AROUND ITN’S ALASTAIR THE HOSPITALITY NETWORK AUTUMN 2014 STEWART OBE E C A INTERVIEWS F FACE 22 DEBBIE WHITE CHIEF EXECUTIVE, Interview & lunch SODEXO UK & Monday 22 September 2014 IRELAND The Dorchester, London On Monday 22 September Sodexo UK & delivery excellence in a full range of hard and head of reports for YouGov, will share Ireland’s chief executive, Debbie White, soft services. Debbie also sees this approach valuable information and learnings as he will make her Arena debut. She will also as crucial for maintaining the 95% client presents its in-depth and ground-breaking make Arena history as she becomes the retention rate that Sodexo has enjoyed under consumer research that shines a light on the very first female industry leader to take her leadership. foodservice cost sector. Utilising its panel of on the challenge of the renowned Debbie’s progressive commitment to people 442,000 people, YouGov has assessed and Face2Face Interview and the development will also be explored by Alastair. discovered unique insights that open up the interviewing prowess of the celebrated To some, employee engagement is simply a cost sector world, revealing important emerging trends and competitive Alastair Stewart OBE. buzz word but to Debbie it is essential for business success and two-way open advantages that are shaping this sector of YouGov will complement the interview communication with employees is now the industry. themes with an in-depth and beneficial established in the Sodexo culture. This was A truly beneficial event, The Arena look into the shape of the industry’s confirmed last year when Sodexo achieved Face2Face Interview & Lunch is a must for all diverse foodservice cost sector. the Investors in People bronze award, a real associated with contract catering, service The right woman for the job: triumph considering the diverse workforce of provision and the foodservice cost sector. Debbie is certainly a worthy candidate for 35,000 people in various industries and Starting at 10.30am with the YouGov this popular event that attracts over 200 regions. Sights are now firmly set on the gold presentation, attendees will then be able industry professionals. Her impressive status. take full advantage of the networking achievements and ambitions at Sodexo, The recognition and promotion of diversity is opportunities created by the drinks reception together with her progressive and successful an area of employee engagement that prior to the live interview, and the superb work in the wider industry, more than Debbie takes incredibly seriously, both in three-course lunch that follows. warrant the ‘Alastair Stewart treatment’. Sodexo and the wider industry. She is This event is sponsored by: ITN’s famous anchor man never disappoints passionate about championing the gender and attendees can expect to gain a genuine balance and presenting a strong role model insight into the strategies driving real growth for the female leaders of tomorrow. To date, at Sodexo UK & Ireland, the motivations of Debbie has increased the number of women the lady herself, and a glimpse into what the on the UK and Ireland executive team so The event wine partner is: The event is supported by: future holds for them both. that women now represent 38% – securing In her first two years as Sodexo’s CEO Sodexo a place in The Times Top 50 Debbie made a strong impact, strengthening Employers for Women – and is now working its market position and increasing revenues to replicate this in wider management and by 9%. Maintaining profitable growth operational management roles. ARENA FACE2FACE remains her primary focus. This will be fed Emerging trends and competitive INTERVIEW & LUNCH through Sodexo’s mission to improve the advantage: WHEN Monday 22 September 2014 quality of life where it operates and by the International full-service market research WHERE The Dorchester, London continued development of the integrated agency YouGov has carried out extensive COST £145 + VAT for Arena members and facilities management strategy, building on research into the foodservice and catering £195 + VAT for non-members the business where Sodexo is strategic operations within schools, hospitals, BOOK Online at www.arena.org.uk or contact partner to clients, providing expertise and universities, prisons and care homes. On the Lorraine on 07803 853 618/ morning of the event, Stephen Harmston, [email protected] IN THIS ISSUE RACING WITH ARENA SUMMER EVENT REVIEW MEMBERS’ NEWS NEW CORPORATE MEMBERS AROUND ARENA AUTUMN 2014 Welcome I hope all of you have had a fantastic summer and experiencing the always brilliant interview technique managed to get away to some sunnier climes. of Alastair Stewart OBE as he delves into the business prowess and personal drivers of Debbie White, the Arena has enjoyed an incredibly