Sodexo Diversity and Inclusion podcasts

On 21 May, Sodexo hosted a breakfast event on the subject of Modern Racism in the Workplace in recognition of World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development. Coming at a time of intense media attention around this topic, Binna focused on the history of racism and explored its modern manifestation in organisations. In this podcast we discuss the key themes from the event and listen to speakers and attendees. Please note: Due to technical issues there is poor sound quality in parts of this podcast. We apologise for any inconvenience for listeners.

A podcast by the Sodexo Pride network about IDAHOBIT 2019. Listen now.

International Womens Day 2019 - Keynote Interview

Baroness Goudie is a member of the British House of Lords and a global advocate for the rights of women and children. The Baroness joined the Sodexo global gender networks meeting to talk about co-founding the 30 per cent club with Dame Helena Morrissey, a campaign to get more women on boards, and her experiences of gender balance in the workplace. Baroness Goudie also talks about her role as an active ambassador for ICRW, a global research institute whose mission is to empower women, advance gender equality and fight poverty.

An open and honest panel debate on how your cultural background influences your career choices and how you can influence your career choices regardless of your background. Origins committee Omy Lawal chairs the discussion between Amolak Dhariwal, Stephen Marshall, Raj Verma, Raj Jones, Rachel Jones, Michelle Delices and Ufuoma Uwegba.

Kate Nicholls became CEO of UK Hospitality last year when the British Hospitality Association and the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers merged. Kate tells SoTogether UK & Ireland co-chair Alistair Drummond about her career, from growing up in County Durham to working as a political researcher after graduating to getting into the hospitality industry. During her spell in Westminster in the early 90s Kate worked on the Maastricht Treaty, so shares her insight on European relations now the country appears to be going the other way.

Maura Tomlinson is not only business development director with Sodexo strategic accounts, but also a mother of three boys. She speaks to Liz Marlow, co-founder of the Sodexo Working Parents Group, about her career, her work/life balance and finding the confidence to go for new job opportunities when on maternity leave or pregnant. Liz and Maura met at the 2016 Women Work conference and have formed an informal mentoring relationship. Liz is expecting her second child soon. (And yes, Liz is also the voice of our podcast jingle!)

Pride network co-chair Nia Jordan is joined by Sharon Slinger from Constructing Rainbows, Nicky Siddall-Collier from ISS and Samantha West from Vinci to talk about LGBT+ in Facilities Management. The industry ‘network of networks’ was founded in 2016 with the vision of driving fairness inclusion and respect for LGBT+ people working in the facilities industry contracting organisations. Nia, Sharon, Nicky and Samantha share their experiences of LGBT networks in their organisations and how they got involved in LGBT+ in FM.

An interview with Bernie McManamon, an engineer at heart whose studies and career have been heavily focused on that subject. Bernie speaks to Women Work member Deirdre Saunders in Sodexo's Dublin office about gender balance in engineering and facilities management, her career progression and her role as general services manager with Sodexo. Bernie joined Sodexo in 2016 when the company won the integrated facilities management contract with Shell in County Mayo, Ireland.

Being a working parent and building your career, Rachel Jones, Director of Talent Acquisition Sodexo UK&I and mum of two, is interviewed by Liz Marlow, one of the founders of the Sodexo Working Parents group.

Siobhan Peyton, of Peyton & Byrne fame, talks to Women Work's Lynne Gilchrist about her career on the London nightlife and hospitality scene. Siobhan grew up in Ireland before moving to England in the 80s and running a number of establishments with her brother Oliver, including the well-known Atlantic Bar & Grill. Siobhan joined the company in 2016 when the Peyton & Byrne public catering contracts were acquired by Sodexo, and brings a fresh, frank view of the industry.

