Sodexo agrees 17-year contract extension with Ministry of Defence

Sodexo has agreed a 17-year contract extension for Aspire Defence Services (ADS) with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) for the delivery of catering, retail, mess management and cleaning services.

The deal, worth £730m over the initial 10 years, will cover all the garrisons of Project Allenby/Connaught, which provides British soldiers with fully-serviced and purpose-built accommodation in Aldershot and across Salisbury Plain.

Sodexo has held the contract since the project was launched in 2006 and its 1,450-strong team is responsible for feeding over one third of the British Army.

Sodexo has worked to ensure the lived experience of service personnel has been at the forefront of the services it provides, creating a food offer that is modern, flexible and tailored to the needs of military personnel whilst reflecting the latest trends from the high street.

Paul Anstey, CEO Government, Sodexo UK & Ireland said: "We are delighted to have retained this important contract. We have worked in partnership with ADS since 2006 to improve the lived experience of all those who live and work on the military bases within Project Allenby/Connaught.

"ADS has been resolute in its commitment to the welfare of those living and working on the different sites and we are proud to have collaborated with them throughout to ensure that the services we deliver support the health, safety and wellbeing of all."

Mark Carr, managing director of ADS, added: "Sodexo has proven to be a trusted partner and is commitment to ensuring service personnel living and working on the garrisons have the best experience possible. We look forward to continuing our collaborative relationship with Sodexo and DIO to ensuring Project Allenby/Connaught achieves its goal of making soldiers' lives better".