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41 employees from Sodexo UK and Ireland’s Project Allenby/Connaught and Hestia South contracts attended a special ceremony at The Guard’s Chapel, Wellington Barracks on 22 May to receive the prestigious King’s Coronation medal. The medal was awarded for their support in the build up to and during the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III and his wife, Queen Camilla in 2023.
As a long trusted partner to the Ministry of Defence (MoD), Sodexo supplied around-the-clock services ahead of and during the official events to mark the Coronation in London and Windsor. These ranged from serving more than 50,000 meals through to cleaning, accommodation, tailoring and transport services.
34 employees from bases within Project Allenby/Connaught received the medal. Their support included the provision of accommodation for over 600 additional troops taking part in the official proceedings at St Omer barracks in Aldershot. Sodexo’s team served an additional 6,000 breakfasts, on some days from 3am; 4,000 lunches; 2,200 packed lunches and 5,800 dinners. They also provided a late evening service for drivers, marshals and security teams.
Rehearsals for the historic event were held at Aldershot Garrison, during which Sodexo’s teams hosted a number of visiting VIPs including Prince Edward and his wife Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh.
15 of Sodexo’s employees from RAF Halton in Aylesbury and RAF Odiham, part of the Hestia South contract, also received the medal. RAF Halton was used a base for 950 personnel and to cater for the increase in personnel numbers, Sodexo brought in extra mobile catering units and extended mealtimes and opening hours of retail outlets. Cleaning regimes were adjusted accordingly and additional facilities such as portaloos provided across sites.
The one and only full-scale rehearsal ahead of the main parade was held at RAF Odiham. Sodexo’s team provided additional VIP light lunches in the Officer’s Mess and significantly increased its retail and waste management services.
Paul Anstey, CEO Government, Sodexo UK & Ireland, said: “The King’s Coronation was a historic moment with personnel from across the Armed Forces playing an important part in the official celebrations.
“We are honoured that our colleagues who worked throughout the build-up and during the event itself have been recognised with the King’s Coronation medal alongside others from our partners the Defence Infrastructure Organisation, ADSL and other organisations.
“I am proud of all of our teams who distinguished themselves and ensured this amazingly large and complex operation ran smoothly for our military partners at Project Allenby/Connaught and Hestia South as well as those who supported at other military bases including Colchester Garrison who provided additional support to members of the 16 Air Assault Brigade Combat Team.
“Seeing first-hand the hard work and dedication of the troops in preparing for an event like this reinforces the importance of providing them with the best lived experience possible.”
Sodexo has worked with the British military and defence sites for more than 40 years, with tailored solutions to help military leaders and service units improve the quality of life of individuals, the community and on-site environment. Sodexo was an early signatory to the Armed Forces Covenant which was launched in 2013 and in 2022 was re-awarded its gold status in the Ministry of Defence’s Employer Recognition Scheme for its commitment and support to the UK’s Armed Forces community. It first received gold in 2017.
