People
May 14, 2026

Last night Sodexo UK & Ireland welcomed more than 400 colleagues from across the region to an evening of celebration, recognising colleagues and teams who have gone above and beyond over the last 12 months, truly living Sodexo’s values.

Held at Emirates Old Trafford where Sodexo Live! is the catering and hospitality partner, Sodexo UK & Ireland CEO, Jean Renton, the regional leadership team and guest presenter, TV broadcaster and journalist, Steph McGovern, hosted an evening of fine food and great hospitality as they shone a light on colleagues and teams at its annual Spirit of Sodexo awards.

This year more than 600 nominations were made with winners announced on the night across 15 categories ranging from Behind-the-Scenes Star, Outstanding Service Excellence for an individual and team, Team of the Year, Growth & Innovation, Sustainability Champion, Community Impact and Rising Star.

The top awards went to:

Growth & innovation: Sodexo Ireland bid team. The team has demonstrated an excellent track record in delivering high client retention and new business growth. Their success has been underpinned by the use of insight-driven solutions and excellent cross team collaboration, a deep understanding of client needs and the delivery of food and support services to create safe, welcoming workspaces which enhance the employee experience.
Employee of the Year: Laura Harris-Kissling, senior finance manager for Sodexo’s Corporate Services business. Laura was recognised for her strong leadership, commercial acumen and an unwavering commitment to performance delivery.
Team of the Year: Sustainability team. This year Sodexo reported market leading progress in its journey to net zero 2040 exceeding two of its science-based targets, one five years ahead of schedule, as well as hitting its goal to reduce food waste by half by 2025. The team lead this progress which supports Sodexo’s clients’ net zero and ESG ambitions whilst delivering clear commercial benefits.
Lifetime Achievement Award: Derek Coulter. Commercial projects manager, Sodexo Live! Derek joined Sodexo over 35 years ago, starting out as a chef and moving his way up to site manager and then group manager for a key account in Scotland. His career spans operational roles across Sodexo’s Corporate Services, Government and Sodexo Live! businesses. Today Derek supports supply management for Sodexo Live! and is a valued member of the team especially for major high-profile events such as Royal Ascot where he ensures professionalism and high standards in everything he delivers

SOSA Growth & Innovation Ireland bid team 1240x698

Growth and Innovation award winners: Sodexo Ireland bid team

Every year Sodexo’s Chief Executive Officer selects a team/individual to be recognised with the CEO Special Award; this year three recipients were honoured with awards:

Mobilisation team for Health & Care’s new contract with East Suffolk North Essex NHS Foundation Trust (ESNEFT). The team demonstrated unparalleled collaboration, resilience, and operational excellence in delivering one of Sodexo’s most complex healthcare mobilisations to date. The new partnership with ESNEFT saw Sodexo become the single provider of soft FM services across Colchester Hospital, Ipswich Hospital, and 18 community sites, transitioning over 1,000 colleagues from both the NHS and the incumbent supplier.
Neurodiversity Café. Members of Sodexo’s Abilities employee network wanted to create a more informed, supported inclusive workplace for those with neurological differences. They set up the Neurodiversity Café to provide a safe space that connects regularly and inspires relevant conversations, increases networking and supports all colleagues in their daily lives. Since it was launched 18 months ago, the monthly Cafe’s attract external speakers and have 400 members.
Steven Beattie. Head of consumer technology for Sodexo Live! Steven was recognised for leading and delivering several transformational projects that delivered commercial benefits for clients. Most notably the launch of The Terrace fan zone at Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club with digital ordering and at Edinburgh Zoo, where he has improved the guest experience and boosted sales through digital retail.

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Sodexo Health & Care mobilisation team for the ESNEFT contract, recipients of the CEO Special award

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These awards recognise the people and teams who make such a difference to advancing the growth and experience of our clients, consumers, colleagues and the communities we work with.
At the heart of Sodexo, our colleagues are delivering exceptional service, whether that’s in food or support services that shape better every day experiences at every moment in life from work, heal, learn and play.
It is a real moment of celebration to recognise the achievements that support our client operations every day.

Jean RentonCEO Sodexo UK & Ireland

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This year marks 60 years since Pierre Bellon founded the business in Marseille, France and to celebrate this special anniversary, a new Legacy Award was given to individuals or teams whose work embodies Pierre Bellon’s founding values and demonstrates an unwavering commitment to service, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Three recipients received the award, they were:

David McAlley, Government & Energy. David, a prison custody officer, exemplifies Sodexo’s values through his unwavering commitment, creativity, and passion for making a meaningful difference by creating opportunities that provide real value and positive outcomes for prisoners. He has consistently gone above and beyond, dedicating his time and energy to initiatives that transform lives and foster hope within the prison community.
Stephen Frost, Sodexo Live! Through his 20 years with the company, Stephen has successfully led culinary teams in Scotland and across the UK business. His career is defined by his ability to inspire and energise those around him, while applying the focus, structure and determination essential to delivering complex, high-profile operations on behalf of key clients.
Mark Oldfield, Health & Care. His 30-year career with Sodexo has seen Mark manage and lead one of Sodexo Health & Care’s most complex operations across two large acute hospitals for the largest NHS Trust in the country. Mark’s humility, integrity and client focus has been instrumental in the long-term success of this partnership with the NHS.

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Every year we hear stories of quiet dedication, of outstanding teamwork, of client-centricity and of people who have gone above and beyond in ways that truly matter.
It is an honour and privilege to recognise colleagues, individually or as a team, and thank them for their commitment, skill, care and pride in service excellence.

Bill BuchanHR Director, Sodexo UK & Ireland

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Sodexo, an employer of more than 30,000 people across the UK and Ireland, recently won Employer of the Year at the prestigious British Business Awards for its investment in its people and leadership in creating meaningful opportunities, careers and training within and outside of its business.

With People one of its impact pathways within its Social Impact Pledge 2030, it is Sodexo’s belief that its colleagues should feel they belong to a company where they can act with purpose and thrive in their own way. The Spirit of Sodexo awards are just one example of Sodexo’s commitment to celebrating its people, at every level if the business.

Find out more about what it's like to work for Sodexo from our people

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Employee recognition can play an important role in engagement, retention and performance, particularly in service-based industries where frontline teams directly shape customer and client experiences. Recognising individual and team contributions helps reinforce organisational values and encourages a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement. Recognition programmes can also support wellbeing and strengthen connection across large and diverse workforces. In operational environments such as food services, facilities management and healthcare, engaged teams can also contribute to stronger service delivery, consistency and better outcomes for clients and consumers.
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Workplace culture can have a direct impact on service quality, operational consistency and customer experience. Employees who feel engaged, recognised and supported are often better positioned to collaborate effectively and respond to operational challenges. In sectors such as food services, healthcare, facilities management and hospitality, strong workplace cultures can help organisations maintain high standards in fast-paced and complex environments.
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Recognition programmes can help organisations strengthen employer reputation by demonstrating appreciation for employee contribution and career development. Publicly celebrating achievements and progression opportunities may also support recruitment by showcasing organisational culture and values. In competitive labour markets, recognition initiatives can contribute to employee satisfaction and long-term retention.
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Sodexo stars recognised at annual Spirit of Sodexo awards

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Why is employee recognition important in service-based industries?

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What role does workplace culture play in delivering service excellence?

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How do recognition programmes support employee retention and recruitment?

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Why is employee recognition important in service-based industries?

What role does workplace culture play in delivering service excellence?

How do recognition programmes support employee retention and recruitment?