Fiscal 2020 Universal Registration Document

1. Integrated report

Message from Denis Machuel

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

This crisis has also highlighted our strengths: the relevance of our unique service offering, the resilience of our business model, and the exceptional commitment of our employees. »


The fiscal year that has ended has been an exceptional one, marked by the most significant crisis in Sodexo’s history. As the Covid-19 pandemic continues to spread and severely impact society, our teams everywhere are fully mobilized to support our clients, our consumers and the communities with which the Group interacts. This has been our mission for more than 50 years. And with the crisis confirming the relevance of our businesses and the resilience of our model, we are accelerating our transformation to seize the numerous emerging market opportunities.

Since 2018, Sodexo’s teams have demonstrated their ability to strengthen our business model. Our “Focus on Growth” strategic agenda delivered the first solid results with organic revenue growth of +3.6% over the last fiscal year, the highest in seven years, confirmed by a dynamic +3.2% growth during the first half of Fiscal 2020.

Covid-19 interrupted this positive momentum. Since February 2020 , with the full support of Sophie Bellon and the Board of Directors, Sodexo has mobilized to respond on two fronts – first, reducing health risks and protecting the health of our teams, our consumers and our partners and second, ensuring the continuity of our operations and those of our clients , while preserving the Group’s liquidity and longevity. This challenge was all the more complex as we operate in 64 countries and in diverse business sectors within specific environments.

I am extremely proud of the commitment shown by our teams, who have been able to deploy the range of Sodexo services under exceptional conditions. The essential role of our people has come out of the shadows and into the spotlight, highlighting the value of our services . Around the world, Sodexo employees have worked collectively to support caregivers, patients and consumers, in hospitals, senior residences, schools and factories that remained open, as well as in public administration sectors under pressure. Everywhere, our teams have been on the front line, strengthening sanitary measures to preserve the health and safety of all, adjusting our Foodservices, supporting suppliers and partners, and helping those most vulnerable by donating meals, merchandise and supporting government programs. Our teams have also demonstrated their agility to seize business development opportunities such as selling additional cleaning and disinfection services or winning significant new contracts like the Los Angeles Surge Hospital in California and the deployment of rapid health testing centers in the United Kingdom