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Sodexo has retained its contract with Aspire Defence Services (ADS) for the delivery of catering, retail, mess management and cleaning services across all the garrisons of Project Allenby/Connaught.
Sodexo’s commitment to delivering a great ‘Lived Experience’ for the military was a key factor in the retention of its contract. The new contract is for a further 17 years and nine months (with a 10-year benchmarking clause) and is worth £730 million over the initial 10-year period.
Project Allenby/Connaught, part of the MOD estate managed by Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), is one of the largest infrastructure Private Finance Initiatives (PFIs) ever let by the MOD. Since 2006, the 35-year contract has been improving living and working environments for British soldiers through provision of modern, high-quality, fully-serviced and purpose-built accommodation in Aldershot and across Salisbury Plain.
Sodexo has held the Living Accommodation Services contract since it began in 2006 and its 1,450-strong team is responsible for feeding over one third of the British Army. Over the years, Sodexo has worked closely with ADS and DIO to ensure the lived experience of service personnel has been at the forefront of the services it provides. This has included using bespoke research commissioned by Sodexo to gain a deeper insight into what service personnel want and how they want it delivered. From this, Sodexo has developed food services which are modern, flexible and tailored to the unique needs of military personnel whilst reflecting the latest trends from the high street.
Paul Anstey, CEO Government, Sodexo UK & Ireland said: “We are delighted to have retained this important contract. We have worked in partnership with ADS since 2006 to improve the lived experience of all those who live and work on the military bases within Project Allenby/Connaught. ADS has been resolute in its commitment to the welfare of those living and working on the different sites and we are proud to have collaborated with them throughout to ensure that the services we deliver support the health, safety and wellbeing of all.”
Sodexo’s operations increased significantly in 2020 following a major infrastructure programme to accommodate around 4,000 personnel relocating to garrisons across Salisbury Plain as part of the joint Army and DIO Army Basing Programme (ABP). Its contract includes the provision of Living Accommodation Services for 11,000 en-suite single living accommodation rooms; 43 officer, warrant officer and sergeants’ messes; 14 junior ranks diners, including seven super diners, each feeding up to 2,000 military and civilian personnel; 15 Costcutter convenience stores, 16 coffee shops, two workplace diners, five pubs and three mobile catering units.
Mark Baker, COO Defence, Sodexo UK & Ireland said: “This recognition of the work Sodexo has done in support of Aspire Defence Services spurs us on to deliver greater innovation, change and enhanced services to our customers at Project Allenby/Connaught. We have an exciting programme of facilities improvements to support an even better lived experience for the military and will see the garrisons within Project Allenby/Connaught more widely recognised as centres of excellence for service delivery in defence.
Mark Carr, Managing Director, Aspire Defence Services said: “Sodexo has proven to be a trusted partner and is commitment to ensuring service personnel living and working on the garrisons have the best experience possible. We look forward to continuing our collaborative relationship with Sodexo and DIO to ensuring Project Allenby/Connaught achieves its goal of making soldiers’ lives better.”
In addition, Sodexo has a strong commitment to ensuring its operations has a positive impact on the communities in which it works; Project Allenby/Connaught is no exception, Sodexo continues to support local charities and community activities including local colleges and schools, providing training and work experience opportunities at centres such as the Vine Centre in Aldershot as well as organising food bank donations and fundraising activities.
