Sodexo UK & Ireland goes through leadership transition

UK – Catering and food service facilities management company Sodexo has announced Sean Haley will depart from his current position as chief executive at the end of 2024 in a major leadership transition.

After leading Sodexo UK & Ireland for seven years, Sean Haley will be pursuing new career opportunities outside the contract catering industry.

Jean Renton, who has served as the company’s chief financial officer since 2019, will take on the role of chief operating officer, effective January 1, 2025. Renton will oversee the company’s operations in the UK and Ireland, focusing on business transformation while managing Sodexo’s 2,000 client sites in the region.

Renton, who joined Sodexo in 2013, has held various business and commercial roles within the company. She also chairs Sodexo’s SoTogether gender equality employee network and serves as a non-executive director on the audit committee of the charity Wellbeing of Women.

Prior to her time at Sodexo, Renton held senior positions at John Lewis, Marks & Spencer, and PwC.

Expressing her gratitude for the appointment, Renton said, “I am honoured to have been appointed to this role. I look forward to working alongside my executive team and all our site colleagues as we continue to serve our clients and consumers as the global leader in sustainable food and valued experiences.”

Haley joined Sodexo in 2011 following the acquisition of Atkins’ asset management business and became regional chair in 2017.

He was appointed CEO of Sodexo UK & Ireland in 2022. Under his leadership, the company achieved significant growth, securing high-profile catering contracts for events such as the Rugby World Cup and the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Sunil Nayak, president of Sodexo’s Europe zone, expressed gratitude for Haley’s contributions, stating, “We sincerely thank Sean for his significant contribution to Sodexo over the last 13 years. As chair and CEO of the UK&I region, he has navigated the business through turbulent times and championed social impact, with Sodexo being widely recognised as a leader in sustainability and inclusion.”

Nayak also welcomed Renton’s appointment, citing her commercial expertise and strong executive leadership as key factors in her selection.

The leadership transition coincides with a pivotal period for Sodexo, marked by targeted growth, particularly through mergers and acquisitions.

In November 2024, Sodexo expanded its InReach offerings by acquiring CRH Catering, a major player in convenience solutions and one of the largest independent operators in the mid-Atlantic region.

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