Sodexo Live! promotes Claire Morris to UK&I CEO
Venue hospitality, retail and event catering specialist Sodexo Live! has announced the appointment of Claire Morris as its new UK & Ireland CEO.
Morris has been with the business for 17 years and joined the sports & leisure global executive team (now Sodexo Live!) in 2015, leading the marketing function. She will now also lead the growth organisation for the global business.
Morris has more than 25 years’ experience in the food and facilities industry, leading strategic marketing initiatives from acquisition integration to brand and concept development.
“Claire’s dedication, leadership, and client-centric focus make her the perfect choice to lead our operations in the UK and Ireland,” says Sodexo Live! global CEO Nathalie Bellon-Szabo. “We are confident that under her guidance, Sodexo Live! will continue to thrive and deliver outstanding value to our client partners and their guests.
“The company’s commitment to excellence and client satisfaction aligns seamlessly with my own values”
“Her prior experience, and knowledge of the UK market is invaluable, couple this with her global role and innovative approach, it will unlock a wealth of opportunities for clients, customers and colleagues.”
Over the past year, Morris has created a dedicated digital and tech start up function for Sodexo Live! and will continue to lead the global marketing, sales and digital department.
“I am delighted to take on the role of CEO for Sodexo Live! in the UK and Ireland,” adds Morris. “The company’s commitment to excellence and client satisfaction aligns seamlessly with my own values, and I am excited to contribute to the success of Sodexo Live! in this new capacity.”
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Sodexo Live! Lounge launches at M&S Bank Arena
Venue services company Sodexo Live! has officially launched its Sodexo Live! Lounge at the M&S Bank Arena Liverpool.
Senior business leaders and media came together to celebrate the official opening last week, coinciding with a headline show at the 11,000-cap venue by Kaiser Chiefs.
Hospitality and live events specialist Sodexo Live!, which has partnered with the ACC Liverpool team since 2008, appointed former The O2 and Alexandra Palace boss Rebecca Kane Burton as its UK and Ireland CEO earlier this year.
“Our partnership with ACC Liverpool has grown ever stronger over the past 14 years, and we are delighted to be able to celebrate this so visibly with the launch of the Sodexo Live! Lounge,” says Kane Burton. We are looking forward to the future with fantastic times ahead with the Eurovision Song Contest in 2023 and a host of exciting artists coming to the venue.
“Our mission is to use the Lounge to make the incredible events at the arena even more special for our guests, giving them an experience that they will remember for the rest of their lives. The launch of the Sodexo Live! Lounge is just one of the many exciting initiatives we have planned, which plays into our strategy of engaging differently in the live marketplace.”
“We have no doubt that the partnership between ACC Liverpool and Sodexo Live! will continue to be a great success”
The Sodexo Live! Lounge has a maximum capacity of up to 110 guests and offers a menu curated for each event, along with a selection of premium drinks and before and after arena performances, with up-and-coming local music artists making guest appearances.
“It’s been great to officially launch the Lounge and showcase what it offers guests,” adds Ben Williams, commercial director of M&S Bank Arena parent company The ACC Liverpool Group. “We have no doubt that the partnership between ACC Liverpool and Sodexo Live! will continue to be a great success and will make use of both our combined expertise as the region’s leading arena and Sodexo Live’s world-class hospitality offer.”
A global leader in hospitality and live events, Sodexo Live! manages several top UK stadia and venues, including Fulham FC, Newcastle United, Royal Ascot, Bateaux London and Glasgow’s Hampden Park.
It was recently confirmed that the M&S Bank Arena will host the 67th Eurovision Song Contest on behalf of Ukraine on Saturday 13 May 2023, as well as the semi-finals on 9 & 11 May. Other upcoming concerts at the venue include Rod Stewart, Westlife, Paolo Nutini, N-Dubz, Lewis Capaldi and Jamie Webster.
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Sodexo Live! hires Rebecca Kane Burton as UK CEO
Venue services company Sodexo Live! has appointed former The O2 chief Rebecca Kane Burton as its new UK and Ireland CEO.
Kane Burton served a four and a half year stint as VP and GM of AEG’s 21,000-cap London arena before stepping down in 2016 to become chief executive of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s West End venue chain LW Theatres (formerly Really Useful Theatres), where she played a key role in the London Palladium’s Covid-safe socially distanced shows in 2020 as part of a UK government pilot scheme. She departed the company last year.
Prior to The O2, Kane Burton was MD of the 10,400-cap Alexandra Palace, also in London, and previously held a senior role at English Heritage.
“I am looking forward to driving our strategic ambition and accelerating growth in a market that has high development potential”
“I am excited to join Sodexo Live! as we head into a busy summer season of events,” says Kane Burton. “I am looking forward to driving our strategic ambition and accelerating growth in a market that has high development potential.
“Sodexo Live! has a talented team delivering excellence in all the services they deliver and I can’t wait to meet them and see their expertise first hand.”
Founded in Marseille, France, the Maryland, US-headquartered hospitality and catering giant now operates in more than 70 countries, partnering with stadiums, arenas, convention centres and museums, among other facilities. Clients include Hard Rock Stadium Miami, ACC Liverpool and Royal Ascot.
In addition to joining the firm’s UK and Ireland regional leadership committee, Kane Burton will also become a member of the Sodexo Live! global executive committee. The Sodexo Group created the Sodexo Live! brand last year to “unify and leverage its expertise” in the sports, events and hospitality sector.
“The UK is a key part of Sodexo Live! global growth strategy”
The company has also hired 15-year veteran Nicci Clarke from Punch Pubs & Co as marketing director.
“I am delighted to welcome Rebecca and Nicci to the UK and Ireland team,” adds Sodexo Live! worldwide CEO Nathalie Bellon-Szabo. “The UK is a key part of Sodexo Live! global growth strategy, the business is recovering well from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and is starting to show signs of strong growth.
“We look forward to supporting Rebecca and her team as they deploy their expertise across major venues and events to provide the best service to our clients and customers.”
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