To celebrate International Women’s Day last week, BIFM Women In FM and the London region held an event at Sodexo’s London HQ focusing on women in engineering. Sodexo public affairs director Debi Rowland chaired a panel debate as part of the event with three women in engineering: Lucy Hind from Covance, Justine Salmon from ABM and Karla Paz Sans from Enhabit, who all shared their journeys, advice and experience. This podcast brings that debate straight to you. At 44 minutes and 30 seconds you can hear James Taylor, executive sponsor for gender at Sodexo, give his closing address after the debate.

Three Women Work members have launched a group to support Sodexo employees with parental responsibilities. Lucy Lawrence, Sarah Kinrade and Liz Marlow (pictured left to right) created a safe space in a private Facebook group for colleagues expecting to take, taking or returned to work from parental leave. Lucy, Sarah and Liz talk about how they came up with idea for the group, running the pilot and their own experiences of parental leave.

Sophie Bellon took some time out of her visit to the Sodexo UK & Ireland region to talk to Women Work co-chair Alistair Drummond about her life and career. Sophie shares memories of her father Pierre founding Sodexo in 1966 and her determination early in her career to make her own way in business. Ahead of International Women's Day, Sophie shares her thoughts on diversity in the workplace and her passion for gender balance.

Anne Pierce has been the chief executive of Springboard UK for the last 20 years, supporting people of all ages get a career in the hospitality industry. In this in-depth interview, Anne talks about her incredible career journey and the work of Springboard. From her first role in hospitality to getting a big promotion in her twenties to becoming CEO of Springboard, Anne has taken career opportunities with both hands. Anne is interviewed by Omy Lawal, Women Work member and one of 40 Springboard ambassadors at Sodexo. In addition to Anne’s thoughts on a career in hospitality, Omy also persuades Anne to share some little-known facts and stories about herself.

At 25 Lucy Bronze has already achieved so much in her football career. This year she's reached the semi-final of a second consecutive international tournament with England, scored a goal and won an FA Cup Final at Wembley and scooped her second PFA Players' Player of the Year award in association with Sodexo. In September Lucy signed for Olympique Lyonnais Feminin, Champions League title holders and the 'Real Madrid' of women's football. Lucy took time out of her schedule to speak about her incredible life to Women Work co-chair Alistair Drummond at the new Groupama Stadium just outside Lyon. Thanks go to the PFA, Olympique Lyonnais and the Sodexo team at the Groupama who all helped to make this happen.

This summer Jane Farrell became the first female chair of the International Professional Security Association. In the same week, Jane was also promoted to head of security for Sodexo UK & Ireland. In this interview Women Work committee member Jane talks about her 35-year career with Sodexo and the work she's doing to improve gender balance in the security industry. Sodexo's Women in Security, founded by Jane, celebrates its five-year anniversary next month.

Mindfulness expert Anne Macdonald joins a Women Work breakfast briefing in Scotland. Anne, who is researching a PhD at the University of Edinburgh on the impact mindfulness can have on group dynamics, speaks to WW members in Sodexo’s Edinburgh office and live on a conference call. Mindfulness in relation to life balance with a focus on women, women at work, collaboration and wellbeing are all covered. Anne leads a short, interactive mindfulness exercise at the end of the session.

To celebrate National Inclusion Week diversity and inclusion advisor Karen Govier talks to two colleagues involved with inclusion activity at Sodexo UK & Ireland. Chair of the inclusion taskforce Marc Vincent talks about the structure of the taskforce and learning and development packages available, as well as upcoming promotion of flexible working. A facilitator on Sodexo’s Spirit of Inclusion course, Nikki Street discusses course content and how it promotes an open culture at Sodexo.

Two Women Work members with a mutual interest in Bosnia and Herzegovina discuss the Remembering Srebenica charity. After being introduced to the charity through a friend, Christina Thomson was part of the first all-women’s delegation to visit the region to find out about the consequences on women of the 1995 genocide of more than 8,000 Muslim Bosniaks. Christina is interviewed by Charlotte Dickenson, whose master’s degree in post-war recovery studies saw her spend time in the Balkans specialising in women’s empowerment in Bosnia.