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Sodexo S.A.
Annual Report 2019

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FY2019 Annual Report · Sodexo S.A.
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New version of the Registration Document

Fiscal 2019
Universal 
Registration 
Document
including the 
Integrated Report

C O N T E N T S

SODEXO AT A GLANCE 

1
1

UNLOCKING OUR POTENTIAL 

 Our fundamentals 
Message from Sophie Bellon 
Our Board of Directors 
11 Global megatrends 
Our value creation model 
Message from Denis Machuel 
Our Executive Committee 
General principles 
for corporate officers’ compensation 
Our evolution 
Our materiality matrix 
Our corporate responsibility 
 Our Human Resources strategy 
Our Risk Management 
Our profession, our markets 
Our key figures 

2
2

GROWING  OUR BUSINESS RESPONSIBLY 

Being client and consumer centric 
Enhancing operational efficiency 
Nurturing talent 
Anchoring corporate responsibility 

1

2

4
6
8
10
12
14
16

18
20
22
24
26
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28
36

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51

New version of the Registration Document

Fiscal 2019
Universal 
Registration 
Document
including the 
Integrated Report

A B O U T   O U R   I N T E G R AT E D   R E P O R T

The chapter 1 of this Universal Registration Document refl ect s 
Sodexo’s decision to adopt the practice of integrated reporting,  
b ased on the recommendations of the International Integrated 
Reporting Council (IIRC)  and  our roadmap for corporate 
responsibility, Better Tomorrow 2025.

Managers from various departments within the Group took part 
in a series of workshops to jointly create the report, ensuring 
there is a common perspective on Sodexo’s overall economic, 
social and environmental performance.

This  Integrated Report covers F iscal  2019  and draws on information 
from the Universal Registration Document in which it is published. 

3
3

CONSOLIDATED INFORMATION 

3.1  Fiscal 2019 Activity Report 
3.2  Extra-financial reporting 
3.3  Consolidated financial statements 

as of August 31, 2019 

3.4  Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
3.5  Statutory Auditors’ Report on the 
consolidated financial statements 

3.6  Supplemental Information and condensed 

Group organization chart 

4
4

INFORMATION ON THE ISSUER 

4.1  Sodexo S.A. Individual Company Financial 

Statements 

4.2  Notes to the Individual Company Financial 

Statements 

4.3  Supplemental Information on the Individual 

Company Financial Statements 

4.4  Statutory Auditors’ Report 

5
5

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 

5.1  Shareholding structure* 
5.2  Board of Directors 
5.3  Other information 
5.4  Risk management 
5.5  Compensation 

6
6

SHAREHOLDERS AND SHARE CAPITAL 

6.1  Sodexo Share Performance 
6.2  Financial Communications Policy 
6.3  Shareholders 
6.4  Additional general informations and 

the bylaws of the Company 

7
7

COMBINED ANNUAL SHAREHOLDERS MEETING, 
JANUARY 21, 2020 

7.1  Agenda 
7.2  Resolutions submitted to the Combined 

Annual Shareholders Meeting of January 21, 
2020 

7.3  Statutory Auditors’ Report 

8
8

APPENDICES 

8.1  Glossary 
8.2  Responsibility for the Universal Registration 
Document and the Audit of the Financial 
Statements 

8.3  Reconciliation Tables 

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86
93

144

150

155

156

158

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179

187

189
190
218
226
240

259

261
266
268

273

277

278

279
294

297

298

301
303

S O D E X O 
AT   A   G L A N C E

SUSTAINABLE AND INCLUSIVE BUSINESS MODEL 

 Founded in 1966 by Pierre Bellon, Sodexo is the global leader in 
Quality of Life services.
Sodexo is the world’s only company off ering On-site Services, 
Benefi ts & Rewards Services and Personal & Home Services. 
Sodexo’s services contribute to the performance of our clients, 
the satisfaction of our consumers, the fulfi llment of our teams and the economic, 
social and environmental development of our local communities.

KEY FIGURES   AS OF AUGUST 31, 2019

22 

billion euro in 
consolidated revenues

470,000 

employees

67 

countries

100 

million consumers 
served daily

#1 

France-based 
private employer 
worldwide(1 ) 

69% 

employee 
engagement rate(2 ) 

#1 

#2 

in its industry sector 
in both the Dow Jones 
Sustainability Index (DJSI)(3 ) 
and the 2019  SAM 
Sustainability Yearbook(4 ) 

in its sector 
among Fortune 
magazine’s  2019 list of 
World’s Most Admired 
Companies

and #1 

in the categories of 
Innovation and Social 
responsibility

1   2019 Forbes Global 2000 ranking.

2   2018 employee engagement survey sent to 386,262 Sodexo employees of whom 62% responded.

3   The Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) provide a global ranking of the companies most advanced in the area of sustainable development. They are 

jointly compiled by the Standard & Poor’s Dow Jones Indices and  SAM.

4   The  SAM Sustainability Yearbook is the world’s most comprehensive publication on corporate sustainability performance. More than 2,6 00 companies  were 

evaluated according to economic, fi nancial, social and environmental indicators.

Source : Sodexo

This Universal Registration Document was  fi led on November 20 , 2019 with the AMF, as competent authority under Regulation (EU) 2017/1129, without prior approval 
pursuant to article 9 of  said regulation.
The Universal Registration Document may be used for the purposes of an off er to the public of securities or admission of securities to trading on a regulated market if 
completed  by  a  securities  note  and,  if  applicable,  a  summary  and  any  amendments  to  the  Universal  Registration  Document.  The  whole  is  approved  by  the  AMF  in 
accordance with Regulation (EU) 2017/1129.
This Universal Registration Document is available on Sodexo’s website, www.sodexo.com and on the website of the AMF, www. amf-france.org.

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1

UNLOCKING 
OUR 
POTENTIAL

Whether enjoying a healthy lunch with colleagues, working effi  ciently 

in a well-designed workspace, appreciating a cultural performance 

or interacting with one’s community, Sodexo, world leader in 

Quality of Life services, enhances the moments that touch our daily 

lives, ensuring that they have a positive impact on our health and 

well-being as well as on our neighborhoods, our cities and our planet. 

Since 1966, the Group has remained committed to this mission 

of sustainably improving quality of life for those it serves and for 

the communities in which it operates. Together, fueled by the energy 

and professionalism of its 470,000 employees, Sodexo has embarked 

on a new phase of profi table and sustainable growth .

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Our 
B oard 
of D irectors
P. 8  

Message 
from 
Sophie Bellon
P.  6 

Our 
fundamentals
P. 4

Our 
profession, 
our markets
P. 28 

Our risk 
management
P. 27 

Key 
fi gures
P. 36

Our H uman 
R esources 
strategy
P. 26

Our 
corporate 
responsibility
P. 2 4

11 G lobal 
megatrends
P. 10 

Our 
value creation 
model
P. 12 

Message 
from 
Denis Machuel
P. 14 

Our E xecutive 
C ommittee
P. 16 

Our 
materiality 
matrix
P. 22 

Our general 
principles for 
Offi  cers’ 
compensation
P. 18

Our 
evolution
P. 20 

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OUR FUNDAMENTALS

A GLOBAL, 
INDEPENDENT, 
PEOPLE-FOCUSED COMPANY

Sodexo is the community of our consumers, clients, employees 
and shareholders. To meet their expectations, we have built a business model
based on profi table organic growth in revenues. 
The strength of this model is refl ected in our fundamentals.

Since Sodexo’s inception, our mission, our values and our ethical principles have guided the work of all employees.

OUR MISSION

OUR VALUES

OUR ETHICAL PRINCIPLES

Improve the quality of life of 
our  employees and those we serve, 
and contribute to the economic, 
social and environmental 
development of the communities, 
regions and countries in which 
we  operate.

•  Service spirit
•  Team spirit
•  Spirit of progress

•  Loyalty
•  Respect for people and equal 

opportunity
•  Transparency
•  Business integrity

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A CONSUMER AND 

CLIENT-FOCUSED CULTURE
One of the keys to our ability to 
develop and expand a unique range of 
Quality of Life services has been our 
in-depth understanding of the needs 
of clients and end-users. To leverage 
our knowledge of the challenges 
faced by our clients and to adapt to 
the globalization of our markets, our 
organization is structured around 
global client segments for our 
On-site Services. This segment-based 
approach enables us to better 
capitalize on our size and global 
footprint, thereby increasing the value 
we bring to our clients. This model 
also helps us to meet the needs of our 
consumers, which can diff er greatly 
from segment to segment.

DEVELOPING OUR EMPLOYEES
Sodexo is one of the world’s largest 
employers and a company of people 
at the service of other people. 
Our people have been at the core 
of our development in the past 
but will be even more so in the 
future. Sodexo’s continued growth 
is the result of the performance, 
development, professionalism and 
engagement of its diverse teams.

Recognizing each individual’s 
contribution to the Group’s success 
is a priority. We are committed to 
being an employer of choice by 
providing jobs, learning opportunities 
and internal progression for our 
people that will enable them to 
thrive within the Group.

AN INTEGRATED OFFER THROUGH 

THREE ACTIVITIES
Through our three activities: 
On-site Services, Benefi ts & Rewards 
Services, and Personal & Home 
Services, we off er a holistic response 
to client needs and provide services 
that enable us to accompany 
consumers throughout their lives.

We leverage the synergies that 
exist among our three activities, 
such as business development 
opportunities and global brand 
awareness. Shared organizations 
and infrastructure generate 
cost savings while multiple 
career gateways off er signifi cant 
opportunities for our employees.

A WORLDWIDE COMPANY 

RESPONDING TO MAJOR 

GLOBAL TRENDS
Major global trends are bring ing 
new quality of life issues  to 
the surface.  Demographic changes 
such as  aging populations 
and urbanization are leading to 
an explosion in  the need for home 
care services and facilities for 
the elderly.

Operating in 67 countries and with 
 undisputed leadership in developing 
economies, Sodexo’s global network 
enables us to customize our integrated 
off er while delivering a consistently 
high level of services worldwide. 
These services in turn create value 
for our clients and improve 
the daily life of our  consumers 
while respecting our  economic, 
social and environmental 
commitments.

1

INDEPENDENCE ENSURED 

THROUGH FOUNDING 

FAMILY SHAREHOLDING
Independence enables us to sustain 
our values, focus on a long-term 
strategy, maintain management 
continuity and ensure our 
sustainability.

Our independence is ensured through 
the Bellon family shareholding: 
Mr  and Mrs  Pierre Bellon 
and their children control 72.6 % 
of our controlling holding company, 
Bellon SA.

As of August 31, 2019,  Bellon SA  
held 42.2% of Sodexo’s capital and 
56.6% of the exercisable voting rights. 
In June 2015, Mr  and Mrs  Pierre Bellon 
and their children entered into 
an agreement for a duration of 
50 years, which prevents his direct 
descendants from freely disposing 
of their shares in Bellon SA. The sole 
asset of Bellon SA is its holding in 
Sodexo shares and Bellon SA does 
not intend to sell this shareholding 
to third parties.

The sustained commitment required to 
build a truly international organization 
and a strong management team, 
nurture lasting client relationships 
and develop a successful integrated 
off er, refl ects this vision.

OPERATING WITH INTEGRITY AND RESPECTING HUMAN RIGHTS

Central to its values and ethical principles, respect for human rights is a pillar of Sodexo’s commitment to business integrity 
and essential to its mission. Sodexo conducts its business in a manner that does not infringe upon the human rights of 
others and works to identify, prevent and mitigate any adverse impacts that may result from its business activities. All 
employees and partners are expected to observe this commitment, which is based on the international human rights 
principles set forth in the International Labour Organization’s Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, 
the United Nation’s Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and Sodexo’s Human Rights Policy and Fundamental 
Rights at Work charter and Guide.

See Chapter 3, page 74  .

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MESSAGE FROM SOPHIE BELLON

SOPHIE BELLON
CHAIRWOMAN OF THE BOARD 
OF DIRECTORS

Environmental challenges, migrant 

Today, accelerated technological 

crises, aging populations, the 

progress is contributing to 

growth of inequality, the collapse of 

these global trends, profoundly 

community solidarity, the breakdown 

of integration and social mobility, of 

education and training... Companies 

everywhere are now expected to show 

that they are making a contribution 

in fi elds that go far beyond the 

scope of their actual activity. But 

transforming our markets. Traditional 

supply and demand mechanisms for 

services are changing. The direct link 

we have with the end-users of our 

services is growing stronger. All this 

is inspiring us to review our value 

creation models. 

few companies are as involved in the 

In this complex environment, we 

major issues facing our world today 

as Sodexo. Very few are able to have 

an impact as defi nitive as ours. 

Our presence in 67 countries around 

remain focused on our top priority: 

accelerating profi table growth. We 

intend to succeed in the battles we 

will choose to take on: our markets 

are evaluated at 900 billion euros, 

the world, our 470,000 employees 

off ering tremendous opportunity for 

caring for 100 million people every 

development. It will be increasingly 

day, our strong local presence, the 

important for us to make the right 

wide scope of our business activities 

choices if we want to fully benefi t 

and the diverse sectors in which we 

from this opportunity. 

operate allow us to make signifi cant 

economic, social and environmental 

contributions. This has been a central 

aspect of Sodexo’s mission from the 

To build a promising future, we 

need to make winning bets through 

active targeting of investments. 

The market potential in the food 

beginning, and an integral part of 

services industry, in particular, is 

how we measure our performance. 

immense – over 300 billion euros. 

“Making selective choices will allow us to  achieve 
our goal of one day  improving the quality of life 
of  over one billion people around the world.”
Sophie Bellon 

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“Healthy management practices 
and  the  stability provided by our fi nancial 
independence have given us a strong, solid 
foundation. We have the capacity to make 
the investments our growth will require.”

1

At a time when food is at the heart 

We pay rigorous attention to human 

our growth will require. With our 

of many challenges, whether social, 

development, another vital aspect 

business fundamentals that have 

been the backbone of our success 

for 53 years, with Denis Machuel 

and our Sodexo employees, and with 

the support of our Board of Directors, 

we will make the choices that will 

allow us to go further and faster to 

address the constantly-evolving 

needs of our clients and consumers. 

It is the commitment of our 

employees to their clients, 

their consumers, their teams 

and their regions that will make 

this possible. I want to thank 

them because their hard work 

and dedication have made Sodexo 

the major company it is today.

environmental or health-related, we 

of our future. The people who care 

want to mobilize the unparalleled 

for our consumers every day, listen 

expertise that we have developed over 

to our clients, and train and engage 

the years to promote healthy meals 

their teams will continue to be our 

that preserve natural resources and 

most precious resource in the future. 

promote social balance.  

In today’s world, attracting new 

One thing is certain: making selective 

choices will allow us to satisfy our 

hereditary appetite for conquest 

and help achieve our goal of one day 

talent and identifying and developing 

the talent we already have is a major 

challenge and an essential element of 

our diff erentiation.

improving the quality of life of over 

I do not believe in a world that 

one billion people around the world. 

will continue to progressively 

This goal is more than just a slogan. 

We want to continue serving people in 

their own communities, at the heart 

of the social and economic realities 

in which they live. Our employees live 

and work there too, and it’s where 

our added value is brought to life. 

The maintenance of these social 

disintermediate forever. Infl uenced 

by technological progress, social 

connections and human capital will 

continue to create more and more 

value. But the pace is accelerating: 

never before has the tension been so 

high between short and long-term 

challenges. 

connections and the vitality of these 

Healthy management practices 

local ecosystems must help inform 

and the stability provided by our 

and guide our future decisions. Local 

fi nancial independence have given us 

reality will continue to be our key to 

a strong, solid foundation. We have 

understanding the needs of the world. 

the capacity to make the investments 

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OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS

SHARING A LONG-TERM VISION

For Sodexo, the long-term vision that accompanies  family control, 
is a key to the company’s success. Under the leadership of Chairwoman 
Sophie Bellon, the Board of Directors, composed of seven women and fi ve men, 
determines the strategic orientations of the company.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AS OF AUGUST 31, 2019

Independent 
Directors 

6

4 

 Family 
Directors

EMMANUEL BABEAU

SOUMITRA DUTTA

Deputy Chief Executive 
Offi  cer of Schneider 
Electric SE

Dean and Professor 
of Management, 
Cornell University

SOPHIE BELLON 

Chairwoman 
of the Board

ASTRID BELLON

Member of the 
Orientation Committee, 
Pierre Bellon Foundation

ROBERT BACONNIER

SOPHIE STABILE

Director

Founder and Chairwoman 
of Révérence

Chairwoman of the Audit 
Committee

COMPOSITION OF 

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

12 
members

(Before and aft  er 2020 
Shareholders Mee ting)

FRANÇOISE BROUGHER 

Chief Operating Offi  cer, 
Pinterest

CÉCILE TANDEAU 
DE MARSAC

Chairwoman of 
the Compensation and 
Nominating Committees

Directors proposed for nomination 
at 2020 Shareholders Meeting

2

Employee 
representatives

VÉRONIQUE LAURY

LUC MESSIER

PHILIPPE BESSON

Head of Projects 
and Sponsorship

CATHY MARTIN

Regional Manager

FRANÇOIS-XAVIER 
BELLON

Founder and 
Chief Executive Offi  cer 
of LifeCareers Ltd

NATHALIE 
BELLON-SZABO

Chief Executive Offi  cer, 
Sodexo Sports & Leisure  
Worldwide, On-site Services

  Audit Committee 
member
  Nominating 
Committee member 
  Compensation 
Committee member 

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PIERRE BELLON

Chairman Emeritus

Founder of Sodexo 
and Chairman of the 
Supervisory Board 
of Bellon SA

BOARD OF DIRECTORS KEY FIGURES AS OF AUGUST 31, 2019

60%

Independent 
D irectors* 

91 %

Average 
attendance rate

4

N ationalities

60%

Women*

14

Average years 
in offi  ce

56 

Average age

1

7    Knowledge 

of the services sector

Executive management   7  
of international 
companies

7    Strategy – 

Mergers and 
Acquisitions 

BOARD OF 

DIRECTORS’ AREAS 

OF EXPERTISE

Finance   8  

6    Marketing 
and Sales 

Sustainable development –   6
Societal commitment 
and human resources 

4    Digital – 

New Technologies

BOARD OF DIRECTORS COMMITTEES 

AUDIT 
COMMITTEE
5 members
75% Independence*
97% Average 
attendance rate

NOMINATING 
COMMITTEE
4 members
50% Independence
100% Attendance rate

REMUNERATION 
COMMITTEE
4 members
100% Independence*
100% Attendance rate

*  Excluding employee representatives.

s

For more information  
on Sodexo’s governance, 
see Chapter 5.

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11 GLOBAL MEGATRENDS

ADAPTING OUR OFFERS 
TO BUILD THE FUTURE

Preparing for the future means being aware of the world’s great 
transformations. By defi ning and analyzing 11 major megatrends with 
demographic, social, environmental, economic  and technological implications, 
we are fi ne-tuning our strategy and adapting our off ers.

Half  of  the  world’s  top  500  companies  did  not  exist 
25  years  ago. This  speaks  volumes  about  the  pace  and 
magnitude of the changes we are undergoing, from Europe 
to Asia, from the Americas to Africa and Australia. Whether 
social,  environmental,  economic  or  technological,  these 
changes are occurring at an unprecedented speed and scale.

Understanding  these  11  megatrends  allows  us  to  invest 
the  right  resources  where  they  are  needed,  for  example, 
by developing new businesses or strengthening our global 
footprint. We are also evolving our off erings to respond to new 
expectations while creating value for our company.

1 .   D E M O G R A P H I C   S H I F T S

Sodexo responds to these challenges

Developed countries are faced with a rapidly 
aging population due in part to slow population 
growth estimated at 2.9% between 2015 and 2030. 
Meanwhile, developing countries are expected to 
experience  average population growth of 18.5% 
between 2015 and 2030(1).

1 billion 

humans will be older 
than 65 in 2030, 
and will represent 13% of 
the world’s population(2).

•  We are developing a range of services that 
enhance quality of life for seniors at home, 
such as Amelis and Comfort Keepers©.

2 .   U R B A N I Z A T I O N

Rapid urbanization is contributing to the 
increase in GDP per capita, but the emergence of 
mega-cities (>10 million inhabitants) is creating 
enormous economic and social challenges. In 2030, 
megacities will generate 72% of global GDP.

24

of the world’s 31 megacities 
in 2030
 will be in developing 
countries(3).

•  We off er foodservices solutions adapted to 

the increased mobility of employees.

•  We have strong positions in Brazil, China 

and India.

3 .   E M E R G I N G   M I D D L E   C L A S S

Education and technologies are transforming 
consumption modes and habits. The middle class, 
whose purchasing power is on the rise and which 
will represent most of the consumers in 2022, 
are dedicating an increasing share of their budget 
to leisure and culture.

60%

of the world’s population 
will be part of the middle 
class in 2030, 
compared to 27% in 2009(4).

•  We have  strong expertise in the fi eld of sporting 

and cultural events.

•  We off er services focused on sports, wellness 
and quality of life to meet the aspirations of 
the growing middle class.

4 .   G L O B A L   E C O N O M Y

Capital, information and talent are now 
interconnected and trade is growing, providing 
companies with new sources of growth. 
At the same time, consumers prefer locally-sourced 
products.

The share of exports in GDP 
will increase 
from 26% in 2010 to 

33% in 2030(5). 

•  We encourage innovations from the front line 

and share best practices among our sites.

•  We source responsibly and give preference to fair 

trade-certifi ed products.

1  Roland Berger Trend Compendium, UN DESA.
2  United Nations, Population Division.
3  GCIF Working Paper No. 4: Population predictions of the 101 largest cities in the 21st century.
4  The unprecedented rise of the middle class: Homi Khara.
5  McKinsey Global Institute, Boston Consulting Group RB Trend Compendium 2030.

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5 .   D E V E L O P I N G   E C O N O M I E S

Sodexo responds to these challenges

Developing economies are creating wealth for 
millions of people. Their weight in the world 
economy is increasing due to rapid population 
growth seven times faster than that of developed 
countries, combined with the rise of the middle 
class. 

By 2025, almost 

50% 

of the world’s Fortune 
500 companies 
will be based in developing 
markets(1).

6 .   P U B L I C   D E F I C I T S

The weight of public debt is leading governments 
to consider more effi  cient ways to provide public 
services and to outsource certain services. Between 
now and 2030, rising public defi cits and persistent 
youth unemployment will strongly impact public 
policies and taxation.

Public debt will amount to

98% 

of world GDP in 2035(2).

•  We are positioned as a major provider of services 

in developing economies and contributing to 
their local communities’ economic and social 
development.

•  We have invested in leading technology 

companies in China and India.

•  We partner with local authorities to create 

and operate Public-Private Partnerships (PPP).

•  We off er competitive Quality of Life services 
that enable public spending to be optimized.

1

7 .   E N V I R O N M E N T A L   I S S U E S   A N D   R E S O U R C E   S C A R C I T Y

8.6 billion inhabitants in 2030: the demographic 
boom is weighing on natural resources, 
heightening global warming and disrupting 
traditional consumption patterns.

Energy, water and food 
consumption will increase by 

50, 40 and 20% 

respectively by 2030(3).

•  We are deploying facilities management 

services to help reduce carbon emissions from 
the sites while advocating sustainable use of 
resources.

•  We are investing in the deployment of 

WasteWatch, our global food waste prevention 
program. 

8 .   E M P O W E R E D   C O N S U M E R S

Consumers and clients now have unlimited access 
to information and expect personalized services 
and experiences. The niche culture is growing 
and B to B is naturally following in the footsteps 
of B to C.

9 .   D I G I T A L   T R A N S F O R M A T I O N

Technology disrupts the relationship between 
companies and users and responds to their new 
expectations. As the value of data grows, off ering 
new insights and usages, companies are able to 
increasingly personalize their off ers.

1 0 .   U S E   V S .   O W N E R S H I P

Why buy if you can subscribe or rent? Collaborative 
platforms are revolutionizing business models 
and buying behaviors. With their lower capital 
intensity, these business models can generate 
much more rapid growth than traditional ones.

1 1 .   F U T U R E   O F   W O R K

69% 

of shoppers are willing 
to trade their personal 
information 
for personalized services(4).

85% 

of websites are tracking 
internet users’ online 
behaviors to propose 
personalized off ers(7).

•  We create comfortable, safe and healthy working 

environments.

•  We improve quality of life through diversifi ed 

off ers and innovations such as click-and-collect(5), 
delivery of meals and subscriptions(6)…

•  Our digital platforms and apps provide 

information about menus, restaurant patronage, 
user accounts, restaurants and shops accepting 
Sodexo service vouchers and cards, and 
reservations at Childcare centers.

Online shipments will 
increase by 

25% per year 

through 2020 and by 15% 
beginning in 2021(8).

•  We are developing concierge and car-sharing 

options.

•  We off er work space booking platforms like 

Neo-Nomade or Wx, which provide companies 
with the fl exibility they need while contributing to 
the work-life balance of employees.

Disruptive technologies such as artifi cial 
intelligence, robotics or the Internet of Things… 
all are profoundly transforming the world of 
work. To succeed, companies must support 
employability and attract talent.

60% 

of jobs have at least one- third 
of their work load that can be 
automated(9). 

•  We will train employees and help them 

re-skill to adapt to new requirements and 
the automatization of the work environment.

•  We are using robots to deliver meals at 

universities in the U.S.

1  McKinsey: The Shift  ing Global Business Landscape.
2  Joseph Gagnon with Marc Hinterschweiger, June 2011. The Global Outlook for Government Debt Over the Next 25 Years. Implications for the Economy and 

Public Policy.
3  PwC megatrends.
4  EY- Empowered Customer.
5  Click-and-collect enables online reservations and collection of purchases at the point of sale.
6  Digital platforms allow subscribers to receive basic products and ingredients at a special rate to make their own meals.
7  Forrester Research.
8  Statista, Roland Berger Trend Compendium 2030, McKinsey Institute: A future that works, UN Population Division, Accenture: Harnessing Revolution.
9  McKinsey Institute: Jobs Lost, Jobs gained.

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1   U N L O C K I N G   O U R   P O T E N T I A L   

OUR VALUE CREATION MODEL

CREATING VALUE BY IMPROVING QUALITY 

I N P U T S / R E S O U R C E S

O U R   B U S I N E S S

11 MEGATRENDS
See page 10

470,000
 engaged 
employees

HUMAN

22 
billion euros
in consolidated 
revenues

 ECONOMIC

Innovation 
insight gained 
from 

100 million
 consumers 

Y   D I G I T A L   AND INN

O

V

A

T

I

O

N

BENEFITS  & 
REWARDS
SERVICES

80%

IMPROVING 
QUALITY OF LIFE

Employee benefi ts

20% 

Services 

d iversifi cation

D   B

E

R

E

W

O

P

ON-SITE 

SERVICES

70%

Food services

30%
Facilities 

management 
services

RELATIONSHIPS

Sustainable 
processes 
R esponsibly-
sourced raw 
materials

NATURAL RESOURCES

PERSONAL & HOME 
SERVICES

A

N

C

H

Homecare
Childcare

O

RING CORPOR A T E   R E S P O

S I B I L IT Y

N

OUR VALUES

• Service spirit
• Team spirit
• Spirit of progress

OUR ETHICAL PRINCIPLES

• Loyalty
•  Respect for people 

and equal opportunity

• Transparency
• Business integrity

12

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1   U N L O C K I N G   O U R   P O T E N T I A L   

OF LIFE

S TA K E H O L D E R S

O U T C O M E S / I M PA C T S

1

EMPLOYEES

SUPPLIERS/
AFFILIATED MERCHANTS/NGOS

CLIENTS/INSTITUTIONS

CONSUMERS

SHAREHOLDERS/COMMUNITIES

81. 6% 
R etention rate 
of total workforce

HUMAN

+10.7 % 
Average annual
 Total Shareholder 
Return 
(5 years)

ECONOMIC

5. 5  
billion euro 
spent 
with SMEs(1) 

RELATIONSHIPS

113,826  
tons 
CO2  reduction(2)

NATURAL RESOURCES

All fi gures are for Fiscal 2019, unless otherwise stated

OUR MISSION

OUR AMBITION

Improve the quality of life of our  employees and 
those we serve, and contribute to the economic, 
social and environmental development of the 
communities, regions and countries in which we 
operate.

1  Small and Medium Enterprise, for more information, see page 75  .       

 2 

 Scopes 1 and 2, c ompared to 2011 baseline. 

Our ambition is to one day improve 
the quality of life of one billion 
individuals around the world.

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13

 
 
1   U N L O C K I N G   O U R   P O T E N T I A L 

MESSAGE FROM  DENIS MACHUEL

DENIS MACHUEL
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

ENTERING A NEW PHASE OF GROWTH

 This fi scal year was a pivotal period 

execution on certain large contracts 

for Sodexo: we entered a new phase 

and our targeting and signing 

of growth thanks to our renewed 

discipline is improving, though 

focus on operational discipline. 

our client retention and business 

Our  Focus on Growth  strategic 

agenda is working and has started 

development are not where we would 

like them to be.

to deliver results. Our consolidated 

In North America, we are confi dent 

revenues for the year reached 

22 billion euro – with organic 

growth, at +3.6%, exceeding our

 expectations in nearly all regions, 

particularly in North  America. 

This is Sodexo’s best organic  growth 

over the last seven fi scal years.  

Our On-site Services grew by 

3.3%. In all segments, our growth 

refl ects the trust that renowned 

clients – whether it’s the fi nancial 

services group Nomura in London, 

UNESCO in Paris, the Ronald Reagan 

Presidential Library and Museum 

near Los Angeles or the Tokyo 

Organising Committee of the 

Olympic and Paralympic Games in 

2020 – have shown us over the past 

year.

in our new management teams, 

notably in our Education and 

Healthcare & Seniors segments, 

as they take the necessary steps 

to revitalize our performance 

in this growth market.

Our operating margin for the year 

of 5.5% is in line with our objectives. 

Thanks to our renewed focus on 

operating discipline, we have reduced 

our SG&A costs, while still generating 

on-site operating productivity 

gains. We are focusing on expanding 

our Fit for the Future program to 

continue optimizing SG&A costs, and 
accelerating the roll out of our global 
performance management 
framework STEP (Sodexo Targets for 
Enhanced Performance). We look to 
these initiatives to bring further 

Our Benefi ts and Rewards Services 

also performed well, growing by 

operating discipline throughout 

Sodexo and generate additional 

8.5% overall and our Personal 

productivity gains.

and Home Services has continued 

to expand through an active 

acquisition strategy, as evidenced 

by the acquisitions of Pronep in 

Brazil and The Good Care Group in 

the United Kingdom.

We are reinvesting these productivity 

gains in sales and marketing, training 

and talent management, digital 

and IT for the greatest impact to 

deliver solid and recurring top line 

growth. This will enable   us to seize 

We must maintain our momentum 

opportunities in our market, valued 

as we are still seeing disparities in 

at over 900 billion euro, including 

our performance. We have enhanced 

300  billion euro for food services.

“Our  Focus on 
Growth  strategic 
agenda is working 
and has started to 
deliver results”
Denis Machuel

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1   U N L O C K I N G   O U R   P O T E N T I A L   

Through our Love of Food culinary 

expertise platform, we are staying 

ahead of upcoming food trends 

that have the potential to become 

mainstream. We are pursuing, 

for  instance, great opportunities 

from the rapid growth of 

vegetarianism and fl exitarianism, 

especially among younger 

consumers. Aft er  launching over 

200 plant- based recipes in  2018, 

we  created, in  partnership with 

Knorr, Unilever and WWF- UK, over 

40 dishes that  include 50  ingredients 

of the  future, which  are healthy, 

benefi cial to biodiversity and 

have a lower carbon footprint. 

We  are introducing these menus 

in kitchens globally, and they are 

currently available at 5,000  Sodexo 

restaurants in  Belgium, the United 

States, France  and the United 

Kingdom.

To go even further, we are building 

innovative food service concepts 

that off er healthy, sustainable food 

while reducing waste from farm 

to fork. One notable example is 

the restaurant we developed with 

fashion giant Inditex in Arteixo, 

in Spain to feed the company’s 

1,600  employees. The menu is 

“Our growth is not only an indicator 
of our fi nancial performance, it also 
refl ects the legitimacy of our mission 
and the  positive impact of Sodexo”

1

Digital is driving our growth as 

Our growth is not only an indicator 

we  create unique experiences to 

of our fi nancial performance, it 

meet the needs of clients and 

also refl ects the legitimacy of our 

consumers for a simpler, more 

mission and the  positive impact of 

personalized service. A good example 

Sodexo. In a world that is beginning 

can be seen with the acquisition of 

to understand the limits of hyper 

Zeta, a digital company specialized 

consumption, the impact of human 

in payment solutions, that allows 

connections, the reality of social-

us to develop “one-stop” platforms 

economic inequalities and the 

leveraging synergies across our 

urgency of climate change, our 

business activities. Whether for our 

on-site food service off ers, with our 

restaurant merchant partners, for 

managing travel and the related 

expenses, or personal services, 

with Zeta, we give our clients and 

consumers unparalleled freedom 

of choice and services. The platform 

is currently being rolled out in 

Asia-Pacifi c and we see tremendous 

potential for it in all our markets.

I would like to warmly thank our 

teams, who have demonstrated 

mission to improve quality of life has 

never been more relevant. With our 

leadership in promoting the full 

value of food, making sustainable 

and local food more accessible, and 

ensuring more inclusive growth 

within and across communities, 

we are paving the way for a growth 

that is profi table and responsible, 

putting people fi rst and being more 

environmentally sustainable. 

made up of 65% local products from 

their   ability to meet our 

short supply chains, oft en coming 

commitments and their rigor in 

directly from the farm, including 

implementing our  Focus on Growth  

over 40  organically farmed products. 

strategic agenda. These eff orts 

The  restaurant – operating on a LEED 

make Sodexo a more solid company 

Gold-certifi ed site – uses no plastic, 

and  I am convinced that we are on 

and left overs are systematically 

the  right path to better growth over 

repurposed .

the coming years.

S O D E X O   -   F I S C A L   2 0 1 9   U N I V E R S A L   R E G I S T R AT I O N   D O C U M E N T

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1   U N L O C K I N G   O U R   P O T E N T I A L

OUR EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

ACCELERATE GROWTH

The Executive Committee’s mission is to accelerate Sodexo’s growth 
while ensuring that corporate responsibility remains anchored at 
the heart of its business. This diverse team combines transversal expertise 
and skills representative of all the Group’s activities, segments 
and geographic regions.

THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AS OF SEPTEMBER 1, 2019

Nathalie Bellon-Szabo

Chief Executive Offi  cer, 
Sports & Leisure worldwide, 
On-site Services

Nationality: French

Sean Haley

Group Chief Executive 
Offi  cer of Service 
O perations

Region Chair, UK & Ireland, 
On-site Services

Nationality: British

Sarosh Mistry

Region Chair for North 
America, On-site Services

Chief Executive Offi  cer, 
Homecare Services 
worldwide

Nationality: American

Denis Machuel

Group Chief Executive Offi  cer

Chairman of the Executive 
Committee

Nationality: French

Lorna Donatone

Region Chair 
for Latin America

Nationality: American

Sylvia Metayer

Group Chief Growth Offi  cer

N ationalities : French, British 
and Canadian

Cathy Desquesses

Group Chief 
People Offi  cer

Nationality: French

Tony Leech

Chief Executive Offi  cer, 
Government worldwide, 
On-site Services

Nationality: Australian

Belen Moscoso Del Prado

Group Chief Digital & 
Innovation Offi  cer

Nationality: Spanish

Johnpaul Dimech

Chief Executive Offi  cer 
Geographic Regions

Region Chair, Asia Pacifi c, 
On-site Services

Nationality: Australian

Satya-Christophe Menard

Chief Executive Offi  cer, 
Schools & Universities 
worldwide, On-site Services

Nationality: French

Sunil Nayak

Chief Executive Offi  cer, 
Corporate Services 
worldwide, On-site Services

Nationality: Indian

16

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1   U N L O C K I N G   O U R   P O T E N T I A L

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE KEY FIGURES AS OF SEPTEMBER 1, 2019 

8 

 nationalities

33 %

Women

      48  %

Non-French  

3  

  52,8 

Average seniority 

Average age

1

Anna Notarianni

Region Chair, France, 
On-site Services

Nationality: French

Marc Rolland

Group Chief Financial 
Offi  cer

Nationality: French

Marc Plumart

Chief Executive Offi  cer, 
Healthcare & Seniors 
worldwide, On-site Services

Nationality: French

Dianne Salt

Group Chief 
Communications Offi  cer

Nationality: Canadian

Didier Sandoz

Chief Executive Offi  cer, 
Personal & Home Services

Nationality: French

Aurélien Sonet

Chief Executive Offi  cer, 
Benefi ts & Rewards Services

Nationality: French

Simon Seaton

Chief Executive Offi  cer, 
Energy & Resources 
worldwide, On-site Services

Nationality: British

Bruno Vanhaelst

Group Chief Sales and 
Marketing Offi  cer

Nationality: Belgian

Damien Verdier

Group Chief Corporate 
Respon sibility Offi  cer

Nationality: French

This  year,  we  bid  farewell  to  a  long-serving  member  of  our  senior 
management team who is retiring, Nicolas Japy. 

 Under  Nicolas’  leadership,  Sodexo  developed  a  significant  footprint 
 in developing markets and in the Energy & Resources segment. 

We would like to thank Nicolas for his  contribution to Sodexo’s success.

For more details on Sodexo’s Governance, please see Chapter 5.

S O D E X O   -   F I S C A L   2 0 1 9   U N I V E R S A L   R E G I S T R AT I O N   D O C U M E N T

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1   U N L O C K I N G   O U R   P O T E N T I A L

OUR GENERAL PRINCIPLES FOR CORPORATE OFFICERS’ COMPENSATION

A COMPETITIVE 
COMPENSATION POLICY

In the interest of Sodexo and its stakeholders and in accordance with 
our values, the Board of Directors ensures that the company off ers a competitive 
remuneration policy to attract and engage the best talent to deliver 
performance and achieve Sodexo’s long-term strategy.

CÉCILE TANDEAU DE MARSAC
  Chairwoman of the Compensation Committee

“

Compensation policy is an essential lever for profi table growth. Through a balance between individual 
and collective recognition, long term and short term, it aims to strengthen our culture of performance. 
Our goal is to attract, motivate, retain and mobilize all our talents for our success. 

”

PRINCIPLES FOR COMPENSATION

EVOLUTION OF REMUNERATION

COMPLIANCE

ALIGNMENT 
OF INTERESTS

COMPETITIVENESS

TRANSPARENCY

COMPLETENESS 
BALANCE

PERFORMANCE

The remuneration policy for Executive Committee members is 
aligned with that of the Chief Executive Offi  cer.

FISCAL  2019

Sophie Bellon 

Denis Machuel 

No change

•   Maximum variable payout reduced from 

200% to 150%

•  Compensation for  full fiscal year 
(nominated in January 2018)

•  Performance shares: TSR  on a peer 

group only  

FISCAL  2020

Sophie Bellon 

Denis Machuel 

No change

•  Removal of exceptional compensation 

option 

Performance shares:
•  Vesting period reduced from 4 to 3 years
•  No grant in Fiscal 2020
•  Next grant in November 2020  
•  In the exceptional case that rights are 

maintained on departure, they will be based 
on a pro rata of effective presence

COMPENSATION STRUCTURE

100%
NOT SUBJECT TO 
PERFORMANCE 
CONDITIONS

75%
SUBJECT
TO PERFORMANCE
CONDITIONS

E

EN TIV

C

M IN

R
E
T
-
G
N
O
L

:

D

E

S

A

B

-

50%
PERFORMANCE
 SHARES

25%
FIXED 

25%
ANNUAL 
VARIABLE

E

R

A

H

S

%

0

5

25%
NOT SUBJECT 
TO PERFORMANCE 
CONDITIONS

N

O

I

T

A

S

N

E

P

M

O
C

L
A
U
N
N
A
:
H
S
A

5 0 % C

100%
FIXED

SOPHIE BELLON

DENIS MACHUEL

18

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ANNUAL VARIABLE REMUNERATION FOR DENIS MACHUEL

As a reminder, the guidance communicated to the markets on November 8, 2018 for Fiscal 2019 was  organic revenue growth of 
between 2% and 3% and an underlying operating margin of between 5.5% and 5.7%, excluding currency eff ect.

AMOUNT PAID 
FOR FISCAL 2019

WEIGHT 
OF CRITERIA

FISCAL 2019 
RESULTS

ACHIEVEMENT LEVEL

COMPENSATION 
POLICY 
FOR FISCAL 2020

WEIGHT 
OF CRITERIA

Organic growth*

20%

3.6 %

Underlying operating profit margin excluding currency effect

20%

 5.5%

100 %

86 %

Net income growth (in millions of euro)

10%

665 

0 %

Free cash flow (in millions of euro)

20%

907 

175 %

Health and Safety (lost time injury rate)

10%

0.86 

100% 

Talent management

DJSI

10%

90% 

70  %

10%

Sector leader

100%

20%

20%

20%

20%

10%

10%

10%

1

Total variable compensation

100%

99  %

100%

*  The organic growth criteria has been  capped at 100% despite outperformance during Fiscal 2019, due to the UOP margin performance being at the low end of the guidance 

range.

 LONG TERM COMPENSATION (PERFORMANCE SHARES) FOR DENIS MACHUEL

PERFORMANCE CONDITIONS – 4 YEARS

Organic growth

Underlying operating profit margin excluding currency effect 

TSR performance

Share of  women at the highest level of hierarchy

FISCAL 2019

WEIGHT

25%

25%

30%

20%

*  No Fiscal 2020 long-term compensation to take into account reduction of vesting period.

FISCAL 2020*

WEIGHT

25%

25%

30%

20%

COMPENSATION AWARDED (in thousand euro) 

Maximum

4,950

Maximum

4,950

Achieved

3,629

Target

3,600

1,836

893

900

675

675

Sophie Bellon Denis Machuel

Chairman

CEO

2018-2019

Fiscal 2020 Compensation policy

Fixed compensation

Annual variable compensation

Long term compensation

Annual variable compensation:
maximum authorized on 
a basis salary of €900,000

Long term compensation:
maximum authorized on 
a basis salary of €900,000

For more information, see Chapter 5.5.

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1   U N L O C K I N G   O U R   P O T E N T I A L

OUR EVOLUTION

SUSTAINABLE 
AND PROFITABLE GROWTH

Since 1966, Sodexo has been dedicated to the goal of improving 
quality of life, convinced of its contribution to both higher 
organizational performance and societal progress. This consistent 
focus has enabled us to grow profi tably and sustainably while 
providing continuous development opportunities for our employees.

I NTERNATIONAL

DE VE LOPMENT AND 

ACQU ISITIONS 

35 countries 
Development in Belgium, 
Italy, Spain, Africa 
and the Middle East 

40 countries
Development in North America, 
South America, Russia 
and South Africa

QU ALI TY

OF  L I FE

OF FE RS AND

SE R VICES 

1967 
First multi-service 
contract 
for the management of CNES 
(French Space Agency) 
in Guyana

Opening of 
foodservices 
in schools 
and hospitals

KE Y  MOMENTS

1976 
1st meal voucher 

1 , 0 0 0

€9 . 3  m

1966 
Sodexo founded 
by Pierre Bellon

3 6 , 0 0 0

1 5 , 0 0 0

€2 1 3  m  

1983 
Initial public offering on 
the Paris Stock Exchange

€1 . 2  b n

1992 
Creation 
of the Sodexo 
Management 
Institute

1965

1970

1975

1980

1985

1990

20

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1   U N L O C K I N G   O U R   P O T E N T I A L

2019
Sodexo strengthens its presence 
in the Homecare market by taking a majority 
stake in Pronep in Brazil and the acquisition 
of The Good Care Group in the UK

4 7 0 , 0 0 0

E M P L OY E E S

C O N S O L I D AT E D 
R E V E N U E S

80 countries

€2 2  b n

2018
Sodexo becomes a leader 
in the Sports & Leisure segment 
globally with the acquisition 
of Centerplate

3 8 0 , 0 0 0

72 countries
Including Brazil, 
China, India

Acquisitions: 
1995 
Gardner Merchant (UK)
Partena (Sweden)

1998-2001 
Marriott Management 
Services (U.S.)

2 8 6 , 0 0 0

€1 5 . 3  b n

Acquisitions (2000-2010) 
Sogeres and Score Group (France), 
Wood Dining Services, Circles, 
Comfort Keepers® (USA), 
Zehnacker (Germany), 
Radhakrishna Hospitality 
Services Group (India), 
VR (Brazil)

67 countries

1

S H A R E   P R I C E *

€1 0 3 . 1 0

DONNÉES COURBES 
EN ATTENTE

€1 0 . 5  b n

New Quality of Life 
services: facilities 
management services, 
vouchers and cards services

Rapid growth in 
new markets: 
technical maintenance, 
energy and water 
consumption 
efficiency, spatial 
planning

2005 
Appointment 
of Michel Landel as
Chief Executive Officer 

2007
Sarbanes–Oxley 
Act conformity, 
Section 404

2009 
Launch of our corporate 
responsibility roadmap

Development of integrated Quality 
of Life services, for key global accounts. 
Explosion in need for in-home services 
and offers

2019
Implementation of 
the strategic agenda, 
Focus on Growth

2016  
•  Appointment 
of Sophie Bellon as 
Chairwoman of the Board 
of Directors, 
on January 26
•  Launch of the Sodexo 
Ventures fund

2017 
Better Tomorrow 2025, 
renewing our corporate 
responsibility commitments

2018
Denis Machuel 
becomes CEO on 
January 23

2000

2005

2010

2015

2019

* As of August 31, 2018

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1   U N L O C K I N G   O U R   P O T E N T I A L

OUR MATERIALITY MATRIX

SHARING A COMMON VISION

Our position in the value chain enables us to develop strong relationships 
with multiple stakeholders. In 2019, we conducted a second materiality 
study to confi rm the validity of our corporate responsibility roadmap. 
We renewed the process of identifi cation and ranking of key issues 
and impacts in consultation with internal and external stakeholders 
and the support of Business for Social Responsibility (BSR)(1). 

Critical

s
r
e
d
l
o
h
e
k
a
t
s

r
o
f
e
c
n
a
t
r
o
p
m

I

Disclosure and
 Transparency

Respect for 
Human Rights 

Supply Chain
 Environmental
 Impact

Supply Chain Labor Practices

Fundamental
 Rights
at Work

Packaging and
 Non-organic
 Waste

Business Integrity 

Climate Mitigation, Resilience 
and GHG(2) emissions

Healthy and Sustainable Eating

Food Quality and Safety

Food Waste

Occupational 
Health and Safety

Governance

Water and Effluents

Diversity 
and Inclusion 

Women 
Empowerment 

Antimicrobial 
Resistance

Data Privacy
and Protection

Technology

Food
 Resource
 Security

Animal Welfare

Stakeholder Collaboration

Employee Well-being
 and Engagement

Local 
Socio-economic 
Impact

Hunger and Malnutrition

Energy 

Wellness Solutions

Employee Training 
and Development

Talent Attraction 
and Retention

High

Importance for Sodexo

Critical

Fundamentals

Individuals

Communities

Environment

1  BS R is a non-profi t organization that has been developing sustainable business strategies and solutions through consulting, research, and cross-sector 

collaboration for 25 years.

2  GHG: greenhouse gas.

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Update of the issues
The evolution of the major contemporary issues - social, societal 
and environmental - as well as the evolution of the market 
and the expectations of the various stakeholders led Sodexo to 
conduct its second materiality analysis in 2019.

This year, Sodexo not only identifi ed and prioritized the issues 
of internal and external stakeholders, but also incorporated two 
new dimensions into its process: enterprise risk management 
and strategic planning. This improvement provides a relevant 
and comprehensive answer to current issues.

Governance,  Technology,  Data  Priva cy  and  Protection  and 
Disclosure and Transparency are the four new issues introduced 
in the 2019 assessment. When compared to the previous study, 
Climate Mitigation, Healthy and Sustainable Eating, Food Waste 
and  Diversity  and  Inclusion  are  seen  as  issues  with  higher 
importance for both stakeholders and Sodexo.

Prioritization of issues
The prioritization of previously defi ned issues and their impacts 
have been established in consultation with internal and external 
stakeholders.

Sodexo  has  involved  its  employees  through  numerous 
workshops, interviews, surveys and internal data searches of its 

clients. The workshops and interviews conducted by BSR brought 
together representatives from the Strategy, Communication, 
Risk Management, Corporate Responsibility, Marketing, Digital 
and Innovation, Human Resources, Purchasing and Investor 
Relations teams. Leaders have also provided feedback through 
surveys.

Sodexo  also  sought  the  views  of  its  external  stakeholders. 
Interviews were conducted with suppliers, clients and NGO partners. 
Lastly, the analysis of external data from investors, rating agencies 
and competitors greatly contributed to the assessment of the 
importance of the new issues.

Improve the impact on individuals, communities 
and the environment

All of the consultations allowed the quantitative and qualitative 
assessment  of  the  issues,  identified  by  the  Sodexo  teams 
upstream.

Thirty issues have been clearly defi ned and prioritized  according 
to the Sodexo impacts identifi ed in the Corporate Responsibility 
Roadmap: Better Tomorrow 2025.

The  results  of  the  materiality  analysis  will  optimize  the 
implementation of our commitments and the management of 
the risks associated with the material issues.

CRITICAL  ISSUES AND IMPACTS ON BUSINESS ACTIVITIES

CRITICAL  ISSUE

Disclosure and Transparency

Disclosure of financial and sustainability performance information is clear, 
comparable, accessible and enables consumers, investors, other stakeholders 
and management to make informed decisions.

Respect for Human Rights

Commitment to respect human rights throughout the value chain, as well 
as practices and procedures aimed at preventing, mitigating and ultimately, 
addressing the adverse human rights impacts that may result directly from 
Sodexo’s activities or that can be directly related to the business through supplier 
relationships.

Climate Mitigation, Resilience and GHG(1)  emissions

Action for climate and alignment with the objectives of the Paris agreement 
on climate through the value chain to moderate the impact on climate change, 
increase resilience and adaptability, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and meet 
the growing expectations of stakeholders.

Business Integrity

The norms and principles that govern the actions and behavior of an individual 
in the business organization regarding the prevention of unfair competition, 
treatment with stakeholders, prevention of corruption, conflicts of interest, 
confidentiality, the use of assets, the integrity of the financial statements and 
the Group’s files, the responsibilities of the employees and the declaration of 
the violations.

Healthy and Sustainable Eating

Health attributes and nutritional provisions of the menus, including reduction 
of sugar, salt and fat, as well as additives and portion control; menus that meet 
the criteria for sustainable food, especially based on seasonal and local products.

Food Quality and Safety

Quality and safety standards respected throughout the value chain of the 
products served.

Food Waste

Prevention and reduction of food waste through programs, initiatives, innovative 
systems, technologies, awareness raising and behavior, etc. and the application 
of circular economy principles. Reuse, recycling and recovery of food waste 
downstream.

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATOR

RISK 
MANAGEMENT

See  p. 24, 
36-39, 
236 

In 2019, 97.4%  of workforce working in countries 
having the Group Human Rights policy available 
in at least one official language (p. 74 ) .

See  p. 5, 
74, 235, 
236 

In 2019, 62% reduction in carbon emissions 
intensity – compared to baseline year 2011 
(p. 77 ) .

See  p. 54, 
76 , 77 , 
235

In  2019,  98.1 %   of  workforce  working  in 
countries  having  the  Sodexo  Statement  of 
Business  Integrity  available  in  at  least  one 
official language (p. 74 ).

See  p. 5, 
74 , 236 

In  2019,  83.3%  of  On-site  Services  activity 
provided Health and Wellness Services including 
physical wellness services (p. 75  ).

See  p. 75 , 
232

In 2019, 98.6% of On-site Services revenues of 
countries having either ISO 9001 or ISO 22000 
certification for food safety (p. 75  ). 

See  p. 75 , 
235

In 2019, 69.2% of Group revenues of countries 
working to deliver on the United Nations’ food 
waste objective (p. 78  ).

See  p. 52, 
78 , 235 

Occupational Health and Safety

Exposure of workers to potential health and safety hazards that may cause 
injury or illness. Risk control defined by global standards, including for specific 
risks such as those occurring during a commute.

Sodexo’s employees were absent for an average 
of 8.3 days, due to occupational accidents or 
sickness and/or personal accidents or sickness 
during Fiscal 2019 (p. 73  ).

See  p. 44, 
46, 73 , 
235

1  GHG: greenhouse gas.

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OUR CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY

 OUR STAKEHOLDER RELATIONS

The success of Sodexo, a service provider, employer and corporate citizen, 
depends on its ability to build enduring relationships with stakeholders 
through its numerous programs of responsible action.

SODEXO’S IMPACT

Employees

ACTION TAKEN

Sodexo  offers  jobs  in  local  communities  and  training  that 
promotes career development and internal promotion.

From  the  latest  global  survey,  conducted  in   Fiscal  2018, 
employee engagement rate: 69 % up 1  point  from the previous 
survey.

