Sean Haley is set to depart from his position as chief executive of Sodexo UK & Ireland (UK&I) at the end of 2024.  

After seven years at the helm, Haley will be exploring new career opportunities outside the contract catering industry.  

Jean Renton, chief financial officer of Sodexo UK&I since 2019, has been promoted to the role of chief operating officer. 

Effective from 1 January, Renton will assume executive leadership for the UK and Ireland, focusing on business transformation, and will oversee Sodexo's 2,000 client sites across the region.  

Since joining Sodexo in 2013, Renton has held various business and commercial roles and is chair of the company's SoTogether gender equality employee network. She is also a non-executive director of the audit committee at the charity Wellbeing of Women.  

Her previous experience includes senior positions at John Lewis, Marks & Spencer and PWC. 

Renton said: I am honoured to have been appointed to this role. I look forward to working alongside my executive team and all our site colleagues as we continue to serve our clients and consumers as the global leader in sustainable food and valued experiences”. 

Haley's tenure with Sodexo began in 2011 following the acquisition of Atkins' asset management business.  

He became regional chair in 2017 before taking the role of UK and Ireland chief executive in 2022.  

Under Haley's leadership, Sodexo experienced significant growth, bolstered by high-profile catering contracts for events such as the Rugby World Cup and the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Sodexo Europe zone president Sunil Nayak said: “We sincerely thank Sean for his significant contribution to Sodexo over the last 13 years. As chair and CEO of the UK&I region, he has navigated the business through turbulent times in the market and simultaneously championed social impact, with Sodexo widely recognised as [a] leader in sustainability and inclusion.   

“I am delighted that Jean has accepted this role to lead the region in the next phases of our strategy and transformation. Her commercial business expertise, coupled with strong executive leadership, made her the obvious choice for this position.” 

In November 2024, Sodexo enhanced its InReach offerings by acquiring CRH Catering, a premier convenience solutions provider and one of the largest independent operators in the mid-Atlantic region.