exciting and chief executive of Sodexo UK & Ireland, YouGov will progressive six months. We have delivered excellent also be revealing fascinating facts and figures from events, headlined by very inspirational speakers and the foodservice cost sector world during its morning featuring first-rate industry insight and analysis presentation. presentations. We have also seen a real boost in membership with a 15% growth. This just goes to I look forward to seeing you soon. show that the foodservice and hospitality industry really does believe in the importance of face-to-face networking and I look forward to continuing to meet many of you at our future events. This month’s Arena Face2Face Interview & Lunch T 07803 853 618 really is an event not to be missed. As well as Lorraine Wood Director Arena E [email protected] CHARITY CORNER How Hospitality Action Helps Springboard has an exciting range of events lined up over the next few months, starting n In 2013 Hospitality Action supported 3,244 o with on 25 i people. Of these, 1,696 were assisted via its National Waiters Day t September. A Waiters Race is being held at c successful grants and befriending scheme, A Hyde Park on this day, starting at 4pm. National spending £508,000 in the process. d r y Waiters Day is aimed at promoting front-of- a t Mr Davis is one of the people Hospitality i o house careers, whilst sparking a little l Action helped: b a competition between waiters taking t g i Mr Davis worked as a silver service waiter for part in the race. There will also be a n p over ten years. Now elderly and living alone he is i s r range of have-a-go activities to get o struggling to cope with long-term cancer. Ridden with worry and p involved with at Hyde Park to inspire S H afraid of receiving further treatment Mr Davis was inconsolable. and excite people about front-of-house His illness meant that he felt the cold more and together with skills and the amazing careers within the financing a healthier diet his bills rose dramatically. When his industry. Thanks to the sponsors cooker broke down he could no longer cope and turned to BaxterStorey, Bunzl, Zenith and ISS. Hospitality Action who bought a replacement and assisted with living costs, enabling Mr Davis to stop worrying and focus on The ever popular Springboard recovering his health. Quiz Night will take place on 6 By attending Hospitality Action events like the ones below, November with a Bonfire Night Special you will be helping many more people like Mr Davis. at The Old Explorer, Oxford Circus. The winning team will walk away with the Sporting Legends Luncheon main prize but all teams get the chance to Meet your all-time sporting heroes at this special lunch take some of the fantastic raffle prizes away with them. at the 5* Jumeirah Carlton Tower on Friday 17 The beautiful Christmas Carols also returns to the October. Host Mark Durden-Smith and guest speaker Springboard events calendar on 1 December. This is a truly and England Rugby World Cup winner Matt Dawson atmospheric evening of carols and readings at the Church of the MBE will entertain guests throughout the afternoon with Annunciation, followed by a mulled wine and canapé reception at sporting anecdotes and memories. the Hyatt Regency-The Churchill. A Star-filled Christmas All events help raise funds to support the work of the charity and Hospitality Action is known for its spectacular Christmas help young, disadvantaged and unemployed people into work events and this year will be no exception. On Monday 1 within the hospitality industry. December the award-winning Nathan Outlaw, Simon Your support of any of Springboard’s activities is greatly Hulstone and Eric Lanlard will come together in support of the charity at Brasserie Joël within the appreciated. To get involved or find out more visit Park Plaza Westminster Bridge, London. www.springboard.uk.net or contact 0207 921 0420 For further information visit www.hospitalityaction.org.uk/events or contact [email protected] / 0203 004 5504 GOOD VIBRATIONS AT Racing with Arena! It was fun, fun, fun all round at the very first Arena charity networking party! On what was a glorious summer’s evening, guests at Racing with Arena in association with Jockey Club Catering and Epsom Racecourse enjoyed superb hospitality and a great view of the finishing line and the Beach Boys from a private balcony. The relaxed and intimate through to The Queen – the unique amazing evening. The atmosphere, together with the event is a major operation that is immediate feedback on excitement of the races, encouraged always a year in the planning but our first smaller and guests to effortlessly mingle and due to a local act governing usage of more informal event network, with many new connections the hill, is just a nail-biting ten days has been incredible.