New Sodexo UK and Ireland chief executive Yann Coleou

Coleou named new Sodexo UK chief

14th March 2008, 9:38am

Sodexo has appointed Yann Coleou the new chief executive for the UK and Ireland, reporting to Philip Jansen, chief executive of Europe.

Coleou, who has more than 20 years' experience with Sodexo, will formally take over on May 1st. He has led Sodexo France for the past four years, where Sodexo employs around 32,000 people and generates 1.539 billion euros in revenue.

He also had responsibility for Sodexo's business in India for the last year and will continue to oversee this market when he takes over his new role.

The company has also made some other senior changes within the UK arm, with Mike Johnson, who currently runs the UK's Corporate Services division (previously called Business & Industry) has been appointed group president for international events, reporting to Jansen.

Following the success of events such as the Rugby World Cup, he will be responsible for building the contractor's global events business.

Andy Leach has been appointed executive director for Corporate Services, Land Technology and FM division. He has 20 years' experience with Sodexo, spending the last10 as managing director of its UK defence business, growing annual revenues from £28 million to £190 million during that period.

Karl Martin has been appointed managing director for the defence business after joining Sodexo two years ago as commercial director for the UK and Ireland, leading its procurement and marketing activities.

His replacement is Michelle Hanson, who is currently managing director for Sodexo Education. She has been with the company for almost 29 years where she has acquired a wide range of experience in operations and training, and has successfully turned around the education business.

In turn, Hanson is being replaced by Jane Bristow, who is currently director of Sodexo's independent schools business. She joined Sodexo from the Whitbread group in 2006.

Jansen said: "I am delighted to announce these changes as I have worked with all of the individuals in their current roles and am confident that, in their new positions, they will continue to build on the success of recent years."

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