Investing in Ethnicity has included Sodexo UK & Ireland as a ‘Top 25’ company for race and ethnic inclusion in its Maturity Matrix.
Published annually, the matrix serves as a benchmarking tool for assessing how organisations are making progress towards becoming more representative. The Top 25 index recognises organisations that have gone above and beyond to break down barriers to improving racial diversity while creating cultures and implementing inclusive policies that support increasing representation from diverse ethnic groups.
DEI is embedded at the heart of our business strategy and driven throughout the organisation, from the executive leadership team to our colleagues at all levels…
Sodexo scored highly in the areas of insights and supporting strategy receiving praise for the work of its Origins employee network in building awareness and the inclusion in the 10,000 Black interns programme aimed at championing under-represented talent by offering six-week paid internships within Sodexo.
The foodservice and facility services provider joined the 10,000 Black interns programme in early 2023. In the first year eight of the 24 interns placed at Sodexo, secured a position after the programme, and last year 40 interns took part in the six-week programme with Sodexo, at the end of the programme one in four of the interns seeking positions with the organisation received a job offer.
Raj Jones, head of DEI for Sodexo UK & Ireland, comments: “Sodexo has a long-standing commitment to fairness and equity and we are proud to be listed as one of the Top 25 organisations challenging and addressing the barriers those from underrepresented ethnic groups can face in securing employment and developing their careers.
“DEI is embedded at the heart of our business strategy and driven throughout the organisation, from the executive leadership team to our colleagues at all levels, who deliver services to our customers every day. We are dedicated to creating a workplace where all employees belong, where everyone can act with purpose and where everyone has equitable opportunities to thrive.
Inclusion in the Top 25 reaffirms Sodexo’s leadership and commitment to improving racial diversity while creating an inclusive culture and implementing policies that are beneficial to aiding diverse ethnic representation.
Sarah Garrett MBE, CEO, Investing in Ethnicity, says: “It’s great to see how Sodexo has built on its work in supporting diverse ethnic groups within the organisation. This year, we are proud to congratulate Sodexo’s work with the Advanced Employer accreditation.
“Since last year, Sodexo has improved in areas such as insights, culture and inclusion, recruitment and its external impact. The organisation is above average within the following categories, insights and supporting strategy, which are foundational areas to supporting strategic and sustainable growth in the future. We are excited to see how Sodexo builds on its achievement over the coming year.”
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