David Mulcahy is set to depart from his role at contract caterer Sodexo after nearly two decades with the company.

David Mulcahy, who joined Sodexo from Compass in 2006 as craft and food development director, will be leaving the company after nearly 20 years. Most recently serving as food innovation and sustainability director, Mulcahy played a key role in supporting chef development, advancing food procurement strategies, and fostering strategic partnerships across the business.

David Mulcahy's departure follows that of Sean Hayley.

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As part of its Starting Fresh programme, Sodexo has introduced guaranteed job interviews for individuals with disclosed criminal convictions to support ex-offenders in their transition back into the workforce.

The catering firm, which employs over 30,000 people across the UK and Ireland, is offering guaranteed job interviews to applicants with disclosed criminal convictions who meet the job criteria and pass the necessary screening. This initiative aims to provide ex-offenders with an opportunity to re-enter the workforce.

Several Sodexo sites have already adopted this initiative.

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BM Caterers is trialing artificial intelligence (AI) self-checkout systems at two client sites, with the potential for a wider rollout in 2025 if successful.

The business is testing the new technology at the headquarters of a logistics company in Crewe and at a law firm in London.

The Deligo AI self-checkout system automatically recognises items without the need to scan barcodes. This innovation aims to automate routine cashier tasks, enabling staff to focus on higher-value customer interactions.

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Levy UK and Ireland has secured a new multimillion-pound contract with Excel London, coinciding with the events centre's planned 25,000 sq m expansion.

Levy, the sports, entertainment, and events division of Compass Group UK & Ireland, has been Excel’s food and beverage partner since its opening in 2000, serving over 400 events and four million visitors annually.

In 2023, both companies extended their catering contract for an additional 22 years.

As part of the new agreement.

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Compass-owned Dine Contract Catering has signed a long-term agreement to provide catering services for maritime technology company Atlas Elektronik UK (AEUK) at its headquarters in Dorset.

The Warrington-based business and industry specialist, Dine Contract Catering, will oversee operations at AEUK’s new restaurant, the Galley, which serves both employees and visitors.

Dine Contract Catering will also focus on providing healthier meal options, complemented by a salad bar, daily specials, and a hot beverage service.

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Sean Haley will step down from his role as chief executive of Sodexo UK & Ireland at the end of the year.

After seven years leading the region, Haley is moving on to explore new career opportunities outside the contract catering industry.

Following Haley's departure, Jean Renton, who has served as Sodexo's chief financial officer since 2019, will step into the newly created role of chief operating officer.

Effective 1 January.

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London-based event caterer Dinner Ladies has landed its first exclusive venue contract with Apothecaries' Hall in the City of London.

This Camden-based caterer’s first exclusive contract, valued at £5 million over the term, will have Dinner Ladies providing catering for all events at the historic venue.

The venue offers five event spaces, ranging from the Great Hall, which accommodates receptions for up to 200 guests and dinners for 120, to 'the shop,' suitable for receptions of up to 50 guests.

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With National School Meals Week 2024 this week (11th-15th November), the focus on healthy eating in schools is more important than ever.

Waltham Forest Catering, which produces around 15,000 nutritious award-winning meals a day and serves almost 50 East London schools across Leyton, Leytonstone, Walthamstow and Chingford, has become the first London Borough to drop the standard sugar and salt-laden school ketchup and replace it with the 14 allergen free Real Good Ketchup, specially designed for children.

With 75% less sugar and 80% less salt than other named brands.

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Last week, Sodexo UK & Ireland earned recognition at three esteemed industry awards. At the People Awards, it won the Employer Brand title, while at the Inclusion in EDI Awards, it received the Stakeholder Award in the EDI Maturity Curve category. Additionally, at the PFM Awards, Henry Gribbin was honored as Account Director of the Year.

People are at the heart of Sodexo’s business, and it is committed to supporting them as much as it can, it is Sodexo’s belief that its people should feel they belong to a company where they can act with purpose and thrive in their own way.

Sodexo received the Employer Brand award at the People Awards for its commitment to authenticity.

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Sodexo UK & Ireland has appointed Marc Cooper as its new Chief Information Officer (CIO), a vital position focused on advancing the company’s ambitious goals for technology, data, and digital innovation.

Cooper brings over 20 years of experience in driving digital and technology transformations across various sectors, including food service, telecommunications, travel, and financial services. His extensive background includes senior leadership positions at global brands like McDonald’s, EE, Epson, and British Airways.

As Senior Director of Global Digital Product & Experience at McDonald’s.

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Westbury Street Holdings (WSH), the parent company of BaxterStorey, has completed the acquisition of workplace catering provider Genuine Dining.

