Sodexo becomes BIFM recognised centre

Sodexo has built on its excellence in learning and development by becoming a BIFM recognised centre.

BIFM accreditation is a key next step in Sodexo’s development as a recognised provider of excellence in integrated facilities management (IFM) as more clients demand this type of delivery model, and the marketplace increasingly moves towards strategic partnerships. More than half of Sodexo’s UK and Ireland activity is made up of IFM business.

Becoming a BIFM recognised centre also demonstrates Sodexo’s commitment to employee engagement through improving skills and competence. Courses are already being delivered through Sodexo’s IFM academy.

Neil Murray, Managing Director for Corporate Services of Sodexo UK and Ireland, said: “Becoming a BIFM recognised centre was a very important step for us, we’ve always invested heavily in the training of our people, but as the industry has professionalised and as our business leads the way in the move towards IFM – it’s now more than 50 per cent of our business – having that formal recognition for our people of the pre-eminent professional body for the sector is vital.

“People are our most important asset – I can’t think of a more people intensive industry. We have over 400,000 people that now work for us globally and so we have to continually focus on the development and growth of the people that work for us. We have to ensure that we operate to the very highest standards wherever we work.”

Angela Williams, HR Director for Sodexo UK & Ireland, said: “People are absolutely central to the success of Sodexo, as evidenced by our achievement of Investors in People bronze status last year. As part of this commitment, professional development is critical to our future, so being able to offer recognised IFM qualifications is crucial as this makes up more than half of our business.

“We invest significantly in our teams to ensure that they feel empowered and supported to fulfil their role but also that they also have the confidence of having a qualification that is recognised wherever they go, whoever the clients may be and to be recognised amongst our peers and the industry as a whole.”

Gareth Tancred, Chief Executive Officer at BIFM, said: “Sodexo is truly focussed on ensuring their people are skilled, competent and qualified in order to deliver high quality integrated facilities management services to their clients. With the FM Professional Standards and the BIFM qualifications we have been able to offer a solution that provides Sodexo with the professional rigour and acclaim that they needed but that also adapts and flexes to meet specific needs of teams or individuals due to the breadth of the units available.”