Attended by over 110 representatives from its supply chain, the conference featured insightful discussions and sessions with senior leaders from across Sodexo. They shared the latest developments, priorities and plans in areas such as encouraging sustainable diets, supply chain diversification, achieving net zero 2040 and working together to drive greater positive social impact.
A key focus of the day was Sodexo informing its supply partners about its new pledge to add further diversity to its supply chains. Each supply partner created their own personalised pledge on this topic, aiming to create positive action across the industry.
Julie Ennis, chief executive of Corporate Services and Energy & Resources at Sodexo, provided insight on how clients are focussing on food and employee experience to attract talent. Claire Morris, chief executive of Sodexo Live!, shared how embracing digital innovation is driving customer satisfaction in its hospitality offer at over 45 sites.
Sodexo took the opportunity to expand the conversation beyond net zero by introducing the Green Line vision, which supports the group's ambition to be a market marker in sustainability and discussing how the wider social impact supply chain agenda will evolve over the coming years.
Sean Haley, chief executive of Sodexo UK & Ireland, said: “A collaborative approach is key to sustainability strategies. At Sodexo, just 1% of emissions are under our direct control in scopes 1 and 2, the majority - 99% - lie within scope 3, with 34% stemming from our supply chain.
“This is why our supply partners play an invaluable role in enabling us to realise our goals, and this annual conference is a chance for us to share our plans our successes and the challenges that lie ahead so we can work together to make a difference.
“Tremendous progress has been made and in our January 2024 net zero report, we highlighted a notable 30% cut in supply chain emissions from our 2017 levels, cutting 100,903 tonnes of CO2—the equivalent of flying around the world 8,581 times. This achievement is testament to the collaboration between Sodexo and our suppliers.”
Guests at the event sampled an ‘innovative’ lunch menu curated by the Sodexo Live! culinary team, with dishes taken from Enactus’s ‘Chance for Change’ global recipe book. The cookbook supports female refugees in the UK by featuring their global recipes such as Chicken Galinha Cafreal and Goan style Bebinca.