Bunzl awarded ‘Supplier of the Year’ at  Sodexo’s annual ‘Partners with Purpose’ supplier conference 2025

Sodexo UK & Ireland welcomed 40 strategic supply partners to Brighton & Hove Albion’s American Express Stadium for its third annual ‘Partners with Purpose’ conference. Recognising the power of partnership, this year’s conference focused on three key themes: enhancing understanding of Sodexo’s operations, increasing collaboration and innovation, and recognising shared progress on sustainability and social impact programmes.

As a partner supplier to Sodexo UK & Ireland, Bunzl was delighted to receive the ‘Supplier of the Year’ award 2025. Over the past 18 months, Bunzl has strengthened its strategic partnership with Sodexo, significantly improving efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and service quality. Presenting the award, Bekki Peters, Head of Procurement – Indirects,  Sodexo UK & Ireland commented:

“Our relationship with Bunzl has been repositioned to enhance the strategic partnership, driven by a ‘one team’ approach that has significantly improved efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and service quality across the non-food categories. Bunzl has demonstrated commitment, proactivity and collaboration to rationalise the non-food offer, managing a major Janitorial category switch, optimising paper hygiene ranges, and supporting the increase of managed spend.   They have also improved service levels through forecasting tools, supported complex mobilisations such as ESNEFT, and Alliance in Partnership Schools (AIP).  Their transparent communication, proactive site visits, and consistent delivery of tangible results have made them an invaluable partner, directly contributing to the optimisation of the non-food distribution. Based on their commitment to Sodexo they are a fantastic choice for Supplier of the Year.”

Attended by representatives from its supply chain, including SMEs and VCSEs, Sodexo’s ‘Partners with Purpose’ conference facilitated insightful discussions and sessions with senior leaders from across the company. They shared the latest developments, priorities, and plans in areas such as supply management and growth enablement, social impact, ambitions for Sodexo’s food brands, and how the company is delivering valued experiences through the digitisation of facilities management. Bunzl delegates at the ‘Partners with Purpose’ conference were impressed by the series of impressive speakers throughout the event.  Elizabeth Walters, Senior Channel Director, Bunzl Catering Supplies, commented:

“The speakers at the conference delivered  some fantastic insights and were all very inspiring. We are extremely pleased to receive the ‘Supplier of the Year’ award,  it truly signifies the partnership we have cultivated, and together, we have achieved remarkable progress. Thank you once again for this prestigious recognition. We look forward to continuing this successful journey together and reaching even greater heights.”

Bunzl is proud to be a key supply partner to Sodexo, playing a vital role in enabling the business to deliver on its purpose every day. ‘Partners with Purpose’ has become a key event that strengthens collaboration, celebrates progress, and aligns on the challenges and opportunities ahead. What makes the proposition truly unique is the strength of its long-term relationships with the most critical and strategic suppliers. Their reliability, innovation, creativity, and partnership is deeply valued.

At the inaugural conference in March 2023, Sodexo launched its net zero supply chain engagement strategy—a roadmap to help supply partners contribute to both Sodexo’s and their own net zero goals. Building on that foundation, the March 2024 event introduced Sodexo’s Green Line vision—an initiative aimed at positioning the organisation as a sustainability market leader and broadened the focus to include wider social impact priorities for the years ahead. This year’s conference included an update on Sodexo’s progress toward delivering that vision.

Since its launch, Sodexo UK & Ireland’s forward-thinking, collaborative net zero supply chain engagement strategy has earned three prestigious national awards for sustainability excellence: the Reuters Sustainability Awards, the edie Awards and the National Sustainability Awards.

The conference also marked 20 years of the Stop Hunger Foundation by thanking suppliers for their continued support and encouraging them and their colleagues to volunteer with the Foundation’s charity partners. Established in 2005 in the UK & Ireland, the Foundation is a UK-registered charity committed to tackling food insecurity and building a better future. Its work goes beyond food aid, providing support through fundraising, grant-giving, volunteering, and partnerships with national and local charities to ensure help reaches those most in need.

During the conference, guests were treated to a menu featuring three award-winning sustainable dishes created by Sodexo’s culinary community: Adam Collison, Head Chef at Alderley Park and winner of the 2024 International Sodexo Cook for Change! competition; Andy Ridewood, chef in Sodexo’s Schools & Universities business and winner of Sodexo’s Chef of the Year 2025 (UK & Ireland); and Akeira Beckford, commis chef in Sodexo’s Health & Care business and winner of the 2024 UK & Ireland Food of Black Origin (FOBO) competition.