Sodexo, the world’s largest services company, has recognised the achievement of 21 of its most outstanding customer-facing employees in its sixth annual Service Excellence Awards.
Cleaners, fitness instructors, helpdesk operators, gardeners, security officers, engineers, kitchen porters and customer service assistants from across Sodexo’s integrated facilities management business in the UK and Ireland were recognised for their dedication and hard work.
The event was attended by 250 employees, and was held at Ascot Racecourse on Tuesday (9 May), where Sodexo holds the hospitality contract.
Regional chairman Sean Haley and HR director Andy Rogers were accompanied on stage by Sodexo subject matter experts from each of the specific service lines to recognise the winners and runners up in 21 categories.
Sodexo employees attending were encouraged to pledge up to three days’ volunteering for a good cause to celebrate Stop Hunger day, also on 9 May. The Stop Hunger charitable foundation was set up by Sodexo to fight hunger and malnutrition.
The coveted Kathy Ridgard Award, presented in honour of Kathy, who was director of Sodexo’s Centre of Excellence before sadly losing her battle with cancer in February 2013, went to kitchen porter at Wellington College, Alan Lenthall. Alan was also recognised for the Kitchen Porter of the Year award.
Sean Haley, regional chairman of Sodexo UK and Ireland, said in his closing speech: “Today just goes to show exactly why clients and prospects highlight you as our key strength. I’m always very humbled when I come to this event; seeing the commitment and loyalty of our teams across the business, the focus on doing everything to the best of your ability, and a genuine desire to make people happy and improve their quality of life is what we’re all about.”