Ming Lai joins Sodexo in newly created culinary role

Ming Lai has joined Sodexo UK & Ireland as chief executive for premium food, having left his role as group business excellence director at Compass.

In the new role Lai will have responsibility for workplace dining brand Good Eating Company and delivery service Fooditude, while also working closely with Sodexo’s corporate services business Modern Recipe.

Prior to joining Sodexo, Lai spent 20 years at Compass, starting in Australia before joining Restaurant Associates and working his way up from account management, to operations director and regional managing director. 

Sodexo UK & Ireland chief executive Jean Renton said: “Ming brings with him a strong track record in driving growth, innovation and operational excellence with a people focused approach.

“Through all of our food brands we are delivering on our promise to provide expertly crafted food solutions which support our clients in a whole range of sectors. Ming’s proven commitment to operational excellence along with his people-focused approach will help elevate our proposition as we continue to deliver food excellence.”

Lai added: “Sodexo has a long culinary history and I am looking forward to supporting the business and its talented teams in reaffirming its heritage through the delivery of the food solutions which not only delight guests but that are innovative and market leading, blending the craft of cookery with new technologies that are seeing the industry shift from food services to food intelligence.”