Sodexo serves up Thames Valley University

04 February 2010

Sodexo started delivering catering, retail, hospitality and waste management services in its three-year, £4m turnover deal at four Thames Valley University campuses last month.

Sodexo is now providing catering, retail, hospitality services to the University’s students and staff, across all four of its campuses. In addition Sodexo will provide waste management services under a separate contract.
Sodexo is employing over 40 employees across the four sites in Ealing, Slough, Brentford and Reading. The company secured the deal after a competitive tender, beating a previous contractor who held the contact for over 12 years.
The contract includes the provision of catering services to a number of outlets, where a wide selection of sandwiches, soups, salad boxes and yogurts will be made available throughout the day – all part of Sodexo’s ‘theunity’ food offer.
The offer is devised with the aim of bringing the high street to the university, enabling students to spend more time on campus. The strength of Sodexo’s offer, with its flexibility in coping with the demands of a very diverse set of campus's and customer base, was fundamental in helping the company secure the contract.
Sodexo recently announced another significant win in the sector, winning the contact to provide catering services at the University of Stirling, potentially worth £9m in total turnover.
Jane Bristow, MD of Sodexo Education, said: “This is an exciting win for Sodexo and a great addition to our portfolio of universities and further evidence that we understand the needs of such a diverse client base. We look forward to working with Thames Valley University, and to have the opportunity to add value to the daily life of the students, staff and visitors.”
Dee Martin, senior facilities manager at Thames Valley University, said: "Throughout the tender process the Sodexo team demonstrated a clear commitment to improving the student experience, fresh food and a range of sustainability issues, all of which were compatible with the University's objectives. Services were effectively mobilised within a reduced timeframe and the resource structure and commitment to the contract were evident from the outset.”