Sodexo becomes partner in £12bn PFI project

The 30 year project is the UK's largest PFI project and the new DTA will be the largest vocational training facility in the country. It will deliver specialist technical training to the three armed services at a purpose-built site at St Athan, South Wales. Sodexo has been a member of the Metrix consortium since 2005, with responsibility for the provision of soft services such as catering and cleaning. The contract caterer has extensive experience in the PFI market and as a partner with the MOD. The company is currently involved in 17 PFI projects across the defence, healthcare, education and correctional services sectors, providing a wide range of facilities management services. Aidan Connolly, finance director, Sodexo UK & Ireland, said: "We are delighted to play such a significant role in one of the most important PFI programmes to date. Our involvement in this project demonstrates our continued growth as a leading provider of integrated facilities management services." The Defence Training Academy construction project is an estimated £1bn programme and will create 1500 jobs. Construction of the Defence Technical Academy is expected to commence in the autumn of 2010, and the facility is expected to be opened at the beginning of 2014.