ECJ EUROPEAN Cleaning Journal

Sodexo UK & Ireland has been named one of The Times Top 50 Employers for Gender Equality for the third consecutive year.

Compiled by Business in the Community and promoted by The Times, the annual listing recognises organisations that are embedding gender equality across their businesses and taking action to create more inclusive workplaces.

According to Sodexo, the recognition reflects its continued focus on using data and insight to improve outcomes for employees and strengthen accountability across the business.

The company says women now make up 45 per cent of its UK and Ireland senior leadership team and 36 per cent of operational leadership roles.

Jean Renton, CEO of Sodexo UK & Ireland, said: "Creating opportunities for everyone to succeed is fundamental to who we are at Sodexo."

She added that while the company was proud of its progress, it remained committed to "removing barriers, widening opportunities and ensuring every colleague has the chance to thrive."

Sodexo has introduced a range of initiatives aimed at improving inclusion and career progression. These include participation in the Social Mobility Employer Index, enhanced family-friendly policies such as parental and paid carers' leave, support for employees affected by menopause and endometriosis, and structured development programmes designed to improve representation at all levels of the business.

The company has also strengthened governance by using gender pay gap data to inform action plans, while its SoTogether employee network provides support and resources focused on gender equity. In addition, Sodexo says it continues to expand its work to support colleagues affected by domestic abuse.

Ndidi Okezie OBE, chief executive of Business in the Community, said: "Progress on gender equality is not only vital for fairness, but for business performance and long-term economic growth."

Sodexo employs more than 30,000 people across the UK and Ireland.