Sodexo has again been named one of the '50 GREAT British Employers of Veterans' in the UK by the organisers of the Ex-Forces in Business Awards.
The Top-50 list serves as a guide to organisations that set standards in veteran employment practices by delivering pathways which support veterans, reservists and military families.
Inclusion requires employers to undergo a comprehensive assessment combining objective data with expert human evaluation by an independent judging panel of 21 business leaders who are veterans in their own right.
The panel includes leaders from Asda, Fortinet, the University of Cambridge, RICS and the Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance.
Paul Anstey, CEO Government and Energy & Resources, Sodexo UK & Ireland, says: “We are extremely proud to be again included in this prestigious list.
Supporting the welfare of the armed forces community and providing meaningful employment opportunities is an integral part of our social impact commitments.
“Veterans and individuals with military connections have a diverse range of skills and experience which are transferrable into businesses such as ours and something we truly value, which is why we continue to focus on providing meaningful career opportunities for veterans, reserve and military families where we can.
“Engaging with relevant external organisations and networks is crucial to building advocacy and bridging the gap between industry and the military and we are proud of colleagues who are actively participating with these groups, helping to promote dedicated career pathways in an industry that actively values the armed forces community.”
Sodexo has a long-standing commitment to supporting armed forces personnel, both during and after service, and currently employs around 500 veterans across its UK operations, representing 1.7 per cent of its workforce. It was an early signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant and in 2017 was one of the first organisations to be awarded the Gold Employer Recognition Award by the Ministry of Defence.
The foodservice and catering group's commitment to veterans is re-enforced by inclusive policies, proactive engagement and structured support programmes, including:
Ben Rossi, founder of the global Forces in Business Awards series and 50 GREAT British Employers of Veterans programme, says: “This comprehensive ranking of Forces Friendly employers has become a cornerstone resource for veterans, reservists and their families – and a powerful benchmark for organisations seeking to lead in veteran employment.
The 2025 list reflects a growing coalition of employers who truly understand military talent, setting best practice and proving that investing in the armed forces community is not just the right thing to do – it’s a clear strategic advantage.
To feature in the Top 50 is to stand among the most committed supporters of the armed forces community.
“Inclusion is not easily earned.
We applaud you all.”
Sodexo also supports SSAFA, the armed forces charity through employee volunteering, fundraising, event support.
Sodexo’s Stop Hunger Foundation has contributed over £500,000 to SSAFA’s Homelessness Fund and this year over 100 colleagues will take part in SSAFA’s 13 Bridges Walk.
Two Sodexo employees were also commended at the Ex-Forces in Business Awards dinner which was held at the Grosvenor House London hotel on 26th June.
Mark has a distinguished military background, serving in the Royal Air Force for over three decades.
Since joining Sodexo in 2016, Mark has been instrumental in managing Sodexo’s operations across 150 military sites across the UK, Cyprus and Falkland Islands, ensuring service delivery to over 50,000 troops.
Under his leadership Sodexo has successfully renewed significant contracts and supported the military response to critical operations.-item
Finalists at the awards also included Sodexo’s Gary Savage in Outstanding Achiever of the Year and Chris Parry for Team Leader of the Year.