Clients
Sodexo can provide clients with a range of services that directly 
impact strategic business issues such as the motivation of their 
employees and the competitiveness and attractiveness of their 
company.

Consumers
Sodexo is able to improve quality of life for millions of  people 
by helping consumers adopt healthier and more sustainable 
lifestyles.

Suppliers, Affiliated merchants
Sodexo  seeks  mutually  beneficial  relationships  with  its 
commercial partners and encourages them to meet its high 
standards for quality, working conditions, business integrity 
and environmental stewardship.

Institutions and NGOs
Sodexo continues to widen its eco-system to tackle global issues 
of working conditions, human rights, diversity and inclusion, 
carbon emissions, nutrition, food waste and the fight against 
hunger.

Good execution, innovation and corporate responsibility are key 
factors in Sodexo’s ability to retain and develop relationships 
with its clients.
Sodexo’s client retention rate was 93.3% in Fiscal 2019.

92.2 % of North America client sites implement actions that 
proactively address Sodexo’s 10 Golden Rules of Nutrition, 
Health and Wellness.
Sodexo employs 5,138  registered dietitians worldwide.

92.3% of Group revenues are from countries having specific 
initiatives to integrate SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises) 
into Sodexo’s Value Chain.
Developing new relationships with a view to advancing the 
implementation of the Partner Inclusion Program.

Successful relationships with the Organization for Economic 
Co-operation and Development (OECD), the World Wildlife Fund 
(WWF), the International Labour Office (ILO), the United Nations, 
the Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative (GSSI), the Seafood 
Task Force, Academic institutions such as Harvard, Cornell or 
Audencia.
The company is also linked through an International Framework 
Agreement with International Union of Food and Allied Workers 
(IUF).
Sodexo initiated the creation of the International Food Waste 
Coalition (IFWC) and the Global Coalition for Animal Welfare 
(GCAW).

Investors
Bellon  family  share  ownership  guarantees  Sodexo’s 
independence and stability. All of our family, institutional and 
individual shareholders provide the support necessary for the 
Group’s development.

Government and Regulators
Sodexo’s activities are covered by numerous laws in the field 
of  food  safety,  health  and  safety  in  the  workplace,  public 
procurement, payments, etc.
A large part of its business is contracted with government 
entities.

Shareholders from around the world choose Sodexo for its solid 
growth, the long-term rate of return and its commitment to 
Corporate Responsibility.
Launch of Shareholders Club.

Sodexo participates in consultations organized by governments.
Sodexo  is  registered  on  the  Transparency  register  of  the 
European Commission and the European Parliament.
Sodexo conducts an ethical lobbying policy at Group level  in all 
interactions with politicians and decision-makers.

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 BETTER TOMORROW 2025: 
OUR CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY 
ROADMAP

Adapted to the challenges of today and tomorrow 
and comprised of nine commitments, Better Tomorrow 2025 drives 
the deployment of our corporate responsibility actions and measures 
their impact in the 67 countries where we operate.

1

Our nine commitments are consistent with the most material issues identifi ed through the Materiality process. They are based 
on tangible and measurable objectives that allow all of our entities to monitor and drive progress.

OUR 9 COMMITMENTS AND 2025 OBJECTIVES

OU R RO LE AS 
A N   E M P L O Y E R

OUR I MPA CT ON 
I N D I V I D U A L S

OUR IMPACT  ON 
C O M M U N I T I E S

OUR IMPACT ON 
T H E   E N V I R O N M E N T

Improve 
the Quality of Life 
of our employees, 
safely

80%  
Employee 
Engagement Rate

Ensure a diverse workforce 
and inclusive culture that 
refl ects and enriches 
the communities we serve

Foster a culture of 
environmental responsibility 
within our workforce and 
workspaces

100% 
of our employees work 
in countries that have 
gender balance 
in their management 
populations

100% 
of our employees 
are trained 
on sustainable practices

Provide and encourage 
our consumers to access 
healthy lifestyle choices

Promote local development
 and fair, inclusive 
and sustainable
business practices

Source responsibly 
and provide management 
services that reduce 
carbon emissions

OU R RO LE AS 
A SERVICE 
PROVI DER

OUR  ROLE A S
  A   C O R P O R A T E 
C I T I Z E N

100% 
of our consumers 
are off ered healthy 
lifestyle options 
every day

Fight hunger 
and malnutrition

100 million  
Stop Hunger 
benefi ciaries

10 billion euro 
of our business 
value will 
benefi t SMEs(1)

34%
reduction 
of carbon emissions(2)

Drive diversity 
and inclusion as a catalyst 
for societal change

500,000 
women in communities 
educated through job 
training centers

Champion sustainable 
resource usage

50%  
reduction  in 
our food waste

(1) See Chapter 3.2.6. 2 (p. 75) .
(2) Absolute reduction in Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3 carbon emissions, compared to a 2011 baseline.

Better Tomorrow 2025 was developed in accordance with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 
The SDGs are a set of global goals in 17 key areas, requiring action by governments, businesses and society to achieve a more just 
and sustainable world by 2030. All our commitments are aligned with these goals.

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OUR HUMAN RESOURCES STRATEGY

NURTURING TALENT, 
PROMOTING PROFITABLE 
GROWTH AND PREPARING 
TOMORROW’S WORKFORCE

As a company of people serving people, 
Sodexo recognizes that employees are central to its ability 
to create sustainable value and profi table growth.

Sodexo’s human resources 
strategy contributes to achieving 
its long-term growth objectives. 
It promotes empowerment, 
performance and accountability, 
anticipating resource and skill 
needs, investing in employee 
development and ensuring a safe, 
diverse and inclusive working 
environment that improves quality 
of life and fosters professional 
growth. The company’s strategy 
enables it to manage the identifi ed 
risks for its 410,000 consumer- 
and client-facing employees and 
its 60,000 managers.

A STRATEGY TO ENHANCE   

OPERATIONAL  EFFICIENCY
To reinforce operational 
effi  ciencies and provide access 
to more sustainable employment, 
Sodexo leverages personnel 
management programs to connect 
employees with local job 
opportunities.

In response to shortages in skills 
and employee turnover, Sodexo 
helps employees develop skills 
through comprehensive training 
programs and the accelerated use 
of new technologies. Other initiatives 
include new training centers 
(see page 50 ) that enable people 
to learn new skills, increasing their 
employability and providing the Group 

with the right capabilities to deliver 
its services. In order to anticipate 
workforce needs, Sodexo implements 
workforce planning processes and tools.

To ensure fair employment practices 
(compensation, data management), 
Sodexo is continuously improving 
its processes, governance and 
tools, including deploying a Human 
Resources Information System (HRIS) 
starting in 2020.

A STRATEGY TO ENABLE 

PROFITABLE GROWTH
To reinforce its performance 
culture, Sodexo launched Aspire 
in 2019, a simplifi ed performance 
assessment and development 
tool for its 60,000 managers 
worldwide. Aspire links managers’ 
objectives with the KPIs for the 
company’s strategic STEP(1)  
framework. Progress is monitored 
through ongoing collaborative and 
constructive dialogue and feedback. 
A new compensation philosophy 
rewards individual contributions 
to the company’s collective success 
through annual bonus and 
performance shares. (See page 49 ).

Site managers conduct frequent 
surveys  of their teams as does  
the  Group on a periodic basis  for  all 
employees. Results are used to form 
action plans that address identifi ed 
issues and enhance engagement.

A STRATEGY TO ANTICIPATE 

FUTURE NEEDS
To sustain a pipeline of talent needed 
to manage its business today 
and tomorrow, Sodexo leverages 
succession planning, talent reviews and 
competency models to help managers 
project their future career paths.

Based on the 11 worldwide megatrends 
(see pages 10-11 ), the Human Resources 
community is actively evaluating 
options for our future of work: evolution 
of our roles, leveraging technologies, 
new profi les, way of working, etc., in 
 a fast-changing competitive environment.

#1 

France-based private 
employer worldwide(2)

81.6% 

E mployee retention rate

12.4 

Average hours of training 
provided annually per 
employee 
(excluding Germany and the U.S.A.) 

1  STEP for Sodexo Targets for Enhanced Performance.

2  2019 Forbes Global 2000 ranking.

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OUR RISK MANAGEMENT

RISK MANAGEMENT 
AND MAIN RISKS

 Operational managers are the fi rst line of defense for identifying 
and managing risks in their area of activity. Support and transversal functions 
defi ne the procedures and standards and provide tools and process es for 
operational staff  to manage the risks. Internal audit makes an independent 
assessment of risk management and recommendations for improvement.

1

RISK MANAGEMENT PROCESS I N THREE LINES OF DEFENSE

BOARD/AUDIT COMMITTEE

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 

Report

Report

Report

Inform

FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE

SECOND LINE OF DEFENSE

THIRD LINE OF DEFENSE

OPERATIONAL
MANAGEMENT 

SUPPORT/
TRANSVERSAL
FUNCTIONS

INTERNAL
AUDIT

R
E
G
U
L
A
T
O
R
S

E
X
T
E
R
N
A
L

A
U
D

I
T
O
R
S
/

  MAIN RISKS
Each year, a risk profi le is established based on the risk assessments carried out by senior management of the main entities and 
interviews with senior executives. The following risks are considered the most signifi cant for Sodexo:

MEDIUM

HIGH

CLIENT &
CONSUMER CENTRIC

Client retention

Consumer expectations

Bidding risk

Competition

OPERATIONAL
EFFICIENCY

Client contract execution

Technology and information security

TALENT

Talent management and development

CORPORATE
RESPONSIBILITY

EXTERNAL
ENVIRONMENT

Labor shortage

Food, services & workplace safety

Environmental impact

Compliance with laws and regulations

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OUR PROFESSION, OUR MARKETS

IMPROVING 
QUALITY OF LIFE:
 A UNIQUE ARRAY OF SERVICES

Sodexo believes no asset is more valuable to any business than its people 
and that improving their quality of life is key to lasting performance. 
An essential partner for companies and organizations, our unmatched off er 
of On-site Services helps them to better serve consumers and increase 
their effi  ciency. Our Benefi ts & Rewards Services and Personal & Home Services 
complete our off er to help ensure a better tomorrow for all.

On-site 
Services 

Benefi ts  & 
Rewards
Services

Personal  & 
Home Services

• BUSINESS & 

ADMINISTRATIONS

- Corporate Services
- Energy & Resources
- Government & Agencies
- Sports & Leisure
- Others

• HEALTH CARE & SENIORS

• EDUCATION

- Healthcare
- Seniors

- Schools
- Universities

• EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

• SERVICES DIVERSIFICATION

• CHILDCARE

• CONCIERGE SERVICES

• HOMECARE

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On-site Services

Increase a company’s effi  ciency, 

take care for  patients in the hospital, promote academic 

growth, provide safety and comfort on a remote site: 

our services delivered directly on site improve quality of life 

for millions of consumers and enable our clients to improve 

their performance. From foodservices and the design of workplaces 

to the sterilization of medical devices, reception and cleaning services, 

our customized, innovative solutions are adapted to our clients’ needs, 

organized into three segments: Business & Administrations, 

Healthcare & Seniors and Education.

1

CONSIDERABLE GROWTH POTENTIAL

REVENUES BY CLIENT SEGMENT

On-site Services 
activity market potential(1)  
is estimated at 

900

B I L L I O N 
EURO(2  ) 

Sodexo estimate

KEY FIGURES(1  )

96 % 

of Group revenues

Source: Sodexo

BUSINESS &
ADMINISTRATIONS
55% 

HEALTHCARE & 
SENIORS
25%

EDUCATION
20%

21.1 

billion euro 
in consolidated 
revenues

455,351 

employees

1 

Including Personal & Home Services .   

2  Note: Market estimates are likely to evolve over time, given the growing reliability of information sources in various countries. 

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On-site Services

BU SIN ESS & 
ADMINI STRAT IONS

REVENUES BY CLIENT 
SUB-SEGMENT

ENERGY &
RESOURCES
12%

CORPORATE
SERVICES
51%

GOVERNMENT & 
AGENCIES
11% 

SPORTS &
LEISURE
15%

OTHERS 
11%

KEY FIGURES

55 % 

of On-site Services 
revenues

11,577

million euro 
in revenues

275,262 

employees

Source: Sodexo

Corporate Services – Enhancing quality 
of life at work

Professional growth and employee quality of life 
are drivers of individual and collective performance 
for companies as well as key diff erentiators in 
the competition for talent. Sodexo’s solutions help 
clients create engaging work experiences, optimize 
the equipment employees use and improve the 
effi  ciency of the buildings they occupy. From food 
to facilities management services, our solutions 
respond to the challenges of company attractiveness, 
engagement and operational performance.

Energy & Resources – Ensuring safety, comfort 
and performance in harsh environments

Working and living conditions of employees 
in onshore and off shore oil and gas, mining, 
engineering and construction companies are oft  en 
extreme. Sodexo delivers integrated, innovative services 
to its clients throughout the world. 
Hospitality, accommodation, site management, 
logistics, transportation and leisure: all services that 
ensure residents’ quality of life, safety and comfort. 
While contributing to the development of local 
communities, our solutions optimize our 
clients’ operational effi  ciency and ability to attract 
and retain talent despite cyclical, volatile markets.

Government & Agencies – Honored to serve 
the public interest

Ensuring high-quality services while responding to 
budgetary constraints: this is a major challenge 
for our clients, whether they are armed forces, 
local authorities, national and international 
institutions or prisons. Sodexo serves government 
personnel, military communities, off enders, and 
those who are reintegrating society aft  er prison. 
From technical maintenance to foodservices, to 
the management of complex logistics in peacekeeping 
operations abroad, to training and reintegration 
assistance to reduce the recidivism rate of off enders 
upon release, this wide range of services requires 
fl exibility, rigor and reliability.

Sports & Leisure – Delivering unique experiences 
and exceptional moments

Recognized partner of organizers of major sporting 
and cultural events and manager of exceptional places 
for more than 20 years, Sodexo develops solutions 
that meet the expectations of a demanding clientele 
worldwide. Combining technique and creativity, our 
turnkey solutions cover ticketing, travel, foodservices, 
safety, logistics, marketing and technical and artistic 
organization. In the digital age, Sodexo helps clients 
to integrate new technologies into their events 
by off ering innovative and personalized services. 
Multiple benefi ts that contribute to the success 
of prestigious events such as Royal Ascot, the Super 
Bowl in the United States, the Tour de France and 
the Rugby World Cup, and make exceptional 
places shine such as the Eiff el Tower, Lido of Paris, 
La Maison Lenôtre, Bateaux Parisiens, Yachts de Paris 
as well as Bateaux London and the National Gallery 
in the United Kingdom.

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On-site Services

Healthcare – Supporting quality care

1

A market leader for more than 20 years, Sodexo 
contributes to the quality of life, well-being and safety 
of patients, visitors and healthcare facility staff . 
We lead our clients through the changing healthcare 
landscape. By providing them with professional 
and standardized services, we respond to their 
challenges of patient satisfaction and improving 
performance. In developing countries, Sodexo also 
helps clients meet the rigorous standards required 
by international accreditation agencies. Faced with 
the growing number of patients being treated in 
day hospitals or outpatient units, Sodexo is leveraging 
its ability to deliver home-based services to develop 
services outside the traditional hospital care 
environment.

Seniors – Responding to the challenges 
of an aging population

The demographic weight of seniors and the increase 
in life expectancy are raising signifi cant societal 
challenges. With many seniors remaining independent 
longer, the demand for home care services is growing. 
At the same time, the progression of chronic diseases 
in the elderly is increasing the workload in nursing 
homes. These developments require more and 
more solutions to support the senior  communities . 
To meet these challenges, Sodexo off ers a range of 
high value-added integrated services designed to 
improve the quality of life for seniors in residences 
or in a health facility. Adapted for all ages and degrees 
of dependence, these services are dedicated to their 
physical, moral and social well-being. They also 
relieve families, while enhancing the attractiveness 
and performance of institutions. With the shortage 
of healthcare staff , Sodexo deploys specialized 
processes and training to provide its clients with 
motivated, qualifi ed employees who perform their 
job with kindness.

HEALTHCA RE & 
SEN IOR S

REVENUES BY CLIENT 
SUB-SEGMENT

SENIORS
28% 

HEALTHCARE 
72%

KEY FIGURES

25 %

of On-site Services 
revenues

5,210 

million euro 
in revenues

87,98 0 

employees

Source: Sodexo

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Schools – Providing a fulfilling educational 
environment

Sodexo supports schools around the world in  improving  
the quality of life of students by serving nutritious 
meals to fuel their performance and delivering 
maintenance and operations services to create 
healthy, safe learning environments that promote 
education and engage faculty and staff . Our expertise 
allows us to use better employee training resources, 
enhanced processes and leading-edge technology to 
deliver savings to communities. We drive responsible 
and positive solutions for communities in terms of 
procurement, employment and waste management. 
Sodexo implements innovative programs to help 
schools adopt good environmental practices, educate 
students about waste and combat unhealthy eating 
habits.

Universities – Enhancing quality of life to recruit, 
engage and retain students

With its integrated services model, Sodexo takes 
a holistic data-driven approach to improving 
performance and enhancing quality of life on campus 
and in the community. Sodexo collaborates with 
University leaders to support their vision, mission and 
goals, creating the best possible student experience 
through strategic, sustainable enhancements to the 
physical, social and academic environments. From 
modern, comfortable student accommodations to 
chef-inspired cuisine to beautifully manicured grounds 
and clean, safe learning environments, Sodexo is 
committed to providing a positive and fulfi lling 
experience that will boost a university’s ability 
to recruit, engage and retain its students.

On-site Services

EDUCATI ON

REVENUES BY CLIENT 
SUB-SEGMENT

UNIVERSITIES
55%

SCHOOLS
45%

KEY FIGURES

20 % 

of On-site Services 
revenues

4,280  

million euro 
in revenues

92,109 

employees

Source: Sodexo

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Benefits & 
Rewards Services

With its range of nearly 250 services, 

Sodexo Benefi ts & Rewards Services (BRS) seeks to unlock 

the potential  of people and to keep businesses moving forward. 

Its off er  strengthen employee experience and ease mobility. Driven by 

technological innovation,  BRS’s Quality of Life solutions go beyond its widely 

recognized vouchers and cards and the workplace. Today, it is creating services 

that improve engagement, recognition, work-life balance, travel and expense 

management, health and well-being. Through its customized guidance and bespoke 

off ers, BRS is responding to the main human resource challenge companies 

and organizations are facing today: increasing employee engagement 

to contribute to business success.

1

4 % 

of Group revenues

440,000

clients 

EUROPE, ASIA,
UNITED STATES
57%

KEY FIGURES

892 

million euro 
in revenues

 36

million 
benefi ciaries 
and consumers

REVENUES BY REGION

Source: Sodexo

4,901

employees

1.3

million affi  liated 
merchants

LATIN
AMERICA
43%

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1   U N L O C K I N G   O U R   P O T E N T I A L

Benefits & Rewards Services

EM P LOYEE EX PERI ENCE 
ENH ANCED  BY 
EM PL OYEE B ENEFITS

M OB IL ITY AND EXPENSE 
AT  THE HEAR T 
OF  SER VI CES 
DI VE RS IF ICATION

In a particularly competitive environment, 
companies must diff erentiate themselves to 
attract and retain talent. Today, wages are no 
longer enough: quality of life at work, recognition, 
the work environment and work-life balance 
are leading clients to demand innovative and 
personalized solutions to improve the  quality of daily 
life  of their employees and reinforce engagement 
and motivation; this also contributes to improved 
company performance.

From Meal Pass to the Sport Pass, our solutions 
encourage healthier lifestyles, promote a better 
work-life balance and facilitate personal development.

Sodexo also off ers companies services designed 
to enhance the eff orts of their employees: 
incentive and recognition programs; professional 
development tools such as training, mentoring 
and coaching. These solutions help unite teams 
around common objectives, recognize their work 
and reward their eff orts.

Business travel, the associated expenses 
and daily commutes can be complex for businesses 
to manage. For employees, these mobility issues are 
oft  en stressful, with potential impacts on effi  ciency, 
motivation and even health. 

Sodexo off ers simple and easy-to-access solutions 
via unique platforms including fuel cards, Mobility 
Pass, which covers travel expenses between home 
and work, travel booking and management of 
business expenses.

Advantageous solutions for companies to help 
them better manage their employees’ travel and 
business expenses by ensuring real-time visibility 
but also for employees in helping to simplify their 
movements and improve their quality of life.

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Personal & Home 
Services

Sodexo offers a range of Personal & Home Services that respond to 

demographic trends and contemporary lifestyles. 

Present at each key stage of life, our services cover three areas: Childcare services, 

designed to take care of the youngest children while making life easier for parents; 

Concierge services, to enhance the development and well-being of our clients’ employees 

in the workplace; Home care services, to make life easier for seniors and adults who want 

to maintain their independence while enjoying the comfort of their home.

1

Childcare

 Sodexo responds to one of the main concerns of parents in France and Germany: fi nding care for their pre-school 
children. Real alternatives to traditional c hildcare facilities that are oft  en full and poorly adapted to  the time 
constraints of active parents, our structures have been designed to improve the quality of life of children and 
their  parents.

Concierge Services

With its corporate concierge services , Sodexo helps companies to make their employees’ daily life easier. 
Booking a restaurant, running errands, fi nding a plumber... employees of our corporate clients can benefi t 
from a  broad range of services at their workplace that improve their well-being, helping to strengthen their 
commitment and performance.

Home Care

With their population increasing around the world, seniors today are healthier and want to stay at home 
as long as possible. To enhance their independence and quality of life at home, Sodexo off ers personal assistance 
and support solutions in Brazil, Germany, France, Norway and the UK, such as carrying groceries, preparing 
balanced meals, assisting with travel or basic nursing care.

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1   U N L O C K I N G   O U R   P O T E N T I A L

OUR KEY FIGURES

MEASURING 
OUR PERFORMANCE

Sodexo’s Fiscal 2019 operating performance was marked 
by an increase in organic growth.

OUR FINANCIAL KEY FIGURES 

EVOLUTION OF CONSOLIDATED REVENUES 
AND ORGANIC GROWTH

ON-SITE SERVICES REVENUES BY REGION

20,245

20,698 20,407

19,815

21,954

+3.6%

+2.5% +2.5%

+1.9%

+1.6%

NORTH
AMERICA 
45%
9,572 million euro

EUROPE
39%

8,129 
million euro

Fiscal
2015

Fiscal
2016

Fiscal
2017

Fiscal
2018

Fiscal
2019

Group consolidated revenues 
in millions of euro

Organic growth
in percentage

REVENUES BY ACTIVITY AND CLIENT SEGMENT

4%
BENEFITS & REWARDS 
SERVICES

32%
Facilities
Management
services

AFRICA,
ASIA,
AUSTRALIA,
LATIN AMERICA &
MIDDLE EAST
16%
3,366 million euro

UNDERLYING OPERATING PROFIT BEFORE CORPORATE 
EXPENSES & INTRAGROUP ELIMINATION  BY ACTIVITY 
AND CLIENT SEGMENT

21%
BENEFITS & REWARDS
SERVICES

79%
ON-SITE SERVICES*

46%
Business & 
Administrations

20%
Education

96%
ON-SITE
SERVICES*

64%
Foodservices

25%
Healthcare &
 Seniors

21%
Education

55%
Business & 
Administrations

33%
Healthcare &
 Seniors

* 

Including Personal and Home Services.

For more information see Chapter 3 .

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UNDERLYING OPERATING PROFIT 
AND OPERATING MARGIN

SHAREHOLDERS AS OF AUGUST 31, 2019

1,226

1,165

5.9%

6.1%

1,340

6.5%

1,200

1,128

5.5%

5.5%

55.7%
PUBLIC

40.6%
FOREIGN
INSTITUTIONAL
SHAREHOLDERS

Fiscal
2015

Fiscal
2016

Fiscal
2017

Fiscal
2018

Fiscal
2019

Underlying operating profit  
in millions of euro

Operating margin
in percentage

11%
FRENCH
INSTITUTIONAL
SHAREHOLDERS

Source: Nasdaq

42.2%
BELLON SA

1.1%
EMPLOYEES*

1%
TREASURY
SHARES

4.1%
INDIVIDUALS

1

NET DEBT AS A PERCENTAGE OF SHAREHOLDERS’ 
EQUITY* AND CASH CONVERSION

38%

27%

17%

165%

136%

9%

98%

11%

93%

123%

* 

Including  shares resulting from restricted share plans  held in registered 
form by employees and still subject to a lock-up period.

EARNINGS PER SHARE, DIVIDEND PER SHARE AND

PAY-OUT RATIO  

4.60

4.21

4.85

4.40

4.56

2.20

2.40

2.75

2.75

2.90

58%

55%*

50%

50%

48%

Fiscal
2015

Fiscal
2016

Fiscal
2017

Fiscal
2018

Fiscal
2019

Fiscal
2015

Fiscal
2016

Fiscal
2017

Fiscal
2018

Fiscal
2019

Earnings per share 
in euro

Dividend per share 
in euro

Operating profit
in percentage

*  Debt net of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and financial 
assets  related  to  Benefits  &  Rewards  Services  activity,  less  bank 
overdrafts.

*  Dividend subject to approval at the January 21, 2020 Shareholders 

Meeting.

SODEXO SHARE PRICE TREND FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 2018 
THROUGH AUGUST 31, 2019
SODEXO:  +15%  
CAC 40:   +1%

TSR (TOTAL SHAREHOLDER RETURN)

+10.7 % per year over the past five fiscal years

Market price at the end of the period 
– market price at the beginning of the period 
+ dividends paid over the period

Market price at the beginning of the period

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OUR EXTRA-FINANCIAL KEY FIGURES

Adapted to the challenges of today and tomorrow and comprised of nine commitments, Better Tomorrow 
2025 tracks the deployment of our corporate responsibility actions and measures their impact in the 
countries where we operate.

1

 Improve quality of life for our employees, safely

 As the number one France-based private employer worldwide(1) , employing over 470,000 people from diverse backgrounds, 
we are committed to being an employer of choice.

Employees worldwide

END OF YEAR WORKFORCE

422,844 425,594 427,268

… in a safe work environment

460,663 470,237

Also see Chapter 3.2.4.1  .

•  0.86  lost time injury rate for fi scal 2019

Investment in employee development

TRAINING (FISCAL 2019)

•  12.4  average hours of training provided annually per 

employee (excluding Germany and the U.S.A.)

 INTERNAL PROMOTION RATES BY CATEGORY 
(FISCAL 2019)

On-site employees 

On-site managers

Off-site employees  

Off-site managers  

2.2%

8.8%

4.3%

7.6%

Absenteeism

Sodexo’s employees were absent for an average of 8.3 days, due 
to occupational accidents or sickness and/or personal accidents 
or sickness during Fiscal 2019.

Fiscal
2015

Fiscal
2016

Fiscal
2017

Fiscal
2018

Fiscal
2019

Engaged employees

RETENTION RATE

For total workforce

For site managers

81.6%

87.2%

•  69% Employee engagement rate (+1 point)(2)

2

 Ensure a diverse workforce and inclusive culture that refl ects and enriches 
the communities we serve

WORKFORCE BY GENDER AND BY CATEGORY (AS OF AUGUST 31, 2019) 

10
people

60%

20
people

65%

203
people

63%

40%

35%

37%

52,179
people

470,237
people

56%

55%

44%

45%

Bord 
of Directors(a)

Executive
Committee

Group
Managers(b)

Management

Employees

Women

Men

a    Excluding employee representatives     b    Objective: women 40% of  Group Senior Executives

1  2019 Forbes Global 2000  ranking.

2  2018 employee engagement survey sent to 386,262 Sodexo employees of whom 62% responded.

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3

 Foster a culture of environmental 
responsibility within our workforce 
and workspaces

•  97.6%  of  Group  revenues  from  countries  employing 

environmental experts

4

 Provide and encourage our 
consumers to access healthy 
lifestyle choices

•  92.2 % of North America client sites implement actions 
that  proactively  address  Sodexo’s  10  Golden  Rules  of 
Nutrition, Health and Wellness

7

 Fight hunger 
and malnutrition

•  More than 1 million euro invested in programs to 
empower women working to end hunger in their communities

1

•  122,000 volunteers committed
•  1 U.S. dollar given equals 1 U.S. dollar invested in the 

fi ght against hunger.

8

 Drive diversity and inclusion as 
a catalyst for societal change

•  93.8% of Group revenues of countries with initiatives to 

improve the quality of life of women

5

 Promote local development, 
fair, inclusive and sustainable 
business practices

9

 Champion sustainable 
resource usage

•  69.2% of Group revenues of countries working to deliver 

•  95.7 % of spend with contracted suppliers having signed 

on the United Nations’ food waste objective

Sodexo’s Supplier Code of conduct.

•  5.5  billion euro of our business value benefi ting SMEs

6

 Source responsibly and provide 
management services that reduce 
carbon emissions

•  80.3 % of sustainable fi sh and seafood of total of fi sh and 

seafood procured

Source : Sodexo

BETTER TOMORROW 
2025 
OBJECTIVES

For more information, 
see Chapter 3.2. 

Disclosure and Transparency

At Sodexo, we believe that disclosure of fi nancial and sustainability performance information, in a clear, comparable 
and accessible manner, enables consumers, investors, other stakeholders and company management to make informed 
decisions. Since Sodexo’s creation, our financial, social, societal and environmental performance has been publicly 
disclosed through our Universal Registration Document. To ensure transparency, the information and indicators have 
been audited by an independent third party for each of the past seven years.

Sodexo has been the industry leader of the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for the past 15 years and holds Gold Standard 
certifi cation from EcoVadis.

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39

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2

GROWING 
OUR BUSINESS 
RESPONSIBLY

With the size of our potential markets and our leadership in 

multiple domains – including foodservices and facilities management, 

our commitment to social and environmental responsibility, innovation 

and the leveraging of digital technologies – the opportunities for growth 

are considerable. To capture these opportunities, our strategic agenda 

is focused on returning to sustained growth through four pillars: being 

client and consumer centric, enhancing operational effi  ciency, nurturing 

talent and anchoring corporate responsibility in everything we do.

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Being client 
and consumer 
centric
p.42

Enhancing
operational
effi  ciency
p.45

 Empowerment 
a nd 
Accountability  

Nurturing
talent
p.48

Anchoring
corporate
responsibility
p.51

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2   G R O W I N G   O U R   B U S I N E S S   R E S P O N S I B LY 

Being client 
and consumer 
centric

Sodexo has adopted a focused approach to client 

and consumer centricity to achieve its growth and profitability objectives. 

Essential for anticipating the needs of our clients and retaining them, this approach also 

allows us to better understand their markets and to diff erentiate our services from those of 

our competitors. Through constant innovation, the Group develops and refi nes its service 

off ers to respond to consumer expectations and client challenges, whether local or global, 

throughout the world and across all of its segments and activities. The broad range 

of Quality of Life services Sodexo teams deliver to consumers helps clients improve 

their performance, optimize costs, achieve operational effi  ciencies and drive 

employee engagement. From Paris’ premier tourist destination to the most remote 

regions of Australia, Sodexo’s response is the same: 

putting the identifi ed needs of clients and consumers fi rst!

93.3 % 

Sodexo client 
retention rate

100 

million 
consumers served by 
Sodexo teams worldwide 
each day

32% 

of On-site Services revenues 
generated through facilities 
management services

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NEW GASTRONOMICAL OFFERING TO MATCH 
THE IRON LADY’S STATURE

Enhancing the visitor experience at the Eiff el Tower

In partnership with two celebrated chefs and the startup Ubudu(1) , Sodexo is creating a spectacular new culinary experience, 

to delight visitors at one of the world’s most iconic monuments.

Who says you can’t improve on an icon like the Eiff el Tower, which celebrated its 130th anniversary in 2019 and is visited 
by six million people each year?
The Umanis consortium, led by Sodexo, was awarded a new 10-year foodservices contract in 2018 by Société d’Exploitation 
de la Tour Eiff el (SETE). The challenge is daunting: to give visitors a culinary experience that lives up to this undisputed showcase 
of French know-how.

REFRESHING THE VISITOR EXPERIENCE

Sodexo combines its expertise 
in delivering foodservices at 
exceptional venues, partners with 
two Michelin-starred chefs, Frédéric 
Anton and Thierry Marx each aspect 
of the visitor experience, from the 
design of dining areas to the culinary 
off er and a regionally-anchored 
socio-environmental approach.
The objective is clear: to reinvent 
the reception and itinerary for visitors 
that highlights the excellence of French 
cuisine and the quality of Paris regional 
products. The initiative encompasses 
all of the site’s dining off ers: the Jules 
Verne, under the control of Frédéric 
Anton; the Brasserie, managed by 
Thierry Marx; the Bistro; the Champagne 
Bar; and the new Gustave Eiff el lounge, 
catering to business professionals. 
Finally, the carry-out on the Tower’s 
forecourt is enriched with an original 
mobile off er, developed with Ubudu, 
featuring digital ordering and delivery 
of seasonal products by scooters.

Sky-high goals for the next 
10 years:

+35%

 in total revenues

+50%

in the number of consumers 
served each year

AN ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONSIBLE, 

SUSTAINABLE APPROACH

Sodexo’s expertise in eco-responsible 
practices (sustainable purchasing 
charter signed with suppliers, 
minimization of packaging materials) 
led to the design of an ambitious and 
diff erentiating environmental plan, 
reinforced by the personal commitment 
of the partner chefs, both recognized 
for their actions promoting local cuisine 
and low-waste food production.
Sodexo also created the “Artisans  
Guild of the Eiff el Tower,” a network 
of Paris region artisans selected 
for their remarkable know-how and 
their eco-responsible commitment. 
Guild members, selected by a panel 
chaired by Thierry Marx, off er their 
fi nest local and seasonal products 

to the monument’s visitors. This 
original initiative provides another 
opportunity to highlight how the best 
of local expertise contributes 
economically and socially to 
the Tower’s ecosystem.

“I am delighted that the Sodexo-led 
Umanis consortium is supporting 
us in this project, alongside Frédéric 
Anton and Thierry Marx, two iconic 
and talented chefs. Our collective 
ambition is to reinvent the experience 
of visitors to the Tower, making it 
a gastronomic destination in its own 
right and a showcase of culinary 
excellence.”

Patrick Branco Ruivo  
General Manager of the Eiff el Tower 
operating company (SETE)

2

1  Ubudu, a partner of the Umanis Group, off ers operational effi  ciency solutions through a platform combining advanced geo-location technologies.

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2   G R O W I N G   O U R   B U S I N E S S   R E S P O N S I B LY 

REMOTE LIFELINE FOR CONSUMERS AND CLIENTS

Facilitating daily life, MyWay App connects resident communities

On remote sites in Australia, Sodexo’s new app is enhancing quality of life for residents while helping clients ensure a safer, 

more engaging environment.

In an increasingly connected world, feelings of isolation are becoming a thing of the past, even for employees of companies 
operating in some of the world’s most remote locations. Whether they work on an off shore platform or a mine site, residents can 
now access real-time information and services with a few clicks on their mobile phone.

QUALITY OF LIFE AT THE ENDS 

OF THE EARTH

Sodexo conceives MyWay App using a 
consumer-centric design methodology 
to understand user expectations 
and needs. A set of standard and 
customized features facilitates site 
entry, life on site and departure, 
ordering of meals and retail items, 
activity reservations, maintenance 
requests, incident reporting/tracking 
and communication between team 
members.
Users benefi t from information on 
the site’s health and fi tness off erings, 
regular communication on balanced 
eating and Sodexo’s Mindful program, 
which helps them make informed 

choices to achieve their fi tness and 
leisure goals without having to sacrifi ce 
quality or taste.
MyWay App also responds to client 
needs by facilitating dialogue with 
residents and generating valuable data 
on their satisfaction levels. This in turn 
helps pinpoint opportunities to improve 
quality and services that are critical to 
maximizing employee engagement.

MY SAFETY

MyWay App will soon include features to 
enhance safety management. Through 
the app, users will be able to instantly 
report hazards and safety issues and 
upload photos. Site managers will use it 
to send safety alerts and communicate 

other urgent/critical safety messages 
to residents. In the event of severe 
weather, for example, residents will be 
quickly notifi ed of hazardous conditions 
via MyWay App and provide immediate 
feedback on their situation and need 
for help. The app’s locator function will 
enable emergency assistance to be 
rapidly directed to the right location.
Following the 2019 launch at Sodexo 
sites in Australia, MyWay App is 
being rolled out to client sites in more 
countries in Fiscal 2020.

19 

sites in Australia 
where MyWay App 
is deployed

7,453 

people have downloaded 
MyWay App

9,199 

service requests 
from 20% of users

AND ALSO

DIGITAL COMMUNITY

To help clients to better anticipate and respond to their consumers’ needs, Sodexo’s concierge services subsidiary Circles 
launched an innovative digital platform in 2019 called the Digital Community Manager. This platform perfectly satisfi es the 
personal, local and professional needs of consumers. The Digital Community Manager connects users to their organization’s 
community, the local community and the Sodexo community of services and events. Part of a multichannel strategy, the 
platform enlivens daily life of communities by reinforcing a sense of belonging and social responsibility for users, whether for 
employees in a company, students on a campus or seniors in a retirement home.

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Enhancing 
operational 
effi  ciency

2

To reinvigorate growth, efficient execution is key. 

Sodexo has launched initiatives across all of its businesses and segments 

to enhance food and labor productivity and simplify the organization, 

in order to free-up fi nancial capacity to accelerate the launch of new off ers, 

digital solutions and sales and marketing eff orts.

At the heart of the Group’s strategy is the STEP ( Sodexo Targets for Enhanced 

Performance ) framework, designed to drive operational performance at site, 

country, regional and global levels through consistent language and common 

operational indicators. Innovative programs tailored to the specifi c characteristics 

of our business such as I PROMISE for On-site Services or Rydoo for Benefi ts & 

Rewards Services contribute to improving operational effi  ciency.

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DELIVERING ON OUR PROMISE

Continuous improvement initiative in On-site Services

In order to provide an ever more effi  cient response to its clients and consumers, Sodexo is deploying  I PROMISE,  

an innovative digital program that enables site management teams to involve all employees in a process of continuous 

improvement while promoting the exchange of best practices.

Through I PROMISE, site and regional managers implement new processes, tools and innovative solutions that allow them to 
improve their performance and enhance client satisfaction. Also designed to free up time, this approach supports one 
of Sodexo’s strategic objectives: to improve operational effi  ciency.
Site managers collaborate online to share ideas with their peers and use engaging and interactive tools, such as a simulation 
game combining short videos and quizzes to identify good and bad situations on sites and a digital journey with 10 missions 
focusing on operational excellence.

SHIFTING TO HIGHER VALUE-ADDED 

ACTIVITIES

I PROMISE makes it possible to 
ensure conformity of services with 
contractual commitments and to 
determine opportunities for progress 
and associated risks.
Another key objective is the elimination 
of activities that do not add value 
for the client or contribute to Sodexo’s 
profi table growth. By reducing 
the administrative burden, this frees 
managers to focus on innovative 

15 countries 

deployed: Argentina, Brazil, 
Canada, Chile, Colombia, Finland, 
France, India, Ireland, Norway, 
Peru, Spain, Sweden, UK, U.S.

1,300 

sites by the end of Fiscal 2019

+125 

best practices and innovations 
available online through 
INNOV’hub intranet

1.5hr 

Average time savings per week
reported by site managers

approaches that benefi t the client.
The I PROMISE toolkit includes visual 
management tools(1)  to enable the team 
to progress, lean management tools(2)  
to improve productivity, best practices 
sharing and benchmarking with similar 
sites.
I PROMISE is supported by a reward and 
recognition program to motivate Sodexo 
employees to continuously increase 
the value they provide clients and to 
highlight the best innovations.

PROMISING RESULTS 

Following the roll-out of I PROMISE to 
1,300 sites as of the end of Fiscal 2019, 
thousands of action plans had been 
launched and Lean Management tools 
were being deployed. Site managers 
reported freeing up an average of 
90 minutes per week to focus their 
attention on adding value for clients 
and provided highly positive feedback 
on the benefi ts of sharing best 
practices.
A new way of thinking and a reinforced 
culture of continuous improvement is 
taking hold.

“Nestlé needed to make a signifi cant 
step change with how we could deliver 
better value FM and workplace services 
without sacrifi cing the employee 
experience. We knew we needed to 
harness Lean thinking using the scale 
and experience of Sodexo to assist with 
this goal. We believe that I  PROMISE can 
be the tool that delivers that goal by 
promoting operational excellence and 
service innovations.”

Martin Bell  
Global FM Operations Management, 
Nestlé Global Business Services

AND ALSO

PROTECTING OUR PEOPLE

For Sodexo, the health and safety of 
its employees is a fundamental issue 
that requires a process of continuous 
improvement.
To  maintain  health  and  safety 
standards at the highest level, Sodexo 
has put in place a global HSE(3) “Zero 
Harm” program. Sodexo Safety Nets 
are based on a risk prevention approach 
supported by a dynamic risk assess-
ment tool, “3 Checks For Safety.”
Sodexo’s behavior safety program is 
built around four strategic enablers 
of our “Zero Harm” mindset:
•  Leadership: safety depends 
on a culture where everyone 
understands and takes 
responsibility for their own 
health and safety and that of 
their colleagues, clients and 
consumers.

•  Communications & 

Engagement: as the working 
environment and business 
changes, communicating and 
engaging with teams, clients 
and suppliers is increasingly 
important.

•  Training & Competence: 

Everyone must have the right 
training and competencies, 
coupled with the right tools and 
equipment to ensure quality, 
safe and effi  cient services.
•  Compliance & Learning: 
Sodexo has put in place 
mandatory compliance standards. 
Incidents and accidents are 
reported using a global HSE 
tool, Salus. An investigation 
is conducted for any serious 
accident and teams are 
encouraged to identify new and 
more eff ective ways of working.

1  Visual management is a management method that uses visual information to drive objectives.

2  Lean management is a system of work organization and management to improve the quality and profi tability of a company’s production by avoiding 

the waste of its resources.

3  Health, Safety and Environment (HSE): for Sodexo, the scope of HSE includes occupational health and safety, food safety and the environment.

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SIMPLIFYING MANAGEMENT OF BUSINESS TRIPS

Rydoo confi rms its strong growth

Launched in June 2018, Rydoo grew its revenues by 40% in Fiscal 2019 and now has more than 680,000 users in 
62 countries. The business travel and expense management application aims to become one of the world leaders in 
the sector.

Rydoo simplifi es the lives of employees and organizations by off ering a “one-stop-shop” solution combining business travel 
and expense management: thanks to its integrated approach, Rydoo covers all employee needs, whether it is booking travel or 
managing expense reports. Sodexo made the fi rst demonstration through an internal deployment of the SaaS(1)  solution, which 
achieved an average adoption rate of 93% in its fi rst month.

FLEXIBILITY AND CUSTOMIZATION

Rydoo is a unique solution that 
each company can adapt to its 
needs, thanks to its complementary 
modules. The mobile application allows 
employees to manage their business 
expenses from a simple photo or to 
easily book a trip, in accordance with 
the company’s travel policy. This way, 
everyone within the organization can 
focus on what really matters and forget 
about paper expense reports.
Thanks to its centralized payment 
system, employees no longer have 
to advance their travel expenses 
and fi nancial services receives only 
a monthly invoice for all trips made, 
along with a consolidated report.
This complete automation, highly 
appreciated by the Finance Department, 
translates into real savings: Rydoo 
reduces the cost of processing business 
expenses by 87%. 
Financial Departments have an 
accurate visibility on the incurred costs. 
Finally, its business model, based on 
the number of active users, allows 
better control of budgets and off ers 
a scalable solution to organizations.
Rydoo’s success is in line with the 
dynamic business travel market, 
which is expected to approach
30 billion euro in France in 2019 
and reach 1,550 billion euro worldwide 
by 2022.

A CUSTOMER’S EXPERIENCE: 

LAVAZZA UK

Present in more than 90 countries, 
the Italian coff ee leader, Lavazza, 
chose Rydoo to digitize the 
management of the expense reports 
of its UK-based itinerant sales teams. 
Its objective: to replace an aging 
system of forms designed via Excel fi les, 
manually fi lled-in, and to eliminate 

paperwork maintained by employees. 
The mobile solution and the digitization 
of receipts made it easier to analyze 
expenses and track advances. 
The speed and frequency of 
reimbursement of employees has 
increased. Lavazza UK’s IT Department 
appreciated the ease with which Rydoo 
was deployed and quickly adopted by 
users. The feedback from employees 
was also extremely positive, underlining 
the very intuitive use of the solution.

“The huge advantage is that everyone, 
wherever they are, can submit 
their expenses in no time and that 
their approval is just as fast via the 
application. The mobile solution was 
decisive for us in terms of accessibility.”

Mark Mathews  
IT Director, Lavazza UK

40%

Revenue growth in Fiscal 2019

8,200 

clients

680,000 

users

4.4/5 

User satisfaction rate 
(G2 Crowd)
Ranked in the Top 100 B2B 
Software of G2 Crowd, leading 
user testing platform

1  SaaS: Soft  ware as a Service

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Nurturing 
talent

Sodexo’s employees – designers and providers of 

the company’s services to its clients – are central to its offer, 

culture, success and future growth.

To maintain excellence in service quality while ensuring long-term 

profi table growth, Sodexo focuses on three major challenges: reinforcing 

a performance-based culture based on shared priorities and indicators, anticipating 

needs in terms of resources, skills and competencies and off ering training,

 learning and development opportunities at all levels.

Convinced that a safe, motivating and open work environment fosters individual 

commitment and collective performance, the Group is fully committed to diversity 

and inclusion, integrity and the continual reinforcement of health and safety.

Fiscal 2019 initiatives refl ect the company’s commitment to nurturing 

the potential of the talent on which it depends and that will shape its future.

0.86 

Lost time injury rate

 12.4  

Average hours 
of training provided 
annually per employee
(excluding Germany 
and the U.S.A.)

11

Consecutive years in which Sodexo 
has been listed by DiversityInc 
among the Top companies for 
LGBT Employees, for Talent 
Acquisition for Women of Color 
and for Executive Women 

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REINFORCING A PERFORMANCE CULTURE

New compensation policy

Sodexo introduced a new compensation policy for its 60,000 managers in 2019 to better diff erentiate and reward individual 

contributions to the Group’s collective success. The objective: promote the empowerment and accountability indispensable to 

Sodexo ’s growth.

To empower managers and reward them for their contribution to the company’s results, Sodexo bases its compensation on a 
philosophy of paying for performance. The objective is to reward results and to promote behaviors that foster sustainable and 
profi table growth. This policy is based on sharing the collective value created to reward each person’s individual contribution.
Compensation policies and programs are intended to be straightforward and transparent, grounded in globally consistent 
principles and guidelines that are adapted to specifi c local factors. A key focus is empowerment of the line manager.

COMPENSATION COMPONENTS

Base pay is the fi xed part of the 
compensation package which 
compensates employees for the 
sustainable contribution they provide 
to the organization. It is benchmarked 
to enable Sodexo to attract and retain 
required talent and evolves based on 
job profi ciency, skills, behaviors and 
potential.
Short-term incentives include an 
annual variable performance bonus, 
awarded based on the achievement of 
set objectives. Based on a combination 
of individual and collective performance, 
bonuses are intended to compensate 
people for taking smart risks, “walking 
the extra-mile” and achieving 
outstanding performance.
Long-term incentives are provided 
mainly in the form of performance 
shares, granted to a limited number 
of individuals holding positions with a 

signifi cant impact on business results 
and/or demonstrating an outstanding 
engagement and performance over 
time and/or with recognized potential 
and expectations for the future. 
Sodexo’s new compensation policy 
expands the attribution of performance 
shares, previously reserved for senior 
executives, to managers with high 
potential and outstanding performance.

A HOLISTIC APPROACH

Benefi ts, as fl exible as possible to 
match specifi c employee needs, are 
also part of the total reward package 
and a key element of Sodexo’s quality 
of life employer promise. They include 
tangible non-monetary reward elements 
such as health insurance, retirement 
or pension plans, life or disability 
insurance and other benefi ts.
Each reward component is considered 
in terms of the business’s ability to 

27 % 

of performance share 
recipients in 2019 do not hold 
senior management roles

2

fi nance it. Fundamental to an eff ective 
compensation policy is its equity and 
fairness and a recognition that it truly 
results in the diff erentiation of people 
based only on their contribution and 
behaviors.
The objective: engaged, motivated and 
high-performing teams that contribute 
to a results-oriented culture that 
creates value for clients and consumers.

AND ALSO

EMPLOYEE ROLE IN DIGITAL 
TRANSFORMATION RECOGNIZED

Sodexo’s commitment to preparing 
its  employees  to  be  part  of  the 
Group’s digital transformation was 
recognized with a Brandon Hall HCM 
Excellence award. Its global Digital 
Passport  learning  program  was 
designed by employees themselves 
to develop the right mind-set, skills 
and  specialization  to  accelerate 
the  digital  transformation  at  all 
of  the  company’s  operational 
levels.  The  Excellence  Awards 
recognize organizations that have 
successfully deployed transformative 
programs, strategies and processes 
that have contributed to company 
performance.

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DEVELOPING SKILLS, OFFERING OPPORTUNITIES

Foodservices Apprenticeship Training Center launched in France

To address worker and skills shortages in the foodservices industry, Sodexo joined with Accor, The Adecco Group and Korian in 

launching a joint apprenticeship training center in March 2019, to open in 2020. The center will enable people in France with 

few qualifi cations to learn new skills, increasing their employability and providing the business with the resources it needs to 

deliver its services.

The initiative leverages a new law in France facilitating the creation of such centers by companies, alone or in partnership with 
other companies. Sodexo and its partners, all leaders in their market, joined forces to enhance the image of the foodservices 
sector and address labor and skills shortages.
The partners’ shared objectives are to increase the industry’s attractiveness, particularly to young people, by off ering a 
qualifying training path with a twofold objective: to boost employment through skills training targeted to industry needs and to 
contribute to the performance and growth of the partner companies.

TEACHING SOFT SKILLS

In addition to raising awareness 
and the image of foodservices 
professions, the center will allow 
the companies to defi ne the 
educational content and adapt it 
to their needs.
Beyond technical skills, this includes 
imparting knowledge of workplace 
health and safety issues as well as 
developing the soft   skills that are 
critical in consumer-facing jobs, 
such as a sense of service and 
hospitality or empathy as well as 
the ability to work as a team, a topic 
of particular focus.

More than 

11,000 

employees hired 
for foodservices jobs by 
the 4 partner companies 
in 2018

1,000 

participants 
per year in initial training 
through apprenticeship or 
continuing training

THREE PRIORITY AUDIENCES

Apprentices will benefi t from 
the diversity of skills required by 
four diff erent industry sectors and 
innovative teaching methods. 
Scheduled to begin in early 2020, 
the training programs, for both initial 
and continuing education, have 
three goals: to attract young people, 
off er qualifying training courses to 
people that have separated from the 

employment market and promote 
employee development in partner 
companies.

“This center will enable us to defi ne 
the curriculum to respond to our 
business needs, including focusing 
on soft   skills that are essential to 
interactions with consumers.”

Anna  Notarianni  
Sodexo Region Chair, France, 
On-site Services

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2

Anchoring 
corporate 
responsibility

Sodexo’s commitment to corporate responsibility is a source of differentiation 

that drives employee engagement and responds to stakeholder expectations. 

These include rising awareness of the impact of food choices on health, the amount 

of food wasted globally and economic disparity in communities. 

Through its corporate responsibility roadmap, Better Tomorrow 2025, 

the company fosters diversity and inclusion and takes action in a number of areas, 

from developing and advocating healthy and sustainable eating 

choices to sourcing locally and inclusively.

Among its areas of particular focus are two highlighted in this report: 

reducing its carbon footprint and ensuring the waste reduction on sites.

5,121,136

 tons of CO2  
Scope 3 Supply Chain 
carbon emissions 

5.5  

56.2 % 

billion euro  
of Sodexo  business value 
benefi ting SMEs

of total of shell eggs 
purchased by Sodexo are 
cage free shell eggs

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FOOD SHOULD BE EATEN, NOT WASTED

Sodexo extends its leadership in fi ghting food waste

Sodexo is deploying innovative technology at its sites around the world  to achieve its goal of halving food waste and losses 

in  its operations by 2025.

The Group  extended its eff orts to fi ght against food waste by announcing  in May 2019 the deployment of a  data-driven 
food waste prevention program, WasteWatch by Leanpath(1), at 3,000 sites within one year. 
T he Group’s program for preventing food waste incorporates  smart food waste measurement technology which enables 
Sodexo  teams to easily and rapidly capture food waste data and identify what  is being wasted and  why. Teams  are  then able 
to implement  targeted operational and behavioral changes to eliminate avoidable waste  generated by kitchens or disposed  by 
consumers.  On average, the program  has been shown to be eff ective in reducing food waste  by 50% on  the sites on  which 
it has been deployed.

