Sodexo Live! deepens commitment to gender equality as Women in Football’s newest corporate member

Sodexo Live! has joined Women in Football (WiF) as a corporate member, reaffirming its commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.

The decision by Sodexo Live! – the global leader in the live events hospitality industry – to take up WiF Corporate Membership means a range of benefits for the company and its employees, including gender equality workshops, access to WiF events, and highly sought-after places on the Women in Football Leadership Course in partnership with Barclays.

The move follows a successful collaboration between the two organisations on a Women in Football watch party at Newcastle United FC during this year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Adding Sodexo Live! to its stable of prestigious corporate members enables Women in Football, in turn, to extend the organisation’s reach and further its initiatives to empower women at all levels of the football ecosystem.

WiF’s other corporate members include Brentford FC, Brighton & Hove Albion FC (which Sodexo Live! has been operating since 2013), Manchester City FC, as well as the Premier League itself, and other organisations such as PepsiCo and Sky Sports.

Sodexo Live! is a leading player in the event and hospitality sector, providing innovative and seamless experiences for a diverse range of partners. With a focus on creating memorable events, Sodexo Live! brings a wealth of expertise to the table, and its commitment to diversity aligns perfectly with the values of Women in Football.

Women in Football CEO, Yvonne Harrison, said:

This partnership is a testament to the commitment of Sodexo Live! to inclusion and gender equality in football and beyond. It’s great news for the Sodexo Live! workforce and great news for women across the football industry.

We’re thrilled to welcome Sodexo Live! on board as a corporate member and we look forward to working with them to create a more inclusive environment for women in football and collectively drive positive change in the industry.

Kathryn Morgan, Business Development Director, Sports & Stadia at Sodexo Live! UK & Ireland said:

We are as passionate about football at Sodexo Live! as we are firm believers in gender equality. This is just one of the many reasons why we have joined forces with Women In Football.

Our dedication to diversity and inclusion extends beyond our business operations, and this partnership allows us to actively contribute to the advancement of women in the football industry.

By working together, both organisations aim to break down barriers, challenge stereotypes, and create a more inclusive and equitable environment for women in football.

ABOUT WOMEN IN FOOTBALL

Women in Football is a network of women, men and non-binary people working in and around the football industry who are dedicated to driving women in football forward. We’re a vibrant, growing and engaged member community who are working towards change on an institutional level, because harnessing the best talent, whatever it looks like, is fundamental to the success of the industry.

Supported by our lead partner Barclays, we support women to hone and fortify their talents and abilities through our Leadership Course, coaching, workshops and networking opportunities. We throw open the doors for more diverse talent, leading campaigns on gender equality and working with football employers on how they can become more gender-inclusive, and most of all, we are dedicated to working together to transform the industry. For more information about Women in Football visit www.womeninfootball.co.uk or email info@womeninfootball.co.uk.

ABOUT SODEXO LIVE! 

Sodexo Live! supports some of the UK and Ireland’s most iconic music, cultural and sporting events, plus conference centres, by delivering world class hospitality and food services. We help deliver globally recognised live events with a proven track record of creating exceptional moments that bring people together. We help our partners to reach their true potential. We create exceptional moments and lasting memories for guests every time they visit the venues we serve, supporting long term revenue growth and delivering sustainable benefit in the heart of communities.

Globally, Sodexo Live! contributes to the success of events such as Royal Ascot, the Tour de France, the Rugby World Cup and soon the Paris 2024 Games, and showcases exceptional venues such as the Eiffel Tower Restaurants, Bateaux Parisiens, Yachts de Paris, the Royal Academy of Arts in London, the Museo del Prado in Madrid, the Hard Rock Stadium, the Scottish National Gallery, and the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles.

Other venues in the UK include Fulham FC, the ACC Liverpool, and Edinburgh’s magnificent Signet Library.

Sodexo Live! is part of Sodexo which provides catering, facilities management, employee benefits and personal home services to 80 million consumers daily in 45 countries.

Stepping up

Claire Morris FCIM, who has been with Sodexo for nearly 17 years, will take on the role as CEO Sodexo Live! for the UK and Ireland! She will lead the business in addition to her current responsibilities as SVP & Global Head of Marketing, Sales & Digital.

With more than 25 years of experience in the food and facilities industry, Claire has led many strategic marketing initiatives, from acquisition integration to brand and concept development, as well as developing high performing teams.

In the past year, she’s set up a dedicated digital and tech start up function for Sodexo Live! and is incredibly passionate about the customer experience in the Group’s venues and events.

Sports Venue Business (SVB) has been responsible for the organisation and delivery of ALSD International – from venue selection & contract negotiations, to sales & marketing, programming & logistics – on behalf of the Association of Luxury Suite Directors from its inception in 2018.

Moving forward, SVB has unveiled a series of networking events and webinars, an exclusive subscription-only ‘Global Report’ outlining New Builds, Renovations & Major Refurbs, and the SVB LIVE (Live Industry Venue Experience) event, an annual conference & exhibition focused on the delivery of optimised ‘live’ experiences and venue commercialisation.

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