Sodexo appoints Sean Haley as new regional chair

31 August 2016 by Katey Pigden

Sodexo UK & Ireland has appointed Sean Haley as regional chair following the departure of Neil Murray, who has left to pursue opportunities outside the group.

Haley takes on the new role in addition to his current position as managing director for service operations at Sodexo.

He joined the company more than four years ago as part of the acquisition of Atkins' asset management business in December 2011.

As MD for Sodexo's service operations division, and previously as head of business development, Haley has helped support the transformation of the business and its ambitious growth targets.

He has more than 28 years' experience and knowledge of both public and private sector sourcing.

David Bailey, head of global development for Sodexo's corporate services business, takes over Murray's other role as CEO of Sodexo's corporate services division.

Bailey, who led the sale and deployment of global contracts, including GSK, Unilever, Astra Zeneca, Nestlé, Johnson & Johnson, Eli Lilly and Zurich, will retain his head of global development role.

Haley said: "Sodexo has enjoyed consistent growth in the UK and Ireland market in the last few years. We continue to build our reputation for innovative services that improve quality of life for our clients and customers across both the private and public sectors, and are seeing growth as a result. "We also continue to be seen as a leader in responsible employment practices, having made a series of commitments to our employees in areas such as the Living Wage and gender pay reporting, and I'm committed to ensuring this remains a focus."

Murray joined Sodexo UK & Ireland in 2009 from facilities maintenance company GSH Group where he was managing director for its UK and Ireland business.

Since 2009 he has led Sodexo's corporate services division and in 2012 managed the integration of Atkins asset management business.

Under his leadership, Sodexo has experienced significant growth in its provision of integrated FM contracts and in large global services contracts.

He said: "After seven years with Sodexo, it is the right time for me to move on. I have had a very fulfilling career with Sodexo and have enjoyed working with a great team of UK and international colleagues."

In September last year, Murray was appointed as the new region chair for Sodexo UK & Ireland as part of the company's plans to restructure globally.

He took over the role from Debbie White, who previously had the title of chief executive for UK & Ireland before it was amended to regional chair as part of the restructure.

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