DEPLOYMENT EXAMPLE

In March 2018, a site in Singapore 
implemented  WasteWatch   beginning 
with training sessions for Sodexo 
employees and end users, followed by 
a trial run using the new equipment. 
As  the program was fully implemented, 
initiatives were introduced to reduce 
trim waste during food preparation 
and raise awareness with students to 
reduce post-consumer waste. Daily 
production planning has helped reduce 
food waste from overproduction and 
chefs are contributing new ideas to 
further reduce food waste. WasteWatch 
implementation has helped the client 
meet its sustainability goals and 
generated a strong positive response 
from the team and the surrounding 
school community.

FIGHTING PLASTIC WASTE IN OCEANS

Single-use plastics have traditionally 
been a staple of the Food services 
industry due to their ability to preserve 
food, and so reduce food waste.
At the same time, it pollutes oceans, 
harming marine life wildlife and the 
wider environment. To reduce its 
dependence on plastics, Sodexo has 
implemented innovative packaging 
and recycling solutions that are more 
environmentally friendly - reusable 
materials, bioplastics, organic 
materials. We have committed 
to reducing single-use plastics in 

15 countries that represent around 70% 
of our revenues.

“Our goal is to prevent food waste 
throughout the value chain and 
empower other stakeholders to join 
this eff ort. Collaboration is the most 
eff ective way to reduce food waste but 
it’s also the most challenging.”

Damien Verdier  
Group Chief 
Corporate Responsibility Offi  cer

69.2% 

of Group revenues 
are from countries 
working to deliver on 
the United Nations’ food 
waste objective

1  Leanpath is the global leader in food waste measurement and prevention.

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REDUCING CARBON EMISSIONS

Sodexo collaborates with its clients and suppliers to help them to achieve 
their  sustainability goals

Sodexo has been working with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to measure and reduce the Group’s carbon footprint since 
2010. As part of its Better Tomorrow 2025 roadmap , the Group tracks progress toward achieving its 2025 objective to 
reduce carbon emissions by 34%.
Sodexo has achieved signifi cant carbon emissions reductions in Scope 1 and 2 (direct GHG(1)  emissions from the combustion 
of energy and electricity).  However, there is far greater potential to improve environmental outcomes through the reduction 
of Scope 3 carbon emissions (indirect emissions), which represent most of the Group’s footprint. Sodexo therefore revised its 
methodology to calculate and capture emissions reductions achieved in its supply chain. 
In May 2019, Sodexo submitted its 34% carbon emissions reduction objective for offi  cial validation by the Science-Based 
Target i nitiative (SBTi), in line with the most recent climate data and a warming trajectory limited to +1.5° C. This target was 
validated by the SBTi in July 2019. 

EMISSIONS REDUCTION 

INITIATIVES

In addition to its food waste 
prevention program , Sodexo is 
taking a  number of actions  to reduce 
its  environmental impact,  as well as 
that of its clients and suppliers. 

RESPONSIBLE SOURCING AND LOCAL AND SMALL 
BUSINESS ENGAGEMENT

Today, more than half of Sodexo’s 
carbon emissions come from our supply 
chain, primarily from carbon intensive 
commodities such as beef, dairy, 
palm oil, soy and paper that can drive 
deforestation.

Sodexo places a strong focus on 
supporting local and small businesses 
and suppliers who promote sustainable 
agricultural practices, such as organic 
dairy products supplier, Triballat Noyal, 
which prioritizes use of renewable 
energies and reduces production waste 
through its ambitious recycling policy.

2

Physical certifi ed sustainable 
palm oil represents 

34.7 % 

of the total volume 
purchased by Sodexo

5.5  

billion euro 
 of Sodexo business value 
benefi ting SMEs

1  Greenhouse gas. 

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SUSTAINABLE EATING: PROMOTING 
PLANT-BASED MEAL OPTIONS

92.2 % 

of North America client 
sites implement actions 
that proactively address 
Sodexo’s 10 Golden 
Rules of Nutrition, 
Health and Wellness

 Sodexo is working with Knorr , 
Unilever  and WWF to off er delicious, 
plant-based, environmentally 
sustainable dishes in 5,000 Sodexo 
restaurants in Belgium, the United 
States, France and the United Kingdom.
In August 2019 Sodexo announced 
a  partnership with Impossible Foods 
to  off er their plant-based  burger 
across  1,500 food service sites within 
North America. When com pared 
alongside a traditional meat-based 
burger, the Impossible Burger™ used 
96% less land, 87% less water and 
89%  less GHG emissions.

“Joining forces with chefs and the 
food industry is an important step 
to changing the way we produce and 
consume food, moving away from an 
over-reliance on carbon heavy foods 
towards more plant-based diets.”

Sarah Halevy  
WWF Sustainable Diet Manager

SUPPORTING A SHIFT TO INNOVATIVE 
ENERGY SOLUTIONS THROUGH CREDIBLE 
MANAGEMENT EXPERTISE 

Sodexo’s energy management experts 
help clients increase their effi  ciency, 
reducing energy consumption and costs 
while achieving sustainability goals. 
Sodexo off ers a global holistic energy 
service which covers energy strategy, 
compliance, procurement, monitoring 
and technologies which drive effi  ciency. 
Sodexo’s energy solutions help many 
clients achieve six-fi gure annual energy 
cost savings and attractive return on 
investment. 

“By working collaboratively 
and embracing Sodexo values, 
we’ve been able to explore and 
implement innovations to help 
benefi t the facility’s sustainability 
now and in the future.” 

Gary Brown  
Energy Manager  
Manchester University NHS Foundation 
Trust  

47%

62%

91.1%

reduction in carbon  emissions 
(compared to 2011 baseline) 
absolute, for scopes 1 and 2 

reduction in carbon emissions 
(compared to 2011 baseline) 
intensity, for scopes 1 and 2

of Group revenues 
of countries hold one or more 
ISO 14001 certifi cations

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3

CONSOLIDATED 
INFORMATION

3.1 

Fiscal 2019 Activity Report 

3.1.1  Fiscal 2019 year highlights 

3.1.2  Fiscal 2019 performance 

3.1.3  Consolidated fi nancial position 

3.2 

Extra-financial reporting 

3.2.1  470,000 employees serving clients 

and consumers 

3.2.2  Engaged talents 

3.2.3 

Investment in talent development 

3.2.4  Flexible organization, respectful of 
employees, off ering good working 
conditions 

3.2.5  Running business with integrity and 

respect for human rights wherever 
Sodexo operates 

3.2.6  Our commitments as a service provider 

56

56

58

66

69

69

71

72

73

74

75

3.2.7  Our commitments as a corporate citizen  77

3.2.8  Our reporting methodology 

79

3.2.9  Report by one of the Statutory 

Auditors appointed as an 
independent third party, on 
the consolidated non-fi nancial 
performance statement in the 
Management Report 

3.3 

Consolidated financial 
statements as of August 31, 2019 

3.3.1  Consolidated income statement 

3.3.2  Consolidated statement 

of comprehensive income 

3.3.3  Consolidated statement 

of fi nancial position 

3.3.4  Consolidated cash fl ow statement 

3.3.5  Consolidated statement of changes in 

shareholders’ equity 

3.4 

Notes to the consolidated 
financial statements 

86

86

87

88

90

91

93

3.5 

Statutory Auditors’ Report 
on the consolidated financial 
statements 

144

3.6 

Supplemental Information and 
condensed Group organization chart  150

3.6.1  Financial ratios 

3.6.2  Two-year fi nancial summary 

3.6.3  Exchange rates 

3.6.4 

Investment policy 

150

151

152

153

154

81

3.6.5  Condensed Group organization chart 

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C O N S O L I D A T E D   I N F O R M A T I O N

3 F i s c a l   2 0 1 9   A c t i v i t y   R e p o r t

3.1  FISCAL 2019 ACTIVITY REPORT

3.1.1  Fiscal 2019 year highlights

3.1.1.1  Financial results

•  Organic  revenue  growth  for  the  year,  at  +3.6%,  is  above 
the  original  guidance  range  of  +2  to  +3%  given  in 
November 2018 and the revised guidance of “around +3%” 
in July 2019. The underlying operating profi t margin was in 
line with our comments in July and at the lower end of the 
original guidance range (5.5% to 5.7%, excluding currency 
impact) at 5.5%.

•  Other operating income and expenses reached 141 million 
euro,  compared  to  131  million  euro  the  previous  year. 
Restructuring costs amounted to 46 million euro in Fiscal 2019 
compared to 42 million euro in Fiscal 2018. Lower acquisition 
costs and higher gains on the sale of assets nearly off set higher 
amortization and depreciation of acquired intangible assets.

•  Reported net profi t was 665 million euro, up +2.2%. Basic 
EPS was 4.56 euro up +3.6%, helped by a lower average share 
count following the share buy-back program in Fiscal 2018.

•  On-site  Services  organic  revenue  growth  of  +3.3%  has 
signifi cantly improved relative to previous years, refl ecting:

•  Underlying Net profit totaled 765 million euro, up +8.3%, 

with underlying EPS at 5.25 euro, up +10.1%.

•  a return to growth in revenue in North America, at +1.8% 
for the full year, and sustained growth of +4.6% in all 
other regions;

•  mixed performance on key indicators:

 –

client retention rate has decreased 50 basis points  to 
93.3% due to losses in Healthcare in the second half. 
Excluding the one large contract exited, retention was 
up 10 bps. All other regions and segments are stable or 
improved;

 – new sales development was down 50 basis points  to 6.3%, 

due to stricter selectivity in the bidding process;

 –

same site sales growth was +3.1%, up from +2.6% in 
Fiscal 2018, reflecting a combination of more inflation 
pass-through, solid cross-selling, offset somewhat by 
a net negative impact from IFRS 15 implementation of 
about 20 basis points ;

 – with the award of the Summer 2020 Olympics hospitality 
contract,  the  two  major  sports  events  in  Japan  (the 
Rugby World Cup and the Olympics) should contribute 
approximately 100 basis points  of comparable site growth 
for Fiscal 2020.

•  Benefits & Rewards Services organic revenue growth was 
+8.5%, well balanced between Europe, Asia and USA at +8.6% 
and Latin America at +8.3%.

•  The underlying operating margin was stable at 5.5% as 
published and excluding the currency impact. Productivity 
gains compensated investments in growth.

•  The dividend to be proposed at the Shareholders Meeting 
on January 21, 2020, is 2.90 euro, up +5.5% on the previous 
year, compared to an EPS up +3.6%. As a result, the pay-out 
is at 64%, or 55% relative to Underlying EPS.

•  Free cash flow reached 907 million euro, representing a 
strong performance following an exceptional performance in 
Fiscal 2018 at 1,076 million euro(1)  and despite a signifi cant 
increase in net capex at 415 million, or 1.9% of revenues, 
against 298 million euro in the previous year. As a result, cash 
conversion remained high at 136% vs 165% in Fiscal 2018.

•  After  taking  into  account  acquisitions  and  dividends, 
consolidated net debt at the end of the period was down 
slightly to 1,213 million euro compared to 1,260 million euro 
at August 31, 2018. As a result, the Group’s fi nancial position 
remained strong, with a net debt ratio at 0.9, just below the 
target level of 1-2.

•  Acquisitions, net of disposals, amounted to 301 million 

euro for the year, including:

• 

• 

• 

i n   O n - s i t e   F o o d   s e r v i c e s ,   N o v a e   a n d   A l l i a n c e   i n 
Partnership, strengthening the Group’s presence in high 
end Corporate Services in Switzerland and public-sector 
Education in the United Kingdom;

in  Homecare,  several  companies,  strengthening  the 
Group’s  positions  in  North  America,  France,  and  the 
United Kingdom, and entering  Brazil,  the Nordics market 
and Asia;

in Childcare, with the acquisition of Crèches de France, 
doubling our presence in the French market and entering 
the German market with Elly & Stoffl  ;

1  Including a tax reimbursement and related interest for a total of 51 million euro.

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•  during the year, the Group also acquired minority stakes 
in the digital/tech companies Meican in China and Zeta in 
India, which were already providing On-site and Benefi ts 
& Rewards operations with technology platforms in their 
home countries. The strategy is to deploy these platforms 
in other countries around the world.

•  Sodexo’s  engagement  in  Corporate  Responsibility 
continues to be recognized within the investment community, 
by remaining the top-rated company in its sector within the 
Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) for the 15th consecutive 
year, and the highest marks in SAMs “Sustainability Yearbook” 
for the 12th consecutive year in 2019 .

3.1.1.2  Evolution in Governance 

At the next Shareholders Meeting, on the recommendation of the 
Nominating Committee, the Board will propose, as independent 
directors:

•  the following appointments:

•  Véronique  Laury,  the  former  Chief  Executive  Officer 
of  Kingfisher,  a  UK  retail  FTSE100  company,  with  the 
Castorama and B&Q brands. She will bring to the Board 
her  strong  consumer  knowledge,  as  well  as  sales  and 
marketing expertise in a B to C environment; 

•  Luc Messier has both Canadian and American citizenships. 
He  will  bring  significant  international  operational 
experience,  notably  in  the  energy  sector,  through 
executive management positions held with large French 
and American multinational companies (ConocoPhilips, 
Technip, Bouygues, Pomerleau);

•  the following reappointments:

•  Sophie Stabile, notably for her experience in operations 
and fi nance in the services sector as well as her expertise 
in mergers and acquisitions; 

•  Cécile Tandeau de Marsac, notably for her experience in 
marketing and in human resources in an international 
group undergoing signifi cant organizational changes.

In  addition,  the  Board  offers  its  sincere  thanks  for  their 
tremendous contributions to the Board to:

•  Robert  Baconnier,  whose  mandate  expires  at  the  Annual 
Shareholders Meeting to be held on January 21, 2020, and 
who has announced his intention to retire as director, which 
he has been since February 8, 2005;

•  Astrid Bellon who has expressed her wish to no longer be a 
Board director from January 21, 2020, which she has been 
since July 26, 1989, to fully devote herself to her role on the 
Orientation Committee of the Pierre Bellon Foundation as 
well as to her personal projects.

Should  these  appointments  and  renewals  be  approved  by 
shareholders at the General Meeting on January 21, 2020, the 
Board would be composed of 12 members, including 2 employee 
representatives. Amongst the 10 named by the Assembly , 7 are 
independent, 6 are female and the average age is 55 years old.

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3.1.1.3  Focus on Growth

3

The Group’s strategic agenda Focus on Growth has oriented 
the actions to generate productivity, by enhancing operational 
effi  ciency, to free up the means to continue to invest in growth 
by being more client and consumer centric. There has been a 
focused effort to put food back into the heart of everything 
we  do.  We  are  reinforcing  discipline  into  our  organization, 
by  nurturing  talent  with  new  training,  a  new  performance 
development framework Aspire, and considerable management 
changes, particularly in North America.

Anchoring  corporate  responsibility  is  exemplified  by  the 
launch in Fiscal 2019 of a global focus on food waste, with the 
program Waste Watch, powered by Leanpath, to be deployed in 
3,000 sites by the end of Fiscal 2020.

The  STEP  project,  Sodexo’s  performance  management 
framework, is expected to focus management on the operational 
KPIs.  The  deployment  is  progressing  in  line  with  plan.  The 
standardized cloud-based dashboard including 21 operational 
KPIs, with cost of worked hour, spend per consumer or food costs 
for example, went live in September 2019, for certain segments, 
in six countries and is expected to be available on 7,500 sites by 
February 2020.

3.1.1.4  Enhanced discipline across 

the Group

The reignition of growth in Fiscal 2019 has been accompanied by 
signs of greater  discipline in the organization.

This is demonstrated by the following elements:

•  our Lost time injury rate (LTIR) has continued to improve, 

down 11.1 % in Fiscal 2019, to reach 0.86;

•  while revenue retention was at 93.3%, due in particular to the 
exit of one large contract in Healthcare, gross profi t retention 
was higher at 95%;

•  the gross profi t margin of new contracts signed during the 
year was 20 basis points  higher in Fiscal 2019 than in the 
previous year;

• 

in Corporate Services, the share of local contracts in the sales 
pipeline represented 80%. These smaller, local contracts 
ramp-up  faster  and  can  offset  the  impact  of  the  larger 
startups, which ramp-up more slowly.

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3.1.1.5  Growth investments fi nanced by productivity

In line with the strategic agenda, productivity gains are being 
achieved. On-site, clear signs of better control of food costs 
and labor management are coming through, although some of 
this has been off set by continued wage infl ation, particularly 
in North America. Off -site, the results of the Fit for the Future 
program to streamline, standardize and mutualize SG&A costs 
are also helping to reduce costs.

This productivity has been reinvested back into the business. 
The  key  focus  has  been  to  accelerate  growth,  not  just  on  a 
short-term basis, but also on a medium and long-term basis. 
The  increase  in  investments  in  Onsite  Services  has  been 
directed towards widening and improving the  digital offers, 
data management, IT upgrade, improving and digitalizing sales 
and marketing. In Benefits & Rewards, the focus has been on 
transforming the organization with a new sales model, digital 
marketing, data management optimization, innovative payment 
solutions, enhancing the platforms and infrastructures for the 
digital solutions of the traditional benefi ts business.

3.1.2  Fiscal 2019 performance

3.1.2.1  Consolidated income statement

(in millions of euro)

Revenue

Organic growth

UNDERLYING OPERATING PROFIT

UNDERLYING OPERATING PROFIT MARGIN

Other operating expenses

Operating profit

Net financial expense

Effective tax rate

GROUP NET PROFIT

EPS (in euro)

UNDERLYING NET PROFIT

Underlying EPS (in euro)

FISCAL 2019 
(ENDED 
AUGUST 31, 2019)

FISCAL 2018 
(ENDED 
AUGUST 31, 2018)

DIFFERENCE

DIFFERENCE 
AT CONSTANT 
RATES

21,954

+3.6%

1,200

5.5%

(141)

1,059

(100)

20,407

+7.6%

+6.2%

+1.6%

1,128

5.5%

(131)

997

(90)

+6.4%

+6.0%

=

=

+6.2%

+5.8%

29.0%

27.1%

665

4.56

765

5.25

651

4.40

706

4.77

+2.2%

+3.6%

+8.3%

+10.1%

+1.7%

+7.8%

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3.1.2.2  Currency eff ect

Exchange rate fl uctuations do not generate operational risks, 
because  each  subsidiary  bills  its  revenues  and  incurs  its 
expenses in the same currency. However, given the weight of the 
Benefi t & Rewards business in Brazil, and the high level of the 
margins relative to the Group, when the Brazilian Real declines 

against the euro, it has a negative effect on the underlying 
operating  margin  due  to  a  change  in  the  mix  of  margins. 
Conversely, when the Brazilian Real improves, Group margins 
increase.

€1=

U.S. dollar

Pound sterling

Brazilian real

AVERAGE RATE 
FISCAL 2019

AVERAGE RATE 
FISCAL 2018

AVERAGE RATE 
FISCAL 2019 VS. 
FISCAL 2018

CLOSING RATE 
FISCAL 2019 AT 
08/31/2019

CLOSING RATE 
FISCAL 2018 AT  
08/31/2018

CLOSING RATE 
08/31/2019 VS. 
08/31/2018

1.134

0.885

4.384

1.193

0.884

4.075

+5.2%

-0.1%

-7.0%

1.104

0.906

4.588

1.165

0.897

4.859

+5.6%

-0.9%

+5.9%

Sodexo operates in 67 countries. The percentage of total revenues and underlying operating profi t denominated in the main currencies 
are as follows: 

(FISCAL 2019)

U.S. dollar

Euro

UK pound sterling

Brazilian real

% OF REVENUES

% OF UNDERLYING 
OPERATING PROFIT

42%

25%

9%

5%

48%

3%

10%

20%

3

The  currency  effect  is  determined  by  applying  the  previous 
year’s average exchange rates to the current year fi gures except 
in hyper-infl ationary economies where all fi gures are converted 
at the latest closing rate for both periods when the impact is 
signifi cant.

As a result, for the calculation of organic growth of the On-site 
Services activities in Argentina, Peso fi gures for Fiscal 2019 and 
Fiscal 2018 have been converted at the exchange rate of 1 euro = 
63.975 ARS vs 44.302 ARS for Fiscal 2018.

Starting  Fiscal  2019  Venezuela  is  accounted  for  using  the 
equity method. Consequently, Venezuela is no longer included 
in revenue.

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3.1.2.3  Revenues

REVENUES BY ACTIVITY

REVENUES BY SEGMENT
(in millions of euro)

FISCAL 2019

FISCAL 2018

RESTATED 
ORGANIC 
GROWTH

ORGANIC 
GROWTH

EXTERNAL 
GROWTH

CURRENCY 
EFFECT

TOTAL GROWTH

Business & Administrations

11,577

10,938

+3.5%

+1.9%

+3.5%

+0.4%

+5.8%

Healthcare & Seniors

Education

5,210

4,280

4,768

3,855

+2.1%

+4.6%

+5.5%

+1.0%

+2.8%

+9.3%

+4.7%

+2.5%

+3.9%

+11.0%

ON-SITE SERVICES

21,067

19,561

+3.3%

+3.3%

+2.7%

+1.7%

+7.7%

BENEFITS & REWARDS 
SERVICES

Elimination

892

( 4)

850

+8.5%

+8.5%

+0.1%

-3.7%

+4.9%

( 4)

TOTAL GROUP 

21,954

20,407

+3.6%

+3.6%

+2.6%

+1.5%

+7.6%

Fiscal 2019 consolidated revenues totaled 22 billion euro, up 
+7.6% year-on-year. This growth is the result of organic growth 
of +3.6%, a contribution from acquisitions of +2.6%, with in 
particular the full year impact of the Centerplate acquisition, 
and positive currency movements  for +1.5%,  helped by the 
strength of the U.S. dollar more than off setting the weakness in 
the Brazilian Real.

On-site Services

On-site  Services  organic  revenue  growth  was  +3.3%  in 
Fiscal 2019, the highest rate of growth achieved in the last 
seven   years.  All  regions  and  segments  contributed  to  this 
growth.

The Fiscal 2019 KPIs were mixed: net new business was neutral 
with  Development  at  6.3%,  compensating  for  Retention  at 
93.3%. Comparable site sales growth was strong at +3.1%.

DEVELOPMENT STRONG IN MOST REGIONS

 At  6.3%,  the  development  rate  was  down  50  basis  points . 
This reflects a more active selection process to identify the 
contracts  where  the  Group  believes  it  can  add  value  to  the 
client while generating good margins. The Corporate Services 
strategy to improve the mix of signatures between large global 
accounts which ramp-up over years and small local accounts 
which ramp-up rapidly is also having an impact. In Healthcare, 
the  new  management  team  is  regenerating  the  pipeline.  In 
Sports & Leisure, as expected, development was low, due to the 
successful and substantial renewals program in North America 
which mobilized the teams. All other regions and segments 
have improved their development rates and Sodexo was chosen 
recently to manage hospitality for the 2020 Summer Olympics 
in  Japan.  The  contribution  of  the  Rugby  World  Cup  and  the 
Olympics will add around 100 basis points  to comparable unit 
growth in Fiscal 2020.

CLIENT RETENTION IMPACTED BY A LARGE HEALTHCARE 
CONTRACT EXIT IN NORTH AMERICA

SOLID COMPARABLE SITE SALES GROWTH

Retention  was  93.3%  in  Fiscal  2019,  down  50  basis  points  
relative  to  Fiscal  2018.  Excluding  a  large  contract  exit  in 
Healthcare North America, where profi tability was inadequate, 
retention would have been up 10 basis points (bps). This large 
contract will terminate in the fi rst quarter of Fiscal 2020.

Comparable site sales growth of +3. 1% is up 50 basis points  
relative  to  Fiscal  2018,  reflecting  a  combination  of  more 
infl ation pass-through and solid cross-selling, off set somewhat 
by a net negative impact from the IFRS 15 implementation of 
about 20 basis points .

The primary focus of the new Healthcare management team 
in  North  America  is  to  return  to  operational  excellence  on 
existing contracts and improving productivity, and where this is 
impossible closing the contract.

In Fiscal 2019, Food services organic growth improved, while 
non-food services continue to perform well with high single-digit 
growth. Non-food services represent 34% of On-site Services 
revenue.

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ON-SITE SERVICES REVENUES BY REGION

REVENUES BY REGION
(in millions of euro)

North America

Europe

Africa, Asia, Australia, Latam, Middle East

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FISCAL 2019

FISCAL 2018

RESTATED ORGANIC 
GROWTH

9,572

8,129

3,366

8,707

7,690

3,163

+1.8%

+3.2%

+7.9%

ONSITE SERVICES TOTAL

21,067

19,561

+3.3%

Outside North America, representing 55% of On-site Services revenue, organic growth was +4.6%.

Brexit

In June 2016, the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union. Sodexo has been present in the United 
Kingdom since 1988 and has around 35,000 employees there today. The Group’s business should not be materially 
impacted by the United Kingdom leaving the European Union. The Group is a local player, working with local suppliers 
and employees, and very oft  en for Government authorities and Government services. Action plans have been put in 
place to limit the impact of a hard or no deal Brexit on food prices and availability. We have noticed a slowdown in 
new business opportunities even though same site sales growth and client retention remain solid. Of course, growth 
in activity will remain dependent upon growth in GDP and employment in the country.

Business & Administrations

REVENUES

REVENUES BY REGION
(in millions of euro)

North America

Europe

Africa, Asia, Australia, Latam, Middle East

3

FISCAL 2019

FISCAL 2018

RESTATED ORGANIC 
GROWTH

3,263

5,371

2,942

2,822

5,313

2,804

+1.9%

+2.5%

+6.8%

BUSINESS & ADMINISTRATIONS TOTAL

11,577

10,938

+3.5%

Fiscal 2019 Business & Administrations revenues totaled 11.6 
billion euro, with organic growth of +3.5%.

In North America organic growth was up +1.9% reflecting 
strong growth in Corporate Services, driven by same site sales 
growth, new contracts and solid retention, compensating weaker 
organic growth in other segments. Government & Agencies same 
site sales growth was impacted negatively by the renewal of the 
U.S. Marines Corp contract, although the trend is improving 
progressively quarter by quarter, as the new contract ramps 
 up. In Sports & Leisure, organic growth was negative due to the 
exit of some less profi table contracts. The very substantial and 
successful contract renewal program this year mobilized the 
sales teams, resulting in low levels of new development. Energy 
& Resources remains volatile, quarter by quarter, and impacted 
by a tough comparable base in the fi rst quarter due to a large 
one-off  project in Fiscal 2018.

In Europe, sales were up +2.5% organically. Corporate Services 
continued to generate solid growth due to cross-selling, an easier 
comparative base in Benelux, and strong growth in southern 
and eastern Europe. Summer tourism in Paris was better than 
expected  partially  compensating  a  contract  loss  in  France. 
Government & Agencies improved quarter by quarter during the 
year . Energy & Resources turned positive in the second half.

In  Africa,  Asia,  Australia,  Latin  America,  Middle  East 
organic revenue growth remains strong at +6.8% for the year, 
refl ecting strong growth in same site sales and new business 
in Corporate Services in all regions, progressive improvement 
quarter  by  quarter  in  Energy  &  Resources  growth,  and  a 
successful Pan-American Games in August in Peru.

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Healthcare & Seniors

REVENUES BY REGION
(in millions of euro)

North America

Europe

Africa, Asia, Australia, Latam, Middle East

HEALTHCARE & SENIORS TOTAL

FISCAL 2019

FISCAL 2018

RESTATED ORGANIC 
GROWTH

3,211

1,678

321

5,210

3,001

1,493

+1.5%

+0.9%

274

+17.4%

4,768

+2.1%

Healthcare & Seniors revenues amounted to 5.2 billion euro, 
up +2.1% organically.

In North America, organic growth was +1.5%. The renewed 
management  team  is  focused  on  improving  execution  and 
productivity,  generating  more  cross-selling  on  existing 
contracts, passing through infl ation and putting more discipline 
into the sales process. Retention was impacted this year due 
to the loss of several contracts and one large contract exit for 
which profi tability has been an issue. These contracts started 
to fall out of revenues in the fourth quarter but will continue 
to do so in the fi rst half of Fiscal 2020. Development has also 
been slow due to a much more selective process, impacting the 
pipeline of opportunities. However, the contracts signed are more 
robust. Seniors organic growth improved progressively quarter 
by quarter, after the loss of a significant contract in the first 
quarter.

In Europe, organic growth was +0.9%. The slow market dynamic 
in both Hospitals and Seniors and the resulting negative net 
new business in most countries has hampered growth. On the 
other hand, same site sales growth was strong, particularly in 
northern Europe. The pipeline is showing signs of improvement, 
particularly in the UK.

In Africa, Asia, Australia, Latin America, Middle East organic 
revenue growth has remained strong all year, at +17.4% despite 
the  comparable  base  becoming  more  and  more  challenging 
quarter aft  er quarter. The growth refl ects new contract startups 
in Brazil and Asia, as clients seek to benefi t from the transfer of 
the Group’s expertise, and particularly strong same site sales 
growth across the regions. The development rate has slowed 
down slightly during the year but remains well over the average 
for the segment.

Education

REVENUES BY REGION
(in millions of euro)

North America

Europe

Africa, Asia, Australia, Latam, Middle East

EDUCATION TOTAL

FISCAL 2019

FISCAL 2018

ORGANIC GROWTH

3,098

1,079

102

4,280

2,884

+2.2%

885

86

+12.0%

+12.3%

3,855

+4.7%

Revenues  in  Education  were  4.3  billion  euro,  up  +4.7% 
organically.

North America was up +2.2%, or +3.6% excluding the IFRS 15 
impact(1). While net new business from last year was neutral, 
same  site  sales  growth  has  been  solid,  helped  by  inflation 
pass-through, some impact from extra working days, and solid 
summer  works.  The  selling  season  in  Fiscal  2019  remained 
broadly neutral, with higher retention but lower development.

In Europe, organic growth was +12%. This strong performance 
is driven by solid prior year contract wins in the UK and the 
startup in January of the new School contract in the Yvelines 
department, the biggest School contract ever signed in France, 
combining both food and facilities management services.

In Africa, Asia, Australia, Latin America, and the Middle 
East,  organic  growth  was  +12.3%,  despite  an  ever  higher 
comparable base, resulting from the opening of several new 
School and University contracts in China, Singapore and India.

1  First time implementation of IFRS 15 in Fiscal 2019 has had a negative impact of 20 basis points  on Fiscal 2019 Group organic growth. However, this is made 

up of a signifi cant impact in Education in North America and a lesser positive impact disseminated broadly around the other segments and regions.

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Benefi ts & Rewards Services

Benefits & Rewards Services revenue amounted to 892 million 
euro, up +4.9%. Currencies had a negative impact of -3.7%, 
due principally to the weakness of the Brazilian real and the 
Turkish lira. The scope change was negligible. Organic growth 

in revenues was strong at +8.5%, with a very strong fi rst nine 
months, and then a slowing down against a higher comparable 
base in the fourth quarter.

REVENUES BY ACTIVITY
(in millions of euro)

Employee benefits

Diversification services*

BENEFITS & REWARDS SERVICES

* 

Including Incentive & Recognition, Mobility & Expenses and Public Benefits.

FISCAL 2019

FISCAL 2018

ORGANIC GROWTH

709

183

892

677

173

850

+9.4%

+5.0%

+8.5%

 Employee  Benefit  revenues  were  up  +9.4%  organically, 
compared  to  organic  growth  in  issue  volume  (13.5  billion 
euro) of +7.1%. In Brazil, growth was strong in the first half, 
slowing down in the second due to the strong comparable base 
and economic environment which became progressively more 
diffi  cult. Growth was strong in Europe.

Services  Diversification  was  up  +5%  organically,  or 
+18.7% excluding some portfolio rationalization in Incentive 
& Recognition, resulting from strong double-digit growth in 
Mobility & Expense and rapid development in Corporate Health 
& Wellness off ers.

 REVENUES BY NATURE
(in millions of euro)

Operating Revenues

Financial Revenues

BENEFITS & REWARDS SERVICES

3

FISCAL 2019

FISCAL 2018

ORGANIC GROWTH

818

74

892

777

73

850

+8.4%

+9.1%

+8.5%

Operating  revenues  were  up +8.4%,  with  solid  growth  in 
western Europe, double digit growth in eastern and southern 
Europe and strong growth in Latin America. 

Financial revenues were up +9.1% as a result of continued 
volume growth across the regions this year and an increase in 

interest rates in Turkey, Czech Republic and Romania, where 
we also had an exceptionally high float due to exceptionally 
high issuance at the end of the previous fiscal year. Growth 
was slower in the fourth quarter due to the decline in Brazilian 
interest rates. 

REVENUES BY REGION
(in millions of euro)

Europe, Asia and USA

Latin America

BENEFITS & REWARDS SERVICES

FISCAL 2019

FISCAL 2018

ORGANIC GROWTH

508

384

892

473

377

850

+8.6%

+8.3%

+8.5%

In Europe , Asia and USA, organic growth in revenues remains 
strong at +8.6%. This performance is due to a solid performance 
in western Europe, double-digit growth in eastern and southern 
Europe, and Turkey. Rydoo, the end-to-end travel and expense 
management  system  is  growing  very  strongly  as  are  the 
Corporate Health &  Wellness off ers.

Organic growth in Latin America was +8.3% refl ects strong 
growth in activity in the fi rst half of the year, following on from 
the strong pick-up in Brazil in the third quarter of Fiscal 2018. 
Growth slowed down in the fourth quarter due to the higher 
comparable base. Momentum in Mexico remained good and 
growth in Chile was strong.

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3.1.2.4  Underlying operating profi t

Fiscal 2019 Underlying operating profi t amounted to 1.2 billion 
euro, up +6.4%, or +6% excluding the currency eff ect. Underlying 
operating margin was 5.5%, stable relative to the previous year, 
on current and constant exchange rates. The On-site Services 

margin was stable at 5% and the Benefi ts & Rewards Services 
margin at 31% was up 20 basis points , or +110 basis points , 
excluding  the  currency  mix  effect  of  the  weakness  of  the 
Brazilian Real. 

(in millions of euro)

Business & Administrations

Healthcare & Seniors

Education

On-site Services

UNDERLYING 
OPERATING 
PROFIT
FISCAL 2019

DIFFERENCE

DIFFERENCE 
(EXCLUDING 
CURRENCY 
EFFECT)

UNDERLYING 
OPERATING 
PROFIT MARGIN
FISCAL 2019

DIFFERENCE 
MARGIN

DIFFERENCE 
IN MARGIN 
(EXCLUDING 
CURRENCY MIX 
EFFECT)

487

342

220

+8.0%

+7.1%

4.2%

+0 bps

+0 bps

+9.6%

+6.3%

6.6%

+30 bps

+20 bps

-1,4%

-5.7%

5.1%

-70 bps

-70 bps

1,049

+6.4%

+3.9%

5.0%

+0 bps

+0 bps

Benefits & Rewards Services

276

+5.7%

+12.7%

31.0%

+20 bps

+110 bps

Corporate expenses & Intragroup eliminations

(126)

-4.7%

-4.1%

UNDERLYING OPERATING PROFIT

1,200

+6.4%

+6.0%

5.5%

+ 0 bps 

+0 bps 

In On-site Services, underlying operating profi t was up 6.4%, 
or 3.9% excluding the currency impact. Margin was stable. The 
performance by segment, excluding the currency eff ect, is as 
follows:

•  Business & Administrations Underlying operating profit 
increased by +7.1% and the operating margin was stable at 
4.2%. As expected the productivity generated by the business 
during the year was reinjected into more sales, marketing, 
digital spend, new offers to accelerate growth. The timing 
differences  between  investments  and  productivity  gains, 
visible in the fi rst half fi gures, were covered as expected, helped 
by some client renegotiations to establish better levels of 
profi tability in some of the larger contracts started up recently, 
and in particular for the U.S. Marine Corps contract (USMC);

• 

in Healthcare & Seniors the increase in Underlying operating 
profit  and  margin  was  respectively  +6.3%  and  +20  basis 
points , reflecting the enhanced discipline of the new team, 
particularly in North America. Productivity is improving due to 
the introduction of new systems to better manage staffi  ng and 
food costs and generally, more rigorous management of the 
STEP operational KPIs. Infl ation is covered by price increases;

• 

in  Education,  underlying  operating  profit  fell  by  -5.7% 
and the margin by -70 basis points  due to previous year 
churn,  particularly  in  North  America  and  the  startup  of 

many new contracts. The first half was also impacted by 
strikes in France. North American wage infl ation has been 
passed through. However, wage inflation has continued in 
Fiscal 2019, absorbing most of the productivity achieved 
during the year.

In Benefits & Rewards Services, underlying operating profi t 
and margin were up respectively +12.7% and +110 basis points , 
excluding currency impacts. This is due to the strong recovery 
in volumes and a relative stabilization of interest rates in Brazil, 
despite weakness in the last quarter. Investments are continuing, 
to implement the digital transformation of the organization.

3.1.2.5  Group net profi t

Other  operating  income  and  expenses  were  141  million 
euro versus 131 million euro in the previous year. Restructuring 
costs reached 46 million euro compared to 42 million euro in 
the  previous  year.  While  amortization  and  depreciation  of 
acquired intangible assets were up against the previous year 
linked  principally  to  the  ongoing  effects  of  the  Centerplate 
acquisition and some intangibles impairment, this was nearly 
compensated by lower acquisition costs and net gains from the 
sale of subsidiaries, linked to the exit of some countries.

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(in millions of euro)

OTHER OPERATING INCOME

Gains related to consolidation scope changes

Gains on changes of post-employment benefits

Other

OTHER OPERATING EXPENSES

Restructuring and rationalization costs

Acquisition-related costs

Losses related to consolidation scope changes

Losses on changes of post-employment benefits

Amortization and impairment of acquired intangible assets

Impairment of non-current assets

Other

C O N S O L I D A T E D   I N F O R M A T I O N

F i s c a l   2 0 1 9   A c t i v i t y   R e p o r t

FISCAL 2019

FISCAL 2018

11

9

1

1

10

3

-

7

(152)

(141)

(46)

(11)

-

(4)

(85)

-

(6)

(42)

(15)

(18)

-

(52)

-

(14)

OTHER OPERATING INCOME AND EXPENSES

(141)

(131)

As a result, the Operating Profit was 1,059 million euro, up 
+6.2%.

euro in the previous year due notably to the contribution from 
the joint venture managing the Rugby World Cup.

3

 Net  financial  expenses  increased  by  10  million  euro,  to 
100 million euro essentially due to the absence of the exceptional 
interest payment from the French State on the dividend tax 
reimbursement of 7 million euro last year. The remainder is due 
to higher debt resulting from the acquisition of Centerplate in 
January 2018 and the share buy-backs last year and the related 
refi nancing. A new 9-year sterling bond was issued in June 2019, 
partially off setting a repayment of a tranche from the 2014 USPP 
in March 2019. Though they have reduced the Group’s short-term 
funding from commercial paper at negative interest rates, these 
operations have ensured that the average debt maturity remains 
over 5 years and provided a hedge for sterling cashflow.  The 
blended cost of debt was 2.6% as of August 31, 2019, compared 
to 2.5% at the end of Fiscal 2018.

The effective tax rate returned to a more normal level at 29.0% 
aft  er the exceptional 27.1% in Fiscal Year 2018 which benefi ted 
from a positive one-off  in France from the reimbursement of the 
3% contribution on distributed dividends over the period 2013-
2017. It now fully reflects the positive impact of the tax rate 
reduction in the USA.

The  share  of profit  of  other  companies  consolidated  by 
the equity method was 4 million euro. Profit attributed to 
non-controlling interests was 21 million euro, aft  er 13 million 

As a result, Group net profit was 665 million euro, up +2.2 %. 
Underlying net profit amounted to 765 million euro, up +8.3%, 
or +7.8% excluding the currency impact, adjusted for Other 
operating income and expenses at a normalized tax rate.

3.1.2.6  Earnings per share

Published EPS was 4.56 euro, up +3.6%. The 160-basis point 
accretion relative to the change in net profi t is due to the eff ect 
of the 300  million  euro share buy-back during the previous 
year resulting in a lower weighted average number of shares of 
145,721,534 relative to 148,077,776 shares for Fiscal 2018.

Underlying Earnings per share amounted to 5.25 euro, up 
+10.1%.

3.1.2.7  Proposed dividend

At the Shareholder’s Meeting to be held on January 21, 2020, 
the Board of Directors will recommend a dividend of 2.90 euro 
per share for Fiscal 2019, up +5.5% relative to the prior year, 
refl ecting the increase in EPS of +3.6%. This proposal refl ects 
the Board’s confi dence in the Group’s strategy. As a result, the 
pay-out ratio will be 64%, or 55% on Underlying EPS.

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3 F i s c a l   2 0 1 9   A c t i v i t y   R e p o r t

3.1.3  Consolidated financial position

3.1.3.1  Cash fl ows

Cash fl ows for the period were as follows:

(in millions of euro)

Operating cash flow

Change in working capital excluding change in BRS financial assets*

Net capital expenditure

Free cash flow

Net acquisitions

Share buy-backs

Dividends paid to shareholders

Other changes (including scope and exchange rates)

(Increase)/decrease in net debt

FISCAL 2019

FISCAL 2018

1,139

182

(415)

907

(301)

(7)

(403)

(150)

47

1,140

221

(286)

1,076

(697)

(300)

(411)

(316)

(648)

*  Excluding change in financial assets related to the Benefits & Rewards Services activity (-53 million euro in Fiscal 2019 and -228 million euro in Fiscal 2018). Total 
change in working capital as reported in consolidated accounts: in Fiscal 2019: 129 million euro = 182 million euro - 53 million euro and in Fiscal 2018: -7 million 
euro = 221 million euro - 228 million euro. 

 Operating cash fl ow was stable at 1,139 million euro against an 
exceptionally strong level last year, helped by low cash taxes and 
net interest paid, linked to the dividend tax reimbursement in 
Fiscal 2018. The positive infl ow of working capital of 182 million 
euro remained strong, helped by the strongly favorable cut-off  
impact at the end of August of the Rugby World Cup, the growth 
in the business and ongoing improvements in operational cash 
management throughout the Group.

Net  acquisitions  and  disposals  of  subsidiaries  came  out  at 
301  million  euro  from  particularly  high  697  million  euro  in 
the previous year, reflecting, in particular, the acquisition of 
Centerplate for a total of 610 million euro. After taking into 
account  dividend  payments  of  403  million  euro,  and  Other 
changes, principally linked to currency impacts and consolidation 
scope changes, consolidated net debt fell during the year by 
47 million euro to 1,213 million euro at August 31, 2019.

Net capital expenditure, including client investments amounted 
to 415 million euro, representing 1.9% of revenues, compared to 
1.4% of revenues last year. This refl ects higher IT investments, 
connected to the upgrading of certain systems, a significant 
increase linked to Education and the higher levels of investments 
required to support the retention efforts of Sports & Leisure, 
particularly within Centerplate in North America. As previously 
announced, this rate is expected to increase over the next few 
years to around 2.5%, as client retention and development of 
sales improve in Education and Sports & Leisure.

Free cash fl ow reached 907 million euro, a strong performance 
despite  the  significant  increase  in  net  capex.  Previous  year 
performance was boosted by a significant reduction in cash 
taxes, linked to the exceptional tax reimbursement in France 
and a decline in the U.S. tax rate. As a result, cash conversion 
reached 136% compared to 165% in Fiscal 2018.

3.1.3.2  Acquisitions for the period

In Fiscal 2019, given the focus on accelerating growth in On-
site Services and resolving the issues in North America, the 
acquisitions were predominantly focused on:

•  Homecare  with  entry  into  the  Brazilian  and  Norwegian 
markets through Pronep and Prima Omsorg and acquiring 
density in the UK, France, USA with respectively The Good 
Care Group, Domicil+ and franchisees, and a small entry in 
the Asian market;

•  Childcare  with  a  substantial  increase  in  size  in  France 
through the acquisition of Crèches de France and an entry 
into the German market through Elly & Stoffl  ;

•  the other acquisitions included a strengthening of the Group’s 
position in Education in the UK with Alliance in Partnership 
and the development of Food services in Switzerland with the 
acquisition of Novae.

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3.1.3.3  Condensed consolidated statement of fi nancial position at August 31, 2019

(in millions of euro)

AUGUST 31, 2019

AUGUST 31, 2018

AUGUST 31, 2019

AUGUST 31, 2018

Non-current assets

Current assets excluding cash

9,455

5,111

7,944

Shareholders’ equity

4,456*

3,283

4,628

Non-controlling interests

42

45

Restricted cash- Benefits & 
 Rewards

Financial assets- Benefits & 
 Rewards

Cash

678

615

Non-current liabilities

4,722

4,330

442

1,781

427

Current liabilities

8,247

7,622

1,666

TOTAL ASSETS

17,467

15,280

TOTAL LIABILITIES 
AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

17,467

15,280

Gross debt

Net debt

Gearing

Net debt ratio

4,079

1,213

27%

0.9

3,940

1,260

38%

1.0

*  The main impact refl ects the reevaluation of certain fi nancial assets in the context of fi rst-time application of IFRS 9.

3

As  of  August  31,  2019,  net  debt  was  1,213  million  euro, 
representing  a  gearing  of  27%,  compared  to  38%  as  of 
August 31, 2018, and a net debt ratio of 0.9, just below the 
Group’s target range of 1 to 2.

The Group’s financial position remains strong with cash flow 
covering investments, acquisitions and the dividend. As a result, 
gearing and net debt ratio have improved.   During the year, the 
Group continued to improve the maturity of its debt with the 
Issuance  of  a  new  GBP  bond  of  250  million  pounds  sterling 
(276 million euro), the repayment of the first tranche of the 
2014 USPP of 150 million U.S. dollars (132 million euro) and a 
100  million  euro reduction of commercial paper issued.

At the end of Fiscal 2019, the Group had unused lines of credit 
totaling  1. 8  billion  euro  and  an  operating  cash  position  of 
2,866 million euro (including restricted cash for 678 million euro, 
financial assets for 442 million euro and 35 million euro of 
bank  overdrafts).  As  a  reminder,  the  cash  position  includes 
2,136 million euro for Benefi ts & Rewards Services.

3.1.3.4  Outlook

The Focus on Growth strategic agenda has delivered growth of 
more than 3% this year. There are many action plans around the 
Group with initiatives to enhance quality of new and renewed 
contracts, operational effi  ciency and growth.

For  Fiscal  2020,  while  growth  in  North  America  remains 
challenging as the Healthcare contract losses fall out of revenues 
and with net new business being only neutral in Education, 
growth  in  all  other  areas  and  segments  should  continue  to 
accelerate.

This year also benefi ts from two major sports events in Japan, 
with the Rugby World Cup in the first quarter and the 2020 
Summer Olympics in the fourth quarter.

The  Group  is  continuing  to  identify  new  Fit  for  the  Future 
initiatives to generate SG&A savings. This will complement the 
operational productivity coming through due to more discipline 
and STEP implementation. These savings will continue to be 
reinvested in accelerating growth.

As a result, for Fiscal 2020 the Group is expecting:

•  organic revenue growth of around 4%, including the 

major sports events;

•  stable underlying operating profit margin for the year, 
excluding the currency impact and any impact from 
IFRS 16 implementation.

Mid-term, the Group aims to deliver market leading profi table 
growth. Current Group investments, activity mix and geographic 
presence  provide  us  with  the  opportunities  to  capture  this 
growth. Sodexo is capable of accelerating organic growth over 
the years to come while ensuring a sustainable and inclusive 
business model.

As organic growth increases, growth investments will be kept 
under control, so that the effects of enhanced discipline and 
effi  ciency gains will feed margin expansion.

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3 F i s c a l   2 0 1 9   A c t i v i t y   R e p o r t

 3.1.3.5  Alternative Performance Measure defi nitions

Blended cost of debt

The  blended  cost  of  debt  is  calculated  at  period  end  and  is 
the weighted blended fi nancing rate on borrowings (including 
derivative fi nancial instruments and commercial papers) and 
cash pooling balances at period end.

Free cash fl ow

Please refer to the section entitled Consolidated fi nancial position.

Growth excluding currency eff ect

The currency eff ect is determined by applying the previous year’s 
average exchange rates to the current year fi gures except in hyper-
infl ationary economies where all fi gures are converted at the latest 
closing rate for both periods when the impact is signifi cant.

As a result, for the calculation of organic growth of the On-site 
Services activities in Argentina, Peso fi gures for Fiscal 2019 and 
Fiscal 2018 have been converted at the exchange rate of 1 euro 
= 63.975 ARS vs 44.302 ARS for Fiscal 2018.

Issue volume

Issue  volume  corresponds  to  the  total  face  value  of  service 
vouchers, cards and digitally-delivered services issued by the 
Group (Benefi ts & Rewards Services activity) for benefi ciaries on 
behalf of clients.

Net debt

Net debt is defined as Group borrowing at the balance sheet 
date, less operating cash.

Organic growth

Organic growth corresponds to the increase in revenue for a 
given period (the “current period”) compared to the revenue 
reported for the same period of the prior fi scal year, calculated 
using the exchange rate for the prior fi scal year; and excluding 
the impact of business acquisitions (or gain of control) and 
divestments, as follows:

• 

for businesses acquired (or gain of control) during the current 
period,  revenue  generated  since  the  acquisition  date  is 
excluded from the organic growth calculation;

• 

• 

• 

• 

for businesses acquired (or gain of control) during the prior 
fi scal year, revenue generated during the current period up 
until the fi rst anniversary date of the acquisition is excluded;

for businesses divested (or loss of control) during the prior 
fi scal year, revenue generated in the comparative period of 
the prior fi scal year until the divestment date is excluded;

for businesses divested (or loss of control) during the current 
fiscal year, revenue generated in the period commencing 
12 months before the divestment date up to the end of the 
comparative period of the prior fi scal year is excluded;

for countries with hyperinflationary economies all figures 
are converted at the latest closing rate for both periods. As 
a result, for the calculation of organic growth of the On-site 
Services activities in Argentina, Peso fi gures for Fiscal 2019 
and Fiscal 2018 have been converted at the exchange rate of 
1 euro = 63.975 ARS vs 44.302 ARS for Fiscal 2018.

Underlying Net profi t

Underlying Net profi t presents a net income excluding signifi cant 
unusual and/or infrequent elements. Therefore, it corresponds to 
the Net Income Group share excluding Other Income and Expense 
and significant non-recurring elements in both Net Financial 
Expense and Income Tax Expense where relevant.

Underlying Net profi t per share

Underlying Net profit per share presents the Underlying net 
profi t divided by the average number of shares.

Underlying operating profi t margin

The  underlying  operating  profit  margin  corresponds  to 
Underlying operating profi t divided by revenues.

Underlying operating profi t margin at constant 
rates

The  underlying  operating  profit  margin  at  constant  rates 
corresponds to Underlying operating profi t divided by revenues, 
calculated by converting 2019 figures at Fiscal 2018 rates, 
except for countries with hyperinfl ationary economies.

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E x t r a - f i n a n c i a l   r e p o r t i n g

3.2  EXTRA-FINANCIAL REPORTING

3.2.1  470,000 employees serving clients and consumers

3.2.1.1  Workforce by segment and activity

WORKFORCE 

BREAKDOWN

FISCAL 2019

CHANGE

FISCAL 2019

FISCAL 2018* 

Business & Administrations þ

Healthcare and Seniors þ

Education þ

TOTAL ON-SITE SERVICES þ

BENEFITS & REWARDS SERVICES þ

GROUP HEADQUARTERS AND SHARED STRUCTURES þ

275,262

87,980

92,109

455,351

4,901

9,985

+2,736

+3,369

+3,563

+9,678

+521

-625

TOTAL þ

470,237

+9,574

*   Reclassified for inter-segment reallocation .

58.5%

18.7%

19.6%

96.8%

1.0%

2.1%

100%

59.2%

18.4%

19.2%

96.7%

1.0%

2.3%

100%

The total number of employees has increased by +2.1%, well 
below  revenue  growth  of  +7.6%,  or  even  organic  growth  of 
+3.6%.

to some closures in the fourth quarter. The growth of Homecare 
in the U.S. and the UK also contributes to the increase in the 
number of employees.

In  Business  and  Administrations,  the  growth  in  headcount 
refl ects strong growth in Asia and Latin America especially with 
large new openings in Brazil and Mexico. In North America and 
Europe the headcount is stable.

In Education the increase in workforce is driven by new business 
with the very substantial Yvelines school contract in France, 
many new contracts and acquisitions in the UK, as well as the 
acquisition of Crèches de France (Childcare).

In Healthcare, the increase in workforce is mainly due to the 
opening of many new sites in Brazil and India, while the number 
of people is down slightly in Europe and in North America due 

In  Benefits  &  Rewards  the  growth  in  Travel  and  expense 
management  (Inspirus  and  Rydoo)  revenues  explains  the 
increase of headcounts.

3

3.2.1.2  Workforce by region

North America

Europe

Africa, Asia, Australia, Latin America, Middle East

TOTAL

FISCAL 2019

FISCAL 2018

33.1%

30.0%

36.9%

34.1%

29.9%

36.0%

100.0%

100.0%

The increasing share of workforce in Africa, Asia, Australia, Latin 
America, Middle East  is driven by the strong growth in activity 
in Brazil, India and Mexico. Despite the Childcare and Homecare 
acquisitions in France and the UK, the share in Europe remains 

stable, in line with the growth in activity. The decline in North 
America is due to the slower growth in the region and the recent 
contract exits in Healthcare segment.

