Sodexo appoints Thierry Delaporte as Group CEO, marking a new governance era

GLOBAL – Sodexo has appointed Thierry Delaporte as its new Group Chief Executive Officer, effective November 10, 2025, as part of a strategic governance restructure.

This move marks a significant shift for the French foodservice giant, which is entering a new phase of development following Sophie Bellon’s four-year tenure as CEO.

The Board of Directors has decided to separate the roles of Chairwoman and CEO, aligning with corporate governance best practices.

Bellon will transition to the role of non-executive Chairwoman for the duration of her mandate, ensuring a smooth handover to Delaporte.

This governance evolution reinforces Sodexo’s leadership and supports long-term strategic agility.

Bellon, who has served as both Chairwoman and CEO since 2022, led the company through a major transformation, accelerating upgrades in food services and strengthening competitiveness.

Bellon expressed confidence in Delaporte’s appointment: “His extensive experience in driving international, people-intensive businesses, combined with a deep understanding of the U.S. market and a proven track record in profitable growth, makes him the best choice for our future”.

Delaporte brings over three decades of global leadership experience across Europe, the U.S., South America, and Asia-Pacific, with a strong background in financial leadership, operational transformation, and B2B service environments.

He previously held senior executive roles at multinational firms, driving scalable growth and digital innovation.

Gilles Pélisson, Chair of the Nominating Committee, will succeed Luc Messier as Lead Independent Director on November 10, maintaining strong independent oversight.

Sodexo, founded in 1966, operates in 43 countries and serves over 100 million consumers daily through its food, facilities management, and benefits services.

The company reported €25.3 billion in revenue in fiscal 2024 (US$27.6 billion).

Sodexo’s core business is food services, representing 66% of group revenues, with a focus on branded, consumer-centric experiences in corporate, education, healthcare, and remote sites.

Its Facilities Management (FM) segment, contributing 34% of revenue, offers soft and hard FM services, including hospitality, cleaning, infrastructure maintenance, and smart building solutions.

The company’s 2025 strategy emphasizes advanced food models, digital ecosystems, and sustainability, with a goal of carbon neutrality by 2025 and net zero by 2040. It continues to expand in high-growth markets like India, Brazil, and Australia, leveraging acquisitions and innovation to drive organic growth.

With Delaporte at the helm, Sodexo aims to deepen its focus on innovation, sustainability, and client-centric solutions in a competitive global market.

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