Sodexo, the services company, has recognised the achievement of its most outstanding UK customer-facing employees across 32 categories in its seventh annual Service Excellence Awards.
Cleaners, fitness instructors, helpdesk operators, gardeners, security officers, engineers, kitchen porters and customer service assistants from across Sodexo’s facilities management business in the UK and Ireland were recognised.
This year saw two new categories: scientific services and waste management.
Attended by 250 employees, the event was held at Ascot Racecourse on Thursday, May 26, where Sodexo holds the hospitality contract.
Host Phil Hooper, Brand and Communications director, was joined on stage by regional leadership committee peers and Sodexo subject matter experts from each of the service lines to recognise the winners and runners-up in 32 categories.
The Kathy Ridgard Award was presented in honour of Kathy, who was director of Sodexo’s Centre of Excellence before dying of cancer in 2013, went to Sodexo Defence cleaner Rita Limbu. The award was presented by Kathy’s family.
Rita, pictured, also won cleaner of the year award for her work in the joint officers’ mess at Tidworth Garrison, Wiltshire. Her work ethic, unassuming manner and high standards have even seen Rita gain praise through the garrison’s own recognition scheme.
Phil Hooper said in his opening speech: “Today is about recognising the people that epitomise that focus on Quality of Life; the people who have a positive impact on our clients and consumers, day in day out. Today is about you, and we have plenty to celebrate.
“This year we’re also celebrating Sodexo’s 50th birthday. What started as a catering business is now a fully integrated facilities management business covering something in the region of a hundred different services, many of which we have represented here today.”