Note: From 3.2.1.3, all Fiscal 2018 workforce fi gures exclude Centerplate (27,696 employees as of August 31, 2018).

þ  Indicators verifi ed to the level of “reasonable” assurance by KPMG.
þ  Indicators verifi ed to the level of “reasonable” assurance by KPMG.

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C O N S O L I D A T E D   I N F O R M A T I O N

3 E x t r a - f i n a n c i a l   r e p o r t i n g

3.2.1.3  Workforce by category

Board þ(1)

Executive Committee þ

Group Senior Executives þ(2)

Managers þ

All Employees þ

FISCAL 2019

FISCAL 2018

TOTAL

% FEMALE

TOTAL

% FEMALE

10

20

203

52,179

470,237

60%

35%

37%

44%

55%

11

19

203

49,743

432,967

55%

37%

34%

43%

55%

(1) Excluding the 2 members of the Board who are employee representatives.
(2) Group Senior Executive includes the key functions reporting directly to a Group Executive Committee member, higher level sales and operations and high potentials.

The share of women on the Executive Committee decreased 
slightly due to the turnover, but, remains at a healthy 35% level.

On the other hand, the share of women has increased in the 
Group  Senior  Executives  community  which  is  an  important 
talent pool for the future Executive Committee members as well 
as among managers. 

BETTER TOMORROW 
2025 
OBJECTIVE

100% of our employees work 
in countries that have gender 
balance in their management 
populations

 % of employees working in countries that have  gender balance in their management populations

3.2.1.4  Workforce by age group and average seniority

FISCAL 2019

50.4%

Under 30 years

30-40 years

40-50 years

50-60 years

Over 60 years

TOTAL

(in number of years)

Managers

Employees

AVERAGE SENIORITY

FISCAL 2019

FISCAL 2018

EMPLOYEES

MANAGERS

EMPLOYEES

MANAGERS

28.6%

22.7%

21.6%

19.0%

8.1%

100%

12.1%

29.6%

29.1%

22.1%

7.0%

100%

27.4%

23.6%

22.3%

19.4%

7.3%

100%

11.9%

30.7%

29.5%

21.9%

6.0%

100%

FISCAL 2019

FISCAL 2018

8.6

4.6

5.1

8.3

4.8

4.8

3.2.1.5  New hires excluding acquisitions and contract transfers

Employees

Managers

TOTAL

FISCAL 2019

FISCAL 2018

CHANGE

175,599

161,365

+14,234

9,353

6,117

+3,236

184,952

167,482

+17,470

New entrants have increased in Fiscal 2019, mainly driven by Centerplate (only consolidated in this analysis since Fiscal 2019) and 
the Homecare acquisitions and in countries that are growing strongly such as Brazil and India.

In some countries, new hires are slightly down in correlation with an increase in employee retention.

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3.2.1.6  Departures by reason on continuous contract (excluding site loss)

C O N S O L I D A T E D   I N F O R M A T I O N

E x t r a - f i n a n c i a l   r e p o r t i n g

Resignations (less than 3 months)

Resignations (after 3 months)

TOTAL RESIGNATIONS

Dismissals or redundancy

Retirement and other reasons

TOTAL NUMBER OF DEPARTURES

3.2.1.7  Retention of talents

Retention Rate for Total Workforce þ

Retention Rate for Site Management þ

FISCAL 2019

FISCAL 2018

CHANGE

35,297

85,317

33,353

81,770

+1,944

+3,547

120,614

115,123

+5,491

42,152

33,972

6,638

4,093

+8,180

+2,545

169,404

153,188

+16,216

FISCAL 2019

FISCAL 2018

81.6%

87.2%

80,9%

86,6%

The retention rate is calculated on the basis of resignations aft  er more than 3 months of service. The improvement compared to Fiscal 
2018 is principally in North America and India, due to retention initiatives such as ensuring timely induction of new joiners in India.

3

RETENTION RATE FOR SITE MANAGERS

COUNTRIES

> 90%

80%-90%

< 80%

Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Russia, Spain

China, Colombia, Finland, Sweden, UK, USA

India

3.2.2  Engaged talents

BETTER TOMORROW 
2025 
OBJECTIVE

80% employee 
engagement rate

The employee engagement rate – expressing both satisfaction, 
and involvement and promotion – is a key performance indicator 
for Sodexo, which seeks to become one of the most admired 
companies by its employees in the world.

In  April  2018,  Sodexo  conducted  its  seventh  international 
engagement survey for all employees with at least six months 
seniority, representing 386,262 employees in 55 countries. The 

survey, conducted online, attracted a high participation rate of 
62% (versus 57% in 2016). For the fi ft  h consecutive survey, the 
employee engagement rate increased. In 2018, it reached 69%, 
+1 pointcompared to the previous survey, well above the 64% 
benchmark rate(1).

Local survey results are then shared with teams to develop 
tangible  action  plans.  These  plans  are  used  to  improve 
performance on issues such as absenteeism, health and safety 
and employee retention, in order to continue to enhance Quality 
of  Life  for  employees,  to  in  turn  enhance  quality  of  life  for 
consumers and productivity for clients.

JUNE 2018

JUNE 2016

CHANGE

Number of respondents

Employee e ngagement Rate þ

% of employees rating Sodexo as the best employer in its sector

% of employees believing that Sodexo values diversity (such as age, gender, 
culture and origin, religion, sexual orientation and providing opportunities for 
individuals with disabilities) in the workplace

% of employees considering Sodexo to be a socially 
and environmentally responsible company

239,520

208,775

69%

84%

82%

80%

+15%

+1 pt

-4 pts

68%

88%

80%

+2 pts

80%

-

1  Aon Hewitt client companies.

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3.2.3 

 Investment in talent development

3.2.3.1  Developing our employees 

Sodexo is convinced that the satisfaction of its clients and consumers depends largely on the skills and talents of its employees.

The Learning and Development Department off ers Sodexo employees a wide range of professional and learning programs.

Total number of training hours(1)

4,017,650

3,362,594

+19.5%

Average number of hours of training per employee(1)

 % of client sites providing training on sustainable practices

12.4

(2)
-

10.9

+14.3%

49.2%

(1) The number of training hours excludes the USA due to data quality issues and Germany due to Work Council.
(2) This indicator is not available for Fiscal year 2019 as the site survey process is being reviewed. The indicator will be disclosed starting Fiscal year 2020, based on 

a new methodology.

FISCAL 2019

FISCAL 2018

CHANGE

Excluding the USA, the number of hours of training increased 
in Fiscal  2019 due to Responsible Business Conduct campaign.

 The  Learning  and  Development  focus  in  Fiscal  2019  has 
been on supporting the strategic agenda with key programs 
designed to reinforce the fundamentals of the Focus on Growth 
strategic agenda: being clients and consumer centric, enhancing 
operational effi  ciency, nurturing talent and anchoring corporate 
responsibility. Notable launches in Fiscal 2019 include:

•  Unleash  –  this  program  is  an  online  program  available, 
on demand to all managers worldwide to support them in 
developing their fundamental management capabilities. The 
program is available in more than ten languages and covers 
themes such as team feedback, team communication and 
objectives setting;

•  the  On-Site  Manager  Academy  has  been  developed  to 
support On-Site Managers in driving growth, managing and 
engaging their teams and delivering operational effi  ciency. 
This blended learning journey also supports them in their 
personal development and in providing them with a strong 
network to drive their own development and that of their 
business. All regions globally have launched the Academy 
with nearly 5,000 participants currently on the program;

•  the  Digital  Passport  is  designed  to  accelerate  digital 
transformation by providing the right mind-set, skills and 
specialization  to  Sodexo’s  employees.  Over  8,000  have 
already participated in the digital passport across the fi rst 
countries to go live (India, Brazil, China, Nordics).

BETTER TOMORROW 
2025 
OBJECTIVE

100% of our employees 
are trained on sustainable 
practices

Training  our  employees  on  environmental  issues  improves 
our  services,  raises  awareness,  and  changes  behaviors.  We 
encourage our teams to report any issues which concern them 
so that we can prevent environmental incidents. This is backed 
by a robust compliance process to ensure we adhere to the laws, 
regulations, Group standards and contractual commitments 
that help ensure a healthier environment. In order to reach our 
ambitious 2025 target we have decided to implement a global 
training program starting Fiscal year 2020. The fi rst indicator 
will be disclosed in the Fiscal 2020 reporting.

3.2.3.2 

Internal promotion at the heart of Sodexo’s model

The Company encourages employees to develop a career plan, to explore new professional horizons and take on new responsibilities. 
This is dependent upon providing multiple opportunities through continued growth, the evolution of the portfolio of activities and the 
variety of its professions.

% of off-site managers promoted internally

% of on-site managers promoted internally

% of employees promoted internally

FISCAL 2019

FISCAL 2018

7.6%

8.8%

2.2%

6.6%

8.7%

2.9%

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3.2.4  Flexible organization, respectful of employees, offering 

good working conditions

Because people work better when they work in a professionally 
fulfi lling, stable and secure environment, Sodexo ensures that 
its employees are the fi rst to benefi t from its mission to improve 
Quality of Life. Sodexo is committed to improving the well-being 
of its employees.

The Group’s organizational model ensures continuity of service 
quality, while remaining attentive to the expectations of its 
employees,  in  accordance  with  local  regulations.  Part-time 
work and use of fi xed-term contracts provide the fl exibility for 
business needs.

Around  the  world,  Sodexo  promotes  work  flexibility  for  its 
employees,  taking  into  account  their  lifestyle  and  ways  of 

working.  The  Group  facilitates  a  good  work-life  balance, 
improving individual performance. Committed and effective, 
Sodexo employees are thus able to deliver quality service to 
clients and consumers.

FISCAL 2019

FISCAL 2018

% Workforce working 
part-time

28.4%

24.7%

The increase in the share of part-time workers in Fiscal 2019 is 
mainly due to   the integration of Centerplate.

3.2.4.1  Ensuring employee safety

 Sodexo has continued to strengthen its prevention programs 
for the management of workplace health and safety including 
providing all members of the Group Executive Committee with 
individual leadership coaching during Fiscal 2019. Sodexo Safety 
Nets (preventive controls) and Life Safety (Hazardous activities) 
programs provide better understanding of risks and causes of 
accidents, enabling focused improvement actions. The biggest 
LTIR improvements in Fiscal 2019 were achieved by the Energy & 

Resources and Sports & Leisure segments. These outcomes are a 
potential source of improvement in employees’ engagement and 
quality of life and a source of effi  ciency gains through reductions 
in work stoppages and absenteeism.

Sodexo’s Health and Safety Policy guides our actions in this area 
by defi ning minimum expectations for each business entity and 
is based on OHSAS 18001.

3

% of Group revenues of countries having one or more OHSAS 18001 or ISO 45001 certification þ

 Number of work related accidents requiring leave þ

Average number of work day absences per employee due to work-related accident or illness 
and non-work-related accident or illness

Lost Time Injury Rate (LTIR)

 Best performance: Lost Time Injury Rate (LTIR) – Energy & Resources segment

% LTIR reduction

 % of Group revenues of countries employing environmental experts

FISCAL 2019

FISCAL 2018

88.4 %

3,426

8.3

0.86

0.10

11.1%

97.6%

85.2%

3,699* 

8.3

0.97

-

6.5%

96.9%

*   The Fiscal 2018 Number of work related accidents requiring leave incorrectly included 173 occupational illness cases for North America. The Fiscal 2018 number 

has, therefore, been restated to correct this error.

Sodexo’s LTIR is the frequency of accidents per 200,000 hours worked. 200,000 hours worked is a proxy for 100 full time equivalent 
employees working for a full year.

3.2.4.2  Collective agreements for health and safety

Sodexo develops and maintains open and constructive dialogue with duly recognized trade unions or other legal representatives of 
its employees on issues of mutual concern.

In France, more than 10 Committees and a dedicated team are working on the subject. All of our managers throughout the 
organization have been incentivized on the reduction of the Lost Time Injury Rate (LTIR).

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In Sodexo’s International Framework Agreement with the IUF 
(International  Union  of  Food,  agriculture,  Hotel  Restaurant 
Catering,  Tobacco  and  Allied  Worker ’s  Associations),  the 
commitments include protection of health and safety through 

prevention  and  improvement  measures  while  conforming 
with local legislation. Where appropriate, Sodexo’s collective 
agreements may include provisions regarding health and safety.

% of workforce covered by collective agreements

% of workforce working in countries that have collective agreements 
and are covered by these agreements

FISCAL 2019

FISCAL 2018

40.3%

43.9%

88.8%

89.2%

3.2.5 

 Running business with integrity and respect for human 
rights wherever Sodexo operates

Sodexo lives by its core values and its ethical principles. Every 
employee in the Group is expected to understand and to act in 
accordance with these values and principles. At the center of our 
ethical principles is our commitment to business integrity. To 
ensure integrity in all business dealings, Sodexo has adopted 
strict  principles  formulated  in  its  Statement  of  Business 
Integrity. The statement is supported by a guide describing 
concrete situations that employees might encounter.

Sodexo’s  commitments  to  Human  Rights  and  Fundamental 
Rights at Work are described in the Human Rights Policy and 
the Fundamental Rights at Work charter.

The Group’s Human Rights policy is based on the UN Guiding 
Principles  on  Business  and  Human  Rights,  the  Universal 
Declaration  of  Human  Rights  and  the  International  Labour 
Organization’s (ILO) Declaration on Fundamental Principles and 
Rights at Work.

Our occupational Health and Safety policy is encapsulated in the 
Group Health and Safety Policy and the Environmental Policy is 
covered by Better Tomorrow 2025.

Our responsible business requirements in relation to suppliers 
and sub-contractors are described in the Sodexo Supplier Code 
of conduct, to which suppliers and sub-contractors are required 
to commit, as a condition of doing business with Sodexo. This 
Supplier Code of conduct is supported by a Guide to help our 
suppliers understand and act on their obligations.

To further strengthen the Group’s responsible business conduct 
and governance standards, and to review the impact of legal 
and regulatory developments, a Group Ethics and Compliance 
Committee has been established. This Committee brings together 
the heads of all relevant functions who will play a central role in the 
defi nition, implementation and monitoring of the systems designed 
to ensure that all Group activities are robust and compliant.

% of workforce working in countries having the Sodexo Statement of Business Integrity available 
in at least one official language

 % of Group revenues of countries having implemented Sodexo’s 10 People Fundamentals þ

% of workforce working in countries having the Group Human Rights policy available in at least 
one official language

% of workforce working in countries implementing action plans to integrate people with 
disabilities into the workplace

FISCAL 2019

FISCAL 2018

98.1%

87.9%

96.8%

80.5%

97.4%

96.9%

99.1%

-

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3.2.6  Our commitments as a service provider

3.2.6.1  Provide and encourage our consumers to access 

healthy lifestyle choices

BETTER TOMORROW 
2025 
OBJECTIVE

100% of our consumers 
are offered healthy lifestyle 
options every day

Serving  100  million  consumers  each  day,  we  recognize  our 
responsibility to understand and respond to their specifi c needs 
and their long-term aspirations.

It  is  both  an  opportunity  and  an  obligation  for  Sodexo  to 
promote and encourage healthier choices that improve quality 
of life for millions of people.

% of On-site Services revenues of countries having a system to ensure that 
employees with food service responsibilities are trained in compliance with local laws 
and regulations and Global Food Safety and Hygiene Policy

% of Group revenues of countries having one or more ISO 9001 certification

% of On-site Services revenues of countries having either ISO 9001 
or ISO 22000 certification for food safety þ

FISCAL 2019

FISCAL 2018

CHANGE

95.8 %

94.3%

96.0%

-0.2   pt

94.4%

-0.1 pt

98.6%

98.5%

+0.1 pt

3

% of On-site Services revenues of countries providing Health and Wellness Services 
including physical wellness services

83.3%

81.4%

+1.9 pt

% of North America client sites implementing actions that proactively address 
Sodexo’s 10 Golden Rules of Nutrition, Health and Wellness þ

Number of registered dietitians employed by Sodexo

92.2 %

5,138

89.1 %

+3.1  pts

5,306

-3.2%

The number of dietitians employed by Sodexo has decreased compared to the previous year, mainly due to Seniors in the U.S. sites 
closure in Healthcare, and to the optimization of the number of dietitians per site. 

3.2.6.2  Promote local development, fair, inclusive and sustainable 

business practices

BETTER TOMORROW 
2025 
OBJECTIVE

10 billion euro of 
our business value 
will benefit SMEs

Since  its  founding,  Sodexo  has  worked  to  contribute  to  the 
economic and social development of the communities, regions 
and countries where it operates.

We are committed to making a positive impact on quality of life 
for people in local communities through our business activities. 
This is why we support communities, and contribute to creating 
positive interactions with mutual benefi ts.

FISCAL 2019

FISCAL 2018

CHANGE

% of Group revenues of countries having specific initiatives to integrate SMEs 
(Small and Medium Enterprises) into Sodexo’s Value Chain

92.3%

91.8%

+0.5 pt

Our business value benefiting SMEs (in billions of euro)

5.5 

4.4

+25 %

% in kg of certified sustainable coffee

58.1%

50.1%

+8 pts

% of spend with contracted suppliers having signed the Sodexo Supplier Code 
of conduct þ

95.7 %

93.6%

+2.1   pts

Our business value benefi ting SMEs has signifi cantly increased in Fiscal 2019, mainly due to more robust tracking systems put in 
place in Asia helping to better capture the data. The increase of the reporting scope for this indicator to 83% in Fiscal 2019, from 70% 
in Fiscal 2018 has also helped to improve performance.

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3.2.6.3  Source responsibly and provide management services 

that reduce carbon emissions

A rich and resourceful planet is indispensable to quality of life in 
the long term. This is why Sodexo strives for a healthier planet 
in all we do.

Sourcing responsibly and managing services that contribute 
to  reducing  carbon  emissions  are  two  major  areas  of  our 
business activities that refl ect our commitment to protecting 
the environment.

Today, more than half of Sodexo’s carbon emissions come from 
its supply chain, primarily from carbon intensive commodities 
such as beef, dairy, palm oil, soy and paper that can also have 
an impact on deforestation.

In  2018  Sodexo  co-founded  the  Global  Coalition  for  Animal 
Welfare (GCAW), the world’s first food industry-led initiative 
aimed at advancing animal welfare globally. The global platform 
unites major companies and animal welfare experts in improving 
animal welfare standards at scale and in meeting consumer 
demand  for  food  products  from  animals  reared  in  systems 
that promote good welfare. Sodexo measures the percentage of 
animal welfare certifi cation on a species by species basis. We 
publicly report our progress on cage-free eggs and sustainable 
fi sh and seafood annually.

Sustainable supplies

% of physical certified sustainable palm oil (extended scope in Fiscal 2019)(1) 

% of cage free shell eggs (of the total of shell eggs purchased by Sodexo)

% of cage free liquid eggs (of the total liquid eggs purchased by Sodexo)

% of On-site Services revenues of countries having the 2018 Sodexo Animal Welfare 
Supplier charter available in at least one official language

% of certified sustainable fish and seafood as a % of total fish and seafood

% of sustainable fish and seafood which is sustainable as a % of total seafood (in kg)(2) 

FISCAL 2019

FISCAL 2018

CHANGE

34.7 %

56.2 %

60.8%

89.1%

36.3%

80.3 %

n/a

37.6%

+18.6   pts

51.1%

+9.7 pts

95.5%

-6.4 pts

38.7%

-2.4 pts

80.7%

 -0.4  pt 

% of spend on certified sustainable paper disposables as a % 
of total paper disposables þ

67.3 %

70.4%

-3.1  pts

(1)  In Fiscal 2019, we have increased our palm oil data collection scope, from top 2 products to total products containing palm oil.
(2)  A s per Sodexo Sustainable Seafood Sourcing Guide.

Cage free shell eggs and cage free liquid eggs indicators have 
increased significantly compared to last year. These results 
reflect  all  the  effort  put  in  place  in  countries  for  a  more 
responsible  sourcing,  including  enhanced  traceability  and 
transparency throughout our supply chain.

In Fiscal 2019, we have increased our palm oil data collection 
scope, from top 2 products to all products containing palm oil. 
The previous published results based on top two commodities 
represented 59.5% in Fiscal year 2018.

In Fiscal 2018, Sodexo issued a new, more demanding Animal 
Welfare charter which is gradually deployed across the business. 
Countries which have not yet implemented the new charter are 
using the previous policy.

BETTER TOMORROW 
2025 
OBJECTIVE

34% reduction of carbon 
emissions

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FISCAL 2019

FISCAL 2018

CHANGE

Reduction in carbon emissions

% of Group revenues of countries having one or more ISO 14001 certification

91.1%

90.8%

+0.3 pt

Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions energy consumption (in MWh)

601, 724 

669,688*

-67,964 

Scope 1 and Scope 2 (market based) emissions (tCO2)

126, 230

144,468*

-18,238

% reduction in carbon emissions (compared to 2011 baseline) absolute

% reduction in carbon emissions (compared to 2011 baseline) intensity

Scope 3 Supply Chain carbon emissions (tCO2)

 47%

 62%

5,121,136

 40%*

 53%*

+7 pts

+9 pts

*  The figures reflect the 2017 results. In Fiscal 2019, we reduced the historical one-year delay in reporting and decided not to extrapolate the Fiscal 2018 data.

For the fi rst time, Scope 3 supply chain information has been 
collected and verifi ed during the annual audit process.

The  continued  reduction  in  our  direct  Scope  1  and  Scope  2 
energy  consumption  and  emissions  compared  to  the  2011 

baseline is mainly due to the implementation of effi  cient energy 
management actions such as purchase of renewable energy and 
equipment upgrade. In Fiscal 2019 we have surpassed our 34% 
carbon reduction target for Scopes 1 and 2.

3.2.7  Our commitments as a corporate citizen

3

3.2.7.1 

 Fight hunger and malnutrition

To act for a hunger-free world is to act for better quality of life. 

Sodexo employees in the U.S. created Stop Hunger in 1996.

Stop Hunger is a global non-profit network working towards 

a  hunger-free world. The United Nations has set the goal of 

bringing the world out of hunger in a sustainable way by 2030, 

making a fairer and a happier world.

Thanks  to  Sodexo,  which  administratively  supports  Stop 

Hunger, 100% of donations made to Stop Hunger go directly 

to fi nancing activities and sustainable solutions to support the 

poorest local communities by empowering women, which we 

believe represents the most eff ective way to eliminate hunger. 

Up  to  150  million  more  people  could  be  fed  by  giving  them 
access to the same resources as men. That is why Stop Hunger 
has made women’s empowerment its priority and invested, 
over three years, nearly 4 million U.S. dollars in programs to 
support women who are taking action against hunger in their 
communities.

Stop  Hunger  relies  on  partnerships  with  1,200  local  and 
international NGOs, as well as on Sodexo’s unique ecosystem 
and in particular its employees.

For more information, read the Stop Hunger activity report: 
http://www.stop-hunger.org/files/live/sites/stophunger/
fi les/05-news/2019/StopHunger_ActivityReport_2019.pdf 

BETTER TOMORROW 
2025 
OBJECTIVE

100 million stop hunger 
beneficiaries

Funds invested in programs to empower women working to end hunger 
in their communities (in thousands of euro)

1,092

1,063

+2.7%

FISCAL 2019

FISCAL 2018

CHANGE

In  addition  to  projects  already  launched  in  Fiscal  2018,  in 
2019 we continued our support to the WIA (Women In Africa), 
because we share the same vision and desire to support the 
empowerment of African women and the development of their 
businesses. A further 19 initiatives in 13 countries, recently 

selected, will be co-financed for 3 years by the Stop Hunger 
Endowment Fund and the local Stop Hunger entity to support 
these women who are taking charge of the destiny of their local 
communities.

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3.2.7.2  Drive diversity and inclusion as a catalyst for societal change

Each individual’s unique background, experience, and abilities 
are at the heart of our vibrant workforce and truly refl ect the 
communities we serve. We strive to build a diverse and inclusive 
culture  where  our  employees  feel  valued  and  respected  as 
individuals. We also work closely with diverse local businesses 
encouraging  new  points  of  view,  sparking  innovation,  and 
ultimately contributing to a positive impact on communities.

Sodexo has always placed the advancement of women at the heart 
of its vision for economic, social and environmental development.

Our local partnerships contribute to the social fabric of the 
communities,  regions  and  countries  where  we  operate.  We 
actively seek to bring diverse businesses into our network of 
suppliers, including minority-owned, women-owned, disabled-
owned or LGBT-owned companies.

From social entrepreneurship projects for underprivileged women 
to supporting causes that move the needle on diversity, we are 
committed to making a positive impact in local communities.

BETTER TOMORROW 
2025 
OBJECTIVE

500,000 women in 
communities educated through 
job training centers

% of Group revenues of countries with initiatives to improve the quality of life of women

93.8%

89.1%

+4.7 pts

FISCAL 2019

FISCAL 2018

CHANGE

% of Group revenues of countries with initiatives to improve the quality of life of women increased signifi cantly mainly due to the 
implementation of initiatives in Argentina, Germany and Norway.

3.2.7.3  Champion sustainable resource usage

Given its position in the value chain, the breadth of its offer 
and  the  myriad  opportunities  it  has  to  engage,  Sodexo  is 
well  placed  to  contribute  to  more  efficient  and  reduced 
consumption of resources. Successful action and collaboration 
can  have  significant  positive  impacts  on  the  consumption 
of our clients, Sodexo’s operations, its industry sectors and 
supply chains.

Sodexo has developed a waste roadmap adopting the circular 
economy approach, with the following key elements:

•  value chain collaboration and leadership: we aim to 
reinforce collaboration within and across the value chain as 
a way to drive circular economy and thus, contribute to the 
UN SDG 12.3 target of halving food waste at the retail and 
consumer levels and reduce food losses along production and 
supply chains, including post-harvest, by 2030;

•  operational excellence: we leverage the expertise of our 
470,000 employees to provide our clients with best in class 
waste management services that will help them manage 
resources more sustainably. We make sure our teams are 
trained and encouraged to innovate, for the benefi t of our 
clients and consumers;

•  client  and  consumer  engagement:  With  100  million 
consumers served every day , we are in a unique position to drive 
behavior change toward waste reduction;

•  marketing & communications: through our global actions, 
we help inform clients and consumers so they understand 
and support the waste prevention challenge;

•  measuring and public reporting: We ensure that waste 
management is an integral part of site management and 
require our sites to measure and report their performance.

BETTER TOMORROW 
2025 
OBJECTIVE

50% reduction in 
our food waste

% of Group revenues of countries working to deliver on the United Nations’ food waste 
objective

69.2%

65.9%

 +3.3 pts

FISCAL 2019

FISCAL 2018

CHANGE

The increase in this indicator is due to the active participation of Spain and Peru which have put in place initiatives such as 
participation in multi-stakeholder groups and taskforces like Comunidad Por El clima and CCori Optimal Cooking.

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3.2.8  Our reporting methodology

Choice of indicators

Fiscal 2019 workforce indicators

In  Fiscal  2019,  we  continue  to  disclose  our  Corporate 
Responsibility related information and data in our Integrated 
Report (chapter 1), chapter 2 and chapter 3 of the present report.

•  As part of the Integrated Report we have presented our Value 
Creation Model, our Materiality Matrix and our Corporate 
Responsibility Roadmap Better Tomorrow 2025. These three 
elements are linked and interdependent.

•  Chapter  2  contains  information  of  our  concrete  actions 
responding  to  key  issues  identified  in  our  Materiality 
assessment.

•  Chapter 3 presents our key performance indicators and their 

progress compared to the previous year.

Sodexo’s  Corporate  Responsibility  strategy  requires  that 
workforce and environmental performance be measured with 
clear indicators. These indicators take into consideration the 
decentralized and primarily client site-based nature of Sodexo’s 
operations and were selected to meet the following reporting 
objectives:

•  to comply with legal requirements such as the European non-

fi nancial Directive;

•  to address the expectations of other external stakeholders, 

including shareholders and rating agencies;

•  to provide reporting that is consistent with the requirements 
of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and the United Nations 
Global Compact.

In addition, Sodexo’s indicators:

•  are  key  in  allowing  us  to  monitor  progress  in  the  areas 
identifi ed as key topics following our materiality assessment;

• 

include measures of the tangible benefi ts Sodexo brings to 
its clients;

•  enhance  employee  knowledge  about  Sodexo,  increasing 

awareness and engagement;

•  provide  visibility  on  progress  for  Group  and  country 

management.

As  part  of  its  progressive  journey,  Sodexo  has  added  some 
additional indicators this year and will continue to do so (see 
List of indicators).

Scope of consolidation

Indicators  generally  include  all  entities  which  are  fully 
consolidated for fi nancial reporting purposes, with the following 
exceptions:

•  a new country added during the fi scal year is included in the 

reporting scope in the following fi scal year; and

•  acquired entities are included as from the date of acquisition.

Additional restrictions may be applicable and are specifi ed in 
the section below.

3

Workforce indicators are consolidated for all Sodexo entities, 
except for:

•  the number of training hours which excludes the U.S. and 

Germany data (see limitations section below);

•  the average number of work day absences per employee due 
to work-related accidents or illnesses and non-work-related 
accidents or illnesses excludes accident or illness and non-
work-related accident or illness for Brazil (includes work-
related accidents or illnesses for Brazil).

Safety  indicators  cover  On-site  Services  activity  only, 
representing more than 96% of Group revenues and 97% of our 
total workforce.

Fiscal 2019 societal and environmental indicators

Societal  and  environmental  indicators  are  calculated  and 
consolidated  for  entities  representing  over  92%  of  Group 
revenues, except for:

•  business  value  benefiting  SMEs  covering  83%  of  Group 

revenues;

•  Scopes 1 and 2 carbon emissions covering 81% of Group 

revenues;

•  Scope 3 Supply Chain Carbon emissions covering 65% of On-

Site Services activity revenues. 

The  business  value  benefiting  SMEs  represents  the  total 
purchases for our On-site Services activity added to the emitted 
vouchers value for Benefi ts and Rewards activity. 

In order to streamline the collection and reporting process for 
the societal and environmental indicators, we have changed the 
reporting period. The new reporting period starts on June 1, 2018 
and ends on May 31, 2019.

Certain environmental indicators are applicable only to On-site 
Services or to Benefits & Rewards Services due to the nature 
of the indicator itself; for example, an indicator relating to the 
percentage of sustainable seafood purchased relates only to 
On- site Services entities which provide Food services.

Reporting framework and tools

S o d e x o ’ s   c o m m i t m e n t s   t o   s o c i a l   a n d   e n v i r o n m e n t a l 
responsibility  have  always  been  central  to  the  Group’s 
fundamentals.  The  Group  reinforced  its  workforce  and 
environmental reporting in 2005 with the publication of its 
first Corporate Responsibility Report and further developed 
its  sustainability  performance  processes  in  2009  when  its 
Corporate Responsibility roadmap, the Better Tomorrow Plan 
was  launched.  At  the  time,  the  Group  committed  to  report 
its  progress  regularly  and  transparently.  In  2016,  Sodexo 
reconfirmed  its  commitment  to  continued  progress  as  an 
employer, a service provider and a corporate citizen through an 
updated version of our roadmap, Better Tomorrow 2025.

Each year, Sodexo endeavors to improve its processes and to 
this end, has implemented a reporting tool with two modules for 
gathering and consolidating information.

Consistency  checks  are  embedded  within  the  tools  and 
additional control testing is performed.

The  consolidation  of  workforce  data  is  performed  by  Group 
Human Resources with the exception of the Health and Safety 
data which is consolidated by Group Health and Safety and the 

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consolidation of environmental data is performed by Group 
Corporate Responsibility.

Certain strategic workforce indicators are consolidated monthly 
or quarterly for a detailed follow up as part of STEP dashboard.

All information published in this report was also examined by 
the Group’s external auditors.

In addition to the “limited assurance” delivered by the external 
auditors in relation to indicators published for the requirements 
of European directive, Sodexo obtained a higher level of assurance 
called “reasonable assurance” for the following key indicators:

•  %  of  Group  revenues  of  countries  having  implemented 

Sodexo’s 10 People Fundamentals;

•  total Workforce, per activity and client segment;

•  retention rate for total workforce;

•  retention rate for site management;

•  departures related to Resignation of Continuous Contract 

> 3 months (Excluding Site Loss)

•  % of women’s representation on the Board of Directors;

•  % of women’s representation on the Executive Committee;

•  % of women’s representation among Group Senior Leaders;

•  % of women in management positions;

•  % of women’s representation in total workforce;

•  number of work related accidents requiring a leave (LTSC);

•  %  of  Group  revenues  of  countries  having  one  or  more 

OHSAS 18001 or ISO 45001 certifi cation;

•  % of On-site Services revenues of countries having either 

ISO 22000 or ISO 9001 certifi cation for food safety;

•  %  of  spend  with  contracted  suppliers  having  signed  the 

Sodexo Supplier Code of conduct;

•  % of spend on certifi ed sustainable paper disposables as a % 

of total paper disposables.

Limitations

Sodexo employs 470,237 people, in 67 countries, with diff ering 
regulations and operates on a signifi cant number of client sites 
of diff erent sizes and types of activity.

•  Certain indicators therefore require some specifi c explanation 

as follows:

•  number of work-related accidents requiring a leave:

 –

 –

 –

excludes commuting accidents,

includes Sodexo workforce only,

excludes temporary labor, sub-contracted labor and other 
personnel that are not Sodexo employees,

 – may have insignificant differences created by the way 

that work-related illness is accounted for locally;

•  average number of days absence:

 –

includes absences for work-related accidents and illness 
as well as personal accidents and illness,

 – may have insignificant differences created by the way 
the number of days of absence is accounted for locally; 
as some include weekend and others only working days, 
the minimum number of days of absence from which the 
absence is recorded;

•  the number of hours of training in the U.S. is based on 
an  estimation.  The  estimation  is  an  extrapolation  of 
data  declared  by  employees  representing  10%  of  the 
population. Solutions are under discussion in order to 
disclose  this  metric  based  on  actual  data  in  the  next 
years.

•  Certain information is extremely diffi  cult to gather given the 

nature of the Group’s activities.

•  total business value benefi tting SMEs : Data for Sodexo 
On site Services USA includes non-contracted suppliers;

•  19% of the total volume of fi sh and seafood purchased 
by Sodexo cannot be categorized as per Sodexo Seafood 
Guide (green, orange or red species), thus the result for 
Fiscal 2019 is underestimated. A process will be put in 
place to eliminate this limit next year;

•  Scope 1 and Scope 2 energy consumption and related 
carbon emissions are extrapolated for the Group based on 
the energy consumption and carbon emissions calculation 
for a set of 24 major countries representing 81% of Group 
revenues;

•  Scope  1  includes  energy  consumption  and  carbon 
emissions related to the fuel consumed by vehicles used by 
Sodexo as well as from its consumption of natural gas for 
the offi  ces and sites where Sodexo has operational control;

•  Scope  2  includes  the  electricity  consumption  for  the 
offices and sites where Sodexo has operational control 
and is market-based;

•  this year, for the fi rst time, we are publishing our Scope 3 
Supply Chain emissions calculation  (indirect emissions), 
based on 65% revenue coverage, with the objective to 
increase the scope in Fiscal 2020 and report full Scope 3 
emissions (also including client sites footprint).

The calculation of carbon emissions related to the supply 
chain takes into account the following elements:

 –

 –

the emissions of the 30 most important commodities 
for Sodexo (in terms of volume of purchase and carbon 
impact). These products represent 85% of our purchases,

transportation from the last point of processing to the 
delivered site,

 –

emission factors by product.

•  One of Sodexo’s missions is to improve quality of life for 
its employees and all who it serves. Sodexo’s services are, 
in  the  majority  of  cases,  provided  by  its  own  employees 
on a signifi cant number of client sites where the Company 
operates throughout the world. The following information is 
therefore not applicable or not material for Sodexo:

•  preventive or corrective actions with regard to discharges 
into the atmosphere, water and soil with a significant 
negative impact on the surrounding environment;

•  consideration of noise and any other activity-specific 

pollution;

land usage;

importance of sub-contracting.

• 

• 

Reconciliation tables

The  reconciliation  table   is  included  in  the  section  “Other 
information” of this report.

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3.2.9  Report by one of the Statutory Auditors appointed as an 

independent third party, on the consolidated non-financial 
performance statement in the Management Report

This is a free English translation of the Statutory Auditors’ report issued in French and it is provided solely for the convenience 
of English-speaking readers. This report should be read in conjunction with, and construed in accordance with, French law and 
professional auditing standards applicable in France.

For the year ended August 31, 2019

SODEXO
255, quai de la Bataille de Stalingrad
92866 Issy-les-Moulineaux Cedex 9

To the Annual General Meeting,

In our capacity as the Statutory Auditor of your company (hereinaft  er the “entity”) appointed as the independent third party, certifi ed 
by the French Accreditation Committee (Comité Français d’Accréditation or COFRAC) under number 3-1049(1), we hereby report to you 
on the consolidated non-fi nancial performance statement for the year ended August 31st 2019 (hereinaft  er the “Statement”), included 
in the Group Management Report, in accordance with the legal and regulatory provisions of Articles L.  225 102-1, R.  225-105 and 
R.  225-105-1 of the French Commercial Code (Code de commerce).

3

Responsibility of the entity

It is the Board of Directors’ responsibility to prepare a Statement in accordance with legal and regulatory provisions, including a 
presentation of the business model, a description of the main non-fi nancial risks, a presentation of policies applied to mitigate these 
risks and the outcomes of those policies, including key performance indicators. 

The Statement has been prepared applying the procedures of the entity (hereinaft  er the “Guidelines”), the most signifi cant aspects of 
which are presented in the Statement and available upon request at the entity’s headquarters. 

Independence and quality control

Our independence is defi ned by the provisions of Article L.  822-11-3 of the French Commercial Code and the French Code of Ethics for 
statutory auditors (Code de déontologie). Moreover, we have implemented a quality control system that includes documented policies 
and procedures to ensure compliance with applicable ethical rules, professional standards, laws and regulations.

Responsibility of the Statutory Auditor appointed as independent third party

On the basis of our work, it is our responsibility to express a limited assurance opinion about whether:

•  the Statement complies with the provisions of Article R.  225-105 of the French Commercial Code (Code de commerce);

•  the information provided (hereinaft  er the “Information”) is fairly presented in accordance with Article R.  225-105-I(3) and II of 
the French Commercial Code (Code de commerce) concerning policy outcomes, including key performance indicators and actions 
relating to the main risks.

It is our responsibility to express, at the request of the entity and outside of the scope of accreditation, reasonable assurance that 
information selected(2) by the entity and identifi ed with the symbol √ has been prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with 
the Guidelines.

However, it is not our responsibility to express an opinion on:

•  the entity’s compliance with other applicable legal and regulatory provisions, particularly relating to Duty of Care and the fi ght 

against corruption and tax evasion;

•  the compliance of products and services with applicable regulatory provisions.

 1    Accreditation scope available at www.cofrac.fr.

 2    Refer to the list of key indicators in Appendix 1 of this report.

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Nature and scope of our work

We performed our work described below in compliance with Article A.  225-1 et seq. of the French Commercial Code (Code de commerce), 
defi ning the conditions under which the independent third party performs its engagement, and with the professional guidance 
issued by the French Institute of Statutory Auditors (Compagnie nationale des commissaires aux comptes or CNCC) relating to this 
engagement and with ISAE 3000 (international standard on assurance engagements other than audits or reviews of historical fi nancial 
information).

We conducted work to form an opinion on the Statement’s compliance with legal and regulatory provisions and the fair presentation 
of the Information therein:

•  we gained an understanding of the activity of all companies in the consolidation scope, of the Entity’s exposure to the main social 
and environmental risks relating to the business activity and, of its eff ects on respect for human rights and the fi ght against 
corruption and tax evasion, including any related policies and their outcomes; 

•  we assessed the appropriateness of the Guidelines in terms of their relevance, completeness, reliability, neutrality and clarity, by 

taking into consideration, where relevant, the sector’s best practices; 

•  we verifi ed that the Statement covers every category of information required under Article L.  225-102-1, Paragraph III concerning 

social and environmental matters as well as respect for human rights and the fi ght against corruption and tax evasion;

•  we verifi ed that the Statement presents the business model and the main risks relating to the activity of all companies in the 
consolidation scope, including – if relevant and proportionate – risks due to its business relationships, products or services, as well 
as policies, actions and outcomes, including key performance indicators;

•  we verifi ed that the Statement presents the disclosures required under article R.  225-105, Paragraph II, of the French Commercial 

Code if they are relevant given the main risks or policies presented;

•  we obtained an understanding of the process for selecting and validating the main risks;

•  we enquired about the existence of internal control and risk management procedures implemented by the entity;

•  we assessed the consistency of the outcomes and key performance indicators with the main risks and policies presented;

•  we verifi ed that the Statement covers all companies in the consolidation scope in accordance with Article L.  233-16 within the 

limits specifi ed in the Statement;

•  we assessed the data collection process implemented by the entity to ensure the completeness and fair presentation of the 

Information;

•  For key performance indicators and the other quantitative outcomes(1) that we considered the most important, we set up:

•  analytical procedures to verify that collected data is correctly consolidated and that any changes to the data are consistent,

•  tests of details based on sampling to verify that defi nitions and procedures are correctly applied and to reconcile data with 
supporting documents. The work was carried out with a selection of entities contributing(2) to the reported data and represents 
between 39% and 57% of consolidated data of key performance indicators and outcomes selected for these tests;

•  we referred to documentary sources and conducted interviews to corroborate the qualitative disclosures (actions and outcomes) 

that we deemed the most important(3) ; 

•  we assessed the overall consistency of the Statement based on our understanding of all companies within the consolidation scope.

We believe that the work carried out, based on our professional judgment, is suffi  cient to provide a basis for our limited assurance 
opinion. A higher level of assurance would have required us to carry out more extensive procedures. 

Means and resources

Our work drew on the skills of seven individuals and was conducted between May and November 2019 for a total working time of 
approximately twelve weeks.

To assist us in conducting our work, we called on our fi rm’s sustainable development and corporate social responsibility (CSR) 
specialists. We conducted around ten interviews with the individuals responsible for preparing the Statement.

 1   See the list of key performance indicators and other results in Appendix 1 of this report.

 2   Entities selected in the context of legal limited assurance:

- Sodexo On-Site Services: Sodexo France, Sodexo USA, Sodexo Chile. 

  Complementary entities selected under reasonable assurance, outside the scope of accreditation: 

- On-Site Services: Sodexo India, Sodexo Italy.
- Sodexo Benefi ts & Rewards: Sodexo India. 

 3   See the list of key performance indicators and other results in Appendix 1 of this report.

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OPINION

Based on our work, we have no material misstatements to report that would call into question the compliance of the non-fi nancial 
performance statement with the applicable regulatory provisions, or the fair presentation of the Information, taken as a whole, in 
accordance with the Guidelines.

COMMENTS

Without qualifying our opinion, in accordance with article A.  225-3 of the French Commercial Code, we draw your attention to the 
following matters:

Training  and Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions indicators, related to year ended August 31st, 2019, respectively cover 57% and 65% 
of the group turnover, as mentioned in chapter “3.2.8 Our reporting methodology” of the Statement.

Reasonable assurance on a selection of non-fi nancial information

Nature and scope of our work

With regard to the information selected by the entity and identifi ed with the symbol √ in chapter 3, we conducted the same procedures 
as those described in the paragraph “Nature and scope of our work” (for the most important non-fi nancial information). However, 
these procedures were more in-depth, particularly regarding the number of tests.

Consequently, the selected sample represents between 51% and 58% of the information identifi ed with the symbol √.

We believe that these procedures enable us to express reasonable assurance regarding the information selected by the entity and 
identifi ed with the symbol √.

Conclusion

In our opinion, the information selected by the entity and identifi ed with the symbol √ in chapter 3 has been prepared, in all material 
respects, in accordance with the Guidelines.

3

French original signed by:

Paris-La Défense, November 6, 2019

KPMG SA

Fanny Houlliot

Partner 

Sustainability Services 

Caroline Bruno Diaz 

Partner

Audit

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 Appendix 1 

SOCIAL INDICATORS

Total employees 

Total employees per activity and client segment 

Retention rate for total workforce 

Retention rate for site management 

Number of Departures related to Resignation of continuous employment > 3 months excl. site loss 

Total New Hires Excluding Acquisitions & Transfers

Number of work days absence due to work-related accident or illness and non-work-related accident or illness 

Total number of training hours

Average number of hours of training per employee

% of total workforce participated in at least one training during the fiscal year

% of women’s representation on the Board of Directors 

% of women’s representation on the Executive Committee 

% of women’s representation among Group Senior Leaders 

% of women in management positions 

% of women’s representation in total workforce 

% of Group revenues of countries having implemented Sodexo's 10 People Fundamentals

HEALTH & SAFETY INDICATORS 

Number of work related accidents requiring a leave 

Lost Time Injury  Case

% of LTIR reduction

% of Group revenues of countries having one or more OHSAS 18001 or ISO 45001 certification

ENVIRONMENTAL INDICATORS 

Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions energy consumption 

Scope 1 and Scope 2 (market-based) emissions 

% reduction in carbon emissions (compared to 2011 baseline) absolute

% reduction in carbon emissions (compared to 2011 baseline) intensity

Scope 3 Supply Chain carbon emissions

ASSURANCE LEVEL 

Reasonable

Reasonable

Reasonable

Reasonable

Reasonable

Limited

Limited

Limited

Limited

Limited

Reasonable

Reasonable

Reasonable

Reasonable

Reasonable

Limited

ASSURANCE LEVEL

Reasonable

Limited

Limited

Reasonable

ASSURANCE LEVEL

Limited

Limited

Limited

Limited

Limited

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SOCIETAL INDICATORS

% of Group revenues of countries employing environmental resources

ASSURANCE LEVEL

Limited

% of On-site Services revenues of countries having either ISO 9001 or ISO 22000 certification for food safety 

Reasonable

Our business value benefiting SMEs (in billions of euro)

% of spend with contracted suppliers having signed the Sodexo Supplier Code of conduct 

% of physical certified sustainable palm oil

% of cage free shell eggs (of the total of shell eggs purchased by Sodexo)

% of cage free liquid eggs (of the total liquid eggs purchased by Sodexo)

% of sustainable fish and seafood which is sustainable as a % of total fish and seafood

Limited

Reasonable

Limited

Limited

Limited

Limited

% of spend on certified sustainable paper disposables as a % of total paper disposables 

Reasonable

 Appendix 2 

QUALITATIVE SOCIAL INFORMATION

Sodexo’s Health & Safety policy

Programs and other measures in favour of the development of talents skills and the results

QUALITATIVE ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION

Innovative environmental actions implemented to fight against climate change and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 

The « WasteWatch » program related to organic waste prevention and the results 

QUALITATIVE SOCIETAL INFORMATION

Actions implemented to promote transparency and business integrity 

The food offers and other promoting measures for a healthy food balance towards the consumers 

The Group Human Rights policy

The actions of partnership and sponsorship

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3.3  CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

AS OF AUGUST 31, 2019

3.3.1  Consolidated income statement

(in millions of euro)

Revenues

Cost of sales

Gross profit

Selling, General and Administrative costs

Share of profit of companies consolidated by the equity method that directly 
contribute to the Group’s business

Underlying operating profit

Other operating income

Other operating expenses

Operating profit

Financial income

Financial expense

Share of profit of other companies consolidated by the equity method

Profit for the year before tax

Income tax expense

Net profit for the year

Of which:

Attributable to non-controlling interests

PROFIT ATTRIBUTABLE TO EQUITY HOLDERS OF THE PARENT

Basic earnings per share (in euro)

Diluted earnings per share (in euro)

NOTES

FISCAL 2019

FISCAL 2018

3

4.1

4.1

4.9

3

4.1

4.1

4.2

4.2

4.9

4.3

4.4

4.4

21,954

20,407

(18,756)

(17,320)

3,198

3,087

(2,000)

(1,963)

2

4

1,200

1,128

11

(152)

1,059

44

(144)

4

963

(277)

686

21

665

4.56

4.50

10

(141)

997

46

(136)

2

909

(245)

664

13

651

4.40

4.34

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3.3.2  Consolidated statement of comprehensive income

(in millions of euro)

NET PROFIT FOR THE YEAR

NOTES

FISCAL 2019

FISCAL 2018

686

664

Components of other comprehensive income that may be reclassified 
subsequently to profit or loss

Change in fair value of cash flow hedge instruments

4.16 and 4.14

Change in fair value of cash flow hedge instruments reclassified to profit or loss

4.16 and 4.14

Currency translation adjustment

Currency translation adjustment reclassified to profit or loss

Tax on components of other comprehensive income that may be reclassified 
subsequently to profit or loss

4.14

4.14

4.14

190

(3)

(245)

Share of other components of comprehensive income (loss) of companies 
consolidated by the equity method, net of tax

4.14 and 4.9

(7)

(1)

3

Components of other comprehensive income that will not be reclassified 
subsequently to profit or loss

Remeasurement of defined benefit plan obligation

4.17.1 and 4.14

4

79

Change in fair value of financial assets revalued through other comprehensive 
income

2.1.2, 4.11.2 
and 4.14

Tax on components of other comprehensive income that will not be reclassified 
subsequently to profit or loss

4.14

TOTAL OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS), AFTER TAX

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

Of which:

Attributable to equity holders of the parent

Attributable to non-controlling interests

175

(5)

354

1,040

1,021

19

(13)

(180)

485

471

14

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3.3.3  Consolidated statement of financial position

Assets

(in millions of euro)

NON-CURRENT ASSETS

Property, plant and equipment

Goodwill

Other intangible assets

Client investments

Companies consolidated by the equity method

Financial assets

Derivative financial instrument assets

Other non-current assets

Deferred tax assets

TOTAL NON-CURRENT ASSETS

CURRENT ASSETS

Financial assets

Derivative financial instrument assets

Inventories

Income tax receivable

Trade and other receivables

Restricted cash and financial assets related to the Benefits & Rewards Services 
activity

Cash and cash equivalents

TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS

TOTAL ASSETS

NOTES

AUGUST 31, 2019

AUGUST 31, 2018

4.5

4.6

4.7

4.8

4.9

4.11

4.16

4.12

4.20

4.11

4.16

4.12

4.12

4.11

4.13

684

6,158

801

626

62

999

5

20

99

619

5,664

704

558

83

190

3

18

105

9,455

7,944

58

7

294

125

36

15

280

176

4,626

4,121

1,120

1,781

8,012

1,042

1,666

7,336

17,467

15,280

88

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C o n s o l i d a t e d   f i n a n c i a l   s t a t e m e n t s   a s   o f   A u g u s t   3 1 ,   2 0 1 9

C O N S O L I D A T E D   I N F O R M A T I O N

NOTES

AUGUST 31, 2019

AUGUST 31, 2018

590

248

3,618

4,456

42

4,498

590

248

2,445

3,283

45

3,328

3,902

3,537

7

403

171

88

151

-

389

190

88

126

4,722

4,330

35

182

0

99

58

4,892

2,981

8,247

28

420

1

98

73

4,222

2,780

7,622

4.14

4.15

4.16

4.17

4.19

4.18

4.20

4.13

4.15

4.16

4.18

4.19

3

Shareholders’ equity and liabilities

(in millions of euro)

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Share capital

Additional paid-in capital

Reserves and retained earnings

EQUITY ATTRIBUTABLE TO EQUITY HOLDERS OF THE PARENT

NON-CONTROLLING INTERESTS

TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES

Borrowings

Derivative financial instrument liabilities

Employee benefits

Other non-current liabilities

Provisions

Deferred tax liabilities

TOTAL NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES

CURRENT LIABILITIES

Bank overdrafts

Borrowings

Derivative financial instrument liabilities

Income tax payable

Provisions

Trade and other payables

Vouchers payable

TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES

TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND LIABILITIES

17,467

15,280

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3 C o n s o l i d a t e d   f i n a n c i a l   s t a t e m e n t s   a s   o f   A u g u s t   3 1 ,   2 0 1 9

3.3.4  Consolidated cash flow statement

(in millions of euro)

OPERATING ACTIVITIES

NOTES

FISCAL 2019

FISCAL 2018

Operating profit of consolidated companies

1,057

993

Elimination of non-cash and non-operating items

Depreciation, amortization and impairment of intangible assets and property, plant and equipment

Provisions

Disposal (gains) losses and other non-cash items

Dividends received from companies consolidated by the equity method

4.9

Interest paid

Interest received

Income tax paid

Operating cash flow

Change in working capital from operating activities

Change in inventories

Change in trade and other receivables

Change in trade and other payables

Change in vouchers payable

Change in financial assets related to the Benefits & Rewards Services activity

NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

365

(39)

37

10

(129)

42

(204)

317

(15)

20

19

(117)

51

(128)

1,139

1,140

129

(3)

(384)

406

164

(53)

1,268

(7)

(6)

(160)

193

194

(228)

1,133

Acquisitions of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets

(400)

(329)

Disposals of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets

Change in client investments

Change in financial assets and share of companies consolidated by the equity method

Acquisitions of subsidiaries

Disposals of subsidiaries

NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

Dividends paid to Parent company shareholders

Dividends paid to non-controlling shareholders of consolidated companies

Purchases of treasury shares

Sales of treasury shares

Increase in share capital

Change in non-controlling interests

Proceeds from borrowings (excluding leasing)

Repayment of borrowings

NET CASH PROVIDED BY/(USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES

CHANGE IN NET CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

Net effect of exchange rates and other effects on cash

Net cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year

4.8

4.14

4.14

4.15

4.15

NET CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF YEAR

4.13

17

(31)

(94)

(308)

7

31

11

(40)

(683)

11

(809)

(1,000)

(403)

(19)

(11)

4

1

(1)

278

(257)

(408)

52

58

1,638

1,746

(411)

(13)

(371)

25

1

(5)

645

(215)

(345)

(212)

(130)

1,980

1,638

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C O N S O L I D A T E D   I N F O R M A T I O N

3.3.5  Consolidated statement of changes in shareholders’ equity

NUMBER 
OF SHARES 
OUTSTANDING

SHARE 
CAPITAL

ADDITIONAL 
PAID-IN 
CAPITAL

RESERVES AND 
COMPREHENSIVE 
INCOME

CURRENCY 
TRANSLATION 
ADJUSTMENT

ATTRIBUTABLE 
TO EQUITY 
HOLDERS OF 
THE PARENT

NON-CONTROLLING 
INTERESTS

TOTAL

TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

4.14

4.14

147,454,887

590

248

3,375

(930)

3,283

45

3,328

530

530

147,454,887

590

248

3,905

(930)

3,813

530

3,858

686

354

1,040

45

21

(2)

19

665

356

1,021

190

190

665

166

831

(403)

(7)

33

(5)

4

(403)

(22)

(425)

3

(7)

33

(5)

4

(7)

33

(5)

4

0

0

(in millions of euro)

Notes

Shareholders’ equity as of 
August 31, 2018

Impact of IFRS 9 & IFRS 15 
first-time application(1)

Shareholders’ equity as of 
September 1, 2018

Net profit for the year

Other comprehensive income 
(loss), net of tax

Comprehensive income

Dividends paid

Capital reduction by 
cancelling treasury shares

Treasury share transactions

Share-based payment 
(net of income tax)

Change in ownership interest 
without any change of control

Other(2)

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY AS 
OF AUGUST 31, 2019

147,454,887

590

248

4,358

(740)

4,456

42

4,498

(1) See note 2.1.2 “New accounting standards and interpretations required to be applied”.
(2) Including the effects of hyperinflation, recognition of commitments to repurchase non-controlling interests.

