He says: “It was not a decision I took lightly, but feel it’s in the best interests of myself and the company.
“Whilst sad to leave, I am excited for the future and am looking forward to working in this and associated industries.”
He has been with the company for 40 years as it has transitioned from Gardner Merchant through the acquisition by Sodexho Alliance in 2000, before the global service provider dropped the ‘Alliance’ and simplified the name to Sodexo.
He started out taking an HND in hotel and catering management in 1973 before joining the company in 1976 as a trainee manager.
He has since been involved in both internal and external communications, public relations, brand development, crisis management and client retention, latterly as corporate affairs director from 2000.
In August 2015 he was appointed to his current role.
He has been consistently and heavily involved in the wider industry, lending his time and skills to help organisations such as youth training and development charity Springboard.
He has also been a long-term chair of the British Hospitality Association’s Foodservice Management group, a member of the Business Services Association’s council and a patron of Hospitality Action.
In 2011 he received the Cost Sector Catering Blue Ribband Award for his contribution to the catering and hospitality industry.