17 March 2010

Sodexo named as global leader in diversity

Sodexo, a leading provider of onsite service solutions, has been named as the top company overall in a worldwide index that recognises companies who understand and engage with stakeholders on diversity and inclusion matters.
Commended specifically for efforts around its Spirit of Inclusion programme, Sodexo was ranked first in the UK in DiversityIncs first ever global benchmark as part of the Top 50 Companies for Diversity, finishing ahead of 45 other leading companies in the UK category.

DiversityInc, a renowned organisation and thought-leader on diversity and business, applauded Sodexo UK and Ireland for the high-level support and activity of its Diversity Council, its approach to mandatory diversity and inclusion training, and the significant role in which diversity and inclusion plays in helping to secure and retain business.

Sodexos counterparts in the US were named as number one in the prestigious US benchmark from among 449 entries and also picked up a host of awards, most notably, first in the employment of executive women, and first for recruitment and retention of minority employees in the US.

Sodexo UK and Ireland launched its interactive and thought-provoking Spirit of Inclusion programme last year, aiming to encourage managers to devise tailored action plans that will maximise diversity and create an inclusive work environment for its staff.

The one-day workshop, compulsory for all managers, has been developed by Sodexos head of diversity and supported by Sodexos executive Diversity and Inclusion Council.

Sodexo aims to have 65 per cent of its 4,500 managers complete the course in the next 12 months, and 100 per cent in 18 months time.

Diversity and inclusion forms a key part of Sodexos newly announced Better Tomorrow Plan, which aims to to consolidate Sodexos sustainability performance and provide a framework to measure the impact of the companys actions worldwide.

Sharon Kyle, head of diversity and engagement at Sodexo, said: To be named the top company in the UK is a huge honour and a fantastic reflection of the progress we have made in leveraging diversity and inclusion as a strategic priority in a relatively short period of time.

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Notes to editors Press Contacts: Piers Zangana Sodexo Tel: 020 7535 7400 Email: press.office@sodexo.com For the full table, please visit: http://www.diversityinc.com/cgi-bin/cms/top50.cgi Sodexo UK & Ireland Sodexo in the UK and Ireland employs around 43,000 people, and delivers on-site service solutions to clients at over 2,300 locations in the corporate, healthcare, education, leisure and defence sectors. With an annual turnover of over 1bn, Sodexo delivers a diverse range of services ranging from catering, cleaning, reception to security, laboratory and grounds maintenance services, enabling clients to focus on their core business. Sodexo Pass, in the UK, provides motivation solutions, such as Childcarepass and SayShopping vouchers. Sodexo in the World Services which improve the quality of daily life, play an important role in the progress of individuals and the performance of organisations. Based on this conviction, Sodexo serves as the strategic partner for companies and institutions that place a premium on performance and well-being, as it has since Pierre Bellon founded the company in 1966. Sharing the same passion for service, Sodexos 380,000 employees, in 80 countries design, manage and deliver an unrivalled array of on-site service solutions and motivation solutions. Sodexo has created a new form of service business that contributes to the economic, social and environmental development of the communities, regions and countries in which it operates and to the fulfilment of its employees.

Key figures (as of 31 August 2009) Sodexo in the World 14.7 billion euro consolidated revenue 380,000 employees 33,900 sites 80 countries

Sodexo in the UK and Ireland 1.1bn annual turnover 43,000 employees 2,300 sites

About DiversityIncs Top 50 Companies for Diversity List The DiversityInc Top 50 Companies for Diversity list, which will be published in the June 2010 issue of the magazine, is determined by a statistical analysis of responses to the publication's 200-question survey. Top 50 companies demonstrate consistent strength in four areas: CEO commitment, human capital, corporate and organizational communications, and supplier diversity. The 449 companies evaluated for this year's Top 50 list range from consumer-facing companies to industrial businesses, and range in size from small regional companies to businesses that operate globally. For more information on the methodology used to create the list of Top 50 Companies for Diversity, visit www.diversityinc.com/top50.