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3 C o n s o l i d a t e d   f i n a n c i a l   s t a t e m e n t s   a s   o f   A u g u s t   3 1 ,   2 0 1 9

NUMBER 
OF SHARES 
OUTSTANDING

SHARE 
CAPITAL

ADDITIONAL 
PAID-IN 
CAPITAL

RESERVES AND 
COMPREHENSIVE 
INCOME

CURRENCY 
TRANSLATION 
ADJUSTMENT

ATTRIBUTABLE 
TO EQUITY 
HOLDERS OF 
THE PARENT

NON-CONTROLLING 
INTERESTS

TOTAL

TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

4.14

4.14

150,830,449

603

534

3,084

(685)

3,536

(3,375,562)

(14)

(286)

651

65

716

(411)

300

(348)

44

(0)

(10)

651

(245)

(180)

(245)

471

34

13

0

14

3,570

664

(180)

485

(411)

(16)

(427)

(348)

(348)

44

(0)

(10)

44

13

(9)

14

0

(in millions of euro)

Notes

Shareholders’ equity as of 
August 31, 2017

Net profit for the year

Other comprehensive income 
(loss), net of tax

Comprehensive income

Dividends paid

Capital reduction by 
cancelling treasury shares

Treasury share transactions

Share-based payment 
(net of income tax)

Change in ownership interest 
without any change of control

Other*

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY AS 
OF AUGUST 31, 2018

147,454,887

589

248

3,375

(930)

3,283

45

3,328

* 

Including the effects of hyperinflation and the recognition of put options written over non-controlling interests other than in connection with business 
combinations.

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N o t e s   t o   t h e   c o n s o l i d a t e d   f i n a n c i a l   s t a t e m e n t s

C O N S O L I D A T E D   I N F O R M A T I O N

3.4  NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

DETAILED LIST OF NOTES

1. 

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS 

2. 
2.1 

2.2 

2.3 

2.4 

2.5 

2.6 

2.7 

2.8 

2.9 

ACCOUNTING POLICIES 
Basis of preparation of the fi nancial statements 

Use of estimates 

Principles and methods of consolidation 

Business combinations and goodwill 

Intangible assets 

Property, plant and equipment 

Leases 

Impairment of assets 

Client investments 

2.10 

Inventories 

2.11  Trade and other receivables 

2.12  Financial instruments 

2.13  Cash and cash equivalents 

2.14  Borrowing costs 

2.15  Sodexo treasury shares 

2.16  Provisions 

2.17  Employee benefi ts 

2.18  Vouchers payable 

2.19  Share-based payment 

2.20  Deferred taxes 

2.21  Trade and other payables 

2.22 

Income statement 

2.23  Earnings per share 

2.24  Cash fl ow statement 

3. 
3.1 

3.2 

3.3 

4. 

4.1 

4.2 

4.3 

4.4 

OPERATING SEGMENTS 
By business segment 

By signifi cant country 

By type of service 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
AS OF AUGUST 31, 2019 
Operating expenses by nature and other 
operating income and expenses 

Financial income and expense 

Income tax expense 

Earnings per share 

94

94
94

96

96

97

98

98

99

99

100

100

100

100

101

101

101

101

101

102

102

102

103

103

104

104

104
105

105

106

106

106

107

107

108

4.5 

4.6 

4.7 

4.8 

4.9 

Property, plant and equipment 

Goodwill 

Other intangible assets 

Client investments 

Companies consolidated by the equity method 

4.10 

Impairment of assets 

4.11  Financial assets 

4.12 

Income tax, trade and other receivables 

4.13  Cash and cash equivalents 

4.14  Statement of changes in shareholders’ equity 

4.15  Borrowings 

4.16  Derivative fi nancial instruments 

4.17  Long-term employee benefi ts 

4.18  Provisions 

4.19  Trade and other payables 

4.20  Deferred taxes 

4.21  Financial instruments 

4.22  Share-based payment 

4.23  Business combinations 

4.24  Commitments and contingencies 

4.25  Related parties 

4.26  Compensation, loans, post-employment benefi ts 

and other benefi ts granted to Board members, 
the Executive Committee, and the Group Chief 
Executive Offi  cer of Sodexo 

4.27  Group employees 

4.28  Disputes and litigation 

4.29  Subsequent events 

5. 

5.1 

5.2 

5.3 

5.4 

6. 

7. 

FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT 
OBJECTIVES AND POLICY 
Exposure to foreign exchange 
and interest rate risk 

Exposure to liquidity risk 

Exposure to counterparty risk 

Policy for managing the Company’s capital 
structure 

SCOPE OF CONSOLIDATION 

AUDITORS’ FEES 

109

110

112

113

113

114

115

117

117

118

119

123

124

127

128

129

130

132

135

135

136

137

137

138

138

139

139

139

139

140

140

143

3

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3 N o t e s   t o   t h e   c o n s o l i d a t e d   f i n a n c i a l   s t a t e m e n t s

 _ Sodexo is a société anonyme (a form of limited liability company) domiciled in France, with its 
headquarters located in Issy-les-Moulineaux.

Sodexo’s consolidated fi nancial statements for the fi scal year ended August 31, 2019 were approved 
by the Board of Directors on November 6, 2019 and will be submitted to the Annual Shareholders 
Meeting on January 21, 2020.

1.  SIGNIFICANT EVENTS

During the 2018-2019 financial year, the Group significantly 
strengthened its Personal & Home Services off ering, particularly 
in the Child care market with the acquisition of Crèches de France 
and Elly & Stoffl   in Germany, and in the Homecare market with 
the acquisition of The Good Care Group in the United Kingdom, 
Domicil + in France and Pronep in Brazil. Sodexo also acquired 
Novae Restauration in Switzerland, and Alliance in Partnership 
in the UK which operates in Education, as well as International 
Club of Suppliers in the U.S.

The impacts of these business combinations on the consolidated 
financial  statements  at  August  31,  2019  are  detailed  in 
note 4.23 “Business combinations”.

In  addition,  the  Group  has  invested  through  its  strategic 
investment  fund  Sodexo  Ventures  in  Meican,  a  Chinese 
technology company focused on digital food solutions in the 
corporate environment.

Finally,  in  June  2019,  the  Group  carried  out  a  250-million 
pounds  sterling  nine-year  bond   (redeemable  in  June  2028) 
bearing interest at an effective annual rate of 1.814%. This 
bond issue , which was largely oversubscribed and placed with 
European investors, is an integral part of the active management 
of the Group’s debt, partly to refi nance the British acquisitions 
of this year and allowing a naturel hedge of the Group assets in 
pounds sterling.

2.  ACCOUNTING POLICIES

2.1  Basis of preparation of 

the fi nancial statements

2.1.1  Basis of preparation of financial 

information for Fiscal 2019

Pursuant to European regulation 1606/2002 of July 19, 2002, the 
consolidated fi nancial statements of the Sodexo Group have been 
prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting 
Standards  (IFRS)  as  issued  by  the  International  Accounting 
Standards Board (IASB) and approved by the European Union as 
of the year end. A comprehensive list of the accounting standards 
adopted  by  the  European  Union  is  available  for  consultation 
on the European Commission website at https://ec.europa.eu/
commission/index_en.

Information  for  the  comparative  year  presented  has  been 
prepared using the same principles.

The  IFRS  application  dates  as  approved  by  the  European 
Union  have  been  the  same  as  those  for  the  IFRS  standards 
published by the IASB for the Company’s past three fi scal years. 
Consequently, any diff erences between the two sets of standards 
arising out of delays in approval by the European Union had no 
impact on the consolidated fi nancial statements.

The numbers shown in the tables were prepared in thousands 
of euro and are presented in millions of euro unless otherwise 
indicated.

2.1.2  New accounting standards 

and interpretations required to be applied

The  accounting  policies  used  by  the  Group  to  prepare  its 
consolidated  financial  statements  for  the  fiscal  year  ended 
August 31, 2019 are the same as those used for the consolidated 
fi nancial statements as of August 31, 2018, except for the fi rst-
time application of IFRS 9 and IFRS 15 as described hereaft  er.

2.1.2.1  FIRST-TIME APPLICATION OF IFRS 9 

“FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS”

IFRS  9  specifies  the  principles  of  recognition  and  financial 
reporting for fi nancial instruments. These principles have been 
applied by the Group effective September 1, 2018, replacing 
those required by IAS 39 “Financial Instruments: Recognition 
and Measurement”. IFRS 9 introduces:

•  a  new  classification  of  financial  instruments,  which 
determines valuation and accounting rules, based on the 
management model and the contractual specifi cations of the 
fi nancial instruments (Tier 1);

•  a new model of depreciation of financial assets, based on 
expected credit losses, replacing the model previously based 
on incurred credit losses (Tier 2); and

•  new principles on hedge accounting (Tier 3).

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The nature and impacts of the main changes in accounting 
policies arising from the application of IFRS 9 are summarized 
in the following paragraphs.

Tier 1: Classifi cation and measurement of fi nancial assets 
and liabilities

The standard presents a new model for the classifi cation and 
measurement  of  financial  assets,  based  on  the  contractual 
characteristics of cash flows and on the economic model for 
managing these assets. The four categories prescribed by IAS 39 
for the classifi cation of fi nancial assets have been replaced by 
the following three categories:

•  fi nancial assets measured at amortized cost;

•  fi nancial assets measured at fair value through profi t or loss;

• 

financial  assets  measured  at  fair  value  through  other 
comprehensive income.

The main impact for Sodexo relates to the 19.61% stake held by 
the Group through its subsidiary Sofi nsod, in the share capital of 
Bellon SA, the company that controls Sodexo S.A. Under IAS 39, 
the Group previously recognized its interest in Bellon SA at cost 
(32.4 million euro). The application of IFRS 9 led the Group to 
measure this investment at fair value in accordance with IFRS 13 
“Fair value measurement”, and to recognize future changes in fair 
value in Other Comprehensive Income. The measurement of the 
fair value of the interest in Bellon SA is presented in note 4.21 
“Financial Instruments”.

Tier 2: Impairment of fi nancial assets

The IAS 39 fi nancial asset impairment model, based on incurred 
losses,  has  been  replaced  by  a  model  based  on  expected 
credit losses, leading to the recognition of an impairment for 
the  expected  losses  on  receivables  and  long-term  financial 
assets as of their initial recognition. Within the Group, this 
new impairment model is only applicable to financial assets 
measured  at  amortized  cost  (consisting  mainly  of  trade 
receivables). The application of this model has a limited impact 
on the Group’s financial statements: the difference between 
the expected credit losses at maturity assessed by applying 
the simplified model provided by IFRS 9 and the impairment 
recognized for the incurred credit losses was 23 million euro 
before tax as of September 1, 2018.

Tier 3: Hedge Accounting

The Group chose to adopt the new general hedge accounting 
model introduced by IFRS 9, whereby hedge accounting must 
be aligned with its risk management objectives and strategy. 
IFRS 9 also requires a more qualitative and prospective approach 
to assessing hedge eff ectiveness. These new principles have no 
impact on the Group fi nancial statements.

The total impact of these changes as of the first application 
is  530  million  euro  (net  of  tax)  and  was  accounted  for  in 
shareholders’ equity on September 1, 2018, with no restatement 
of the comparative periods presented in accordance with the 
option provided by the transitional provisions of IFRS 9. The 
following table presents fi rst-application impacts recorded in 
shareholders’ equity on September 1, 2018:

N o t e s   t o   t h e   c o n s o l i d a t e d   f i n a n c i a l   s t a t e m e n t s

C O N S O L I D A T E D   I N F O R M A T I O N

(in millions of euro)

Bellon SA shares

Impairment of financial assets

Deferred tax assets

Deferred tax liabilities on long-term capital gain

TOTAL

IMPACT AS OF 
SEPTEMBER 1, 2018

564

(23)

6

(17)

530

2.1.2.2  FIRST-TIME APPLICATION OF IFRS 15 “REVENUE FROM 

CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS”

IFRS 15, which defines the principles for recognizing revenue, 
replaced IAS 18 “Revenue” and IAS 11 “Construction Contracts”, 
along with the related interpretations, as from September 1, 2018 
for the Group. IFRS 15 applies to all contracts with customers 
except for leases, fi nancial instruments and insurance contracts, 
which are addressed in other standards. IFRS 15 defi nes a single 
framework for recognizing revenue. It introduces new concepts 
and principles regarding revenue recognition, particularly in 
terms of identifying performance obligations and allocating the 
transaction price to performance obligations when there are 
several diff erent performance obligations in a given contract.

The analysis of transactions and contracts for the different 
material sources of revenue showed that the accounting policies 
applied by the Group to recognize revenues remain appropriate 
under IFRS 15, except in specifi c cases. The only change relates 
to the accounting treatment of certain contracts in relation 
to On-site Services, which have been reassessed to refl ect the 
change in qualifi cation between agent and principal (leading to 
the recognition of the related revenue on a gross or net basis), 
and the recognition as a deduction from the revenues of fees or 
rent paid by the Group in certain circumstances to its clients 
(previously recorded as operating expenses).

Considering the limited impact of the fi rst-time application of 
IFRS 15 on the Group fi nancial statements because of the nature 
of  its  activities,  the  cumulative  catch-up  method  has  been 
applied, allowing for the change in revenue recognition to be 
recognized in opening equity in Fiscal 2019, as of September 1, 
2018. Accordingly, an immaterial negative impact of -1 million 
euro  was  recognized  in  Fiscal  2019  opening  shareholders’ 
equity. The impact of IFRS 15 for Fiscal 2019 was not material.

The accounting principles for recognizing revenue applied by the 
Group are described in note 2.22.2.

2.1.3  Accounting standards and interpretations 

issued but not yet applicable

The  Group  has  not  elected  to  early  adopt  any  standards, 
interpretations or amendments not required to be applied in 
Fiscal 2019.

The Group has not applied any IFRSs that had not yet been 
approved by the European Union as of August 31, 2019.

It  is  currently  analyzing  the  impacts  of  applying  IFRS  16 
“Leases” and IFRIC 23 “Uncertainty over income tax treatments”. 
The  Group  does  not  expect  the  application  of  the  other 
standards, amendments or interpretations to have a material 
impact on its consolidated fi nancial statements.

3

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C O N S O L I D A T E D   I N F O R M A T I O N

3 N o t e s   t o   t h e   c o n s o l i d a t e d   f i n a n c i a l   s t a t e m e n t s

• 

IFRS 16 “Leases”, applicable to the Group as from the 
fiscal year opening on September 1, 2019

2.2  Use of estimates

IFRS  16  eliminates  the  current  dual  accounting  model  for 
lessees,  which  distinguishes  between  on-balance  sheet 
finance  leases  and  off-balance  sheet  operating  leases.  In 
accordance with the new standard, all leases will now have to 
be recognized on the balance sheet, with the recognition of an 
asset representing the right to use the underlying asset, and a 
lease liability corresponding to the present value of the fixed 
lease payments over the reasonably certain term of the lease 
agreement (considering renewal or early termination options 
expected to be exercised). Only short-term leases and leases 
of low-value assets are exempt from this requirement. IFRS 16 
will also affect the presentation of lease transactions in the 
consolidated income statement (with rental expense replaced 
by depreciation expense and interest expense).

 The implementation of IFRS 16 has been subject to a dedicated 
project  within  the  Group.  During  Fiscal  2019,  the  Group 
continued its work on collecting data relating to the leases in 
place in its various business segments and regions. In addition, 
the Group adapted its processes and its IT systems in order 
to be able to present its consolidated fi nancial statements in 
compliance with IFRS 16 as of Fiscal 2020. As at August 31, 
2019,  the  Group  finalized  the  inventory  of  contracts  and 
is  deploying  its  tool  dedicated  to  lease  management  and 
accounting.

The Group will apply IFRS 16 as of September 1, 2019 using 
the simplified retrospective approach, without restating the 
comparative consolidated fi nancial statements at of August 31, 
2019. The Group has also opted to apply the two exemptions 
proposed in the standard (leases for periods of 12 months or 
less and leases for which the underlying asset is of low value).

 Subject to the outcome of the discussions under way at the 
IASB and IFRIC and based on the portfolio of existing contracts 
and  their  current  contractual  terms,  the  Group  estimates 
that the amount of the liability it will need to recognize in the 
consolidated statement of fi nancial position could be close to 
1.3 billion euro. This amount is not directly comparable to the 
operating lease commitments presented as off -balance sheet 
commitments in note 4.24.2. The diff erence is mainly explained 
by the diff erence in the lease terms considered (the reasonably 
certain term of the leases used to determine the lease liability to 
be recognised in accordance with IFRS 16 being generally longer 
than the non-cancellable term used to determine the off -balance 
sheet commitments), partly off set by the discounting eff ect.

• 

IFRIC  23  “Uncertainty  over  income  tax  treatments”, 
applicable to the Group as from the fiscal year opening 
on September 1, 2019

IFRIC 23 clarifi es how to apply the recognition and measurement 
requirements in IAS 12 “Income Taxes” when there is uncertainty 
over the acceptability of a particular tax treatment under tax 
law.

The possible effects of applying IFRIC 23 are currently being 
analyzed.

T h e   p r e p a r a t i o n   o f   f i n a n c i a l   s t a t e m e n t s   r e q u i r e s   t h e 
management of Sodexo and its subsidiaries to make estimates 
and assumptions which aff ect the amounts reported for assets, 
liabilities and contingent liabilities as of the date of preparation 
of the fi nancial statements, and for revenues and expenses for 
the period.

These estimates and valuations are updated continuously based 
on past experience and on various other factors considered 
reasonable in view of current circumstances and are the basis for 
the assessments of the carrying amount of assets and liabilities.

Actual results may diff er substantially from these estimates if 
assumptions or circumstances change.

Signifi cant items subject to such estimates and assumptions 
include the following:

• 

• 

impairment of current and non-current assets (notes 4.10 
to 4.12);

fair  value  of  financial  assets  and  derivative  financial 
instruments (notes 4.16 and 4.21);

•  provisions and litigation (notes 4.18 and 4.28);

•  valuation of post-employment defi ned benefi t plan assets 

and liabilities (note 4.17);

•  recognition of deferred tax assets (note 4.20);

•  share-based payment (note 4.22);

•  valuation of goodwill and intangible assets acquired as part 
of a business combination, as well as their estimated useful 
lives (note 4.23).

2.3  Principles and methods 

of consolidation

2.3.1 

Intragroup transactions

Intragroup transactions and balances, and unrealized losses 
and gains between Group companies, are eliminated. Unrealized 
losses  are  eliminated  in  the  same  way  as  unrealized  gains, 
unless they represent an impairment loss.

2.3.2  Consolidation methods

A subsidiary is an entity directly or indirectly controlled by 
Sodexo S.A. The Group controls a subsidiary when it is exposed or 
has rights to obtain variable benefi ts from its involvement with 
the subsidiary and has the ability to infl uence those benefi ts 
through its power over the subsidiary. In determining whether 
control exists, voting rights granted by equity instruments are 
taken into account only when they give the Group substantive 
rights. The fi nancial statements of subsidiaries are included in 
the consolidated fi nancial statements from the date on which 
control is obtained to the date on which control ceases to be 
exercised.

Associates  are  companies  in  which  Sodexo  S.A.  directly  or 
indirectly  exercises  significant  influence  over  financial  and 
operating policy without exercising exclusive or joint control. 
Joint  ventures  are  joint  arrangements  in  which  Sodexo  S.A. 

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directly  or  indirectly  exercises  joint  control  and  has  rights 
to  the  net  assets  of  the  arrangement.  Associates  and  joint 
ventures are consolidated by the equity method. Sodexo has 
a number of equity interests in project companies established 
in connection with Public-Private Partnership (PPP) contracts. 
These contracts enable governments to call upon the private 
sector for the design, construction, fi nancing and management 
of public infrastructure (hospitals, schools, barracks, prisons), 
with detailed performance criteria. An analysis is performed for 
each of these equity interests, in order to determine whether 
they qualify as associates or joint ventures.

Sodexo only makes equity and subordinated debt investments 
in such projects when it acts as a service provider to the project 
company.

Further information on the main entities consolidated as of 
August 31, 2018 is provided in note 6 “Scope of consolidation”.

 2.3.3  Foreign currency translation

The exchange rates used are derived from rates quoted by the 
European central bank and on other major international fi nancial 
markets.

2.3.3.1  FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS

Monetary  assets  and  liabilities  denominated  in  foreign 
currencies at the period end are translated using the closing 
rate.  The  resulting  translation  differences  are  reported  in 
fi nancial income or expense.

Non-monetary foreign-currency assets and liabilities reported at 
historical cost are translated using the exchange rate at the date 
of the transaction. Non-monetary assets and liabilities reported 
at fair value are translated using the exchange rate at the date 
when the fair value was determined.

Transactions for the period are translated at the exchange rate 
at the transaction date.

Translation diff erences on monetary items that are in substance 
part of a net investment in a foreign operation consolidated by 
Sodexo are reported in other comprehensive income until the 
disposal or liquidation of the investment.

2.3.3.2  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DENOMINATED 

IN FOREIGN CURRENCIES

Countries with stable currencies

The separate fi nancial statements of each consolidated entity 
are presented on the basis of the primary economic environment 
(functional currency) in which the entity operates.

For consolidation purposes, all foreign-currency assets and 
liabilities  of  consolidated  entities  are  translated  into  the 
reporting currency of the Sodexo Group (the euro) at the closing 
exchange rate, and all income statement items are translated 
at  the  average  exchange  rate  for  the  period.  The  resulting 
translation diff erences are recognized in other comprehensive 
income under “Currency translation adjustment”.

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Countries with hyperinfl ationary economies

For these countries, the diff erence between profi t or loss for the 
period translated at the average rate and profi t or loss for the 
period translated at the closing rate is recognized in fi nancial 
income or expense.

Since July 1, 2018, Argentina has been classifi ed as a country 
with a hyperinflationary economy. However, the impacts of 
hyperinfl ation in that country were not material at Group level 
during Fiscal 2019.

2.4  Business combinations 

and goodwill

The purchase method is used to account for acquisitions of 
subsidiaries  by  the  Group.  Fair  value  of  the  consideration 
corresponds  to  the  fair  value  of  assets  acquired,  equity 
instruments issued by the purchaser and liabilities assumed 
as of the date of the acquisition. Costs directly related to the 
acquisition are expensed as incurred in the income statement.

On initial consolidation of a subsidiary or equity interest, the 
Group measures all identifi able elements acquired at fair value 
at the acquisition date, in the currency of the acquired entity.

Changes to the measurement of identifi able assets and liabilities 
resulting from specialist valuations or additional analysis may 
be recognized as adjustments to goodwill if they are identifi ed 
within one year of the date of acquisition and result from facts 
and circumstances existing at the acquisition date. Once this 
one-year period has elapsed, the eff ect of any adjustments is 
recognized directly in the income statement (unless it is the 
correction of an error), including recognition of deferred tax 
assets which are recognized in the income statement as a tax 
benefi t if recognized more than one year aft  er the acquisition 
date.  Goodwill  arising  on  the  acquisition  of  associates  and 
joint ventures is included in the value of the equity method 
investment.

Goodwill is not amortized but is subject to impairment tests 
immediately if there are indicators of impairment, and at least 
once  per  year.  Impairment  test  procedures  are  described  in 
note 2.8 “Impairment of assets”. Goodwill impairment losses 
recognized in the income statement are irreversible.

2.4.1  Goodwill

Any  residual  difference  between  the  fair  value  of  the 
consideration  transferred  (for  example  the  amount  paid), 
increased by the amount of the non-controlling interest in the 
acquired company (measured either at fair value or its share in 
the fair value of the identifi able net assets acquired) and the fair 
value as of the date of acquisition of the assets acquired and 
liabilities assumed, is recognized as goodwill in the statement 
of fi nancial position.

The Group measures non-controlling interests on a case-by-case 
basis for each business combination either at fair value or based 
on their percentage interest in the fair value of identifi able net 
assets acquired.

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2.4.2  Bargain purchases

When the fair value of the assets acquired and the liabilities 
assumed as of the acquisition date is greater than acquisition 
cost, increased by the amount of any non-controlling interest, 
the excess – representing negative goodwill – is immediately 
recognized in the income statement in the period of acquisition, 
after  reviewing  the  procedures  for  the  identification  and 
measurement  of  the  different  components  included  in  the 
calculation.

2.4.3  Transactions in non-controlling interests

Changes in non-controlling interests, in the absence of either 
assumption or loss of control, are recognized in shareholders’ 
equity. In particular, when additional shares in an entity already 
controlled by the Group are acquired, the difference between 
the acquisition cost of the shares and the share of net assets 
acquired is recognized in equity attributable to equity holders of 
the parent. The consolidated value of the assets and liabilities of 
the subsidiary (including goodwill) remains unchanged.

2.4.4  Purchase price adjustments and/or 

earn-outs

Purchase price adjustments and/or earn-outs related to business 
combinations are recognized at their fair value as of the date of 
acquisition even if they are considered to be not probable. Aft  er 
the date of acquisition, changes in estimates of the fair value 
of price adjustments lead to an adjustment to goodwill only 
if they occur within the time allowed (a maximum of one year 
as of the date of acquisition) and if they result from facts and 
circumstances that existed at the acquisition date. In all other 
cases, the change is recognized in profi t or loss except when the 
consideration transferred consists of an equity instrument.

2.4.5  Step acquisitions

In  a  step  acquisition,  the  fair  value  of  the  Group’s  previous 
interest in the acquired entity is measured at the date that 
control  is  obtained  and  is  recognized  in  profit  or  loss.  In 
determining the amount of goodwill recognized, the fair value 
of the consideration transferred (for example the price paid) is 
increased by the fair value of the interest previously held by the 
Group.

2.5 

Intangible assets

Separately acquired intangible assets are initially measured 
at  cost.  Intangible  assets  acquired  in  connection  with  a 
business combination and which can be reliably measured, are 
controlled by the Group and are separable or arise from a legal 
or contractual right, are recognized at fair value separately 
from  goodwill.  Subsequent  to  initial  recognition,  intangible 
assets are measured at cost less accumulated amortization and 
impairment losses.

Intangible  assets  other  than  certain  trademarks  having  an 
indefi nite useful life are considered to have fi nite useful lives, 
and  are  amortized  by  the  straight-line  method  over  their 
expected useful lives:

Integrated management software

Other software

Patents and licenses

Client relationships

Other intangible assets

3-7 years

3-4 years

2-10 years

3-20 years

3-20 years

Acquired  trademarks  with  a  finite  useful  life  are  generally 
amortized over a period of less than ten years. Trademarks 
that  the  Group  considers  as  having  an  indefinite  useful  life 
(notably based on criteria relating to their durability and brand 
recognition) are not amortized.

In view of the legal characteristics of French commercial leases, 
lease rights are considered as having an indefi nite useful life and 
are not amortized.

The cost of licenses and soft  ware recognized in the statement 
of fi nancial position comprises the costs incurred in acquiring 
the soft  ware and bringing it into use, and is amortized over the 
estimated useful life of the asset.

Subsequent expenditures on intangible assets are capitalized 
only if they increase the expected future economic benefits 
associated  with  the  asset  to  which  they  relate.  Other 
expenditures are expensed as incurred.

2.6  Property, plant and equipment

Property,  plant  and  equipment  are  measured  at  cost  less 
accumulated depreciation and impairment losses, except for 
land, which is measured at cost less accumulated impairment 
losses. Cost includes expenditures directly incurred to acquire 
the  asset,  and  in  some  cases  may  also  include  estimated 
unavoidable future dismantling, removal and site remediation 
costs.

Subsequent expenditures are included in the carrying amount 
of the asset, or recognized as a separate component, if it is 
probable that the future economic benefi ts of the expenditures 
will fl ow to Sodexo and the cost can be measured reliably. All 
other repair and maintenance costs are recognized as expenses 
during  the  period  in  which  they  are  incurred,  except  costs 
incurred to improve productivity or extend the useful life of an 
asset, which are capitalized.

Items of property, plant and equipment are depreciated over 
their expected useful lives using the component-based approach, 
taking account of their residual value. The straight-line method 
of depreciation is regarded as the method that most closely 
reflects  the  expected  pattern  of  consumption  of  the  future 
economic benefits embodied in items of property, plant and 
equipment.

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The useful lives generally used by the Group are:

2.8.2.1  CASH GENERATING UNITS

Buildings

General fixtures and fittings

Plant and machinery

Motor vehicles

Boats and pontoons (depending on the 
component)

20-30 years

3-10 years

3-8 years

4 years

5-15 years

The residual values and useful lives of items of property, plant 
and equipment are reviewed at each period end and, if necessary, 
adjusted.

The carrying amounts of items of property, plant and equipment 
are tested for impairment if there is an indication that an item 
may be subject to impairment.

2.7 

Leases

Leases  under  which  substantially  all  the  risks  and  rewards 
incidental to ownership of an asset are transferred to Sodexo 
are classifi ed as fi nance leases and accounted for as follows:

•  at inception of the lease term, the leased asset is recognized 
as an asset at the lower of fair value or the present value of 
the minimum lease payments;

•  the corresponding liability is recognized in borrowings;

• 

lease payments are apportioned between the fi nance charge 
and  the  reduction  of  the  outstanding  liability  so  as  to 
produce a constant periodic rate of interest on the remaining 
balance of the liability.

An  asset  held  under  a  finance  lease  is  depreciated  over  its 
estimated useful life, or if there is no reasonable certainty that 
the lessee will obtain ownership by the end of the lease term, 
over the shorter of the lease term and its useful life.

Leases under which the lessor retains substantially all the risks 
and rewards incidental to ownership of the asset are treated as 
operating leases. Payments made under operating leases are 
expensed as an operating item on a straight-line basis over the 
term of the lease.

2.8 

Impairment of assets

2.8.1 

Impairment of assets with finite useful 
lives

Property, plant and equipment and intangible assets with fi nite 
useful lives are tested for impairment if there is any indication 
of impairment. Impairment losses are recognized in the income 
statement, and may be reversed subsequently.

2.8.2 

Impairment of assets with indefinite 
useful lives

Goodwill and other intangible assets considered to have an 
indefinite useful life (such as certain trademarks) are tested 
for impairment whenever there is an indication of impairment, 
and at least annually, in the last quarter of the fi scal year. The 
results of the impairment tests are then confi rmed using actual 
data as of August 31.

Assets  that  do  not  generate  cash  inflows  that  are  largely 
independent of those from other assets, and hence cannot be 
tested for impairment individually, are grouped together in Cash 
Generating Units (CGUs).

Impairment tests are performed at the level of the CGU or group 
of CGUs corresponding to the lowest level at which goodwill is 
monitored by the Group.

Since Fiscal 2017, goodwill for the has been analyzed based on 
the following operating segments in the Group’s organizational 
structure (see note 3):

•  On-site Services activity:

•  Business & Administrations, which includes Corporate 
Services, Energy & Resources, Government & Agencies, 
Sports & Leisure and other non-segmented activities,

•  Healthcare, combined with Seniors,

•  Education, comprising Schools and Universities;

•  the Benefits & Rewards Services activity corresponds to a 

single CGU.

Goodwill is not tested for impairment at a higher level than the 
operating segments before aggregation for segment reporting.

The assets allocated to each CGU or group of CGUs comprise:

•  goodwill, which is allocated when the CGU or group of CGUs is 

likely to benefi t from the business combination;

•  other intangible assets, property, plant and equipment, client 

investments and net working capital.

2.8.2.2 

INDICATIONS OF IMPAIRMENT

The  main  indicators  that  a  CGU  may  be  impaired  are  a 
significant  decrease  in  the  CGU’s  revenues  and  underlying 
operating profi t or material changes in market trends.

2.8.2.3  METHODS USED TO DETERMINE THE RECOVERABLE 

AMOUNT

An  impairment  loss  is  recognized  in  the  income  statement 
when the carrying amount of an asset or CGU is greater than its 
recoverable amount.

Recoverable amount is the greater of:

• 

fair value less costs of disposal, i.e., the amount obtainable 
from  the  sale  of  an  asset  (net  of  selling  costs)  in  an 
orderly  transaction  between  market  participants  at  the 
measurement date; and

•  value in use, which is the present value of the future cash 
flows  expected  to  be  derived  from  continuing  use  and 
ultimate disposal of the asset or CGU.

The value in use of a CGU or group of CGUs is estimated using 
aft  er-tax cash fl ow projections based on business plans and a 
terminal value calculated by extrapolating data for the final 
year of the business plan. Business plans generally cover one to 
fi ve years. These plans have been drawn up for each operating 
segment resulting from the Group’s new organizational structure 
as described in note 3.

Management  both  at  Group  and  subsidiary  levels  prepares 
underlying profi t forecasts on the basis of past performance and 
expected market trends.

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The growth rate used beyond the initial period of the business 
plans  reflects  the  growth  rate  of  the  operating  segment 
concerned, taking into account the geographic regions in which 
the operating segment conducts business.

Expected  future  cash  flows  are  discounted  at  the  weighted 
average cost of capital calculated for the Group. For certain 
CGUs or groups of CGUs a premium is added to the weighted 
average cost of capital in order to refl ect the greater risk factors 
affecting  certain  countries  in  which  the  operating  segment 
concerned conducts business.

The growth and discount rates used for impairment tests during 
the period are provided in note 4.10 “Impairment of assets”.

2.8.2.4  RECOGNITION OF IMPAIRMENT LOSSES

An impairment loss recognized with respect to a CGU is allocated 
initially  to  reducing  the  carrying  amount  of  any  goodwill 
allocated to that CGU, and then to reducing the carrying amount 
of the other assets of the CGU in proportion to the carrying 
amount of each asset.

2.8.3  Reversal of impairment losses

Impairment losses recognized with respect to goodwill cannot 
be reversed.

Impairment  losses  recognized  with  respect  to  any  other 
asset may only be reversed if there is an indication that the 
impairment  loss  is  lower  or  no  longer  exists.  The  amount 
reversed  is  based  on  the  new  estimates  of  the  recoverable 
amount.

The increased carrying amount of an asset resulting from the 
reversal  of  an  impairment  loss  cannot  exceed  the  carrying 
amount that would have been determined for that asset had no 
impairment loss been recognized.

2.9  Client investments

Some client contracts provide for a financial contribution by 
Sodexo. For example, the Group may participate in financing 
the purchase of equipment or fi xtures on the client site that are 
necessary to fulfi ll service obligations, or it may make a fi nancial 
contribution that will be recovered over the life of the contract. 
These assets are generally amortized over a period of less than 
10 years, but may be amortized over a longer period depending 
on the contract duration. The amortization is recognized as a 
reduction to revenues over the life of the contract.

In  the  cash  flow  statement,  changes  in  the  value  of  these 
investments are presented as a component of investing cash 
fl ows.

2.10  Inventories

Inventories are measured at the lower of cost or net realizable 
value. Cost is determined by the FIFO (First In First Out) method.

 2.11  Trade and other receivables

Trade  and  other  receivables  are  initially  recognized  at  fair 
value, and are subsequently measured at amortized cost less 
impairment losses recognized in the income statement.

Trade and other receivables are impaired to refl ect the expected 
credit losses, assessed using an impairment matrix (application 
of the simplifi ed impairment model as provided for in IFRS 9). 
This  method  consists  in  applying  for  each  aging  balance 
category  a  separate  impairment  rate  based  on  historical 
credit losses adjusted, when necessary, to take into account 
prospective factors.

2.12  Financial instruments

Financial assets and liabilities are recognized in the statement 
of fi nancial position on the transaction date, which is the date 
when Sodexo becomes a party to the contractual provisions of 
the instrument.

The fair values of fi nancial assets and derivative instruments 
are generally determined on the basis of quoted market prices, 
of values resulting from recent transactions or of valuations 
carried out by the depositary bank.

 2.12.1  Financial assets

Financial assets are measured and recognized in three main 
categories:

• 

• 

• 

financial  assets  measured  at  fair  value  through 
other  comprehensive  income  include  investments  in 
non-consolidated  entities,  which  correspond  to  equity 
instruments  that  the  Group  has  irrevocably  elected  to 
classify  in  this  category.  When  an  equity  instrument  is 
sold,  the  cumulative  fair  value  adjustment  recognized 
in  other  comprehensive  income  is  not  transferred  to  the 
income statement; only dividends are booked in the income 
statement. For securities listed on an active market, fair 
value  is  considered  to  equal  market  value.  If  no  active 
market exists, fair value is generally determined based on 
appropriate fi nancial criteria for the specifi c security;

financial assets measured at amortized cost represent 
debt instruments that give rise to contractual cash fl ows that 
are solely payments of principal and interest on the principal 
amount outstanding and that are held within a business 
model whose objective is to hold assets to collect contractual 
cash flows. They include financial and security deposits, 
and  loans  to  non-consolidated  entities.  These  financial 
assets are initially recognized at fair value in the statement 
of financial position and subsequently at amortized cost, 
using the eff ective interest rate method (which is equivalent 
to acquisition cost as no signifi cant transaction costs are 
incurred in acquiring such assets). They are impaired to cover 
the estimated expected credit losses;

financial  assets  at  fair  value  through  profit  or  loss 
include marketable securities with maturities greater than 
three months and other financial assets held for trading 
and  acquired  for  the  purpose  of  resale  in  the  near  term 
(instruments that are not eligible to be classifi ed as fi nancial 
assets measured at amortized cost or at fair value through 
other comprehensive income). These assets are measured 
at  fair  value,  with  changes  in  fair  value  recognized  in 
fi nancial income or expense in the income statement, with 
the exception of changes in the fair value of fi nancial assets 
related to the Benefi ts & Rewards Services activity which are 
recognized in operating income or expense.

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2.12.2  Derivative financial instruments

Sodexo’s policy is to fi nance the majority of acquisition costs 
insofar  as  possible  in  the  currency  of  the  acquired  entity, 
generally at fi xed rates of interest.

Derivative fi nancial instruments are initially recognized at fair 
value in the statement of fi nancial position. Subsequent changes 
in the fair value of derivative instruments are recognized in the 
income statement, except in the case of instruments that qualify 
as cash fl ow hedges.

For cash fl ow hedges, the necessary documentation is prepared 
at inception and updated at each period end.

Gains or losses arising on the effective portion of the hedge 
are recognized in other comprehensive income, and are not 
recognized in the income statement until the underlying asset 
or liability is realized. Gains or losses arising on the ineff ective 
portion of the hedge are recognized in the income statement.

of purchase or may be withdrawn at any time at a known cash 
value with no material risk of loss in value.

2.14  Borrowing costs

Borrowing  costs  directly  attributable  to  the  acquisition, 
construction or production of a qualifying non-current asset 
are included in the cost of that asset. Borrowing costs that 
are not directly attributable to the acquisition, construction or 
production of a qualifying non-current asset are recognized as 
an expense using the eff ective interest method.

2.15  Sodexo treasury shares

Sodexo  shares  held  by  Sodexo  S.A.  itself  and/or  by  other 
Group  companies  are  shown  as  a  reduction  in  consolidated 
shareholders’ equity at their acquisition cost.

The  fair  value  of  these  derivative  instruments  is  generally 
determined based on valuations provided by the bank counter-
parties.

Gains  and  losses  on  acquisitions  and  disposals  of  treasury 
shares are recognized directly in consolidated shareholders’ 
equity and do not aff ect profi t or loss for the year.

2.12.3  Commitments to purchase non-controlling 

interests

2.16  Provisions

As required by IAS 32 “Financial instruments: Presentation”, 
Sodexo recognizes commitments to purchase non-controlling 
interests as a liability within borrowings in the consolidated 
statement  of  financial  position.  Commitments  to  purchase 
non-controlling interests given in connection with business 
combinations are recognized as follows:

•  the  liability  arising  from  the  commitment  is  recognized 
in other borrowings at the present value of the purchase 
commitment;

•  the corresponding non-controlling interests are cancelled;

•  additional goodwill is recognized for the balance.

2.12.4  Bank borrowings and bond issues

All borrowings, including bank credit facilities and overdraft  s, are 
initially recognized at the fair value of the amount received less 
directly attributable transaction costs.

Subsequent to initial recognition, borrowings are measured 
at  amortized  cost  using  the  effective  interest  method.  The 
effective  interest  rate  is  the  rate  that  discounts  estimated 
future cash payments or receipts through the expected life of 
a fi nancial liability to the net carrying amount of that liability. 
The calculation includes the eff ects of transaction costs, and of 
diff erences between the issue proceeds (net of transaction costs) 
and reimbursement value.

 2.13  Cash and cash equivalents

Cash  and  cash  equivalents  comprise  current  bank  account 
balances,  cash  on  hand  and  short-term  cash  investments 
in  money-market  instruments.  Money-market  instruments 
correspond to authorized “short-term” or “standard” money-
market funds under the new regulation adopted by the European 
Union (market funds that are eligible to the presumption as to 
classification as cash equivalents pursuant to the common 
AMF and ANC position issued in November 27, 2018) and have 
an initial maturity of less than three months at the moment 

A provision is recognized if the Group has a legal or constructive 
obligation at the period end and it is probable that settlement 
of the obligation will require an outflow of resources and the 
amount of the liability can be reliably measured.

Provisions primarily cover commercial, employee-related and 
tax-related risks and litigation (other than those related to 
income tax) arising in the course of operating activities, and 
are measured using assumptions that take account of the most 
likely outcomes.

Where the effect of the time value of money is material, the 
amount  of  the  provision  is  determined  by  discounting  the 
expected  future  cash  flows  at  a  pre-tax  discount  rate  that 
refl ects current market assessments of the time value of money 
and any risks specifi c to the liability.

A  provision  for  onerous  contracts  is  established  where  the 
unavoidable costs of meeting the obligations under a contract 
exceed the economic benefi ts expected to be received under it.

2.17  Employee benefi ts

2.17.1  Short-term benefits

Group  employees  receive  short-term  benefits  such  as 
vacation  pay,  sick  pay,  bonuses  and  other  benefits  (other 
than termination benefi ts), whose payment is expected within 
12 months of the related service period.

These benefi ts are reported as current liabilities.

2.17.2  Post-employment benefits

In accordance with IAS 19 “Employee Benefi ts”, Sodexo measures 
and recognizes post-employment benefi ts as follows:

•  contributions to defi ned-contribution plans are recognized as 

an expense; and

•  defined  benefit  plans  are  measured  using  actuarial 

valuations.

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Sodexo uses the projected unit credit method as the actuarial 
method for measuring its post-employment benefi t obligations, 
on  the  basis  of  the  national  or  company-wide  collective 
agreements eff ective within each entity.

Factors  used  in  calculating  the  obligation  include  length  of 
service, life expectancy, salary inflation, staff turnover, and 
macro-economic assumptions specific to countries in which 
Sodexo operates (such as infl ation rate and discount rate).

Remeasurement of the net obligation under defined benefit 
plans,  including  actuarial  gains  and  losses,  differences 
between  the  return  on  plan  assets  and  the  corresponding 
interest income recognized in the income statement, and any 
changes in the eff ect of the asset ceiling, is recognized in other 
comprehensive income and have no impact on profi t for the 
period.

Plan  amendments  and  the  establishment  of  new  defined 
benefit plans result in past service costs that are recognized 
immediately in the income statement.

The accounting treatment applied to defi ned benefi t plans is as 
follows:

•  the obligation, net of plan assets, is recognized as a non-
current liability in the consolidated statement of fi nancial 
position if the obligation exceeds the plan assets;

• 

if the value of plan assets exceeds the obligation under the 
plan, the net amount is recognized as a non-current asset. 
Plan surpluses are recognized as assets only if they represent 
future economic benefits that will be available to Sodexo. 
Where the calculation of the net obligation results in an asset 
for Sodexo, the amount recognized for this asset may not 
exceed the present value of all future refunds and reductions 
in future contributions under the plan;

•  the expense recognized in the income statement comprises:

•  current service cost, past service cost, if any, and the 
effect of plan settlements, all of which are recorded in 
operating income,

plan  amendments  and  the  establishment  of  new  plans  are 
recognized immediately in the income statement.

2.18  Vouchers payable

Vouchers payable are recognized as a current liability at fair 
value,  which  is  the  face  value  of  vouchers  in  circulation  or 
returned to Sodexo but not yet reimbursed to affi  liates.

2.19  Share-based payment

Some Group employees receive compensation in the form of 
share-based payments, for which payment is made in equity 
instruments.

The services compensated by these plans are recognized as an 
expense, with the off set recognized in shareholders’ equity, over 
the vesting period. The amount of expense recognized in each 
period is determined by reference to the fair value of the equity 
instruments granted, as of the grant date.

Each  year,  Sodexo  reassesses  the  number  of  potentially 
exercisable stock options that are expected to vest as well as the 
number of shares that is likely to be delivered to benefi ciaries 
of free shares based on the applicable vesting conditions. The 
impact of any change in estimates is recognized in the income 
statement, with the off set recognized in shareholders’ equity.

The features of the Group’s share-based payment plans are set 
out in note 4.22 “Share-based payment”.

2.20  Deferred taxes

Deferred taxes are recognized on temporary diff erences between 
the carrying amount of an asset or liability and its tax base, using 
the tax rate that is expected to apply in the period when the asset 
is realized or the liability is settled, based on tax rates (and tax 
laws) that are enacted or substantially enacted at the period end.

Deferred taxes are not recognized on the following items:

•  the  interest  expense  (income)  on  the  net  defined 
benefi t obligation (asset), calculated by multiplying the 
obligation (asset) by the discount rate used to measure 
the defined benefit obligation at the beginning of the 
period.

• 

• 

initial recognition of goodwill;

initial recognition of an asset in a transaction that is not a 
business combination and that aff ects neither accounting 
profi t nor taxable profi t; and

Sodexo  contributes  to  multiemployer  plans,  primarily  in 
the United States. These plans are accounted for as defined 
contribution plans, as the information provided by the plan 
administrators is insuffi  cient for them to be accounted for as 
defi ned benefi t plans (see note 4.17.1.3).

2.17.3  Other long-term employee benefits

Other long-term employee benefi ts are measured in accordance 
with IAS 19. The expected cost of such benefits is recognized 
as a non-current liability over the employee’s period of service. 
Actuarial gains and losses and past service costs arising from 

•  temporary diff erences on investments in subsidiaries that are 

not expected to reverse in the foreseeable future.

Taxes on items recognized directly in shareholders’ equity or 
in other comprehensive income are recognized in shareholders’ 
equity or in other comprehensive income, respectively, and not 
in the income statement.

Residual deferred tax assets on temporary diff erences and tax 
loss carry-forwards (aft  er off set of deferred tax liabilities) are 
only recognized if their recovery is considered probable.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are off set if there is a legally 
enforceable right to set off  current tax assets and liabilities and the 
deferred taxes relate to the same taxable entity and tax authority.

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 2.21  Trade and other payables

Trade and other payables are classifi ed as fi nancial liabilities 
measured at amortized cost, as defined in IFRS 9 “Financial 
instruments” (see note 2.1.2). They are initially recognized at 
their nominal amount, which represents a reasonable estimate 
of fair value in light of their short maturities.

2.22  Income statement

2.22.1  Income statement by function

represent  any  other  unsatisfied  performance  obligation 
at  that  date).  Facilities  management  services  mainly 
represent routine or recurring services, whose benefi ts are 
simultaneously received and consumed by customers as 
they are performed by the Group, and therefore correspond 
to performance obligations satisfi ed over time. Consequently, 
the Group applies the practical expedient provided for in 
IFRS  15  and  recognizes  the  revenue  for  its  right  to  bill 
(invoicing based on contractual prices, which represent the 
transaction prices of the diff erent promised services).

A a result, revenue recognition matches with billing for most 
of the On-site Services.

Sodexo presents its income statement by function.

 Principal versus Agent considerations:

Operating profi t comprises the following components:

•  gross profi t;

•  administrative and Sales Department costs; and

•  other operating income and expenses.

In order to better focus the Group’s fi nancial communication on 
recurring operating profi t and to simplify benchmarking with 
competitors, the consolidated income statement has changed 
as from Fiscal 2018 to include a new indicator, “Underlying 
operating profi t”, which corresponds to operating profi t before 
“Other operating income” and “Other operating expenses”.

Other operating income and expenses include the following:

•  gains  and  losses  arising  from  changes  in  the  scope  of 

consolidation;

•  gains and losses arising from changes in post-employment 

benefi t obligations;

•  restructuring and rationalization costs;

•  M&A costs;

•  amortization and impairment of client relationships and 

trademarks;

•  goodwill impairment;

• 

impairment of non-current assets and other unusual or non-
recurring items representing material amounts.

Underlying operating profi t also comprises the Group’s share 
of profi t of companies consolidated by the equity method that 
directly contribute to the Group’s business.

Underlying operating profi t has replaced operating profi t in the 
segment information, as it is now the main indicator reviewed 
regularly by the Executive Committee, which is the Group’s main 
operating decision-maker.

 2.22.2  Revenues

Revenues reported by Sodexo relate to the sale of services in 
connection with the ordinary activities of fully consolidated 
companies as follows:

•  On-site Services: revenues include all revenues stipulated 
in the contract, considering whether Sodexo acts as principal 
(the vast majority of cases) or agent.

 Food services revenues are recognized when the customer 
pays  at  the  check-out  (the  date  on  which  control  of  the 
goods is transferred to the customer, since the sales do not 

When a third party is involved in providing goods or services 
to the customers (for example, a subcontractor), the Group 
evaluates  whether  or  not  it  obtains  control  of  goods  or 
services before transferring control to the customer. When 
the Group controls the good or service before it is transferred 
to the customer, the revenue is recognized on a gross basis. 
Otherwise, the revenue is recognized on a net basis. It should 
be noted that the changes in revenue recognition principles 
introduced by IFRS 15 led us to reassess the accounting 
treatment of some contracts (revenue now recognized on a 
gross basis for instances where we subcontract part of our 
facilities management services, and on a net basis in some 
specifi c cases).

Consideration payable to customers:

In certain cases, and mainly upon client requirements, the 
Group pays fees or rent for the use of space or equipment 
made available to us on sites that enable us to deliver our 
services. In accordance with IFRS 15 principles applicable to 
consideration payable to customers, we have considered that 
such expenses should be recognized as a deduction from the 
corresponding revenues (previously recognized as operating 
expenses);

•  Benefits  &  Rewards  Services:  revenues  include  mainly 
commissions received from clients and affi  liates, fi nancial 
income  from  the  investment  of  cash  generated  by  the 
activity, and profi ts from vouchers and cards not reimbursed.

Commissions received from clients in the Benefi ts & Rewards 
Services activity are recognized when the vouchers are issued 
and sent to the client or the cards are credited. Commissions 
received from affi  liates are recognized when the vouchers are 
reimbursed or the cards are used. Profits from unreimbursed 
vouchers and cards are recognized based on their expiration 
date and the deadline for presentation for reimbursement by the 
affi  liate. It should be noted that the implementation of IFRS 15 
has no signifi cant impact on revenue recognition for Benefi ts & 
Rewards Services.

