Sodexo Leads the Way as SRAG’s First Ambassador
March 25, 2025Posted by:
Sodexo UK & Ireland has become the first business to achieve Ambassador level in the SRAG Charter Mark framework, setting a new benchmark for social recruitment and social value delivery.
As a family-owned business with over 30,000 employees in the UK & Ireland - and over 423,000 globally - Sodexo has integrated social impact across its entire operation. From employing prison leavers, working to eradicate hunger and supporting small businesses through apprenticeship levy transfers, their achievements are measurable and replicable.
Key Impacts Delivered by Sodexo
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Starting Fresh programme has placed 567 prison leavers into employment within six weeks of release.
Since 2021, £2.28 million apprenticeship levy gifted to small businesses and non-profits.
As reported in its 2024 annual impact report, Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation has:
- Supported 2.8 million people
- Redistributed more than 160,000 meals.
- Dedicated 56% of its funding to addressing the root causes of food insecurity.
Angela Halliday, Sodexo’s Director of Social Impact, is clear:
“Social impact isn’t just my job - it’s everybody’s job. My role is to make sure all 30,000 of our people are part of the solution.”
Now, as SRAG’s first Ambassador, Angela is taking that message beyond Sodexo - encouraging other businesses to embed social recruitment and social impact at the heart of their operations. “We’ve got it - so what? What’s next? We need to go deeper, go further, and make a bigger impact,” she told SRAG members at the award ceremony. Here is Sodexo's press release on the award - which includes more information on their impressive range of social impact achievements - Sodexo achieves prestigious recognition for commitment to social impact.
Their commitments to embedding social impact and focus on continuous improvement were key insights from the Charter Mark analysis, enabling Sodexo to take its leadership in the field even further. It also reflects a growing understanding within SRAG that social value is a currency - one that demands the active investment of research, energy, and creativity to deliver long-term returns for business and society. When everyone plays a part, that effort becomes not just achievable - but sustainable.
A Charter Built with Purpose
The SRAG Charter Mark wasn’t designed in isolation. Developed over the last three years in close collaboration with employers, strategic partners, academics, and sector specialists, the Charter Mark mirrors the structure and intent of the UK Government’s Social Value Model.
It’s built to help businesses:
- Stay competitive in public procurement.
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Demonstrate measurable social value.
Deliver sustainable community outcomes.
Embed inclusive recruitment practices into core business.
As Kenny Boyle, CEO of PeoplePlus, explains:
“We created the SRAG Charter Mark because we saw the gap between social value policy and practical delivery. This framework turns ambition into action - and gives employers the structure, support and recognition they need to move forward with purpose.”
If you want to understand what excellent looks like in this space, understanding how an organisation reaches SRAG Charter Mark Ambassador level is a great place to start.
A Clear Pathway for Businesses
SRAG membership offers a structured, supported route to embedding social value and community wealth generation into your business - whether you’re:
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just starting out at Bronze,
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building momentum at Silver,
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embedding practice at Gold,
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or ready to lead the field at Ambassador level.
Each stage of the Charter Mark provides not just recognition, but practical guidance - and challenge - to help your business do more, do it well, and do it sustainably.
A Moment to Celebrate
It has been a privilege for PeoplePlus and the SRAG to accompany Sodexo on this stretch of their journey over the last year. Their commitment, openness to challenge, and willingness to lead from the front have raised the bar for what’s possible and deepened our collective understanding of what social value looks like in action. This Ambassador Award is a signal to the wider business community that embedding inclusive recruitment and driving social mobility is achievable, meaningful, and absolutely necessary. We’re proud to have supported them - and even prouder to share in this moment of recognition as the journey to Ambassador Plus begins!
Inspired by Sodexo’s journey? Get in touch to find out how SRAG membership can help put your business on the front foot for social value and impactful delivery.
[email protected]
March 25, 2025Posted by:
