This September, our long-time business partner and supporter, Sodexo UK, hosted its 2024 Annual Labour Party Conference Fringe Event in partnership with The Purpose Coalition, at ACC Liverpool. The event showcased the powerful collaboration between Sodexo and Springboard, highlighting their commitment to workforce development and community support.

Mike Green, commercial projects director at Sodexo Live! shared inspiring insights into their ongoing relationship with Springboard. He stated, “The front of house operation for the evening event was fully delivered by team members who have joined us through our  Springboard partnership. Jack, the supervisor behind the bar, was employed into our supervisory team only three weeks ago. He came for an enrichment day having been unemployed for some time. The team spotted his potential during the day and asked him to come back for an interview, along with another trainee, Andrew. Both were then given positions in our team on site, with Andrew becoming a floor manager.”

Mike added that they have recruited 55 employees from Springboard during the past three years into the Sodexo Live! team at ACC Liverpool “None of these have been recruited through job fairs etc. They have all been brought in having been provided with work experience or after enrichment days and workshops that we host with Springboard. We bring Springboard trainees in, give them a site tour and allow them to shadow work with our senior team. We also support telephone interviews to help prepare the trainees for other work opportunities.”

Mike expressed pride in the team’s efforts, noting that this is just one aspect of the extensive outreach and training initiatives that they implement. He emphasised the significant value this relationship brings to the local community, a sentiment echoed by the Springboard team.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to Natalie Kendall, the interim catering services director for Sodexo Live! at ACC Liverpool for her leadership; to Melissa O’Neil, who oversees staffing for the food and beverage operation, as well as Wade Dutton, the training and development manager who manages the relationship with Springboard and the Sodexo Live! team. Wade’s dedication to inclusion has also earned him a nomination for the Spirit of Inclusion category, representing Sodexo Live! in the Sodexo UK annual Spirit of Sodexo Awards.

We also extend our gratitude to Kate Nicholls, Chair of the ACC and Springboard Trustee, for her unwavering support.