Revenues are measured at the fair value of the consideration 
received or to be received, net of discounts and rebates as well as 
Value Added Tax (VAT) and other taxes. The fi nancial component 
of  each  commercial  transaction  is  considered  as  negligible 
and therefore is not recognized separately in accordance with 
IFRS 15 provisions.

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2.22.3  Discount Allowances

As  part  of  its  food  or  other  material  supply  contracts  with 
manufacturers and distributors, the Group can earn discounts, 
rebates, or credits related to the purchases made under those 
contracts. Vendor Discounts and Allowances (VDA) are earned 
by the volume of materials purchased under the contract, by 
the periodic purchase volumes exceeding certain contractually-
defi ned thresholds, or as fi xed amounts in exchange for certain 
commitments such as vendor exclusivity arrangements. The 
Group  retains  VDAs  to  the  extent  consistent  with  its  client 
contracts and applicable law. Our accounting policy for VDAs is 
as follows:

•  VDAs earned on purchases made through Sodexo-managed 
food  or  facilities  services  contracts  are  recognized  as  a 
reduction to Cost of Sales;

•  VDAs  earned  on  purchases  made  through  procurement 
management services contracts are recognized as Revenues.

VDAs  are  typically  recognized  in  the  period  the  purchases 
are made based on the volume of materials purchased in the 
period and the contractual VDA rate. VDAs earned based on 
purchase volumes reaching contractually-defi ned thresholds are 
recognized in proportion with the purchases made as soon as the 
Group considers it probable that the thresholds will be reached. 
If the Group does not consider it probable that its purchase 
volumes will reach the contractually-defined thresholds, any 
VDAs  earned  are  recognized  if  and  when  the  thresholds  are 
reached. Fixed-amount VDAs are recognized immediately unless 
certain conditions need to be met in order for them to be earned 
or if there is a clear link between the amount promised and the 
future purchase volumes. In such cases, fi xed-amount VDAs are 
recognized over the period of the related commitment.

added generated by the French subsidiaries, which is reported 
under income tax expense because the Group considers that 
it meets the defi nition of a tax on income contained in IAS 12 
“Income Tax”.

Tax credits that do not affect taxable profit and are always 
r e f u n d e d   b y   t h e   F r e n c h   g o v e r n m e n t   i f   t h e y   h a v e   n o t 
been  deducted  from  corporate  income  tax  (including  the 
Competitiveness and Employment Tax Credit (CICE) introduced 
in  France  under  the  third  amended  2012  Finance  Bill)  are 
recognized  as  subsidies  and  therefore  deducted  from  the 
expenses to which they relate.

2.23  Earnings per share

Earnings per share is calculated by dividing profi t for the period 
by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding 
during the period, net of treasury shares.

In the calculation of diluted earnings per share, the denominator 
is increased by the number of potentially dilutive shares, and the 
numerator is adjusted for all dividends and interest recognized 
in the period and any other change in income or expenses that 
would result from conversion of the potentially dilutive shares.

Potential ordinary shares are treated as dilutive if and only if 
their conversion to shares would decrease earnings per share or 
increase loss per share.

A  reconciliation  between  the  weighted  average  number  of 
ordinary shares for the period and the weighted average number 
of shares for the period adjusted for the eff ects of potentially 
dilutive ordinary shares is presented in note 4.4 “Earnings per 
share”.

2.24  Cash fl ow statement

 2.22.4  Income tax expense

Income tax expense for the year comprises current taxes and 
deferred taxes. It includes the cotisation sur la valeur ajoutée des 
entreprises (CVAE), a business tax assessed on corporate value-

The cash fl ow statement analyzes changes in net cash and cash 
equivalents, defi ned as cash and cash equivalents less current 
bank overdraft  s and credit bank balances payable on demand 
that form an integral component of treasury management.

3.  OPERATING SEGMENTS

The segment information presented below has been prepared 
based on internal management data as monitored by the Group 
Executive Committee, which is Sodexo’s chief operating decision-
maker: On-site Services and Benefi ts & Rewards Services.

For On-site Services, since the beginning of Fiscal 2017, the 
Group  has  monitored  this  activity  based  on  global  client 
segments  rather  than  geographies  to  reflect  the  gradual 
reorganization of the Group since September 2015. The Group 
has  progressively  adapted  the  way  it  conducts  its  On-site 
Services business, building an organization by global client 
segment  to  better  support  clients  wherever  they  are,  both 
locally and internationally, and by global function to ensure 
optimized and standardized processes in all service off erings 
and functional activities. These global client segments meet the 
defi nition of operating segments in IFRS 8.

As explained in note 2.22.1, since Fiscal 2018, the Group has 
introduced  a  new  indicator,  “Underlying  operating  profit”, 
which is monitored by segment along with revenues, replacing 
operating profi t. Consequently, Sodexo’s operating segments 
and groups of operating segments are now as follows:

•  On-site Services:

•  Business & Administrations, which includes Corporate 
Services, Energy & Resources, Government & Agencies, 
Sports & Leisure and other non-segmented activities,

•  Healthcare, combined with Seniors,

•  Education, comprising Schools and Universities;

•  Benefi ts & Rewards Services.

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The operating segments that have been aggregated carry out 
similar operations – both in terms of type of services rendered 
and the processes and methods used to deliver the services – 
and have similar economic characteristics (notably in terms of 
the margins they generate).

Segment assets and liabilities are not presented as they are not 
included in the chief operating decision-maker’s measurement 
of segment performance.

Since the beginning of the 2018-2019 fi scal year, some contracts 
have been reallocated between segments. The most important 
change concerns some European countries where, aft  er several 
years of restructuring, the activity is now segmented. Thus, the 
activities operated in Hospitals and Seniors were transferred 
from the Business & Administration segment (where all non-
segmented activities are reported) to the Healthcare & Seniors 
segment.

No single Group client or contract accounts for more than 2% of 
consolidated revenues.

3.1  By business segment

FISCAL 2019
(in millions of euro)

ON-SITE 
SERVICES

BUSINESS & 
ADMINISTRATIONS

HEALTHCARE 
& SENIORS

EDUCATION

Revenues (third-party)

21,067

11,577

5,210

4,280

Inter-segment sales (Group)

TOTAL REVENUES

21,067

11,577

5,210

4,280

Underlying operating profit

1,049

487

342

220

BENEFITS & 
REWARDS 
SERVICES

ELIMINATIONS 
AND 
CORPORATE 
EXPENSES

GROUP TOTAL

21,954

(4)

(4)

21,954

(126)

1,200

888

4

892

276

FISCAL 2018
(in millions of euro)

ON-SITE 
SERVICES

BUSINESS & 
ADMINISTRATIONS

HEALTHCARE 
& SENIORS

EDUCATION

BENEFITS & 
REWARDS 
SERVICES

ELIMINATIONS 
AND CORPORATE 
EXPENSES

Revenues (third-party)

19,561

10,938

4,768

3,855

Inter-segment sales (Group)

TOTAL REVENUES

19,561

10,938

4,768

3,855

Underlying operating profit

986

458

306

222

846

4

850

262

(4)

(4)

20,407

(120)

1,128

3

GROUP 
TOTAL

20,407

3.2  By signifi cant country

The Group’s operations are spread across 67 countries, including two that each represent over 10% of consolidated revenues: France 
(the Group’s home country) and the United States. Revenues and non-current assets in these countries are as follows:

AUGUST 31, 2019
(in millions of euro)

Revenues (third-party)

Non-current assets*

*  Property, plant and equipment, goodwill, other intangible assets, and client investments.

AUGUST 31, 2018
(in millions of euro)

Revenues (third-party)

Non-current assets*

*  Property, plant and equipment, goodwill, other intangible assets, and client investments.

FRANCE

UNITED STATES

OTHER

TOTAL

2,852

1,168

9,069

4,085

10,033

21,954

3,016

8,269

FRANCE

UNITED STATES

OTHER

TOTAL

2,721

1,084

8,243

3,827

9,443

2,635

20,407

7,546

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3.3  By type of service

Revenues by type of service are as follows:

(in millions of euro)

Food services

Facilities management services

TOTAL ON-SITE SERVICES REVENUES

Benefits & Rewards Services

Eliminations

FISCAL 2019

FISCAL 2018

13,998

7,068

21,067

892

(4)

13,172

6,389

19,561

850

(4)

TOTAL CONSOLIDATED REVENUES

21,954

20,407

4.  NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF AUGUST 31, 2019

4.1  Operating expenses by nature and other operating income and expenses

4.1.1  Operating expenses by nature

(in millions of euro)

Depreciation, amortization and impairment losses

Employee costs

•  Wages and salaries

•  Other employee costs(1)

Purchases of consumables and change in inventory

Other operating expenses(2)

TOTAL NET OPERATING EXPENSES

FISCAL 2019

FISCAL 2018

(382)

(326)

(8,246)

(2,379)

(5,784)

(4,107)

(7,615)

(2,283)

(5,445)

(3,745)

(20,897)

(19,414)

(1) Other  employee  costs  primarily  comprise  payroll  taxes.  They  also  include  costs  associated  with  defined  benefit  plans  (note  4.17),  defined  contribution  plans 

(note 4.17) and free shares (note 4.22).

(2) Other operating expenses mainly include operating lease expenses (349 million euro for Fiscal 2019 and 343 million euro for Fiscal 2018), professional fees, other 

purchases, sub-contracting costs and travel expenses.

4.1.2  Other operating income and expenses

(in millions of euro)

FISCAL 2019

FISCAL 2018

Gains related to consolidation scope changes

Gains on changes of post-employment benefits

Other

TOTAL OTHER OPERATING INCOME

Restructuring and rationalization costs

Acquisition-related costs

Losses related to consolidation scope changes

Losses on changes of post-employment benefits

Amortization and impairment of purchased intangible assets

Other

TOTAL OTHER NET OPERATING EXPENSES

9

1

1

11

(46)

(11)

(4)

(85)

(6)

(152)

3

7

10

(42)

(15)

(18)

(52)

(14)

(141)

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4.2 

Financial income and expense

(in millions of euro)

Gross borrowing cost(1)

Interest income from short-term bank deposits and equivalent

NET BORROWING COST

Interest income from loans and receivables at amortized cost

Other financial income(2)

Other financial expense

Net foreign exchange gains/(losses)

Net interest cost on net defined benefit plan obligation

Monetary adjustment for hyperinflation

Change in fair value of derivative financial instruments not qualified for hedge accounting

Other

NET FINANCIAL EXPENSE

Of which Financial income

Of which Financial expense

FISCAL 2019

FISCAL 2018

(121)

29

(92)

5

7

(11)

2

(6)

(1)

(4)

(100)

44

(144)

(110)

31

(79)

3

12

(10)

(2)

(7)

(7)

(90)

46

(136)

3

(1) Gross borrowing cost represents interest expense on financial liabilities at amortized cost and interest expense on hedging instruments.
(2) Including, in Fiscal 2018, 8 million euro in late payment interest received in relation to a refund of dividend tax and other taxes.

4.3 

Income tax expense

4.3.1 

Income tax rate reconciliation

(in millions of euro)

Profit for the year before tax

Share of profit of companies consolidated by the equity method

Profit before tax excluding share of profit of companies consolidated by the equity 
method

Tax rate applicable to Sodexo S.A.

Theoretical income tax expense

Effect of jurisdictional tax rate differences

Reimbursement of additional tax on dividends paid

Permanently non-deductible expenses or non-taxable income

Other tax repayments/(charges), net

Tax loss carry-forwards used or recognized during the period but not recognized as a deferred 
tax asset in prior periods

Tax loss carry-forwards arising during the period or prior years but not recognized as a deferred 
tax asset

Actual income tax expense

Withholding taxes

TOTAL INCOME TAX EXPENSE

FISCAL 2019

FISCAL 2018

963

(6)

957

909

(6)

903

34.43%

34.43%

(330)

(311)

101

0

(49)

(9)

12

6

(269)

(8)

(277)

77

44

(7)

(13)

5

(34)

(239)

(6)

(245)

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4.3.2  Components of income tax expense

(in millions of euro)

Current income taxes

Adjustments to current income tax payable in respect of prior periods

Provision for tax exposures

Utilization of tax credits, tax losses and temporary difference carry-forwards

CURRENT INCOME TAXES

Deferred taxes on temporary differences arising or reversing during the period

Deferred taxes on changes in tax rates or liability for taxes at new rates

Utilization of tax credits, tax losses and tax loss carry-forwards

DEFERRED INCOME TAXES

ACTUAL INCOME TAX EXPENSE

FISCAL 2019

FISCAL 2018

(295)

(217)

(5)

2

41

(257)

(29)

0

16

(12)

(269)

(1)

(1)

59

(160)

(55)

(21)

(4)

(80)

(239)

The eff ective tax rate, calculated on the basis of profi t for the period before tax and excluding the share of profi t of companies 
consolidated by the equity method, decreased from 27.1% for Fiscal 2018 to 29% for Fiscal 2019. This increase is partially due to the 
dividend contribution repayment which occurred in 2017-2018 for 44 million euro.

4.4  Earnings per share

The table below presents the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share:

FISCAL 2019

FISCAL 2018

Profit for the year attributable to equity holders of the parent (in millions of euro)

665

651

Basic weighted average number of shares

Basic earnings per share* (in euro)

145,721,534

148,077,776

4.56

4.40

Average dilutive effect of stock option and free share plans

2,054,363

2,033,657

Diluted weighted average number of shares

Diluted earnings per share* (in euro)

147,775,897

150,111,433

4.50

4.34

*  Basic  and  diluted  earnings  per  share  do  not  reflect  the  effect  of  the  dividend  premium  to  be  paid  on  certain  registered  shares  meeting  the  criteria  described  in 

note 4.14. Based on the number of registered shares as of August 31, 2019, such shares total 9,336,529 (7,227,652 as of August 31, 2018).

All of the Group’s stock option and free share plans had a dilutive impact in both Fiscal 2018 and Fiscal 2019.

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4.5  Property, plant and equipment

4.5.1  Gross value of property, plant and equipment

The tables below include assets held under fi nance leases.

(in millions of euro)

LAND AND 
BUILDINGS

PLANT AND 
EQUIPMENT

CONSTRUCTION 
IN PROGRESS 
AND OTHER

Gross value as of August 31, 2017

137

1,529

Increase

Decrease

Translation Adjustments

Reclassifications

Change in scope of consolidation

Other

Gross value as of August 31, 2018

Increase

Decrease

Translation Adjustments

Reclassifications

Change in scope of consolidation

Other

6

(8)

(1)

(32)

(4)

98

3

(1)

2

39

-

175

(106)

(45)

32

45

1,630

197

(102)

23

6

27

-

191

44

(15)

0

(21)

7

206

51

(12)

4

(33)

-

-

TOTAL

1,856

226

(129)

(45)

(20)

47

1,935

251

(115)

27

(25)

66

-

3

Gross value as of August 31, 2019

141

1,781

216

2,138

No item of property, plant and equipment is pledged as collateral for a liability.

4.5.2  Amortization and impairment of property, plant and equipment

(in millions of euro)

Amortization and impairment as of August 31, 2017

Depreciations and impairment

Reversals

Translation Adjustments

Reclassifications

Change in scope of consolidation

Other

Amortization and impairment as of August 31, 2018

Depreciations and impairment

Reversals

Translation Adjustments

Reclassifications

Change in scope of consolidation

Other

Amortization and impairment as of August 31, 2019

LAND AND 
BUILDINGS

PLANT AND 
EQUIPMENT

CONSTRUCTION 
IN PROGRESS 
AND OTHER

(80)

(3)

7

0

22

3

(51)

(9)

-

-

1

(14)

-

(73)

(1,069)

(178)

92

27

(5)

(5)

(117)

(18)

11

(0)

(2)

(0)

TOTAL

(1,266)

(199)

110

27

15

(2)

(1,138)

(126)

(1,316)

(185)

84

(14)

21

(14)

-

(22)

13

(3)

3

-

-

(216)

97

(17)

25

(28)

-

(1,246)

(135)

(1,454)

Depreciation and impairment losses are reported under either cost of sales or Administrative and Sales Department costs.

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4.5.3  Net book value of property, plant and equipment

(in millions of euro)

Net carrying amount as of August 31, 2017

Net carrying amount as of August 31, 2018

Net carrying amount as of August 31, 2019

BUILDINGS

PLANT AND 
EQUIPMENT

CONSTRUCTION 
IN PROGRESS 
AND OTHER

57

47

68

460

492

535

73

80

81

4.5.4  Property, plant and equipment held under finance leases

(in millions of euro)

Net carrying amount as of August 31, 2017

Net carrying amount as of August 31, 2018

Net carrying amount as of August 31, 2019

(in millions of euro)

Gross value

Amortization and impairment

Net book value

Maturities of payments under fi nance leases are provided in note 4.15.5.

4.6  Goodwill

Changes in goodwill were as follows during the fi scal year:

TOTAL

590

619

684

TOTAL

13

10

6

BUILDINGS

PLANT AND 
EQUIPMENT

4

2

1

9

8

5

AUGUST 31, 2019

AUGUST 31, 2018

31

(25)

6

32

(22)

10

(in millions of euro)

Corporate Services

Government & Agencies

Sports & Leisure

Energy & Resources

Other non-segmented activities

Business & Administrations

Healthcare

Seniors

Healthcare & Seniors

Schools

Universities

Education

On-site Services

Benefits & Rewards Services

TOTAL

AUGUST 31, 2018

INCREASES DURING 
THE PERIOD

DECREASES DURING 
THE PERIOD

CURRENCY 
TRANSLATION 
ADJUSTMENT

AUGUST 31, 2019

1,001

359

415

320

325

2,420

998

424

1,422

352

855

1,207

5,049

615

5,664

6

107

113

117

117

78

78

307

307

23

3

18

10

7

62

42

14

56

11

46

57

174

15

188

1,024

362

439

329

438

2,595

1,040

554

1,595

441

901

1,342

5,531

630

6,158

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 During the Fiscal year 2019 goodwill totaling 304 million euro 
was  recognized  on  the  acquisition  of  Novae  Restauration, 
Alliance  in  Partnership  in  Schools,  Pronep  in  Homecare, 
Crèches de France, The Good Care Group, Domicil + and Elly & 
Stoffl in Homecare and International Club of Suppliers, as well 
as the adjustment on Sports & Leisure related to prior year ’s 
acquisition of Centerplate Inc.

The goodwill amounts for the above acquisitions are provisional.

In the meantime, some contracts have been reallocated between 
segments since the beginning of Fiscal 2019. The most important 
change concerns some European countries where, aft  er several 
years of restructuring, the activity is now segmented. Goodwill 
previously  disclosed  among  non-segmented  activities  has 
been revised accordingly. The activities operated in Healthcare 
& Seniors have been therefore transferred from the Business & 
Administration segment (where all non-segmented activities 
were reported until then) to the Healthcare & Seniors segment.

(in millions of euro)

Corporate Services

Government & Agencies

Sports & Leisure

Energy & Resources

Other non-segmented activities

Business & Administrations

Healthcare

Seniors

Healthcare & Seniors

Schools

Universities

Education

On-site Services

Benefits & Rewards Services

TOTAL

AUGUST 31, 2017

INCREASES DURING 
THE PERIOD

DECREASES DURING 
THE PERIOD

CURRENCY 
TRANSLATION 
ADJUSTMENT

AUGUST 31, 2018

1,022

4

357

64

302

303

2,048

992

416

1,408

339

842

1,181

4,637

671

5,308

353

35

39

431

5

5

12

12

448

14

462

(25)

2

(2)

(16)

(17)

(58)

6

3

9

1

13

14

(35)

(70)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(105)

1,001

359

415

320

325

2,420

998

424

1,422

352

855

1,207

5,049

615

5,664

3

Increases in goodwill recognized in Fiscal 2018 primarily relate 
to (i) the acquisitions of The Good Eating Company (United 
Kingdom) in the Corporate Services activity, Morris Corporation 
(Australia) in the Energy & Resources activity, Centerplate Inc. 

(United States) in the Sports & Leisure activity, Gym4less (Spain) 
in the Benefit & Rewards activity, Kim Yew (Singapore) in the 
Education activity, and the acquisition of a controlling interest 
in FoodChéri (France).

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4.7  Other intangible assets

4.7.1  Gross value of other intangible assets

(in millions of euro)

Gross value as of August 31, 2017

Increase

Decrease

Translation Adjustments

Reclassifications

Change in scope of consolidation

Other

Gross value as of August 31, 2018

Increase

Decrease

Translation Adjustments

Reclassifications

Change in scope of consolidation

Other

Gross value as of August 31, 2019

LICENSES AND 
SOFTWARE

CLIENT RELATIONSHIPS, 
TRADEMARKS A
ND OTHER

525

82

(25)

(13)

3

5

577

106

(36)

9

(4)

-

-

652

629

29

(3)

(27)

1

219

847

82

(6)

28

(13)

42

-

980

4.7.2  Depreciation and impairment of other intangible assets

(in millions of euro)

LICENSES AND 
SOFTWARE

CLIENT RELATIONSHIPS, 
TRADEMARKS 
AND OTHER

Depreciation and impairment August 31, 2017

(350)

(293)

Depreciations

Impairments

Reversals

Translation Adjustments

Reclassifications

Change in scope of consolidation

Other

Depreciation and impairment August 31, 2018

Depreciations

Impairments

Reversals

Translation Adjustments

Reclassifications

Change in scope of consolidation

Other

(50)

(1)

15

9

1

(0)

(376)

(63)

-

34

(5)

2

-

-

(49)

(18)

1

16

(1)

(0)

(344)

(63)

(24)

4

(6)

10

-

-

TOTAL

1,154

111

(28)

(40)

3

224

1,424

188

(42)

37

(17)

42

-

1,632

TOTAL

(643)

(99)

(20)

16

25

0

(0)

(720)

(126)

(24)

38

(11)

12

-

-

Depreciation and impairment August 31, 2019

(408)

(423)

(831)

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Amortization and impairment losses are reported under either cost of sales or Administrative and Sales Department costs, except for 
amortization and impairment of client relationships and trademarks, which are recognized in “Other operating expenses”.

4.7.3  Net value of other intangible assets

(in millions of euro)

Net carrying amount as of August 31, 2017

Net carrying amount as of August 31, 2018

Net carrying amount as of August 31, 2019

4.8  Client investments

LICENSES AND 
SOFTWARE

CLIENT RELATIONSHIPS, 
TRADEMARKS 
AND OTHER

175

201

244

336

503

557

TOTAL

511

704

801

(in millions of euro)

FISCAL 2019

FISCAL 2018

Carrying amount as of September 1

Increases during the fiscal year

Decreases during the fiscal year

Newly consolidated companies

Currency translation adjustment and other movements

Carrying amount as of August 31

558

137

(105)

1

35

626

547

83

(94)

18

5

558

3

4.9  Companies consolidated by the equity method

When Sodexo is legally or constructively obligated to make payments on behalf of companies consolidated by the equity method, a 
provision is made under liabilities in the consolidated statement of fi nancial position for its share in the negative shareholders’ equity 
of the said companies (see note 4.18). Changes in the Group’s share of the net assets of companies consolidated by the equity method 
in Fiscal 2018 and Fiscal 2019 are shown below:

(in millions of euro)

FISCAL 2019

FISCAL 2018

Carrying amount as of September 1

Of which Companies consolidated by the equity method

Of which Provisions

Share of profit for the period

Other comprehensive income (loss)*

Dividend paid for the period

Changes in scope of consolidation

Currency translation adjustment

Other movements

Carrying amount as of August 31

Of which Companies consolidated by the equity method

Of which Provisions

*  Corresponding to changes in fair value of derivatives used for hedging purposes, net of tax (note 4.14).

77

83

(6)

6

(7)

(10)

2

(17)

51

62

(9)

82

89

(7)

6

(1)

(19)

9

77

83

(6)

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4.10  Impairment of assets

Accumulated impairment losses against property, plant and 
equipment and intangible assets (including goodwill) amounted 
to 58 million euro as of August 31, 2019 (38 million euro as 
of  August  31,  2018),  taking  into  account  a  net  charge  of 
24 million euro in Fiscal 2019 (versus a net reversal of 18 million 
euro in Fiscal 2018).

Assets with indefi nite useful lives were tested for impairment as 
of August 31, 2019 using the methods described in note 2.8.2.

The main assumptions used were as follows (and any impairment losses were recognized in other operating expenses):

Corporate Services

Energy & Resources

Government & Agencies

Sports & Leisure

Healthcare

Seniors

Schools

Universities

Other non-segmented activities

Benefits & Rewards Services

FISCAL 2019

FISCAL 2018

DISCOUNT RATE(1)

LONG-TERM 
GROWTH RATE(2)

DISCOUNT RATE(1)

LONG-TERM 
GROWTH RATE(2)

6.8%

7.2%

6.4%

6.3%

6.4%

6.6%

6.3%

6.2%

6.4%

8.0%

2.4%

3.0%

2.2%

2.3%

2.4%

2.2%

2.2%

2.5%

2.0%

3.2%

7.3%

7.6%

6.9%

6.8%

6.9%

6.8%

6.9%

6.7%

7.1%

8.2%

2.4%

3.0%

2.2%

2.3%

2.4%

2.0%

2.2%

2.5%

2.2%

3.2%

(1) The discount rate defined by the Group has been increased for certain operating segments in order to incorporate more significant risk factors affecting certain 

countries in which the operating segment concerned conducts business.

(2) The long-term growth rate serves to calculate the terminal value based on data in management’s business plans.

The discount rates used by segment were set based on the weighted average of the discount rates for each geographic region, taking 
into account the relative weighting of each segment in the Group’s revenues:

Continental Europe

North America

United Kingdom and Ireland

Latin America

Rest of the world (excluding Latin America)

Group

SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS

DISCOUNT RATE

FISCAL 2019

FISCAL 2018

6.4%

6.2%

6.3%

8.5%

7.0%

6.2%

7.0%

6.7%

6.8%

8.7%

7.4%

6.7%

Sodexo has analyzed the sensitivity of goodwill impairment test 
results to diff erent long-term growth rates and discount rates.

would not result in an impairment of the assets tested for 
any of the CGUs or groups of CGUs tested.

•  The results of this sensitivity analysis indicated no probable 
scenario where a change in the discount rate or long-term 
growth rate would result in the recoverable amount of a CGU 
or group of CGUs becoming less than its carrying amount. In 
fact, the results of the impairment testing demonstrate that 
even an increase of 200 basis points in the discount rate or 
a reduction of 200 basis points in the long-term growth rate 

•  The  Group  also  performed  a  sensitivity  analysis  on  the 
operational assumptions used in order to determine whether a 
5% decrease in projected net cash fl ows over the time period of 
the business plans prepared by management and in terminal 
value would result in the recognition of an impairment loss 
in  the  Group’s  consolidated  financial  statements  as  of 
August 31, 2019. The results of this analysis did not indicate 
any risk of impairment for any of the CGUs or groups of CGUs.

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In addition, the Group is particularly attentive to economic 
trends in the Sport & Leisure segment, which accounted for 
approximately  8%  of  consolidated  revenue  in  Fiscal  2019. 
Indeed, some of the assets are sensitive to the tourism level, 
which can be highly impacted by events out of the control of 

the Group, particularly in France, the United Kingdom and the 
United States. This has been taken into account in the business 
plans prepared by the management, but actual results may 
nonetheless diff er from business plan estimates if assumptions 
or conditions change.

4.11  Financial assets

4.11.1  Current and non-current financial assets

(in millions of euro)

CURRENT

NON-CURRENT

CURRENT

NON-CURRENT

AUGUST 31, 2019

AUGUST 31, 2018

Investments in non-consolidated companies – OCI

Cost

Impairment

Carrying amount

Financial assets related to the Benefits & Rewards Services 
activity, including restricted cash

Cost*

Impairment

Carrying amount

Receivables from investees

Cost

Impairment

Carrying amount

Loans and deposits

Cost

Impairment

Carrying amount

TOTAL FINANCIAL ASSETS

Cost

Impairment

Carrying amount

3

902

(6)

896

17

17

103

(16)

86

999

1,022

(23)

999

1,042

1,042

36

36

1,078

1,078

1,078

1,120

1,120

59

58

1,178

1,1 78

1,178

97

(6)

91

18

18

101

(20)

81

190

216

(26)

190

*  The split between financial assets at amortized cost and cash and cash equivalent is presented in note 4.21.

 PRINCIPAL INVESTMENTS IN NON-CONSOLIDATED COMPANIES

The Group holds 19.61% of the shares in Bellon SA, the Parent 
company of Sodexo S.A., carried at a value of 708 million euro. 
In  accordance  with  IFRS  9,  this  financial  asset  is,  as  from 
September  1,  2018,  measured  at  fair  value  through  other 
comprehensive income (the impact of the shares revaluation has 
been recognized in opening equity, as explained in note 2.1.2). 
The  method  used  for  determining  the  fair  value  of  this 
investment is described in note 4.21 “Financial instruments”.

RESTRICTED CASH AND FINANCIAL ASSETS RELATED TO 
THE BENEFITS & REWARDS SERVICES ACTIVITY

Restricted cash of 678 million euro included in “Financial assets 
related to the Benefi ts & Rewards Services activity” primarily 
in funds set aside to comply with regulations governing the 
issuance  of  service  vouchers  in  France  (304  million  euro), 
Romania (161 million euro), China (53 million euro) and India 
(49 million euro). The funds remain the property of Sodexo but 
are subject to restrictions on their use. They may not be used for 
any purpose other than to reimburse affi  liates and must be kept 
separate from the Group’s unrestricted cash. Restricted cash is 
invested in interest-bearing instruments.

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Restricted cash and fi nancial assets related to the Benefi ts & Rewards Services activity breaks down as follows by currency:

(in millions of euro)

Euro

U.S. dollar (USD)

Brazilian real (BRL)

Other currencies

AUGUST 31, 2019

AUGUST 31, 2018

432

5

343

340

400

8

323

311

TOTAL RESTRICTED CASH AND FINANCIAL ASSETS RELATED TO 
THE BENEFITS & REWARDS SERVICES ACTIVITY

1,120

1,042

4.11.2  Changes in current and non-current financial assets

CARRYING AMOUNT 
(in millions of euro)

AUGUST 31,
 2018

IFRS 9 
IMPACT

SEPTEMBER 1, 
2018

INCREASE/ 
(DECREASE) 
DURING 
THE PERIOD

CHANGES IN 
SCOPE OF 
CONSOLIDATION

IMPAIRMENT

CHANGE IN FAIR VALUE

INCOME

OCI

CURRENCY 
TRANSLATION 
ADJUSTMENT 
AND OTHER

AUGUST 31, 
2019

Investments in 
non-consolidated 
companies

Financial assets 
related to the Benefits 
& Rewards Services 
activity, including 
restricted cash

Receivables from 
investees

Loans and deposits

TOTAL FINANCIAL 
ASSETS

91

564

655

73

170

(3)

896

1,042

1,042

53

4

20

1,120

18

117

18

117

(1)

21

1,268

564

1,832

146

17

145

4

174

22

2 ,177

2

2

CARRYING AMOUNT
(in millions of euro)

Investments in non-consolidated 
companies

Financial assets related to the Benefits 
& Rewards Services activity, including 
restricted cash

Receivables from investees

Loans and deposits

TOTAL FINANCIAL ASSETS

1,104

AUGUST 31, 
2017

INCREASE/
(DECREASE) 
DURING 
THE PERIOD

CHANGES IN 
SCOPE OF 
CONSOLIDATION

CHANGE IN FAIR 
VALUE

IMPAIRMENT

CURRENCY 
TRANSLATION 
ADJUSTMENT 
AND OTHER

AUGUST 31, 
2018

88

2

(1)

1

91

909

18

89

228

25

255

(94)

1,042

18

117

(7)

(100)

1,268

10

9

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4.12  Income tax, trade and other receivables

(in millions of euro)

GROSS AMOUNT

IMPAIRMENT

CARRYING 
AMOUNT

GROSS AMOUNT

IMPAIRMENT

CARRYING 
AMOUNT

AUGUST 31, 2019

AUGUST 31, 2018

Other non-current assets

Income tax receivable*

Advances to suppliers

Trade receivables

Other operating receivables

Prepaid expenses

Non-operating receivables

20

125

7

20

125

7

18

176

9

18

176

9

3,947

(137)

3,810

3,614

(109)

3,505

523

289

10

(13)

510

289

10

412

203

8

(18)

393

203

8

TOTAL TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES*

4,777

(150)

4,626

4,247

(126)

4,121

*  After deducting sold receivables, notably 41 million euro worth of CICE tax credits that have been derecognized (46 million euro in Fiscal 2018) as their sale involved 

the transfer of substantially all of the risks and rewards related to ownership of the receivables.

The maturities of trade receivables as of August 31, 2019 and August 31, 2018 respectively were as follows:

AUGUST 31, 2019

AUGUST 31, 2018

3

BREAKDOWN OF TRADE RECEIVABLES DUE AS OF AUGUST 31:

GROSS AMOUNT

IMPAIRMENT

GROSS AMOUNT

IMPAIRMENT*

Less than 3 months past due

More than 3 months and less than 6 months past due

More than 6 months and less than 12 months past due

More than 12 months past due

TOTAL TRADE RECEIVABLES DUE AS OF AUGUST 31

Total trade receivables not yet due as of August 31

TOTAL TRADE RECEIVABLES AS OF AUGUST 31

510

88

51

117

765

3,182

3,947

(11)

(8)

(13)

(83)

(115)

(22)

(137)

406

68

110

88

672

2,941

3,614

(10)

(7)

(13)

(70)

(100)

(9)

(109)

 *  The amount shown for impairment as of August 31, 2018 does not include the additional accrual resulting from the first-time application of IFRS 9 recognized in 

opening equity (comparative figures not restated, as provided for in the new standard).

During the fi scal years presented, the Group was not aff ected by any signifi cant change resulting from client bankruptcies. In addition, 
given the geographic dispersion of the Group’s activities and the wide range of client industries, there is no material concentration of 
risk in individual receivables due but not written down.

4.13  Cash and cash equivalents

(in millions of euro)

Marketable securities

Cash*

TOTAL CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

Bank overdrafts

TOTAL CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS NET OF BANK OVERDRAFTS

AUGUST 31, 2019

AUGUST 31, 2018

374

1,407

1,781

(35)

1,746

365

1,301

1,666

(28)

1,638

* 

Including 8 million euro allocated to the liquidity contract signed with an investment services provider, which complies with the Code of conduct drawn up by the 
French financial markets association (Association française des marchés financiers – AMAFI) and approved by the French securities regulator (Autorité des Marchés 
Financiers – AMF), for the purpose of improving the liquidity of Sodexo shares and the regularity of the quotations.

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Marketable securities comprised:

(in millions of euro)

Short-term notes

Term deposits

Mutual funds and other

TOTAL MARKETABLE SECURITIES

Cash and cash equivalents break down as follows by currency:

(in millions of euro)

Euro

U.S. dollar (USD)

Brazilian real (BRL)

Pound sterling (GBP)

Canadian dollar (CAD)

Other currencies

AUGUST 31, 2019

AUGUST 31, 2018

197

150

27

374

199

138

29

365

AUGUST 31, 2019

AUGUST 31, 2018

(116)

580

261

305

125

590

(43)

493

242

280

106

560

TOTAL CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS NET OF BANK OVERDRAFTS

1,746

1,638

More  than  72%  of  the  Group’s  cash  and  cash  equivalents, 
restricted cash and financial assets related to the Benefits & 
Rewards Services activity, is held with A1- or A2-rated fi nancial 
institutions.

As  of  August  31,  2019,  the  Group  held  1,448,566  Sodexo 
shares with a carrying amount of 145 million euro to cover its 
obligations under free share plans for Group employees. These 
treasury shares are deducted from shareholders’ equity at cost.

No signifi cant amount of cash or cash equivalents was subject 
to any restrictions as of August 31, 2019.

 4.14  Statement of changes 
in shareholders’ equity

As of August 31, 2019, the share capital of Sodexo S.A. was 
made up of 147,454,887 shares (unchanged from August 31, 
2018), with a par value of 4 euro each.

As part of the share buyback program launched by the Board 
of Directors on April 10, 2018 using the authorization given 
in the seventeenth resolution of the January 23, 2018 Annual 
Shareholders Meeting, during Fiscal 2018 Sodexo purchased 
3,356,732 of its own shares, representing 2.2% of its share 
capital,  for  299  million  euro,  and  on  August  29,  2018  it 
carried out a 300 million euro capital reduction by canceling 
3,375,562 shares. The Company’s share capital was therefore 
comprised  of  147,454,887  shares  as  of  August  31,  2018 
(compared to  150,830,449 as of August 31, 2017), with a par 
value of 4 euro each.

As  of  August  31,  2018,  the  Group  held  1,869,352  Sodexo 
shares with a carrying amount of 177 million euro to cover its 
obligations under stock option and free share plans for Group 
employees.

Total dividends paid out in Fiscal 2019, adjusted for treasury 
shares,  amounted  to  403  million  euro  (411  million  euro  in 
Fiscal 2018), representing a dividend of 2.75 euro per share and, 
where applicable, a dividend premium of 0.275 euro per share.

The Company’s bylaws confer double voting rights on shares 
held in registered form for more than four years.

Furthermore, since Fiscal 2013, shares held in registered form 
for  at  least  four  years  and  still  held  in  that  form  when  the 
dividend becomes payable, are entitled to a dividend premium 
equal  to  10%  of  the  dividend  paid  on  the  other  shares.  The 
number of shares eligible for this dividend premium may not 
exceed 0.5% of the share capital for any single shareholder.

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C O N S O L I D A T E D   I N F O R M A T I O N

Items recognized directly in Other Comprehensive Income (OCI) (Group share) are shown below:

(in millions of euro)

Financial assets measured at fair value through 
other comprehensive income

Share of other components of comprehensive income 
(loss) of companies consolidated by the equity method

Remeasurements of net defined benefit obligation

Currency translation adjustment

TOTAL OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) 
(GROUP SHARE)

FISCAL 2019

FISCAL 2018

INCREASE/
(DECREASE) 
DURING THE 
YEAR, PRE-TAX

INCOME TAX 
(EXPENSE)/
BENEFIT

INCREASE/
(DECREASE) 
DURING 
THE YEAR, 
NET OF TAX

INCREASE/
(DECREASE) 
DURING THE 
YEAR, PRE-TAX

INCOME TAX 
(EXPENSE)/
BENEFIT

INCREASE/
(DECREASE) 
DURING 
THE YEAR, 
NET OF TAX

175

(8)

5

190

362

(4)

1

(1)

170

(7)

4

(1)

79

(13)

190

(245)

(1)

66

(245)

(4)

356

(167)

(13)

(180)

4.15  Borrowings

Changes in borrowings during Fiscal 2019 and Fiscal 2018 were as follows:

AUGUST 31, 
2018

INCREASES

REPAYMENTS

DISCOUNTING 
EFFECTS AND 
OTHER

CURRENCY 
TRANSLATION 
ADJUSTMENT

CHANGES IN 
SCOPE OF 
CONSOLIDATION

AUGUST 31, 
2019

3

(in millions of euro)

Bond issues

Private Placements and bank borrowings

Finance lease obligations

Other borrowings

2,191

1,727

9

30

277

0

0

1

0

(244)

(4)

(11)

TOTAL BORROWINGS

3,957

278

(260)

Net fair value of derivative financial 
instruments

(17)

0

2

TOTAL BORROWINGS INCLUDING 
DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

3,940

278

(257)

4

(1)

(0)

(6)

(4)

(1)

(5)

(4)

79

0

(5)

71

9

80

0

16

0

27

43

0

2,468

1,577

5

34

4,084

(6)

43

4,078

AUGUST 31, 
2017

INCREASES

REPAYMENTS

DISCOUNTING 
EFFECTS AND 
OTHER

CURRENCY 
TRANSLATION 
ADJUSTMENT

CHANGES IN 
SCOPE OF 
CONSOLIDATION

AUGUST 31, 
2018

(in millions of euro)

Bond issues

Private Placements and bank borrowings

Finance lease obligations

Other borrowings

1,889

1,582

11

27

298

344

2

3

0

(211)

(4)

(2)

TOTAL BORROWINGS EXCLUDING 
DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

3,509

647

(217)

Net fair value of derivative financial 
instruments

(9)

0

2

TOTAL BORROWINGS INCLUDING 
DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

3,500

647

(215)

4

0

0

(2)

2

(2)

0

0

11

0

1

12

(8)

4

0

1

0

3

4

0

4

2,191

1,727

9

30

3,957

(17)

3,940

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4.15.1  Borrowings by currency

(in millions of euro)

Bond issues

Euro

Sterling pound

TOTAL

Private Placements(1) and bank borrowings

U.S. dollar (USD)

Euro

TOTAL

Finance lease obligations

Euro

Other currencies

TOTAL

Other borrowings(2)

Euro

Other currencies

TOTAL

AUGUST 31, 2019

AUGUST 31, 2018

CURRENT

NON-CURRENT

CURRENT

NON-CURRENT

9

1

10

23

141

164

3

0

3

1

4

5

2,184

274

2,458

1,409

4

1,413

2

0

2

11

18

29

15

15

152

240

392

3

1

4

9

9

2,176

2,176

1,334

1

1,335

4

1

5

8

13

21

TOTAL BORROWINGS EXCLUDING DERIVATIVE 
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Net fair value of derivative financial instruments(3)

TOTAL BORROWINGS INCLUDING DERIVATIVE 
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

181

(7)

3,903

1

420

(14)

3,537

(3)

174

3,904

406

3,534

(1) Including the proceeds of the U.S. private placements described in note 4.15.3.2 and the commercial paper issued by Sodexo S.A. described in note 4.15.3.3.
(2) Including 23 million euro as of August 31, 2019 (18 million euro as of August 31, 2018) corresponding to liabilities recognized in connection with put options written 

over non-controlling interests in certain subsidiaries.

(3) Described in note 4.16.

For  borrowings  other  than  bond  issues,  amortized  cost  is 
equivalent to historical cost (nominal amount) insofar as no 
signifi cant transaction costs are incurred.

4.15.2  Bond issues

On  June  24,  2014,  Sodexo  S.A.  completed  a  bond  issue 
structured in two tranches:

•  a 600-million euro tranche redeemable at par on January 24, 
2022 and bearing interest at an annual rate of 1.75%, with 
interest payable annually on January 24;

•  a 500-million euro tranche redeemable at par on June 24, 
2026 and bearing interest at an annual rate of 2.50%, with 
interest payable annually on June 24.

Accrued interest on these bonds amounted to 9 million euro as 
of August 31, 2019.

On October 14, 2016 Sodexo S.A. issued bonds for 600 million 
euro redeemable in April 2027 and bearing interest at an annual 
rate of 0.75%, with interest payable annually on April 14. On 
August  1,  2017,  the  Company  increased  this  issue  with  an 
additional 200 million euro of bonds. Accrued interest on these 
bonds was 2 million euro as of August 31, 2019.

On May 22, 2018, Sodexo S.A. issued bonds for 300 million euro 
redeemable in May 2025 and bearing interest at an annual rate 
of 1.125%, with interest payable annually on May 22. Accrued 
interest on this bond was 1 million euro as of August 31, 2019.

On June 26, 2019, Sodexo S.A. issued  bonds for 250 million 
pounds sterling redeemable in June 2028 and bearing interest 
at an annual rate of 1.75%, with interest payable annually on 
June 26. Accrued interest on this bond was 1 million euro as of 
August 31, 2019.

None  of  the  above-described  bonds  are  subject  to  financial 
covenants.

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4.15.3  Other borrowings

4.15.3.1  CREDIT FACILITIES

4.15.3.1.1   July 2011 multicurrency confi rmed 

credit facility

On July 18, 2011, Sodexo S.A. contracted a multicurrency credit 
facility for a maximum of 600 million euro plus 800 million 
U.S. dollars, with an original maturity date of July 18, 2016. This 
facility has been amended on a number of occasions with the 
most recent amendment being in July 2019 with a new maturity 
date of July 2024, with two options to extend the maturity by one 
year each, up to July 2026. The maximum available limits under 
this facility now are 589 million euro plus 785 million U.S dollars.

The most recent amendment also incorporates a sustainability 
clause that links the credit facility cost to Sodexo’s ability to 
comply with its public commitment to reduce its food waste by 
50% by 2025.

Amounts drawn on this facility carry fl oating interest indexed on 
the LIBOR and EURIBOR rates. This credit facility is not subject 
to any covenants.

No amounts had been drawn down on the facility as of either 
August 31, 2019 or August 31, 2018.

4.15.3.1.2   Bilateral confi rmed credit facility

On December 20, 2017, the Group obtained two 150-million 
euro bilateral confi rmed credit facility, both are due to expire in 
December 2019.

On March 5, 2018, the Group obtained a third 150-million euro 
bilateral confi rmed credit facility expiring in March 2020.

No amounts had been drawn down on any of these facilities as 
of August 31, 2019.

4.15.3.2  U.S. PRIVATE PLACEMENTS

During Fiscal 2019, Sodexo, Inc. redeemed the full outstanding 
balance of the first tranche of its March 4, 2014 U.S. Private 
Placement (150 million U.S. dollars).

The features of the Group’s outstanding private placements as of August 31, 2019 are as follows:

DATE OF THE PLACEMENT

March 29, 2011

TOTAL PLACEMENT DATED MARCH 29, 2011

March 4, 2014

TOTAL PLACEMENT DATED MARCH 4, 2014

TOTAL PLACEMENT DATED JUNE 27, 2018

TOTAL U.S. PRIVATE PLACEMENTS

*  After deducting 150 million U.S. dollars redeemed on March 4, 2019.

PRINCIPAL OUTSTANDING 
(in millions of U.S. dollars)

FIXED 
INTEREST RATE

MATURITY

3

133

74

207

150

525

175

100

950*

400

1,557

4.85%

March 2021

4.95%

March 2023

3.44%

March 2021

3.99%

March 2024

4.14%

March 2026

4.34%

March 2029

3.70%

June 2023

These  borrowings  are  subject  to  two  financial  covenants 
calculated by reference to the Group’s consolidated financial 
statements:

•  net  debt  (excluding  restricted  cash)  must  not  exceed 
3.5 times EBITDA (operating profit plus amortization and 
depreciation) for the past 12 months;

•  net assets adjusted for cumulative foreign exchange gains 
or  losses  since  August  31,  2007  must  not  be  less  than 
1.3 billion euro.

If the covenants are not respected, the lenders may, with a qualifi ed 
majority, require early reimbursement of these borrowings.

The  Group  was  in  compliance  with  these  covenants  as  of 
August 31, 2019, February 28, 2019 and August 31, 2018.

4.15.3.3  COMMERCIAL PAPER

As of August 31, 2019, 140 million euro of the commercial paper 
programs set up by Sodexo S.A. and Sodexo Finance had been 
used, compared to  240 million euro as of August 31, 2018.

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4.15.4  Interest rates

In  order  to  comply  with  the  Group’s  financing  policy, 
substantially all borrowings are long term and at fi xed interest 
rates.

As of August 31, 2019, 97% of the Group’s borrowings were at fi xed 
rate. The average rate of interest as of the same date was 2.6%. As 
of August 31, 2018, 94% of the Group’s borrowings were at fi xed 
rate. The average rate of interest as of the same date was 2.5%.

The bond issues and borrowings from financial institutions 
described above include customary early redemption clauses. 
These  clauses  include  cross-default  and  change-in-control 
clauses which apply to all of the borrowings.

4.15.5  Maturity of borrowings

AUGUST 31, 2019
CARRYING AMOUNTS 
(in millions of euro)

Bond issues

Private placements and bank borrowings

Finance lease obligations

Other borrowings

TOTAL BORROWINGS

MORE THAN 
3 MONTHS AND 
LESS THAN 
6 MONTHS

MORE THAN 
6 MONTHS AND 
LESS THAN 
1 YEAR

LESS THAN 
3 MONTHS

1 TO 5 YEARS

MORE THAN 
5 YEARS

2

164

1

0

167

1

1

7

2

4

589

1,869

1,165

248

2

27

2

TOTAL

2,468

1,577

5

34

13

1,784

2,119

4,084

Excluding the impact of derivative financial instruments described in note 4.16.
For borrowings expressed in a foreign currency, amounts are translated at the year-end closing rate.
Maturities include interest accrued as of the period end.
Credit facility renewal rights are taken into account in determining maturities.

AUGUST 31, 2019
UNDISCOUNTED CONTRACTUAL MATURITIES
(in millions of euro)

Bond issues

Private placements and bank borrowings

Finance lease obligations

Other borrowings

Impact of derivative financial instruments 
excluding those related to PPP companies

MORE THAN 
3 MONTHS AND 
LESS THAN 
6 MONTHS

MORE THAN 
6 MONTHS AND 
LESS THAN 
1 YEAR

LESS THAN 
3 MONTHS

1 TO 5 YEARS

MORE THAN 
5 YEARS

2

165

1

1

4

5

1

28

28

2

5

710

1,929

1,327

275

2

29

2

TOTAL

2,673

1,799

5

37

TOTAL BORROWINGS

168

10

62

2,068

2,206

4,515

The undiscounted contractual maturities include payment of future interest not yet due.

AUGUST 31, 2018
CARRYING AMOUNTS 
(in millions of euro)

Bond issues

Private placements and
bank borrowings

Finance lease obligations

Other borrowings

MORE THAN 
3 MONTHS AND 
LESS THAN 
6 MONTHS

MORE THAN 
6 MONTHS AND 
LESS THAN 
1 YEAR

LESS THAN 
3 MONTHS

1 TO 5 YEARS

MORE THAN 
5 YEARS

8

599

1,577

TOTAL

2,191

7

1

6

264

1

2

128

2

1

649

5

21

686

1,727

9

30

TOTAL BORROWINGS

267

14

139

1,274

2,263

3,957

Excluding the impact of derivative financial instruments described in note 4.16.
For borrowings expressed in a foreign currency, amounts are translated at the year-end closing rate.
Maturities include interest accrued as of the period end.
Credit facility renewal rights are taken into account in determining maturities.

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AUGUST 31, 2018
UNDISCOUNTED CONTRACTUAL MATURITIES
(in millions of euro)

Bond issues

Private placements and bank borrowings

Finance lease obligations

Other borrowings

Impact of derivative financial instruments 
excluding those related to PPP companies

MORE THAN 
3 MONTHS AND 
LESS THAN 
6 MONTHS

MORE THAN 
6 MONTHS AND 
LESS THAN 
1 YEAR

LESS THAN 
3 MONTHS

1 TO 5 YEARS

MORE THAN 
5 YEARS

264

1

2

11

4

1

6

1

24

156

2

1

1

721

836

8

22

1

1,640

731

1

TOTAL

2,396

1,991

13

31

3

TOTAL BORROWINGS

267

23

184

1,588

2,372

4,434

The undiscounted contractual maturities include payment of future interest not yet due.

4.16  Derivative fi nancial instruments

The fair values of Sodexo’s derivative fi nancial instruments are as follows:

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
(in millions of euro)

Currency instruments

Assets

Liabilities

Cross-currency swaps*

Assets

Liabilities

NET DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

IFRS CLASSIFICATION

AUGUST 31, 2019

AUGUST 31, 2018

Trading

Trading

Cash flow hedge

Cash flow hedge

3

6

12

(6)

(1)

0

(1)

5

10

11

(1)

7

8

(1)

17

*  Corresponds to a euro-BRL cross-currency swap with a notional value of 120 million BRL as of August 31, 2019 for which accrued interest of 1 million euro was 

recognized as a liability as of August 31, 2019.

The face values and fair values of currency instruments and cross-currency swaps are as follows by maturity:

(in millions of euro)

Currency lender positions

Czech crown/Euro

Polish zloty/Euro

Mexican peso/Euro

Currency borrower positions

Pound sterling/Euro

Brazilian real/Euro

Mexican peso/Euro

Swedish krona/Euro

Other

TOTAL FACE VALUE

Fair value

AUGUST 31, 2019

AUGUST 31, 2018

LESS 
THAN 1 YEAR

1 TO 5 YEARS

MORE THAN 
5 YEARS

TOTAL

LESS 
THAN 1 YEAR

1 TO 5 YEARS

MORE THAN 
5 YEARS

29

29

121

106

15

20

15

5

TOTAL

20

15

5

(55)

(1)

(103)

(88)

(31)

(119)

(3)

(9)

(43)

(26)

(1)

(6)

(27)

(13)

(57)

19

5

(3)

(18)

(5)

(10)

(52)

(68)

14

(6)

(6)

(19)

(31)

3

(1)

(1)

(9)

(18)

(5)

(16)

(71)

(99)

17

92

77

15

(46)

(3)

(18)

(13)

(12)

46

6

The face value represents the nominal value of currency hedging instruments, including amounts related to forward agreements. 
Foreign currency amounts are translated at year-end closing rates.

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4.17  Long-term employee benefi ts

(in millions of euro)

Net defined benefit plan assets*

Net defined benefit plan obligation

Other long-term employee benefits

Employee benefits

* 

Included in “Other non-current assets” in the consolidated statement of financial position.