WSH emphasised that Genuine Dining will maintain its independent structure following the acquisition, which was finalised last week.

It has been disclosed that Luke Johnson, chairman and majority shareholder of Genuine Dining, is stepping down from the business after 14 years of active involvement.

In its most recent reported accounts.

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Social Pantry, the London-based independent caterer led by Alex Head, is thrilled to announce that it has achieved B Corp certification.

With one of the highest B Corp scores in UK hospitality, Social Pantry is now officially recognised as a company that upholds high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. This achievement integrates Social Pantry into the B Corp global movement, which leverages business as a force for good.

Founded in 2011 by Alex Head.

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Sodexo UK & Ireland has appointed Lynsey O’Keefe as its new CEO for its corporate services and energy & resources business segments. These segments provide workplace services, facilities management, and food services to approximately 670 sites in the UK and Ireland, working with some of the world's most recognisable brands.

Lynsey O'Keefe brings extensive experience across food services, workplace management, and facilities management in multiple sectors. As the new CEO for Sodexo's corporate services and energy & resources business segments, she will be responsible for driving the company's continued growth in the workplace.

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SSP Group has appointed Satya-Christophe Menard as the new CEO of its Continental Europe division.

Menard joins SSP with two decades of experience in the service industry, bringing significant expertise in the food and coffee sectors across both European and North American markets. His most recent role was president of the out-of-home division at JDE Peet’s, a leading coffee company. Prior to that, he served as the global CEO of Sodexo’s schools and universities division and held various leadership positions within Sodexo's international operations.

With extensive experience in developing profitable growth strategies for both B2B and B2C companies.

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Sodexo Live!, a global leader in hospitality services for the sports and leisure industry, is excited to announce a new five-year partnership with Lancashire Cricket at Emirates Old Trafford. As part of the agreement, Sodexo Live! will manage catering for conferences and events, along with providing match day hospitality.

Sodexo Live! aims to establish a robust casual workforce of around 150 individuals from the Greater Manchester and North West region, supporting the local economy and strengthening community ties.

The food operations will be led by Sodexo Live! executive head chef.

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BaxterStorey has secured a five-year catering services contract with Coleg Sir Gâr, a further education college in Carmarthenshire, which operates across five campuses in the county.

The hospitality company will manage restaurants, cafes, retail outlets, hospitality services, and vending across all five campuses, catering to over 5,000 students, 1,000 employees, and visitors.

As part of the agreement, BaxterStorey will make a significant investment in Coleg Sir Gâr’s catering facilities to enhance the customer experience.

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Sodexo Live! has extended its partnership with the Henley Royal Regatta for an additional five years, following a year of record-breaking sales at the event.

Since 2013, Sodexo Live! has played a crucial role in enhancing the Henley Royal Regatta experience, managing the Fawley Meadows site to provide exceptional food and hospitality. As the world's premier rowing event, the regatta draws thousands of visitors each year, showcasing exciting races featuring both Olympic rowers and emerging crews.

Under the renewed contract.

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Seasoned has successfully gained approved supplier status at both the British Museum and Whitechapel Gallery after completing formal tender processes.

Since 2015, Seasoned has collaborated with the British Museum, organising a variety of daytime and evening events for commercial clients and corporate sponsors. These events have taken place across the Museum’s uniquely versatile spaces, including the iconic two-acre Great Court, the Egyptian Sculpture Gallery, the Enlightenment Gallery, the Nereid Gallery, the Wellcome Trust Gallery, and a suite of modern conference facilities, such as the sleek BP Lecture Theatre.

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Nestlé Professional continues its focus on inspiring young people through its Choose Hospitality Pledge program, by partnering with Sodexo to deliver mass career workshops at Sodexo Live! venue partners, Hampden Park in Glasgow, Everton FC’s Goodison Park and Brighton & Hove Albion FC’s American Express Stadium. Alongside this, another workshop at St James' Park in Newcastle which is due to happen in the autumn term.

The Choose Hospitality Pledge career workshops engaged up to 250 secondary school pupils across the three stadia locations during the summer term.

The Choose Hospitality Pledge was established to help breathe new life into the sector by inspiring the next generation of talent.

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Restaurant Associates has welcomed nutritionist and dietician Clare Gray to its growing team of chef partners.

Gray will join the likes of Michel Roux, Sabrina Ghayour, Jason Atherton, Dipna Anand, restaurant group Native, Restaurant Associates’ other chef partners.

With health and wellbeing becoming increasingly important to guests, Gray's 15 years of experience as a registered dietitian and professional chef will help guide the foodservice provider in developing healthy and sustainable menus.

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