Sodexo attributes part of the organic growth of 11.3% to the Rugby World Cup in the first quarter of the year, but states that even without the tournament the organic growth trend was 5.3% due to many new contract wins and retentions.
Sean Haley, regional chairman for Sodexo UK & Ireland, said: "We are delighted that over the past year we have won some significant new business while at the same time growing our existing accounts and achieving an excellent retention rate.
“At the heart of our strategy is our mission to improve the quality of life for our clients, customers and employees and this is key to how we do business.”
In the defence sector, Sodexo was awarded the Hestia South Regional contract, which includes 31 Army and RAF units across southern England and was awarded the contract for the North of England region multi-activity contract.
In the corporate and sports & leisure sectors, Sodexo won contracts with business such as Covance, Shell, and the Scottish Public Pensions Agency.
In the university and schools sectors, Sodexo was awarded contracts with National University of Ireland, Galway, Northumbria University, Stoneygate School, Rathmore Grammar School, Brentwood School and University of Nottingham.
Sodexo also reports that in addition to new business successes, the company has achieved a retention rate of over 96%. This is the fourth year that the company has achieved a rate above 95%.
Since the start of the 2016/2017 financial year, Sodexo has made two acquisitions; five public catering contracts in London from Peyton & Byrne, and the acquisition of PSL, a procurement provider to the UK hospitality industry.