AUGUST 31, 2019

AUGUST 31, 2018

(4)

244

159

399

(3)

237

152

386

4.17.1  Post-employment benefits

4.17.1.1  DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLANS

Under  a  defined  contribution  plan,  periodic  contributions 
are  made  to  an  external  entity  that  is  responsible  for  the 
administrative and financial management of the plan. Under 
such a plan, the employer is relieved of any future obligation 
(the  external  entity  is  responsible  for  paying  benefits  to 
employees as they become due and the employer is not required 
to make additional payments related to prior or current years if 
the entity does not have suffi  cient funds).

Contributions  to  defined  contribution  plans  –  which  were 
recognized in operating expenses – were 446 million euro for 
Fiscal 2019, compared to  404 million euro for Fiscal 2018.

Contributions made by the Group are expensed in the period to 
which they relate.

4.17.1.2  DEFINED BENEFIT PLANS

The characteristics of Sodexo’s principal defi ned benefi t plans 
are described below:

• 

in France, the obligation primarily represents lump-sum 
benefi ts payable on retirement if the employee is still with 
the  Company  at  retirement  age.  These  obligations  are 
covered by specifi c provisions in the consolidated statement 
of fi nancial position;

• 

in  the  United  Kingdom,  Sodexo’s  obligation  relates  to  a 
complementary retirement plan funded by externally held 
assets, and calculated on the basis of:

• 

• 

for managers working in the private sector, a percentage 
of fi nal base salary,

for managers working on public sector contracts, benefi ts 
comparable to those off ered in the public sector,

•  this plan was closed to new employees eff ective July 1, 
2003 and the level of contributions was increased in order 
to cover the shortfall in the fund.

The United Kingdom plan is regularly evaluated by the plan’s 
actuary in compliance with UK law. A formal actuarial valuation 
by the plan’s actuary is required to be conducted every three 
years, and any shortfall identifi ed at that time must be addressed 
through mutual agreement between the plan’s Trustee and Sodexo 
UK. Following a consultation process with the members of the 

pension plan carried out with a view to freezing benefi t accruals 
for certain members, an agreement was signed in October 2012 
between  the  plan’s  Trustee  and  Sodexo  UK  whereby  from 
November 1, 2012 the plan would remain open only to employees 
who transferred to Sodexo UK from the public sector, as Sodexo 
UK has a legal obligation to pay them certain benefi ts. As part 
of the 12-year plan to address the funding shortfall, Sodexo UK 
also agreed to pay annual contributions of (i) 10 million pounds 
sterling per year over the fi ve years from January 1, 2013 and 
(ii) 7.5 million pounds sterling per year over the following seven 
years.  Lastly,  in  October  2012,  Sodexo  S.A.  issued  a  Parent 
company guarantee to the Trustee in order to cover Sodexo UK’s 
obligations in connection with the plan. This guarantee is for 
up to 100 million pounds sterling for a duration of 12 years. On 
completion of the most recent valuation of the fund in July 2016, 
Sodexo UK and the Trustee agreed to keep unchanged the amount 
of contributions and the terms and conditions of the Parent 
company guarantee as set in October 2012.

On October 26, 2018, a judgment was rendered by the High 
Court of Justice of London in a case concerning the pension 
plan of another company, on the subject of the equalization of 
Guaranteed Minimum Pensions (“GMP equalization”) between 
women and men. This judgment clarifi es the applicable statutory 
provisions and confi rms the obligation for trustees of the United 
Kingdom pension plans to eliminate inequalities in the minimum 
guaranteed pensions of participants in these plans. The impact 
of this decision has been recognized in Fiscal 2019 and was not 
signifi cant.

In  Continental  Europe  other  than  France,  the  main  defined 
benefi t plans are as follows:

• 

in  the  Netherlands,  certain  employees  are  entitled  to 
complementary retirement or early retirement benefi ts.

In Fiscal 2017 Sodexo negotiated an agreement to convert 
its pension plans in the Netherlands from defined benefit 
to defi ned contribution plans as from January 1, 2016. The 
entitlements accumulated up until that date under the plans 
in their previous defi ned benefi t form have been frozen and 
the plans are still accounted for as defi ned benefi t plans in 
view of the related indexation commitments given by Sodexo. 
These plans are fully funded;

• 

in  Italy,  there  is  a  legal  obligation  to  pay  a  lump-sum 
retirement benefi t (“TFR”).

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C O N S O L I D A T E D   I N F O R M A T I O N

Changes in the present value of the defi ned benefi t plan obligation and the fair value of plan assets are shown below:

(in millions of euro)

BENEFIT 
OBLIGATION

PLAN ASSETS

NET BENEFIT 
OBLIGATION

BENEFIT 
OBLIGATION

PLAN ASSETS

NET BENEFIT 
OBLIGATION

As of September 1

1,201

(967)

234

1,293

(980)

313

FISCAL 2019

FISCAL 2018

Expense/(income) recognized in 
the income statement

Current service cost

Past service cost

Effect of settlements

Interest cost/(income)

Remeasurement losses/(gains)

Actuarial losses/(gains) arising from 
changes in demographic assumptions

Actuarial losses/(gains) arising from 
changes in financial assumptions

Experience adjustments

Currency translation adjustment

Contributions made by plan members

Employer contributions

Benefits paid from plan assets

Benefits paid other than from plan assets

Changes in scope of consolidation 
and other*

As of August 31

Of which:

48

17

1

0

31

145

(25)

0

0

0

(25)

(151)

(8)

0

199

(47)

(6)

1

0

(35)

(9)

105

(151)

0

8

0

(16)

35

0

(93)

1,450

(1,210)

Partially funded plans

1,321

(1,210)

Unfunded plans

129

23

17

1

0

6

(7)

(8)

48

(47)

2

1

(16)

0

(9)

12

240

111

129

46

17

(1)

30

(88)

(4)

(81)

(3)

22

(55)

(23)

(23)

9

9

(19)

(26)

55

(18)

17

1,201

(967)

1,076

125

(967)

23

17

(1)

7

(79)

(4)

(72)

(3)

3

(26)

(1)

234

109

125

* 

Including a benefit obligation increase amounting to 53 million euro in Fiscal 2019, and assets for the same amount, linked to the retirement benefit obligations in 
six UK companies for which the client (public sector) contractually bears all the deficit of the plan.

The  amounts  recorded  in  the  income  statement  for  defined 
benefi t plans totaled 23 million euro in Fiscal 2019 (23 million 
euro in Fiscal 2018) and break down as follows:

•  net expense of 10 million euro (net expense of 9 million euro 
in Fiscal 2018) in Administrative and Sales Department costs;

•  net  expense  of  6  million  euro  in  financial  expenses  (see 

•  net expense of 7 million euro (net expense of 7 million euro in 

note 4.2).

Fiscal 2018) in cost of sales;

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3 N o t e s   t o   t h e   c o n s o l i d a t e d   f i n a n c i a l   s t a t e m e n t s

Defi ned benefi t plan assets comprise:

(in millions of euro)

Equities

Bonds

Real estate

Cash

Investment funds

Insurance and other

TOTAL DEFINED BENEFIT PLAN ASSETS

AUGUST 31, 2019

AUGUST 31, 2018

256

16

71

26

238

603

1,210

158

14

39

17

353

386

967

Recognized net actuarial gains arising from changes in fi nancial 
assumptions amounted to 200 million euro, of which 157 million 
euro in the United Kingdom, 23 million euro in Netherlands, 

6 million euro in Switzeland and 1 million euro in the United 
States. In the United Kingdom, these gains were mainly due to 
the updated discount rate.

The following assumptions were used for actuarial valuations for the principal countries as of August 31, 2019 and 2018:

AUGUST 31, 2019

Discount rate(1)

Salary long-term inflation rate(2)

General long-term inflation rate

Net liability (in millions of euro)

Average term of the plans (in years)

FRANCE

NETHERLANDS

UNITED KINGDOM(4)

ITALY

0.75%-1.25%

1.25%-2.25%

1.8%-2.8%

0.30%

2.75%

1.75%

89

12

2%

3.5%

N/A

1.75%

2%-3%(3)

1.75%

10

20

38

19

20

8

(1) Discount rates in each country have been adapted to reflect the term of the plans. For the euro zone and United Kingdom, the Group uses discount rates based on 

yield curves for high quality corporate bonds drawn up by an external actuary.

(2) The salary inflation rate disclosed includes general inflation.
(3) Retail Price Index (RPI): 3%; Consumer Price Index (CPI): 2% for Fiscal 2019.
(4) Excluding 89 million euro in retirement benefit obligations in the 6 UK companies (offset by an asset in the same amount).

AUGUST 31, 2018

Discount rate(1)

Salary long-term inflation rate(2)

General long-term inflation rate

Net liability (in millions of euro)

Average term of the plans (in years)

FRANCE

NETHERLANDS

UNITED KINGDOM(4)

0.75%-1%

1.25%-2%

2.5%-2.8%

2.75%

1.75%

83

11

2%

3.5%-3.6%

1.75%

2%-3%(3)

1.75%

9

19

65

22

21

8

ITALY

1%

N/A

(1) Discount rates in each country have been adapted to reflect the term of the plans. For the euro zone and United Kingdom, the Group uses discount rates based on 

yield curves for high quality corporate bonds drawn up by an external actuary.

(2) The salary inflation rate disclosed includes general inflation.
(3) Retail Price Index (RPI): 3%; Consumer Price Index (CPI): 2% for Fiscal 2018.
(4) Excluding 36 million euro in retirement benefit obligations in the 6 UK companies (offset by an asset in the same amount).

With respect to the assumptions provided in the above table, for 
Fiscal Year 2019, and excluding the 89 million euro retirement 
benefi t obligations in the 6 UK companies (off set by an asset 
in the same amount), a reduction of 1% in the discount rate 
would  increase  the  gross  obligation  to  1,633  million  euro 
(compared to  1,361 million euro based on the assumptions 
used as of August 31, 2019), while a rise of 0.5% in the general 
long-term infl ation rate would increase the gross obligation to 
1,462 million euro.

Based  on  estimates  derived  from  reasonable  assumptions, 
Sodexo will pay 18 million euro into defined benefit plans in 
Fiscal 2020.

4.17.1.3  MULTIEMPLOYER PLANS

In the USA, as of August 31, 2019, the Company contributed 
to 45 multiemployer defined benefit pension plans under the 
terms of collective-bargaining agreements (“CBA”) that cover its 
union-represented employees. The risks of participating in these 

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C O N S O L I D A T E D   I N F O R M A T I O N

multiemployer plans are diff erent than those of single-employer 
plans in the following respects:

•  assets  contributed  to  the  multiemployer  plan  by  the 
Company are used to provide benefits to all beneficiaries 
of the plan, including beneficiaries of other participating 
employers;

• 

• 

• 

if a multiemployer plan is considered to be in “critical” status 
as defi ned by the U.S. Pension Protection Act of 2006, the 
plan will be required to adopt a rehabilitation plan which may 
require the Company to increase its required contributions 
to the plan;

if a participating employer ceases to contribute to the plan, 
the unfunded obligations of the plan may have to be borne 
by  the  Company  and  the  other  remaining  participating 
employers; and

if the Company ceases to participate in a multiemployer 
plan,  entirely  or  partially  in  excess  of  a  threshold,  or  if 
substantially all of the participating employers of a given 
plan cease to participate, the Company may be required to 
pay that plan an amount based on the value of unfunded 
vested benefi ts of the plan and the Company’s pro-rata share 
of total plan contributions, referred to as withdrawal liability.

The Company does not have the ability to account for these 
multiemployer plans as defi ned benefi t plans because it does 
not have timely access to information about plan assets, plan 

obligations,  actuarial  gains  and  losses,  service  costs,  and 
interest costs. As such, the multiemployer plans are accounted 
for as defi ned contribution plans.

The Company contributed 13 million euro for U.S. multiemployer 
defi ned benefi t plans in 2019 and in 2018. Of the contributions 
made  by  the  Company,  43%  and  6%  were  made  to  plans 
considered to be in “critical” status or “endangered” status, 
respectively, as defi ned by the U.S. Pension Protection Act of 
2006 and per each plan’s most-recent notice of plan funding 
status. Plans are generally considered to be in “critical” status 
when they are funded at less than 65%, among other factors, 
and are considered to be “endangered” when they are funded at 
65% or more, but at less than 80%, among other factors.

4.17.2  Other employee benefits

Other employee benefi ts, in the amount of 159 million euro as 
of August 31, 2019 (152 million euro as of August 31, 2018), 
mainly comprise a liability related to a deferred compensation 
program in the United States and obligations relating to long-
service awards.

The total expense recognized with respect to these benefits 
in  Fiscal  Year  2019  was  9  million  euro  (12  million  euro 
in  Fiscal  2018),  of  which  2  million  euro  (unchanged  from 
Fiscal 2018) related to a deferred compensation program in the 
United States and was reported in fi nancial expenses.

4.18  Provisions

(in millions of euro)

Tax and social security exposures

Employee claims and litigation

Contract termination and loss-making contracts

Reorganization costs

Client/supplier claims and litigation

Negative net assets of associates*

Other provisions

TOTAL PROVISIONS

AUGUST 31, 
2018

INCREASES/
CHARGES

REVERSALS 
WITH 
UTILIZATION

REVERSALS 
WITHOUT 
UTILIZATION

CURRENCY 
TRANSLATION 
ADJUSTMENT 
AND OTHER

CHANGES IN 
SCOPE OF 
CONSOLIDATION

AUGUST 31, 
2019

34

47

18

5

35

6

16

161

4

13

3

2

2

16

39

(12)

(13)

(7)

(2)

(9)

(13)

(57)

(4)

(6)

(1)

(1)

(5)

(7)

(24)

(1)

1

(6)

4

11

10

22

43

13

4

18

9

37

146

1

1

14

17

* 

Investments in companies consolidated by the equity method that have negative net assets (see note 4.9).

3

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3 N o t e s   t o   t h e   c o n s o l i d a t e d   f i n a n c i a l   s t a t e m e n t s

(in millions of euro)

Tax and social security exposures

Employee claims and litigation

Contract termination and loss-making contracts

Reorganization costs

Client/supplier claims and litigation

Negative net assets of associates*

Other provisions

TOTAL PROVISIONS

AUGUST 31, 
2017

INCREASES/
CHARGES

REVERSALS 
WITH 
UTILIZATION

REVERSALS 
WITHOUT 
UTILIZATION

CURRENCY 
TRANSLATION 
ADJUSTMENT 
AND OTHER

CHANGES IN 
SCOPE OF 
CONSOLIDATION

AUGUST 31, 
2018

34

63

7

13

13

7

17

4

17

8

1

8

4

(1)

(20)

(6)

(8)

(4)

(8)

(1)

(1)

(3)

(3)

(2)

(3)

(6)

(1)

(1)

154

42

(42)

(15)

(11)

34

47

18

5

35

6

16

161

1

10

21

1

33

* 

Investments in companies consolidated by the equity method that have negative net assets (see note 4.9).

Provisions for exposures and litigation are determined on a case-by-case basis and rely on management’s best estimate of the 
outfl ows deemed likely to satisfy legal or implicit obligations to which the Group is exposed as of the end of the fi scal year.

Current and non-current provisions are as follows:

(in millions of euro)

CURRENT

NON-CURRENT

CURRENT

NON-CURRENT

AUGUST 31, 2019

AUGUST 31, 2018

Tax and social security exposures

Employee claims and litigation

Contract termination and loss-making contracts

Reorganization costs

Client/supplier claims and litigation

Negative net assets of associates*

Other provisions

TOTAL PROVISIONS

2

23

8

2

16

7

58

20

20

5

2

2

9

29

88

6

26

8

3

28

2

73

28

21

10

2

7

6

14

88

* 

Investments in companies consolidated by the equity method that have negative net assets (see note 4.9).

4.19  Trade and other payables

(in millions of euro)

Operating payables

Non-operating payables

TOTAL OTHER NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES

Advances from clients

Trade payables

Employee-related liabilities

Tax liabilities

Other operating payables

Deferred revenues

Non-operating payables

TOTAL TRADE AND OTHER CURRENT PAYABLES

TOTAL TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES

AUGUST 31, 2019

AUGUST 31, 2018

158

13

171

483

2,517

1,184

327

151

135

94

4,892

5,063

163

27

190

341

2,226

1,101

285

114

120

35

4,222

4,412

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C O N S O L I D A T E D   I N F O R M A T I O N

Employee-related liabilities mainly include short-term employee 
benefi ts.

have been approved in advance). Each supplier is free to 
choose whether or not to sell each of its invoices;

The Sodexo Group has set up several reverse factoring programs 
in its main operating countries, which give its suppliers the 
opportunity of being paid in advance. In practice these programs 
involve  sales  of  trade  receivables  to  a  factor,  organized  by 
Sodexo.

Relations between the parties concerned are governed by two 
totally separate contracts:

•  Sodexo’s suppliers can, if they wish, sign a master agreement 
with the factor enabling them to sell their invoices before 
their scheduled due date, under conditions that take into 
consideration the Group’s credit risk.

As of August 31, 2019, the total amount of receivables sold by 
Sodexo’s suppliers under these reverse factoring programs was 
431 million euro (370 million euro as of August 31, 2018).

•  the Sodexo Group signs a master agreement with the factor, 
pursuant to which it undertakes to pay on the scheduled due 
dates the invoices sold by its suppliers to the factor (which 

Trade  payables  that  have  been  financed  through  a  reverse 
factoring program as of the fi scal year-end are still classifi ed as 
trade payables and included in the total trade payables fi gure.

MATURITIES OF TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES
(in millions of euro)

Less than 3 months

More than 3 months and less than 6 months

More than 6 months and less than 12 months

More than 1 year and less than 5 years

More than 5 years

TOTAL TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES

4.20  Deferred taxes

Movements in deferred taxes were as follows in Fiscal 2019:

CARRYING AMOUNT

UNDISCOUNTED 
CONTRACTUAL VALUE

3,592

3,592

306

917

156

91

306

917

164

101

5,063

5,080

3

AUGUST 31, 
2018

IFRS 9 
IMPACT

SEPTEMBER 1, 
2018 

DEFERRED 
TAX BENEFIT/
(EXPENSE)

DEFERRED TAX 
RECOGNIZED IN OTHER 
COMPREHENSIVE 
INCOME

CURRENCY 
TRANSLATION 
ADJUSTMENT 
AND OTHER

AUGUST 31, 
2019

(in millions of euro)

•  Employee-related liabilities

•  Fair value of financial instruments

•  Intangible assets

156

15

(51)

156

15

(51)

•  Other temporary differences

(212)

(17)

(229)

•  Tax loss carry-forwards

71

TOTAL NET DEFERRED TAX

(21)

(17)

Of which Deferred tax assets

105

71

(38)

105

Of which Deferred tax liabilities

(126)

(17)

(143)

(13)

(3)

13

(26)

16

(12)

(1)

1

0

(4)

0

(3)

(3)

(6)

(4)

8

6

1

140

8

(42)

(251)

93

(52)

99

(151)

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3 N o t e s   t o   t h e   c o n s o l i d a t e d   f i n a n c i a l   s t a t e m e n t s

Movements in deferred taxes were as follows in Fiscal 2018:

(in millions of euro)

•  Employee-related liabilities

•  Fair value of financial instruments

•  Intangible assets

•  Other temporary differences

•  Tax loss carry-forwards

TOTAL NET DEFERRED TAX

Of which Deferred tax assets

Of which Deferred tax liabilities

AUGUST 31, 
2017

DEFERRED 
TAX BENEFIT/
(EXPENSE)

DEFERRED TAX 
RECOGNIZED IN OTHER 
COMPREHENSIVE 
INCOME

CURRENCY 
TRANSLATION 
ADJUSTMENT 
AND OTHER

AUGUST 31, 
2018

268

1

(70)

(218)

69

50

187

(137)

(117)

(12)

21

20

(4)

(80)

(12)

17

14

(2)

(14)

6

21

156

15

(51)

(212)

71

(21)

105

(126)

Deferred tax assets arising on tax loss carry-forwards and not 
recognized because their recovery is not considered probable 
totaled 93 million euro as of August 31, 2019 (99 million euro 
as of August 31, 2018), including 19 million euro generated 
by subsidiaries prior to their acquisition (9 million euro as of 
August 31, 2018).

Temporary differences on employee-related liabilities relate 
primarily to post-employment benefi ts.

Other  temporary  differences  mainly  include  deferred  taxes 
recognized on the tax-deductible portion of the amortization that 
is recognized on goodwill in certain countries, which amounted 
to 248 million euro as of August 31, 2019 (225 million euro as 
of August 31, 2018).

4.21  Financial instruments

The table below presents the categories of fi nancial instruments, 
their  carrying  amount  and  their  fair  value,  by  item  in  the 
consolidated statement of fi nancial position.

The levels used for the classifi cation of fi nancial instruments are 
as follows:

•  Level 1: Instruments traded on an active market;

•  Level 2: Instruments measured through inputs other than 
quoted prices included within Level 1 and that are observable;

•  Level 3: Instruments whose fair value is determined using 

valuation techniques based on unobservable inputs.

FAIR VALUE LEVEL 3: MEASUREMENT OF BELLON SA 
SECURITIES

 The  Group  holds,  through  its  wholly-owned  subsidiary 
Sofi nsod, a 19.61% stake in Bellon SA, a company that controls 
Sodexo S.A. with 42.22% of its shares and 56.58% of its voting 
rights exercisable on August 31, 2019. This shareholding does 
not give the Group signifi cant  infl uence over Bellon SA, as voting 
rights  attached  to  Bellon  SA  shares  cannot  be  exercised  by 
SOFINSOD, in accordance with the provisions of article L.233-31 
of Code de Commerce.

Due to the application of IFRS 9, the Group has assessed for 
the  first  time  this  investment  at  its  fair  value,  determined 
in  accordance  with  IFRS  13,  and  opted  for  accounting  for 
subsequent changes in fair value in other non-recyclable items 
of consolidated comprehensive income.

The management conducted a fair value assessment of the 
equity participation in the fi rst application of IFRS 9, with the 
support of two independent experts. The valuation of the fair 
value of the investment depends, among other things, on the 
revalued net asset value (NAV) of Bellon SA which has limited 
debt and holds no assets other than shares of Sodexo S.A. These 
shares are valued at their closing share price for the calculation 
of the NAV of Bellon SA.

The bylaws of Bellon SA include a clause which restricts the 
sale  of  Bellon  SA  shares  to  non-shareholder  third  parties, 
subject to the prior approval of its Supervisory Board. Bellon SA 
is controlled 72.6% by Mr. and Mrs. Pierre Bellon, and their 
four children who signed in June 2015 a 50-year agreement 
preventing the direct descendants of Mr. and Mrs. Pierre Bellon 
from freely disposing of their Bellon SA shares. The sole asset 
of Bellon SA being its interest in Sodexo, it can be inferred that 
Bellon SA does not intend to sell this interest to third parties.

These specifi cations imply very limited liquidity of the interest 
that Sofinsod holds in Bellon SA. The valuation method used 
by management (Level 3 of the hierarchy defi ned by IFRS 13) 
incorporates this illiquidity on the one hand, as well as all the 
characteristics of the holding’s ownership structure, on the 
other hand. This method results in a discount to net asset value 
on Bellon SA estimated at 40% as of September 1, 2018 and 
August 31, 2019.

As of September 1, 2018, the fair value of the investment was 
assessed at 596 million euro, leading the Group to recognize 
a gross impact of 564 million euro. The after-tax impact of 
547 million euro as of September 1, 2018 was recorded in the 
opening balance sheet, aft  er recognition of a 3.1% deferred tax 
liability.

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C O N S O L I D A T E D   I N F O R M A T I O N

As of August 31, 2019, the fair value of the investment is assessed at 708 million euro, and its change since the opening of the year 
has been recorded in other non-recyclable items of comprehensive income.

FINANCIAL ASSETS
(in millions of euro)

CATEGORY

NOTE

CARRYING 
AMOUNT

FAIR VALUE

LEVEL 1

LEVEL 2

LEVEL 3

TOTAL

AUGUST 31, 2019

FAIR VALUE LEVEL

Marketable securities

 Restricted cash and financial 
assets related to 
the Benefits & Rewards Services 
activity

Trade and other receivables

Other financial assets

Financial assets 
at fair value through 
profit or loss

Financial assets 
at amortized cost

Cash and cash 
equivalents

Financial assets 
at amortized cost

Financial assets 
at fair value through 
other comprehensive 
income

Financial assets at 
amortized cost

4.13

374

374

27

347

374

4.11

804

804

4.11

315

315

315

315

4.12

4,626

4,626

4.11

896

896

896

896

4.11

162

162

Derivative financial instrument 
assets

4.16

12

12

12

12

3

FINANCIAL LIABILITIES
(in millions of euro)

Bond issues*

Bank borrowings

Other borrowings

Bank overdrafts

Trade and other payables

Vouchers payable

Derivative financial instrument 
liabilities

CATEGORY

Financial liabilities 
at amortized cost

Financial liabilities 
at amortized cost

Financial liabilities 
at amortized cost

Financial liabilities 
at amortized cost

Financial liabilities 
at amortized cost

Financial liabilities 
at amortized cost

AUGUST 31, 2019

FAIR VALUE LEVEL

NOTE

CARRYING 
AMOUNT

FAIR VALUE

LEVEL 1

LEVEL 2

LEVEL 3

TOTAL

4.15

2,468

2,553

4.15

1,577

1,636

4.15

4.13

39

35

39

35

4.19

4,892

4,892

2,981

2,981

4.16

(7)

(7)

(7)

(7)

*  Fair value is calculated on the basis of listed bond prices as of August 31, 2019.

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AUGUST 31, 2018

FAIR VALUE LEVEL

FINANCIAL ASSETS
(in millions of euro)

CATEGORY

NOTE

CARRYING 
AMOUNT

FAIR VALUE

LEVEL 1

LEVEL 2

LEVEL 3

TOTAL

Marketable securities

Financial assets at fair 
value through profit 
or loss

Restricted cash 
and financial assets related to 
the Benefits & Rewards Services 
activity

Financial assets 
at amortized cost

Cash and cash 
equivalents

4.13

365

365

29

336

365

4.11

862

862

4.11

180

180

180

180

Trade and other receivables

Other financial assets

Loans and receivables 
at amortized cost

Available-for-sale 
financial assets

Loans and receivables 
at amortized cost

4.12

4,121

4,121

4.11

91

N/A

4.11

135

135

Derivative financial instrument 
assets

4.16

18

18

18

18

FINANCIAL LIABILITIES
(in millions of euro)

Bond issues*

Bank borrowings

Other borrowings

Bank overdrafts

Trade and other payables

Vouchers payable

Derivative financial instrument 
liabilities

CATEGORY

Financial liabilities 
at amortized cost

Financial liabilities 
at amortized cost

Financial liabilities 
at amortized cost

Financial liabilities 
at amortized cost

Financial liabilities 
at amortized cost

Financial liabilities 
at amortized cost

AUGUST 31, 2018

FAIR VALUE LEVEL

NOTE

CARRYING 
AMOUNT

FAIR VALUE

LEVEL 1

LEVEL 2

LEVEL 3

TOTAL

4.15

2,191

2,266

2,266

4.15

1,727

1,715

240

1,475

2,266

1,715

4.15

4.13

39

28

39

28

4.19

4,222

4,222

2,780

2,780

4.16

1

1

1

1

*  Fair value is calculated on the basis of listed bond prices as of August 31, 2018.

There were no transfers between the various fair value hierarchy levels between Fiscal 2018 and Fiscal 2019.

4.22  Share-based payment

4.22.1  Stock option plans

PRINCIPAL FEATURES OF STOCK OPTION PLANS

Rules governing stock option plans are as follows:

•  the option exercise price has no discount;

•  contractual life of options: 6-7 years.

ESTIMATION OF FAIR VALUE AT DATE OF GRANT

The  fair  value  of  options  granted  and  settled  by  delivery  of 
equity instruments is estimated at the date of grant using a 

binomial model, which takes into consideration the terms and 
conditions of grant and assumptions about exercise behavior.

MOVEMENTS DURING FISCAL 2019 AND FISCAL 2018

The table below provides the quantity, weighted average exercise 
price (WAP) and movements of stock options during Fiscal 2019 
and Fiscal 2018:

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C O N S O L I D A T E D   I N F O R M A T I O N

FISCAL 2019

FISCAL 2018

NUMBER

WAP (in euro)

NUMBER

WAP (in euro)

45,765

(1,250)

(44,515)(1)

0

0

51.40

51.40

0

0

0

529,443

(11,075)

(472,603)(2)

45,765

45,765

50.39

51.06

50.27

51.40

51.40

Outstanding at the beginning of the year

Forfeited during the year

Exercised during the year

Outstanding at the end of the year

Exercisable at the end of the year

3

(1) The weighted average share price at the exercise date of options exercised in Fiscal 2019 was 90.87 euro.
(2) The weighted average share price at the exercise date of options exercised in Fiscal 2018 was 101.43 euro.

 There were no longer any stock option plans outstanding at 
August 31, 2019, since the last stock option grants in 2011 
expired in December 2018.

Since the 2015 plan, a portion of the free shares awarded has 
also been subject to a stock market performance condition as 
follows:

4.22.2  Free share plans

PRINCIPLE FEATURES OF FREE SHARE PLANS

Rules governing free share plans are as follows:

• 

• 

free shares vest only if the beneficiary is still working for 
the Group on the vesting date; in addition, some free share 
grants are subject to a performance condition;

for the free shares awarded in 2015, for beneficiaries who 
are French tax residents the vesting period is two years for 
shares not subject to any performance condition and three 
years for performance shares, provided in both cases that 
the benefi ciary is still working for the Group on the vesting 
date. For non-French tax residents, the vesting period is four 
years. Free shares awarded to French tax residents are also 
subject to a two-year lock-up period as from the vesting date;

• 

for the free shares awarded since 2016, the vesting period 
for all benefi ciaries is four years, with no subsequent lock-up 
period. In addition, benefi ciaries must still be working for the 
Group on the vesting date in order for the shares to vest;

•  until 2018, the proportion of shares subject to a performance 
condition ranges from 0% to 80% (depending on the total 
number of shares awarded), except for the shares granted 
to the Group Chief Executive Offi  cer which consist solely of 
performance shares;

•  since 2019, all shares granted to the members of the Group 

Executive Committee consist of performance shares.

The performance conditions other than those related to stock 
market performance (“non-market performance conditions”) 
were as follows:

• 

• 

for  the  free  shares  awarded  in  2015,  the  non-market 
performance condition is based on annual growth in Group 
net income over a three-year period;

for  the  free  shares  awarded  since  2016,  the  non-market 
performance  condition  is  based  on  annual  growth  in 
consolidated underlying operating profi t (before exceptional 
items and excluding currency eff ects) over a four-year period. 
For the 2018 plan, a portion of the shares is also subject to 
the achievement of Corporate Responsibility objectives. In 
2019, a condition based on organic growth has been added.

• 

• 

• 

for the 2015 plan, a portion of the shares awarded to members 
of  the  Group  Executive  Committee  is  subject  to  a  Total 
Shareholder Return (TSR) target. TSR is a measure of the 
performance of a company’s shares over time. It combines 
share price appreciation and dividends paid to show the total 
return  to  the  shareholder.  For  the  free  shares  awarded  in 
2015, the TSR must have increased by at least 20% between 
August 31, 2014 and the Annual Shareholders Meeting called to 
approve the Fiscal 2018 fi nancial statements, in January 2018;

for the 2016 and 2017 plans, a portion of the shares awarded 
to the members of the Group Executive Committee and to 
benefi ciaries of more than 1,000 shares under the 2017 plan, 
are subject to a TSR performance condition. For the shares 
subject to this condition to vest, Sodexo’s TSR must be positive 
and outperform the CAC 40 GR (Gross Total Return) index, 
published by Euronext, between (i) January 27, 2016 and the 
date of the Annual Shareholders Meeting called to approve 
the Fiscal 2019 fi nancial statements for the 2016 plan, and 
(ii) January 25, 2017 and the date of the Annual Shareholders 
Meeting called to approve the Fiscal 2020 fi nancial statements 
for the 2017 plan;

for  the  2018  plan,  a  portion  of  the  shares  awarded  to 
the  members  of  the  Group  Executive  Committee  and  to 
benefi ciaries of more than 250 shares, Sodexo’s TSR will be 
compared to that of two peer groups. The fi rst peer group is 
made up of 12 companies selected based on their size, the 
similarity of their operations to those of Sodexo and the fact 
that they all operate in the outsourcing and shared services 
industry. The second peer group comprises CAC 40 companies. 
In both cases, the number of shares that will vest will depend 
on Sodexo’s ranking within the peer group, with no shares 
vesting if Sodexo’s ranking is below the third quartile. The 
starting share price used will be the average of the share prices 
quoted over the thirty (30) calendar days preceding the plan 
grant date. The end share price used to measure the overall 
stock market performance will be the average of the share 
prices quoted over the thirty (30) calendar days preceding the 
performance assessment date (March 27, 2022);

• 

for the 2019 plan, Sodexo’s TSR will be compared to that of 
the peer group made up of 12 companies selected based on 
their size, the similarity of their operations to those of Sodexo 
and the fact that they all operate in the outsourcing and 
shared services industry. This condition is only applicable to 
the shares awarded to the Group Chief Executive Offi  cer and 
to the members of the Group Executive Committee.

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3 N o t e s   t o   t h e   c o n s o l i d a t e d   f i n a n c i a l   s t a t e m e n t s

ESTIMATED FAIR VALUE AT DATE OF GRANT

The fair value of free shares is estimated at the date of grant 
based  on  the  share  price  at  that  date  after  deductions  for 
dividends on the shares that will not be paid to beneficiaries 
during  the  vesting  period  and,  where  applicable,  a  lock-up 
discount. The lock-up discount is determined based on the cost 
for the employee of a two-step strategy consisting of selling the 

shares forward for delivery at the end of the lock-up period and 
purchasing the same number of shares for immediate delivery, 
with  the  purchase  financed  by  a  loan,  taking  into  account 
market inputs.

The fair value of free shares subject to a performance condition 
based on Total Shareholder Return is estimated using a binomial 
model that takes into account the vesting conditions.

MOVEMENTS IN FISCAL 2019 AND FISCAL 2018

The table below shows movements in free shares in Fiscal 2019 and Fiscal 2018:

Outstanding at the beginning of the year

Granted during the year

Forfeited during the year

Delivered during the year

Outstanding at the end of the year

FISCAL 2019

FISCAL 2018

3,025,219

2,801,195

845,090

931,880

(170,620)

(145,391)

(458,225)

(583,325)

3,241,464

3,025,219

The weighted average fair value of the free shares granted in Fiscal 2019 was 91.3 euro for shares granted in Fiscal 2019 (66.61 euro 
for shares granted in Fiscal 2018).

The table below shows the grant dates of free shares outstanding as of August 31, 2019, the assumptions used to estimate their fair 
value at the grant date and the number of free shares outstanding at the period end:

VESTING 
PERIOD 
(in years)

LOCK-UP 
PERIOD 
(in years)

EXPECTED 
DIVIDEND YIELD 
(in %)

RISK-FREE 
INTEREST RATE 
(in %)

LOAN INTEREST 
RATE 
(in %)

VOLATILITY* 
(in %)

DATE OF GRANT

April 27, 2015

France

April 27, 2015

International

December 1, 2015

France

December 1, 2015

France

December 1, 2015

International

April 27, 2016

International

September 30, 2016

International

November 30, 2016

International

April 20, 2017

International

September 14, 2017

International

April 27, 2018

International

September 13, 2018

International

June 19, 2019

International

TOTAL

3

4

2

3

4

4

4

4

4

4

4

4

4

2

N/A

2

2

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

2.5%

2.5%

2.5%

2.5%

2.5%

2.5%

2.5%

2.5%

2.4%

2.4%

2.7%

2.7%

3%

0.1%

0.2%

0%

0%

0%

0%

0%

0%

0%

0%

0%

0%

0%

5.2%

5.2%

4.3%

4.3%

4.3%

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

NUMBER 
OF SHARES 
OUTSTANDING 
AS OF 
AUGUST 31, 2018

0

0

0

0

2,350

715,355

11,600

10,000

21%

21%

22.5%

22.5%

22%

22%

22%

18.1%

792,379

18.1%

13,000

21.3%

854,520

21.3%

34,100

21.9%

808,160

3,241,464

*  Applicable for the portion of the free share grants subject to the TSR performance condition. Volatility is determined by reference to the share’s historical weighted 

average volatility over five years and the implicit volatility expected by the market.

4.22.3  Expense recognized during the fiscal year

The expense recognized in the Fiscal 2019 income statement for free shares was 33 million euro (44 million euro in Fiscal 2018).

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C O N S O L I D A T E D   I N F O R M A T I O N

4.23  Business combinations

The main acquisitions carried out by the Group during the year are presented in note 4.6, “Goodwill”. A summarized amount of assets acquired 
and liabilities assumed at the acquisition dates, measured on a provisional basis as of August 31, 2019, is provided in the table below:

(in millions of euro)

Intangible assets*

Property, plant and equipment

Other non-current assets (including client investments)

Trade receivables

Other current assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Borrowings

Other non-current liabilities

Net deferred tax liabilities

Other current liabilities

TOTAL IDENTIFIABLE NET ASSETS

Goodwill

Commitments written over non-controlling interests

Impact of acquisitions of control of companies consolidated by the equity method

CONSIDERATION TRANSFERRED

Cash acquired

Change in liabilities related to acquisitions of subsidiaries

IMPACT ON THE CASH FLOW STATEMENT

AUGUST 31, 2019

42

39

2

27

22

8

(44)

(36)

3

(76)

(13)

 307 

0

0

(307)

8

(299)

3

* 

Intangible assets mainly include customer relationships and trademarks. The amortization periods for these intangible assets have been set by Management at a 
maximum of 20 years based on the estimated attrition rate for the contracts concerned and the probable useful lives of the trademarks. Goodwill corresponds to the 
positive difference between the acquisition price and the total fair value of the identifiable net assets.

Companies acquired during Fiscal 2019 contributed 223 million euro to consolidated revenues and 12 million euro to consolidated 
underlying operating profi t following their consolidation.

Signifi cant entities acquired during the fi scal year are disclosed in chapter 6 (N).

4.24  Commitments and contingencies

4.24.1  Sureties

Commitments arising from surety arrangements (pledges, charges secured against plant and equipment, and real estate mortgages) 
contracted by Sodexo S.A. and its subsidiaries in connection with operating activities during Fiscal 2019 are not material.

4.24.2  Operating lease commitments

Outstanding commitments arising in respect of operating leases are as follows:

(in millions of euro)

Less than 1 year

1 to 5 years

More than 5 years

TOTAL OPERATING LEASES COMMITMENTS

AUGUST 31, 2019

AUGUST 31, 2018

188

431

220

839

144

376

141

662

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3 N o t e s   t o   t h e   c o n s o l i d a t e d   f i n a n c i a l   s t a t e m e n t s

These  commitments  correspond  to  the  rent  to  be  paid  over 
the non-cancellable terms of leases taking into account  the 
contractual or legal provisions enabling leases to be terminated 
before the end of the lease term (future minimum lease payment 
due of the non-cancellable term of operating lease). They arise 
under contracts worldwilde, the terms of which are negociated 
locally, and relate primarily to:

•  equipment  on  sites,  office  equipment  and  vehicles  for 
112 million euro (109 million euro as of August 31, 2018);

4.24.3  Other commitments given

•  the rent for offi  ce premises of 244 million euro (330 million 
euro as of August 31, 2018), related mainly to the Group’s 
corporate headquarters in Issy-les-Moulineaux (23 million 
euro), the offices of Sodexo France (18 million euro) and 
Sodexo, Inc. (52 million euro);

•  minimum concession fee payments for sites in France and 

the United States (404 million euro).

(in millions of euro)

Financial guarantees to third parties

Site management commitments

Performance bonds given to clients

Other commitments

TOTAL OTHER COMMITMENTS GIVEN

AUGUST 31, 2019

AUGUST 31, 2018

LESS THAN 
1 YEAR

1 TO 5 YEARS

MORE THAN 
5 YEARS

TOTAL

TOTAL

1

1

44

10

55

1

1

181

136

319

2

2

183

134

321

22

15

38

115

111

226

Financial  guarantees  to  third  parties  mainly  comprise  bank 
subordinated debt commitments under Public-Private Partnership 
(PPP) contracts (see note 2.3.2) totaling 1 million euro.

The performance bonds given to clients relate to around twenty 
sub-contracting contracts where the Group considers that it may 
be exposed to indemnity payments if it is unable to fulfi ll the 
service obligation. These bonds are subject to regular review by 
the management of the business unit and a provision is recorded 
as soon as payment under a bond becomes probable. For all 
other contracts with a performance bond, Sodexo considers that 
it can deploy the additional resources needed to avoid paying 
compensation under the bond.

The  Group  also  has  performance  obligations  to  clients,  but 
regards these as having the essential features of a performance 
guarantee  rather  than  an  insurance  contract  designed  to 

compensate the client in the event of non-fulfillment of the 
service obligation (compensation is generally due only where 
Sodexo is unable to provide alternative or additional resources 
to fulfi ll the obligation to the client).

In  practice,  given  its  size  and  geographical  reach,  Sodexo 
considers itself capable of providing the additional resources 
required to avoid paying compensation to clients protected by 
such clauses.

At this time, no provision has been recorded in the consolidated 
statement of fi nancial position with respect to these guarantees.

The “Other commitments” line mainly includes the 12-year 
guarantee given by Sodexo S.A. in October 2012 to the Trustee 
of the UK pension plan (i.e., until October 2024) for a maximum 
of 100 million pounds sterling in order to cover Sodexo UK’s 
obligations in connection with the plan.

4.25  Related parties

4.25.1  Principal shareholder

As of August 31, 2019, Bellon SA held 42.22% of the capital of 
Sodexo and 56.58% of the exercisable voting rights.

Bellon  SA  invoiced  3.3  million  euro  to  Sodexo  S.A.  in  Fiscal 
2019  under  an  assistance  and  advisory  services  contract 
(3.7 million euro in Fiscal 2018).

Bellon  SA  received  dividends  of  171.4  million  euro  from 
Sodexo S.A. in February 2019 and the Group received dividends 
of 2.9 million euro from Bellon SA during Fiscal 2019.

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C O N S O L I D A T E D   I N F O R M A T I O N

4.25.2  Non-consolidated companies

Other transactions with related companies comprise loans advanced, commercial transactions, and off -balance sheet commitments 
involving associates and non-consolidated companies.

(in millions of euro)

Loans

AUGUST 31, 2019

AUGUST 31, 2018

GROSS

IMPAIRMENT

CARRYING AMOUNT

CARRYING AMOUNT

44

0

44

44

OFF-BALANCE SHEET COMMITMENTS

AUGUST 31, 2019

AUGUST 31, 2018

Financial guarantees to third parties

Performance bonds given to clients

TRANSACTIONS

Revenues

Operating expenses

Financial income and expense, net

1

181

2

183

FISCAL 2019

FISCAL 2018

238

(3)

2

228

0

2

4.26  Compensation, loans, post-employment benefi ts and other benefi ts 

granted to Board members, the Executive Committee, and the Group Chief 
Executive Offi  cer of Sodexo

The compensation, loans, post-employment benefi ts and other benefi ts granted to Board members, the Executive Committee, and 
the Group Chief Executive Offi  cer of Sodexo in offi  ce as of August 31, 2019 and August 31, 2018 respectively for Fiscal 2019 and 
Fiscal 2018 comprise the following:

3

(IN EURO)

Short-term benefits

Post-employment benefits

Fair value of free shares at the grant date

FISCAL 2019

FISCAL 2018

15,429,580

15,424,760

1,264,567

882,048

14,022,288

8,304,389

These  benefits  include  directors’  fees,  and  all  forms  of 
compensation and benefits paid (or earned during the period 
for offi  ces held) by Bellon SA, Sodexo S.A. and/or other Sodexo 
Group companies.

Denis Machuel, Group Chief Executive Offi  cer since January 23, 
2018, is paid by Sodexo S.A. but he likewise does not have an 
employment contract with Sodexo S.A.

The Company has entered into non-compete clauses with the 
Group Chief Executive Offi  cer and the members of the Executive 
Committee with a maximum term of 24 months in order to 
protect the Group by restricting their freedom to hold a position 
as employee or director, or carry out any consulting work, for 
any of Sodexo’s competitors, either directly or through another 
legal entity.

4.27  Group employees

The following table shows the breakdown of Group employees:

TOTAL HEADCOUNT AS OF AUGUST 31

AUGUST 31, 2019

AUGUST 31, 2018

470,237

460,663

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3 N o t e s   t o   t h e   c o n s o l i d a t e d   f i n a n c i a l   s t a t e m e n t s

4.28  Disputes and litigation

•  The Company is in dispute with the Brazilian tax authorities 
regarding the tax deductibility of the amortization of goodwill 
recognized on the purchase of VR in March 2008. For the 
record, in Fiscal year 2017, Sodexo Pass do Brasil received a 
tax reassessment notice from the Brazilian tax authorities for 
fi scal years 2010, 2011 and 2012 relating to the deductibility 
for tax purposes of the amortization of goodwill recognized 
on the purchase of VR in March 2008. The reassessment 
amounted to 102 million euro (breaking down as 30 million 
euro in principal and 72 million euro in penalties and late 
payment interest).

Sodexo Pass do Brasil is fi rmly disputing this reassessment, 
which the Brazilian tax authorities originally envisaged during 
a previous tax audit covering fi scal years 2008 and 2009 but 
then abandoned. The Company considers that the goodwill 
amortization  was  valid,  both  in  terms  of  its  underlying 
reasons and the way it has been recorded. Therefore, the 
Company  considers  that  there  is  a  strong  probability  of 
winning the dispute with the tax authorities, and this has been 
confi rmed by its tax advisors. Consequently, no provision was 
recorded for this dispute in the consolidated statement of 
fi nancial position as of August 31, 2017.

This  dispute  was  presented  on  August  14,  2018  for  a 
judgment of the competent administrative court. The court 
ruled  in  favor  of  Sodexo  Pass  do  Brasil  as  it  considered 
that  the  goodwill  and  corresponding  amortization  were 
legitimately  recognized  on  the  acquisition  of  VR.  The 
judgment  therefore  confirms  that  Sodexo  Pass  do  Brasil 
acquired a full business structure when it purchased VR.

This judgment can be reversed on appeal. The Group believes, 
however, that the risk of change in this judgement is low.

In addition, the tax savings generated by this tax depreciation 
were offset in the consolidated accounts of the Group by 
a  deferred  tax  expense  of  the  same  amount  for  each  of 
the  financial  periods  concerned,  in  accordance  with  the 
IFRS rules. The balance of the related deferred tax liability 
amounts to 69 million of euro at the end of the fi nancial year 
(65 million of euro as of August 31, 2018).

•  On  October  9,  2015, Octoplus  filed  a  complaint  with  the 
French Competition Authority (Autorité de la concurrence) 
concerning several French meal voucher issuers, including 
Sodexo Pass France SA. Following the hearing of the parties 
concerned, the Competition Authority decided on October 6, 
2016  to  pursue  investigation  on  the  merits,  without 
requesting protective measures.

On February 27, 2019, the prosecution services sent their 
fi nal investigation report to Sodexo Pass France. The Group 
contested both grievances in its response fi lled on April 29, 
2019.  The  hearing  before  the  college  of  the  Competition 
Authority took place on July 18, 2019 and its decision may 
be issued before the end of the 2019.

The Competition Authority has broad discretion to determine 
on a case-by-case basis the financial fines it may impose 
in  accordance  with  the  principles  of  proportionality  and 
individuality. In view of the diffi  culty in assessing the extent 
to which the Competition Authority may take into account 
the  arguments  which  have  been  put  forward  by  Sodexo 
Pass France in its defense and due to the multiple factors 
contributing, where appropriate, to the determination of 
a fi ne, it is not possible to reliably estimate the amount of 
the potential fi ne that might be incurred in the event of an 
adverse decision, even though it might have a significant 
impact on the Group’s consolidated fi nancial statements. In 
this context, no provision has been made as at August 31, 
2019, at this stage of the investigation.

• 

In Brazil, Sodexo and its main competitors have a diff erent 
interpretation from that of the Tax Administration on the 
deductibility of PIS/COFIN on certain purchases that are 
made at a zero rate. Proceedings are pending before the 
Superior Courts and, based on the opinion of our counsel, 
the Group considers that its chances of success in these 
proceedings  are  good  and  therefore  did  not  consider 
necessary  at  this  stage  to  provision  for  appropriations 
deducted to date.

•  On January 28, 2019, the International Center for Settlement 
of  Investment  Disputes  (ICSID)  delivered  its  decision  in 
Sodexo’s arbitration claim against the Hungarian State in 
the Group’s favor. Due to changes in the regulatory and fi scal 
environment in Hungary related to the issuance of food and 
meal vouchers, Sodexo had fi led a claim for ICSID arbitration 
in July 2014 against the Hungarian state.

This decision represents an important step in the process of 
resolving this dispute. However, the Hungarian state having 
applied for annulment of this decision on May 27, 2019, the 
Group has considered it was too early to record an income 
based on the decision of ICSID.

To the best of the Company’s knowledge, there have been no 
governmental, judicial or arbitral proceedings (including any 
such proceedings which are pending or threatened of which 
Sodexo is aware) which may have, or have had in the past 12 
months, material eff ects on Sodexo and/or the Group’s fi nancial 
position or profi tability.

Sodexo is also involved in litigation arising from its ordinary 
activities. The Group does not believe that liabilities relating to 
such litigation will in aggregate be material to its activities or to 
its consolidated fi nancial position.

4.29  Subsequent events

No significant event has occurred between the year end and 
the date on which the consolidated fi nancial statements were 
approved by the Board of Directors.

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C O N S O L I D A T E D   I N F O R M A T I O N

5.  FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICY

5.1  Group e xposure to foreign exchange and interest rate risk

The policies and procedures  are designed to prevent speculative 
positions. Furthermore, under them :

•  substantially all borrowings must be at fi xed rates of interest, 

or converted to fi xed-rate using hedging instruments;

• 

in the context of fi nancing policy, foreign exchange risk on 
loans to subsidiaries must be hedged;

•  the maturity of hedging instruments must not exceed the 

maturity of the borrowings they hedge.

5.1.1  Analysis of sensitivity to interest rates

As of August 31, 2019 and August 31, 2018, a 0.5% increase or 
decrease in interest rates would have had no material impact on 
profi t before tax or on shareholders’ equity as substantially all 
liabilities at those dates were at a fi xed rate of interest.

SENSITIVITY TO EXCHANGE RATES

5.1.2  Analysis of sensitivity to foreign exchange 

rates and exchange rate exposures on 
principal currencies

Because Sodexo has operations in 67 countries, all components 
of the fi nancial statements are infl uenced by foreign currency 
translation  effects,  and  in  particular  by  fluctuations  in  the 
U.S. dollar. However, exchange rate fl uctuations do not generate 
any operational risk, because each of the Group’s subsidiaries 
invoices  its  revenues  and  incurs  its  expenses  in  the  same 
currency.

Sodexo S.A. uses derivative instruments to manage the Group’s 
risk exposure resulting from the volatility of exchange rates.

IMPACT OF A 10% APPRECIATION 
OF THE EXCHANGE RATE 
OF THE FOLLOWING CURRENCIES 
AGAINST THE EURO
(in millions of euro)

U.S. dollar (USD)

Brazilian real (BRL)

Pound sterling (GBP)

AUGUST 31, 2019

AUGUST 31, 2018

3

IMPACT ON 
REVENUES

IMPACT ON 
OPERATING 
PROFIT

IMPACT 
ON PROFIT 
BEFORE TAX

IMPACT ON 
SHAREHOLDERS’ 
EQUITY

IMPACT ON 
REVENUES

IMPACT ON 
OPERATING 
PROFIT

IMPACT 
ON PROFIT 
BEFORE TAX

IMPACT ON 
SHAREHOLDERS’ 
EQUITY

911

112

190

45

20

16

37

20

16

245

86

66

828

104

178

55

21

10

40

19

14

237

77

83

5.2  Exposure to liquidity risk

5.3  Exposure to counterparty risk

The nature of the Group’s bank borrowings and bond issues as of 
August 31, 2019 is described in detail in note 4.15.

Exposure to counterparty risk is limited to the carrying amount 
of fi nancial assets.

As of August 31, 2019 and August 31, 2018, more than 99% 
of the Group’s consolidated borrowings was raised on capital 
markets and bank fi nancing covered less than 1% of the Group’s 
financing needs. The maturity dates of the main borrowings 
range between Fiscal 2019 and Fiscal 2029.

In  addition,  97%  of  the  Group’s  borrowings  correspond  to 
long-term fixed-rate debt raised on the capital markets. The 
remaining 3% corresponds to short-term variable-rate debt, also 
raised on the capital markets. This amount can be refi nanced at 
any time thanks to:

(i)  the  Group’s  multi-currency  confirmed  credit  facility  of 
589 million euro plus 785 million U.S. dollars which expires 
in July 2024; and

(ii) three  bilateral  confirmed  lines  of  credit  amounting 
to  150  million  euro  each  two  of  which  are  expiring  in 
December 2019 and the third in March 2020.

