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Sodexo was once again a Platinum Sponsor of the annual Social Value Conference, a leading not-for-profit event that brings together leaders and practitioners from the public, private, and third sectors.
This year’s conference, themed ‘Social Value in Action’, focused on sharing innovative ideas and best practices for driving social value across multiple sectors.
The three-day event included two days of virtual sessions and an in-person gathering at The Eastside Rooms in Birmingham.
On day one, Angela Halliday, Sodexo UK & Ireland’s Social Impact Director, participated in the ‘Building a Career in Social Value’ virtual breakout session, sharing insights and her own experience on career pathways into social value.
On day three, Halliday joined the in-person event, taking part in an impactful panel discussion alongside leaders from The Purpose Coalition, National Social Value Taskforce, and social enterprise Change Please emphasising the power of radical collaboration to drive meaningful change.
During the discussion, Halliday shared how Sodexo collaborates with partners through its Starting Fresh programme, which provides employers with practical steps to proactively recruit prison-leavers. She also discussed Sodexo’s award-winning Net Zero Supply Chain Engagement Strategy, which is helping supply partners decarbonise their own businesses, and the positive impact of Sodexo’s Stop Hunger Foundation – which will mark its 20th anniversary in the UK and Ireland in 2025.
Additionally, Rebecca Vowles, Head of Social Impact for Sodexo’s Government & Agencies, contributed to the ‘Central Government – How Is It Delivering on Social Value Commitments?’ session, while Jeanette Shipley at Category Manager at Sodexo, participated in the ‘Engaging Supply Chains to Deliver Better Social Value’ breakout session.
The Social Value Awards took place during the conference, with Tony Brady, Business Development Director for Sodexo’s Energy & Resources business, being shortlisted for the Social Value Champion title for his role in developing local partnerships that delivered real change.
Sean Haley, CEO of Sodexo UK & Ireland said: “It was an inspiring three days which galvanised efforts to deliver a social value economy, and we are enormously proud to have flown the flag for our industry as platinum sponsor again this year.
“I was delighted to hear about the swathes of delegates visiting our Starting Fresh exhibition stand again this year. Thank you to my colleagues who spent the day inspiring them to proactively recruit people with criminal convictions – this programme is an excellent demonstration of the power of radical collaboration to create meaningful change.
“Thank you also to the many Sodexo UK and Ireland colleagues who took part in breakout sessions and shared their expertise on a career in social value, as well as social value in central government, supply chains and radical collaboration.”
As a member of the National Social Value Taskforce, Sodexo has been actively influencing how social value is embedded into corporate and public sector initiatives, with the aim of fostering health and resilient communities.
Since 2019, Sodexo has partnered with the Social Value Portal (SVP), the conference organisers, piloting the SVP platform and collaborating with SVP in the development of the Central Government TOM System measure set, enhancing social accounting practices.
Guy Battle, CEO of Social Value Portal, added: “This conference is all about inspiring and energising Social Value practitioners to create even greater positive impacts – and with over 2,500 people watching and attending, it shows how strong and vibrant the Social Value Economy is becoming.
“Sodexo’s support and thought leadership provided delegates with valuable insights that will drive the movement forward. Through innovative initiatives like their Starting Fresh programme and Net Zero Supply Chain Engagement Strategy, Sodexo truly embodied this year’s theme of ‘Social Value in Action,’ helping us move closer to our vision of a Social Value Economy.”