As of August 31, 2019, none of these facilities had been used.

Group  policies  and  procedures  are   to  manage  and  spread 
counterparty risk. For derivative financial instruments, each 
transaction with a bank is required to be based on a master 
contract modeled on the standard contract issued by the French 
Bankers’  Association  (AFB)  or  the  International  Swaps  and 
Derivatives Association (ISDA).

Counterparty  risk  relating  to  customer  accounts  receivable 
is  immaterial.  Due  to  the  Group’s  geographic  and  segment 
spread, there is no concentration of risk on past due individual 
receivables for which no provision has been recorded. Moreover, 
the Group has not observed any signifi cant change in impacts 
relating to customer default during the year.

The  main  counterparty  risk  is  bank-related.  The  Group  has 
limited its exposure to counterparty risk by diversifying its 
investments and limiting the concentration of risk held by each 
of its counterparties. Transactions are conducted with highly 
creditworthy counterparties taking into consideration country 
risk. The Group has instituted a regular reporting of the risk 
spread between counterparties and of their quality.

To reduce this risk further, in Fiscal 2011 the Group implemented 
an international cash pooling mechanism between its main 
subsidiaries (with a netting facility), reducing the amount of 
liquidity held by third parties by concentrating it in the Group’s 
fi nancial holding companies.

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3 N o t e s   t o   t h e   c o n s o l i d a t e d   f i n a n c i a l   s t a t e m e n t s

The  maximum  counterparty  represents  approximately  18% 
(14% as of August 31, 2018) of the Group’s operating cash 
(including restricted cash and financial assets related to the 
Benefi ts & Rewards Services activity) and is with a banking group 
whose rating is A-1.

5.4  Policy for managing 

the Company’s capital structure

Sodexo takes a long-term view in managing its capital structure, 
with the objective of ensuring the Group’s liquidity, optimizing 
its fi nancial structure and allowing shareholders to benefi t from 
its strong cash fl ow generation.

Contributing to decisions made may be objectives for earnings 
per  share  or  estimated  future  cash  flows,  or  for  balancing 
various components of the consolidated statement of fi nancial 
position in order to meet the net debt criteria defi ned by Group 
management and communicated to the marketplace, notably 
a net debt to equity ratio of less than 75%. The net debt to 
equity ratio corresponds to net debt as a proportion of total 
shareholders’ equity (including minority interests), with net 
debt defined as the difference between gross borrowings and 
total cash, and total cash defi ned as cash and cash equivalents 
plus restricted cash and fi nancial assets related to the Benefi ts 
& Rewards Services activity less bank overdraft  s.

6.  SCOPE OF CONSOLIDATION

The main companies consolidated as of August 31, 2019 and 
presented in the table below together represent over 80% of 
consolidated revenues, operating profit, profit for the period 
attributable to equity holders of the parent, and shareholders’ 
equity. The other entities individually represent less than 0.8% 
of each of these items.

The first column shows the percentage interest held by the 
Group, and the second column the percentage of voting rights 
held by the Group. Percentage interests and percentages of 
voting rights are only shown if less than 97%.

Companies newly consolidated during the year are indicated by 
the letter “N”.

% INTEREST

% VOTING 
RIGHTS

PRINCIPAL ACTIVITY

COUNTRY

France

Sodexo S.A.

Sodexo Entreprises (consolidated)

Sodexo Santé Médico Social

Société Française de Restauration et Services 
(consolidated)

Segsmhi (Le Lido)

Sogeres

Lenôtre SA (consolidated)

Sodexo Pass France SA

Crèche Attitude (consolidated)

Foodchéri

87%

87%

Sodexo Pass International SAS

Sofinsod SAS

Etin SAS

Holding

On-site

On-site

On-site

On-site

On-site

On-site

Benefits & Rewards

On-site

On-site

Holding

Holding

Holding

France

France

France

France

France

France

France

France

France

France

France

France

France

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C O N S O L I D A T E D   I N F O R M A T I O N

% INTEREST

% VOTING 
RIGHTS

PRINCIPAL ACTIVITY

COUNTRY

Americas

Sodexo do Brasil Comercial SA (consolidated)

Sodexo Pass do Brasil Serviços E Comércio SA

Sodexo Pass do Brazil Servicos de Inovacao Ltda

Sodexo Facilities Services Ltda

Sodexo S.A.S.

Sodexo Canada Ltd (consolidated)

Centerplate Canada

Sodexo Chile SPA (consolidated)

On-site

Benefits & Rewards

Benefits & Rewards

On-site

On-site

On-site

On-site

On-site

Sodexo Soluciones de Motivacion Chile SA

Benefits & Rewards

Brazil

Brazil

Brazil

Brazil

Colombia

Canada

Canada

Chile

Chile

Europe

Sodexo, Inc. (consolidated)

Centerplate Ultimate Holdings, Corp.

Sodexo Remote Sites LLC

Sodexo Remote Sites USA Inc.

CK Franchising Inc.

Circle Company Associates, LLC

Denali Universal Services LLC

Inspirus LLC

Sodexo Global Services, LLC

Sodexo Peru SAC

Sodexo Services GmbH (consolidated)

Sodexo Beteiligungs BV & Co. KG

GA-tec Gebäude und Anlagentechnik GmbH

Sodexo Services Solutions Austria GmbH

Sodexo Belgium SA (consolidated)

Imagor SA

Sodexo Pass Belgium SA (consolidated)

Compagnie Financière Aurore International

Rydoo NV

Sodexo Iberia SA (consolidated)

Centerplate ISG Espana SL

60%

60%

3

On-site

United States

On-site

United States

On-site

United States

On-site

United States

On-site

United States

On-site

United States

On-site

United States

Benefits & Rewards

United States

Holding

United States

On-site

Peru

On-site

On-site

On-site

On-site

On-site

Benefits & Rewards

Benefits & Rewards

Holding

Benefits & Rewards

On-site

On-site

Germany

Germany

Germany

Austria

Belgium

Belgium

Belgium

Belgium

Belgium

Spain

Spain

N

Novae Restauration SA

Sodexo Italia SpA (consolidated)

On-site

Switzerland

On-site

Italy

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3 N o t e s   t o   t h e   c o n s o l i d a t e d   f i n a n c i a l   s t a t e m e n t s

Sodexo Nederland BV (consolidated)

On-site

Netherlands

Sodexo Pass Česka Republika AS

Benefits & Rewards

Czech Republic

% INTEREST

% VOTING 
RIGHTS

PRINCIPAL ACTIVITY

COUNTRY

Centerplate UK Ltd

Sodexo Ltd (consolidated)

Sodexo Global Services UK Ltd

On-site

United Kingdom

On-site

United Kingdom

Holding

United Kingdom

Sodexo Motivation Solutions UK Ltd

Benefits & Rewards

United Kingdom

Sodexo Ventures UK Limited

N

N

AIP Catering Limited

GCG Holdings Limited

Sodexo Finances USD Ltd

Sodexo Holdings Ltd

Purchasing Systems Ltd

Sodexo Management Services Ltd

Sodexo Finance Designated Activity Company

Holding

United Kingdom

On-site

United Kingdom

On-site

United Kingdom

Holding

United Kingdom

On-site

United Kingdom

On-site

United Kingdom

On-site

United Kingdom

Holding

Ireland

Sodexo Pass Romania Srl

Benefits & Rewards

Romania

Sodexo Avantaj Ve Odullendirme Hizmetleri AS

Benefits & Rewards

Sodexo AB

Asia, Pacific, Middle East, Africa

Sodexo Australia Pty Ltd (consolidated)

Sodexo Remote Sites Australia Pty Ltd

Sodexo Food Solutions India Private Ltd

Sodexo (China) Enterprise Management 
Services Co., Ltd

Sodexo Management Company Ltd Shanghaï

Sodexo Services Asia

Teyseer Services Company LLC

49%

49%

Kelvin Catering Services (Emirates) LLC

49%

49%

On-site

On-site

On-site

On-site

On-site

On-site

Holding

On-site

On-site

Turkey

Sweden

Australia

Australia

India

China

China

Singapore

Qatar

United Arab 
Emirates

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C O N S O L I D A T E D   I N F O R M A T I O N

7.  AUDITORS’ FEES

PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS

KPMG

AUDITORS : 
PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS AUDIT

NETWORK

AUDITORS : KPMG SA

NETWORK

(in millions of euro excluding VAT)

AMOUNT

%

AMOUNT

%

AMOUNT

%

AMOUNT

%

Audit of individual company financial statements and consolidated financial statements

Issuer

Consolidated subsidiaries

TOTAL AUDIT SERVICES

Other services

Issuer

Consolidated subsidiaries

TOTAL OTHER SERVICES

TOTAL FEES

0,7

0,3

1,0

0,0

0,2

0,2

1,2

58%

25%

83%

0%

17%

17%

100%

n/a

4,4

4,4

0,0

0,6

0,6

5,0

n/a

88%

88%

0%

12%

12%

100%

0,7

1,0

1,7

0,1

0,0

0,1

1,8

39%

56%

94%

6%

0%

6%

100%

n/a

2,8

2,8

0,0

0,4

0,4

3,2

n/a

88%

88%

0%

12%

12%

100%

Services other than the certifi cation of accounts provided by PricewaterhouseCoopers Audit to the consolidated subsidiaries mainly 
consist of professional services in the context of acquisition due diligence, technical consultations and tax compliance services.

Services other than the certifi cation of accounts provided by KPMG SA to the consolidating entity mainly consist of professional 
services in the context of the non-fi nancial performance; Services other than the certifi cation of accounts provided to the consolidated 
subsidiaries mainly consist of professional services in the context of acquisition due diligence, issuance of attestations and tax 
compliance services.

3

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3.5  STATUTORY AUDITORS’ REPORT 

ON THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL 
STATEMENTS

This is a free translation into English of the Statutory Auditors’ report issued in French and is provided solely for the convenience 
of English speaking readers. This report includes information specifi cally required by European regulations or French law, such 
as information about the appointment of Statutory Auditors. This report should be read in conjunction with, and construed in 
accordance with, French law and professional auditing standards applicable in France.

(For the year ended August 31, 2019)

SODEXO 

255 Quai de la Bataille de Stalingrad

92866 Issy-les-Moulineaux Cedex 9, France

To the Shareholders,

OPINION 

In compliance with the engagement entrusted to us by your Shareholders’ Meeting, we have audited the accompanying consolidated 
fi nancial statements of Sodexo for the year ended August 31, 2019.  

In our opinion, the consolidated fi nancial statements give a true and fair view of the assets and liabilities and of the fi nancial position 
of the Group at August 31, 2019 and of the results of its operations for the year then ended in accordance with International Financial 
Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union.

The audit opinion expressed above is consistent with our report to the Audit Committee.

BASIS OF THE AUDIT OPINION 

Audit framework

We conducted our audit in accordance with professional standards applicable in France. We believe that the audit evidence we have 
obtained is suffi  cient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Our responsibilities under these standards are further described in the “Responsibilities of the Statutory Auditors relating to the audit 
of the consolidated fi nancial statements” section of our report. 

Independence

We conducted our audit engagement in compliance with the independence rules applicable to us, for the period from September 1, 2018 
to the date of our report, and, in particular, we did not provide any non audit services prohibited by article 5(1) of Regulation (EU) 
No. 537/2014 or the French Code of Ethics (Code de déontologie) for Statutory Auditors.

Emphasis of matter 

Without qualifying our opinion, we draw your attention to note 2.1.2 “New accounting standards and interpretations required to be 
applied” to the consolidated fi nancial statements, which describes the methods used and the impact of the fi rst-time application at 
September 1, 2018 of IFRS 9, “Financial Instruments” and IFRS 15, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”.

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C O N S O L I D A T E D   I N F O R M A T I O N

JUSTIFICATION OF OUR ASSESSMENTS – KEY AUDIT MATTERS 

In accordance with the requirements of articles L.   823-9 and R.  823-7 of the French Commercial Code (Code de commerce) relating to 
the justifi cation of our assessments, we inform you of the key audit matters relating to the risks of material misstatement that, in our 
professional judgment, were the most signifi cant in our audit of the consolidated fi nancial statements, as well as how we addressed 
those risks.

These matters were addressed as part of our audit of the consolidated fi nancial statements as a whole, and therefore contributed 
to the opinion we formed as expressed above. We do not provide a separate opinion on specifi c items of the consolidated fi nancial 
statements. 

Measurement of the recoverable amount of goodwill

(Notes 2.8.2 and 4.10 to the consolidated fi nancial statements)

Description of risk

At August 31, 2019, the goodwill balance amounted to 6,158 million euro, representing the largest item on the balance sheet. An 
impairment loss is recognized if the recoverable amount of goodwill as determined during the annual impairment test or during a 
specifi c test carried out where there is an indication of impairment, is lower than its carrying amount. 

Recoverable amount is typically determined based on the present value of future cash fl ows and requires signifi cant judgment from 
management, in particular as regards the preparation of business forecasts, as well as the discount and long-term growth rates used. 

Accordingly, we deemed the measurement of the recoverable amount of goodwill to be a key audit matter, due to the size of the 
goodwill balance and the inherent uncertainty of certain inputs, in particular the likelihood of achieving forecast results included in 
such measurement.

How our audit addressed this risk

We performed a critical review of the methods applied by management to determine the recoverable amount of goodwill. Our audit 
work consisted in:

•  assessing the components of the carrying amount of cash-generating units (CGUs) or groups of CGUs, corresponding to the level 

at which goodwill is monitored by the Group, and their consistency with those used in projecting future cash fl ow forecasts;

•  assessing the consistency of the projected future cash fl ows with the economic environments in which the Group operates;

•  assessing the consistency of the growth rates used to project future cash fl ows with available external analyses;

•  assessing the reasonableness of the discount rates applied to estimated future cash fl ows, verifying in particular that the various 
inputs used to calculate the weighted average cost of capital for each CGU or group of CGUs were suffi  cient to approximate the 
return expected by market participants for similar activities;

•  verifying that note 4.10 to the consolidated fi nancial statements contains the appropriate disclosures on the sensitivity of the 

recoverable amount of goodwill to changes in the main assumptions used.

Supplier discount allowances

(Note 2.22.3 to the consolidated fi nancial statements)

Description of risk

Vendor Discount Allowances (VDA) received by the Group from suppliers in the context of Sodexo managed food or facilities services 
contracts are recognized as a reduction in cost of sales. 

The Group has a large number of supplier purchasing agreements that provide for VDAs based on quantities purchased or other 
contractual conditions, including exceeding thresholds or respecting commitments, such as vendor exclusivity arrangements. These 
agreements may be signed at a local, regional or global level. 

Due to the number of such agreements within the Group and the fact that their anniversaries do not always coincide with the Group’s 
fi scal year, the measurement of VDAs requires signifi cant estimates from management and is therefore deemed to be a key audit 
matter.

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How our audit addressed this risk

We tested the eff ectiveness of the controls implemented by management to avert or detect any errors in estimating the value of VDAs. 

Our audit procedures included, on a sample basis:

•  analyzing supplier agreements and the proper application of their terms and conditions in determining the VDAs recognized for the 
fi scal year, in particular as regards purchasing volumes, including the estimation of VDA accruals at the end of the reporting period;

•  verifying the existence of the most material receivables recognized at the end of the reporting period with regard to accrued VDAs, 

as well as the consistency of their calculation with the terms and conditions of the supplier agreements;

•  comparing the VDAs eff ectively received aft  er the end of the reporting period with the receivables recognized at the end of the 

reporting period in order to assess the reliability of the Group’s estimates. 

Post-employment benefi ts

(Notes 2.17.2 and 4.17 to the consolidated fi nancial statements)

Description of risk

The Group contributes to defi ned benefi t pension plans, mainly in France, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Italy. 

At August 31, 2019, the Group recognized a net benefi t obligation of 244 million euro, corresponding to the diff erence between the 
fair value of the plan assets and the present value of the net benefi t obligation. 

Assumptions used in calculating the obligation include length of service, life expectancy, salary infl ation, staff  turnover, and the 
discount and infl ation rates, and therefore involve the judgment of management. Any change in these key assumptions could have a 
signifi cant impact on the net benefi t obligation. Accordingly, this subject was deemed to be a key audit matter.

How our audit addressed this risk

We were informed of the procedures implemented by the Group for measuring the net benefi t obligation. 

With the support of our actuaries, we assessed the key assumptions and data used by the Group’s actuaries to measure the net 
benefi t obligation with regard to the main defi ned benefi t plans, most notably in France, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and 
Italy, and evaluated their fi ndings. 

We compared the key assumptions taken from the measurement models with external data and tested the sensitivity of the net 
benefi t obligation to changes in these key assumptions.

We also obtained external confi rmation of the plan assets or implemented other audit procedures to confi rm their existence and proper 
valuation.

Tax risks

(Notes 2.16, 4.18 and 4.28 to the consolidated fi nancial statements)

Description of risk

The Group has operations in numerous countries around the world and, in the normal course of business, is subject to regular 
inspections by local tax authorities.

Such inspections, covering corporate income tax, as well as other taxes, levies and similar payments, may give rise to tax adjustments 
and disputes with tax authorities. 

Estimates of the impacts of these tax risks and any related provisions involve signifi cant judgment by management, especially as 
regards the expected outcome of disputes in progress or the probability of identifi ed risks occurring. Accordingly, we deemed this 
subject to be a key audit matter.

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C O N S O L I D A T E D   I N F O R M A T I O N

How our audit addressed this risk

We held meetings with management to gain an understanding of the internal control procedures implemented to identify tax risks 
and uncertain tax positions, and, when necessary, determine any provisions.

With the support of our tax experts, we also:

•  held meetings with the Group tax department and local management to assess the latest status of any inspections in progress and 

tax adjustments notifi ed by the tax authorities, and to monitor developments in any disputes in progress; 

•  consulted the recent decisions and correspondence of Group companies with the tax authorities, and gained an understanding of 

the correspondence between the companies concerned and their tax advisors;

•  analyzed the responses of the tax advisors to our requests for information or their analyses of disputes in progress; 

•  conducted a critical review of the estimates and positions adopted by management;

•  verifi ed that the latest developments had been factored into the risk analysis and the estimates of the provisions set aside in the 

statement of fi nancial position.

Measurement of the fair value of the Group’s interest in Bellon SA

(Notes 2.1.2, 2.12.1, 4.11 and 4.21 to the consolidated fi nancial statements)

Description of risk

Through its subsidiary Sofi nsod, the Group holds a 19.61% interest in Bellon SA, which holds a controlling interest in Sodexo SA with 
42.22% of the share capital and 56.58% of the exercisable voting rights at August 31, 2019. 

In accordance with IFRS 9, the Group accounts for its investment as a non-current financial asset at fair value through other 
comprehensive income (not recyclable).

Following the fi rst-time application of IFRS 9 at September 1, 2018, the Group measured the fair value of the investment at 596 million 
euro. At August 31, 2019, management determined that the fair value was 708 million euro using the same methods.

With the support of two independent experts, management developed a method to measure the fair value of the investment based on 
the net asset value (NAV) of Bellon SA, taking into account the specifi c characteristics of this investment as described in note 4.21 
to the consolidated fi nancial statements. Management therefore considered that the investment’s fair value corresponded, at both 
September 1, 2018 and August 31, 2019, to the Group’s share in Bellon SA’s NAV, less a 40% discount.

Determining the fair value of Sodexo’s interest in Bellon SA requires signifi cant judgment from management as regards the choice of 
measurement method and the use thereof, in particular the discount applied to Bellon SA’s NAV. 

Accordingly, we deemed the measurement of the fair value of Sodexo’s interest in Bellon SA to be a key audit matter, due to the size 
of the item on the balance sheet and the degree of judgment inherent in certain inputs used to determine fair value.

How our audit addressed this risk

We performed a critical review of the methods applied by management to determine the fair value of the interest in Bellon SA. 

With the assistance of our asset valuation experts, our procedures consisted in:

• 

familiarizing ourselves with the work of management and the management-appointed independent experts to develop a 
measurement method for the investment and determine the terms and conditions of its implementation; 

•  assessing the consistency of the measurement method used with the specifi c characteristics of the investment;

•  assessing the appropriateness of the inputs used to determine the 40% discount applied to Bellon SA’s NAV in measuring the fair 

value of the investment;

•  verifying that note 4.21 to the consolidated fi nancial statements contains the appropriate disclosures on the measurement method 

used by management and the terms and conditions of its implementation.

3

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SPECIFIC VERIFICATIONS 

As required by legal and regulatory provisions and in accordance with professional standards applicable in France, we have also 
verifi ed the information pertaining to the Group presented in the Board of Directors’ management report.

We have no matters to report as to its fair presentation and its consistency with the consolidated fi nancial statements. 

We attest that the information pertaining to the Group provided in the management report includes the consolidated non-fi nancial 
information statement required under article L.  225-102-1 of the French Commercial Code. However, in accordance with the 
requirements of article L.  823-10 of the French Commercial Code, we have not verifi ed the fair presentation and consistency with the 
consolidated fi nancial statements of the information given in that statement, which will be the subject of a report by an independent 
third party.

REPORT ON OTHER LEGAL AND REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS

Appointment of the Statutory Auditors

We were appointed Statutory Auditors of Sodexo by the Shareholders’ Meetings held on February 22, 1994 for PricewaterhouseCoopers 
Audit and on February 4, 2003 for KPMG Audit. 

At August 31, 2019, PricewaterhouseCoopers Audit and KPMG Audit were in the twenty-sixth and seventeenth consecutive year of 
their engagement, respectively.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF MANAGEMENT AND THOSE CHARGED WITH GOVERNANCE 
RELATING TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

Management is responsible for preparing consolidated fi nancial statements giving a true and fair view in accordance with International 
Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union and for implementing the internal control procedures it deems 
necessary for the preparation of consolidated fi nancial statements that are free of material misstatement, whether due to fraud or 
error.

In preparing the consolidated fi nancial statements, management is responsible for assessing the Company’s ability to continue as a 
going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern, and using the going concern basis of accounting, unless it 
expects to liquidate the Company or to cease operations. 

The Audit Committee is responsible for monitoring the fi nancial reporting process and the eff ectiveness of internal control and 
risk management systems, as well as, where applicable, any internal audit systems, relating to accounting and fi nancial reporting 
procedures.

The consolidated fi nancial statements were approved by the Board of Directors.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE STATUTORY AUDITORS RELATING TO THE AUDIT 
OF THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

Objective and audit approach

Our role is to issue a report on the consolidated fi nancial statements. Our objective is to obtain reasonable assurance about whether 
the consolidated fi nancial statements as a whole are free of material misstatement. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, 
but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with professional standards will always detect a material misstatement 
when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could 
reasonably be expected to infl uence the economic decisions taken by users on the basis of these consolidated fi nancial statements.  

As specifi ed in article L.  823-10-1 of the French Commercial Code, our audit does not include assurance on the viability or quality of 
the Company’s management.

As part of an audit conducted in accordance with professional standards applicable in France, the Statutory Auditors exercise 
professional judgment throughout the audit. 

They also:

• 

identify and assess the risks of material misstatement in the consolidated fi nancial statements, whether due to fraud or error, 
design and perform audit procedures in response to those risks, and obtain audit evidence considered to be sufficient and 
appropriate to provide a basis for their opinion. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher 
than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override 
of internal control;

•  obtain an understanding of the internal control procedures relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures that are 
appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the eff ectiveness of the internal control;

•  evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates made by management 

and the related disclosures in the notes to the consolidated fi nancial statements;

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C O N S O L I D A T E D   I N F O R M A T I O N

•  assess the appropriateness of management’s use of the going concern basis of accounting and, based on the audit evidence 
obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or conditions that may cast signifi cant doubt on the Company’s 
ability to continue as a going concern. This assessment is based on the audit evidence obtained up to the date of the audit report. 
However, future events or conditions may cause the Company to cease to continue as a going concern. If the Statutory Auditors 
conclude that a material uncertainty exists, they are required to draw attention in the audit report to the related disclosures in 
the consolidated fi nancial statements or, if such disclosures are not provided or are inadequate, to issue a qualifi ed opinion or a 
disclaimer of opinion;

•  evaluate the overall presentation of the consolidated fi nancial statements and assess whether these statements represent the 

underlying transactions and events in a manner that achieves fair presentation;

•  obtain suffi  cient appropriate audit evidence regarding the fi nancial information of the entities or business activities within the 
Group to express an opinion on the consolidated fi nancial statements. The Statutory Auditors are responsible for the management, 
supervision and performance of the audit of the consolidated fi nancial statements and for the opinion expressed thereon. 

Report to the Audit Committee

We submit a report to the Audit Committee which includes, in particular, a description of the scope of the audit and the audit program 
implemented, as well as the results of our audit. We also report any signifi cant defi ciencies in internal control that we have identifi ed 
regarding the accounting and fi nancial reporting procedures.

Our report to the Audit Committee includes the risks of material misstatement that, in our professional judgment, were the most 
signifi cant for the audit of the consolidated fi nancial statements and which constitute the key audit matters that we are required to 
describe in this report.

We also provide the Audit Committee with the declaration provided for in article 6 of Regulation (EU) No. 537/2014, confi rming our 
independence within the meaning of the rules applicable in France, as defi ned in particular in articles L.  822-10 to L.  822-14 of the 
French Commercial Code and in the French Code of Ethics for Statutory Auditors. Where appropriate, we discuss any risks to our 
independence and the related safeguard measures with the Audit Committee. 

3

Neuilly-sur-Seine and Paris-La Défense, November 6, 2019

The Statutory Auditors

PricewaterhouseCoopers Audit

Jean-Christophe Georghiou

KPMG Audit

Département de KPMG SA

Caroline Bruno Diaz

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3.6  SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION AND 

CONDENSED GROUP ORGANIZATION CHART

3.6.1  Financial ratios

Gearing ratio

Net debt ratio

Debt coverage

Financial independence

Return on equity

Return on capital employed (ROCE)

Interest cover

FISCAL 2019

FISCAL 2018

Borrowings (1) – operating cash (2)

Shareholders’ equity and non-controlling interests

27%

37.9%

Borrowings (1) – operating cash (2)

Earnings before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization 
(EBITDA) (3)

0.9

1.0

Borrowings

Operating cash flow

Non-current borrowings

3.6 years

3.5 years

Shareholders’ equity and non-controlling interests

86.8%

106.3%

Profit attributable to equity holders of the parent

Equity attributable to equity holders of the parent 
(before profit for the period)

Operating profit after tax (4)

Capital employed (5)

Operating profit

Net borrowing cost

17.6%

24.7%

15.5%

16.4%

11.6

12.6

Financial ratios have been computed based on the following key indicators:

Non-current borrowings

3,909

3,537

FISCAL 2019

FISCAL 2018

(1) Borrowings

+ current borrowings excluding overdrafts

- derivative financial instruments recognized as assets

(2) Operating cash

(3) Earnings before Interest, 
Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization 
(EBITDA)

(4) Operating profit after tax

(5) Capital employed

Cash and cash equivalents

+ financial assets related to the Benefits & Rewards Services 
activity

- bank overdrafts

Operating profit

+ depreciation and amortization

Operating profit

Effective tax rate

Property, plant and equipment

+ goodwill

+ other intangible assets

+ client investments

+ working capital excluding restricted cash and financial assets 
of the Benefits & Rewards Services activity

183

(12)

4,079

1,781

1,120

(35)

2,866

1,059

365

1,446

1,059

29,0%

753

684

6,158

801

626

(3,408)

4,861

421

(18)

3,940

1,666

1,042

(28)

2,680

997

317

1,314

997

27.1%

727

619

5,664

704

558

(3,104)

4,441

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C O N S O L I D A T E D   I N F O R M A T I O N

3.6.2  Two-year financial summary

Total shareholders’ equity

Equity attributable to equity holders of the parent

Non-controlling interests

Borrowings(1)

Non-current borrowings

Current borrowings

Cash and equivalent, net of bank overdrafts

Financial assets of the Benefits & Rewards Services activity (including restricted cash)

Net borrowings(2)

Revenue

Operating profit

Profit for the period

Profit attributable to non-controlling interests

Profit attributable to equity holders of the parent

FISCAL 2019

FISCAL 2018

4,498

4,456

42

4,079

3,903

176

1,746

1,120

1,213

21,954

1,059

686

21

665

3,328

3,283

45

3,940

3,534

406

1,638

1,042

1,260

20,407

997

664

13

651

3

Weighted average number of shares

145,721,534

148,077,776

Earnings per share (in euro)

Dividend per share paid during the fiscal year (in euro)

Share price at August 31 (in euro)

Highest share price in the fiscal year (in euro)

Lowest share price in the fiscal year (in euro)

4.56

2.75

103

104.95

84.92

4.40

2.75

89.72

114.05

78.10

(1) Including net financial instruments at fair value, excluding bank overdrafts.
(2) Cash and cash equivalents + restricted cash and financial assets of the Benefits & Rewards Services activity – borrowings.

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3.6.3  Exchange rates

ISO CODES

CFA

ZAR

DZD

SAR

ARS

AUD

BRL

BGN

CAD

CLP

CNY

COP

KRW

CRC

DKK

AED

USD

GNF

HKD

HUF

INR

IDR

ILS

JPY

KZT

KWD

LBP

MGA

MYR

MAD

MXN

MZN

NOK

NZD

OMR

PEN

CLOSING EXCHANGE RATE 
AT AUGUST 31, 2019

AVERAGE EXCHANGE RATE
FISCAL 2019

COUNTRIES

Africa

South Africa

CURRENCY

1 EURO =

1 EURO =

CFA (thousands)

0.655957

0.655957

Rand

16.829900

16.166472

Algeria

Dinar (thousands)

0.132452

0.134551

Saudi Arabia

Argentina

Australia

Brazil

Bulgaria

Canada

Chile

China

Riyal

Peso

Dollar

Real

Lev

4.145800

4.251915

63.975290

63.975290

1.639800

1.600774

4.587900

4.383893

1.955800

1.955800

Dollar

1.465800

1.503486

Peso (thousands)

0.796240

0.772224

Yuan

7.890800

7.762257

Colombia

Peso (thousands)

3.798000

3.628884

South Korea

Won (thousands)

1.333210

1.295776

Costa Rica

Denmark

United Arab Emirates

United States

Colon (thousands)

0.627210

0.669458

Krone

Dirham

Dollar

7.456200

7.463240

4.060300

4.163829

1.103600

1.133866

Guinea

Guinea Franc (thousands)

10.136770

10.310348

Hong Kong

Hungary

India

Dollar

8.654900

8.885842

Forint (thousands)

0.331070

0.322743

Rupee (thousands)

0.078837

0.079854

Indonesia

Rupiah (thousands)

15.654570

16.273843

Israel

Japan

Shekel

3.889900

4.115329

Yen (thousands)

0.117280

0.125195

Kazakhstan

Tenge (thousands)

0.428010

0.427054

Kuwait

Lebanon

Dinar

0.335900

0.344107

Pound (thousands)

1.662670

1.706952

Madagascar

Ariary (thousands)

4.088000

4.011068

Malaysia

Morocco

Mexico

Mozambique

Norway

New Zealand

Oman

Peru

Ringgit

Dirham

4.641200

4.690382

10.621200

10.839473

Peso

22.156700

22.009574

Metical

67.440000

69.726782

Kroner

Dollar

Rial

Sol

10.038000

9.713779

1.749000

1.695499

0.425341

0.436251

3.751000

3.774781

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C O N S O L I D A T E D   I N F O R M A T I O N

COUNTRIES

Philippines

Poland

Qatar

CLOSING EXCHANGE RATE 
AT AUGUST 31, 2019

AVERAGE EXCHANGE RATE
FISCAL 2019

CURRENCY

1 EURO =

1 EURO =

Peso

Zloty

Riyal

57.462000

59.300456

4.381200

4.294881

4.025700

4.129098

Czech Republic

Koruna (thousands)

0.025914

0.025746

Romania

United Kingdom

Russia

Singapore

Sweden

New Lei

Pound

4.728400

4.711225

0.905650

0.885108

Ruble (thousands)

0.073415

0.074334

Dollar

Krona

1.531200

1.547685

10.839500

10.480621

Switzerland

Swiss Franc

1.090900

1.125652

Tanzania

Thailand

Tunisia

Turkey

Uruguay

Venezuela

Vietnam

Shilling (thousands)

2.534910

2.609144

Baht

Dinar

33.754000

36.072825

3.170577

3.323496

New Lira

6.441800

6.348273

Peso

40.472000

38.033444

3

Bolivar (thousands)

2,448,545.229907

2,448,545.229907

Dong

25,642.070000

26,387.457098

ISO CODES

PHP

PLN

QAR

CZK

RON

GBP

RUB

SGD

SEK

CHF

TZS

THB

TND

TRY

UYU

VEF

VND

3.6.4  Investment policy

(in millions of euro)

Acquisitions of property, plant equipment and intangible assets, plus client investments

Acquisitions of equity interests

FISCAL 2019

FISCAL 2018

415

301

286

697

Investments in progress as of August 31, 2019:

•  other fi rm commitments to acquire equity interests: as of the 
date of this document Sodexo has not made any signifi cant 
fi rm commitment to acquire equity interests.

Because of the nature of the Group’s activities, investments 
represent  less  than  2%  of  revenues  and  mainly  relate  to 
investments on the Group’s sites, which are used to support 

operating activities and are fi nanced by operating cash. None 
of these investments is individually signifi cant in Fiscal 2018.

The main acquisitions made during Fiscal 2019 are indicated 
in note 4.6, “Goodwill”, to the consolidated fi nancial statements.

A detailed description of changes in investments is provided in 
notes 4.5, 4.7 and 4.8 to the consolidated fi nancial statements.

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3.6.5  Condensed Group organization chart

SODEX0 SA

Holds directly
or indirectly
100% of the
subsidiaries
indicated

U N I T E D   K I N G D O M

N O R T H   A M E R I C A

SODEXO LTD
SODEXO HEALTHCARE SERVICES LTD
SODEXO PRESTIGE LTD
SODEXO DEFENCE SERVICES LTD
KALYX LIMITED
SODEXO EDUCATION SERVICES LTD
SODEXO IRELAND LTD

SODEXO, INC
CENTERPLATE ULTIMATE HOLDINGS, CORP.
CK FRANCHISING, INC
SODEXO REMOTE SITES LLC
SODEXO CANADA LTD

F R A N C E

SOGERES SA
SODEXO ENTREPRISES SAS
SODEXO SANTE MEDICO SOCIAL SAS
SOCIETE FRANCAISE DE RESTAURATION ET 
SERVICES
SODEXO SPORTS ET LOISIRS
SODEXO JUSTICE SERVICES

E U R O P E  

SODEXO ITALIA SPA
SODEXO BELGIUM SA
SODEXO GERMANY BV 
SODEXO IBERIA SA
SODEXO AB (SWEDEN)
SODEXO NEDERLAND BV

S O U T H   A M E R I C A

A S I A   A U S T R A L I A

B E N E F I T S
  A N D   R E W A R D S
  S E R V I C E S

SODEXO CHILE SA
SODEXO DO BRASIL COMERCIAL SA
SODEXO FACILITIES MANAGEMENT SCES LTDA 
(BRASIL)
SODEXO PEROU SAC
SODEXO SAS (COLOMBIA)*

SODEXO MANAGEMENT CO. LTD SHANGHAÏ
SODEXO SINGAPORE PTE LTD
SODEXO AUSTRALIA PTY LTD
SODEXO REMOTE SITES AUSTRALIA PTY LTD
SODEXO FOOD SOLUTIONS INDIA PRIVATE LTD
SODEXO FACILITIES MANAGEMENT SERVICES INDIA 
PRIVATE LTD
KELVIN CATERING SERVICES (UNITED ARAB 
EMIRATES) *

SODEXO PASS INTERNATIONAL SAS (FRANCE)
SODEXO PASS FRANCE SA
SODEXO PASS DO BRASIL SERV. E COMERCIO SA
SODEXO PASS CESKA REPUBLICA AS
SODEXO PASS BELGIUM SA
SODEXO MOTIVATION SOLUTIONS UK LTD
INSPIRUS LLC (USA)

* Third party non-controlling interest

NB: The operating subsidiaries indicated for each geographic area or activity are those with the highest revenues for Fiscal year 2019.

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4

INFORMATION 
ON THE ISSUER

4.4 

Statutory Auditors’ Report 

179

4.4.1  Statutory Auditors’ Report on the 

fi nancial statements 

4.4.2  Statutory Auditors’ Report on related-
party agreements and commitments 

179

183

4.1 

Sodexo S.A. Individual Company 
Financial Statements 

4.1.1 

Income statement 

4.1.2  Balance sheet 

156

156

157

4.2 

Notes to the Individual Company 
Financial Statements 

158

4.3 

Supplemental Information 
on the Individual Company 
Financial Statements 

4.3.1  Five-year fi nancial summary 

4.3.2  Appropriation of earnings 

4.3.3  Supplier and client dues 

176

176

177

177

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4 S o d e x o   S . A .   i n d i v i d u a l   c o m p a n y   f i n a n c i a l   s t a t e m e n t s

4.1  SODEXO S.A. INDIVIDUAL COMPANY 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

4.1.1  Income statement

(in millions of euro)

Revenues

Other operating income

Purchases

Employee costs

Other operating expenses

Taxes other than income taxes

Depreciation, amortization and increase in provisions

Operating profit

Financial income/(expense), net

Exceptional income/(expense), net

Employee profit-sharing

Income taxes

Net income

NOTES

FISCAL 2019

FISCAL 2018

3

4

5

6

128

317

(1)

(76)

114

238

(1)

(64)

(337)

(251)

(9)

(6)

16

580

(22)

-

23

597

(10)

(2)

24

459

(64)

-

62

481

156

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4.1.2  Balance sheet

Assets

(in millions of euro)

NON-CURRENT ASSETS, NET

Intangible assets

Property, plant and equipment

Financial investments

TOTAL NON-CURRENT ASSETS

CURRENT AND OTHER ASSETS

Accounts receivable

Prepaid expenses, other receivables and other assets

Marketable securities

Cash

TOTAL CURRENT AND OTHER ASSETS

TOTAL ASSETS

Liabilities and equity

(in millions of euro)

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Share capital

Additional paid-in capital

Reserves and retained earnings

Restricted provisions

TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Provisions for contingencies and losses

LIABILITIES

Borrowings

Accounts payable

Other liabilities

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND PROVISIONS

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

S o d e x o   S . A .   i n d i v i d u a l   c o m p a n y   f i n a n c i a l   s t a t e m e n t s

I N F O R M A T I O N   O N   T H E   I S S U E R

NOTES

AUGUST 31, 2019

AUGUST 31, 2018

7

7

7-9

7

9

9

11

38

4

6,618

6,660

66

471

145

84

766

9

1

5,897

5,907

70

436

177

112

795

7,426

6,702

NOTES

AUGUST 31, 2019

AUGUST 31, 2018

590

248

2,010

15

2,863

384

590

248

1,818

15

2,671

342

13

10

14-15

3,609

3,407

14

14

44

526

4,563

7,426

28

254

4,031

6,702

4

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4 N o t e s   t o   t h e   I n d i v i d u a l   C o m p a n y   F i n a n c i a l   S t a t e m e n t s

4.2  NOTES TO THE INDIVIDUAL COMPANY 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

DETAILED LIST OF NOTES

1. 
1.1 

1.2 

1.3 

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS 
Capital transactions 

Acquisition and investments in subsidiaries 

Borrowings 

2. 

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING 
POLICIES 
2.1  Non-current assets 

2.2 

Accounts receivable 

2.3  Marketable securities (excluding treasury shares) 

Treasury shares – restricted share and stock option 
plans 

Foreign currency transactions 

Debt issuance costs 

Retirement benefi ts 

French tax consolidation 

ANALYSIS OF NET REVENUES 

FINANCIAL INCOME AND EXPENSE, NET 

161

EXCEPTIONAL ITEMS, NET 

ANALYSIS OF INCOME TAX EXPENSE 

NON-CURRENT ASSETS 

DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION 

AMOUNT AND MATURITY OF 
RECEIVABLES AND OTHER ASSETS 

10.  PROVISIONS AND IMPAIRMENT 

11.  MARKETABLE SECURITIES 

12.  TREASURY SHARES 

13.  SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY 
13.1  Share capital 

13.2  Changes in shareholders’ equity 

159
159

159

159

159
159

160

160

160

160

160

160

160

161

162

162

163

163

164

164

165

165

166
166

166

2.4 

2.5 

2.6 

2.7 

2.8 

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

7. 

8. 

9. 

15.  BOND ISSUES AND OTHER BORROWINGS 

167

15.1  Bond issues 

15.2  Other borrowings 

15.3  Borrowings from related companies 

16.  ACCRUED EXPENSES – DEFERRED 

REVENUES AND PREPAID EXPENSES 

17.  RELATED-PARTY INFORMATION 

18.  FINANCIAL COMMITMENTS 

18.1  Commitments made by Sodexo S.A. 

18.2  Commitments received by Sodexo S.A. 

18.3  Financial instrument commitments 

19.  PRINCIPAL FUTURE ADJUSTMENTS TO 

THE TAX BASIS 

20.  RETIREMENT BENEFIT COMMITMENTS 

167

167

168

168

169

170

170

170

170

171

171

20.1  Retirement benefi ts payable by law or under collective 

agreements 

171

20.2  Commitments related to a supplemental pension plan 171

21.  DIRECTORS’ FEES 

22.  FRENCH TAX CONSOLIDATION 

22.1  Benefi t arising from French tax consolidation 

22.2  Tax losses reclaimable as of August 31, 2019 

23.  AVERAGE NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES 

24.  CONSOLIDATION 

25.  POST-BALANCE SHEET EVENTS 

26.  LIST OF SUBSIDIARIES AND OTHER 

171

171

171

171

172

172

172

173

14.  AMOUNT AND MATURITY OF LIABILITIES 

166

EQUITY INVESTMENTS 

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N o t e s   t o   t h e   I n d i v i d u a l   C o m p a n y   F i n a n c i a l   S t a t e m e n t s

I N F O R M A T I O N   O N   T H E   I S S U E R

1.  SIGNIFICANT EVENTS

1.1 

Capital transactions

During Fiscal year 2019, Sodexo S.A. purchased 1,431,455 of its 
own shares for 138 million euro, to be used for restricted shares 
grants.

in  2003,  the  company  is  the  leading  independent  player  in 
high-end catering services for French-speaking Switzerland, with 
700 employees serving a network of over 80 prestigious client sites.

1.3 

Borrowings

1.2  Acquisition and investments in 

subsidiaries

On  October  31,  2018  Sodexo  acquired  Novae,  significantly 
expanding its footprint in the attractive Swiss market. Founded 

On June 26, 2019, Sodexo S.A. issued bonds for 250 million 
pounds sterling redeemable in June 2028 and bearing interest 
at an annual rate of 1.75%, with interest payable annually on 
June 26. Accrued interest of this bond was 1 million euro as of 
August 31, 2019.

2.  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The  individual  company  financial  statements  have  been 
prepared in accordance with the plan comptable général of 2014 
and regulation no. 2014-03 issued by the Autorité des normes 
comptables (ANC), as amended by regulation no. 2016-07 dated 
November 4, 2016.

The  accounting  policies  applied  in  preparing  the  individual 
company fi nancial statements for Fiscal 2019 are the same as 
those applied for Fiscal 2018. The financial statements have 
been prepared using the historical cost convention.

In accordance with regulation no. 2015-06 issued by the ANC, 
merger deficits are included in “Other financial assets” (see 
note 7, “Non-current assets”).

ANC  regulation  no.  2015-05  concerning  forward  financial 
instruments and hedging transactions has been effective for 
Sodexo S.A. since September 1, 2017 (see note 2.5 below for 
further details).

The  amounts  presented  in  the  tables  in  these  notes  are  in 
millions of euro.

Exceptional items comprise items that do not relate to ordinary 
activities, and certain items that do relate to ordinary activities 
but are of an exceptional nature.

The balance sheet and income statement of Sodexo S.A. include 
amounts for branches in metropolitan France and in French 
overseas departments and regions.

2.1  Non-current assets

Non-current assets are valued at acquisition cost or historical cost. 
Acquisition cost comprises the amount paid plus all incidental 
costs directly related to the acquisition or to the installation of the 
asset, and incurred to enable the asset to function as intended.

Depreciation is calculated over the useful life of the asset using 
the straight-line method, which is considered to best refl ect the 
underlying economic reality.

2.1.1 

Intangible assets

Software is amortized over four to five years and integrated 
management software packages are amortized over three to 
seven years, depending on their expected useful lives.

The diff erence between the accounting and tax amortization of 
intangible assets is recognized as exceptional amortization.

2.1.2 

Property, plant and equipment

The straight-line depreciation lives generally used are:

Buildings

General fixtures and fittings

Plant and machinery

Vehicles

Office and computer equipment

Other property, plant and equipment

20 years

3-10 years

4-10 years

4 years

3-10 years

5-10 years

2.1.3 

Financial investments

Equity investments and other fi nancial investments are carried 
on the balance sheet at cost. At each balance sheet date, a 
provision for impairment is recorded if the value in use of these 
assets is less than their net carrying amount including any 
merger defi cits allocated to the assets for accounting purposes.

The value in use of investments is determined on the basis of 
net asset value, profitability and the future prospects of the 
investee.

When the carrying amount of an investment is higher than the 
net book value of the share of net assets of the subsidiary, the 
valuation is also supported by comparing the carrying amount 

4

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of the investment to its value in use based on discounted future 
cash fl ows, using the following parameters:

Treasury shares acquired for cancellation purposes are recognized in 
other fi nancial assets and no provision for impairment is recorded.

•  after-tax  cash  flows  derived  from  business  plans  and  a 
terminal value calculated by extrapolating the data for the 
final year of the business plan using a long-term growth 
rate specifi c to the business activity and geographic region  
Business plans generally cover one to fi ve years;

•  the  cash  flows  are  discounted  using  a  rate  based  on  the 

weighted average cost of capital.

Based on the estimated value in use, an investment may be 
maintained at a carrying amount in excess of the share of book 
net assets held.

Costs incurred to acquire shares in companies recognized at cost 
are recognized for tax purposes as exceptional amortization over 
a fi ve-year period.

Receivables related to equity investments are recognized at 
face value. A provision for impairment is recorded where the 
recoverable amount is less than the carrying amount.

When an equity investment is sold or liquidated, any provision 
for impairment previously recognized against that investment is 
released and recorded as exceptional income.

2.5 

Foreign currency transactions

Foreign currency revenues and expenses are translated using the 
exchange rate as of the transaction date. Foreign currency liabilities 
and receivables are translated in the balance sheet at the exchange 
rate prevailing as of the balance sheet date. Any diff erence arising 
from the retranslation of foreign currency liabilities and receivables 
at the closing exchange rate is recorded in the balance sheet. 
Unrealized foreign exchange losses at the balance sheet date are 
recognized to the extent the underlying balance is not hedged.

In accordance with the ANC regulation no. 2015-05, for foreign 
currency transactions a distinction is now made between commercial 
transactions and fi nancial transactions, with the exchange gains and 
losses on these transactions recognized as follows:

•  within operating profi t, under “Other operating expenses” for 

commercial transactions;

•  within  “Financial  income/(expense),  net”  for  financial 
transactions. It includes the premiums on currency hedges 
recognized over the duration of the contracts.

2.2  Accounts receivable

2.6  Debt issuance costs

Accounts receivable are recognized at face value. An allowance 
for doubtful accounts is recorded where the recoverable amount 
is less than the carrying amount.

Debt issuance costs are recognized as a deferred charge asset in the 
balance sheet and amortized straight-line over the term of the debt.

2.3  Marketable securities 

(excluding treasury shares)

Marketable securities are recognized at acquisition cost, with 
any unrealized losses at the balance sheet date covered by a 
provision for impairment.

2.4 

Treasury shares – restricted 
share and stock option plans

A provision is recorded when it is probable that stock option or 
restricted share plans will give rise to an outfl ow of resources. 
The amount of the provision is based on the cost of the treasury 
shares acquired (or to be acquired) for allocation to each plan. 
For stock option plans, the provision is net of the option exercise 
price.

Depending on the plan terms, the provision is recognized over 
the period in which the services are rendered by the benefi ciaries, 
as applicable.

The  provision  is  released  upon  delivery  of  the  shares  and 
recognition of a capital loss in an amount equal to the average 
cost of the delivered shares, less the option exercise price in the 
case of shares delivered upon exercise of stock options.

When treasury shares are neither allocated to a plan nor held for 
the purpose of being cancelled, they are valued at the lower of 
the average purchase price and the average market price for the 
last month of the fi scal year.

2.7 

Retirement benefi ts

Retirement benefi t obligations due to active employees by law 
or under collective agreements are included in off -balance sheet 
commitments. Commitments under supplementary retirement 
plans are estimated using the projected unit credit method 
based on fi nal salary and are also included in off -balance sheet 
commitments, net of any plan assets.

2.8 

French tax consolidation

Sodexo S.A. is the lead company in the French tax consolidation, 
and has sole liability for income taxes for the entire French tax 
group. Each company included in the French tax consolidation 
recognizes the income tax for which it would have been liable 
had there been no French tax consolidation. Any income tax 
gains or losses arising from the French tax consolidation are 
recognized in the Sodexo S.A. fi nancial statements.

In  connection  with  position  statement  no.  2005-G  issued  on 
October 12, 2005 by the Urgent Issues Committee of the Conseil 
national de la comptabilité on the conditions under which a provision 
may be recognized by a Parent company covered by a French tax 
consolidation, Sodexo S.A. has elected the following accounting 
treatment: a provision for taxes is recognized in the financial 
statements of Sodexo S.A. to cover tax losses of subsidiaries which 
are used to offset income in the French tax consolidation and 
which will probably be reclaimed by the subsidiary. All tax losses 
incurred by operating subsidiaries are regarded as probable of being 
reclaimed by the subsidiary, given that the subsidiary will be able 
to off set such losses against income once it returns to profi tability.

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I N F O R M A T I O N   O N   T H E   I S S U E R

3.  ANALYSIS OF NET REVENUES

(in millions of euro)

Revenues by business activity

On-site Services

Holding company services

TOTAL

Revenues by geographic region

France

French overseas departments and regions

TOTAL

FISCAL 2019

FISCAL 2018

-

128

128

128

-

128

4

110

114

110

4

114

4.  FINANCIAL INCOME AND EXPENSE, NET

(in millions of euro)

FISCAL 2019

FISCAL 2018

Dividends received from subsidiaries and equity investments

Interest income

Interest expense

Net foreign exchange gain/(loss)

Net change in provisions for financial items

TOTAL

4

711

16

(82)

(45)

(20)

580

541

20

(72)

(6)

(24)

459

The amount of interest expense includes a merger defi cit of 2 million euro relating to the reorganization of the Group’s legal structure.

The net change in provisions for fi nancial items primarily corresponds to the net total of charges to and releases of provisions for 
impairment of equity investments for 17 million euro.

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5.  EXCEPTIONAL ITEMS, NET

(in millions of euro)

FISCAL 2019

FISCAL 2018

Net change in provision for negative net assets of subsidiaries and equity investments

Net expense on treasury shares and commitments under stock option plans

Net change in restricted provisions and exceptional depreciation

Net change in provisions for tax losses reclaimable by subsidiaries included 
in the French tax consolidation

Debt forgiveness/subsidies given

Net gain/(loss) on asset disposals

Other

TOTAL

The net loss on asset disposals includes gains and losses on 
equity investments sold in connection with the reorganization 
of the Group’s legal structure.

(17)

(8)

-

(5)

-

8

-

(3)

(14)

2

(13)

-

(36)

-

(22)

(64)

The  8  million  euro  net  expense  on  treasury  shares  and 
commitments under stock option plans comprises:

•  a  41  million  euro  loss  on  the  sale  of  treasury  shares  in 
connection with the exercise of stock options and delivery of 
restricted shares;

•  a 33 million euro net decrease in the provision for restricted 

share grants.

6.  ANALYSIS OF INCOME TAX EXPENSE

(in millions of euro)

Operating income

Financial income/(expense), net

Exceptional income/(expense), net

Employee profit-sharing

TOTAL

*  This amount includes the 24 million euro tax gain arising from the French tax consolidation.

PRE-TAX INCOME

INCOME TAXES

AFTER-TAX INCOME

16

580

(22)

-

574

(9)

5

27*

-

23

7

585

5

-

597

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I N F O R M A T I O N   O N   T H E   I S S U E R

7.  NON-CURRENT ASSETS

(in millions of euro)

Intangible assets

Property, plant and equipment

Financial investments

•  Equity investments

•  Receivables related to equity investments

•  Other financial assets

TOTAL FINANCIAL INVESTMENTS

TOTAL

GROSS VALUE AT 
AUGUST 31, 2018

ADDITIONS 
DURING 
THE PERIOD

DECREASES 
DURING 
THE PERIOD

14

12

5,981

52

15

6,048

6,074

20

1

932

41

9

982

1,003

-

-

197

39

-

236

236

OTHER 
MOVEMENTS 
DURING 
THE PERIOD

55

4

GROSS VALUE AT 
AUGUST 31, 2019

NET VALUE AT 
AUGUST 31, 2019

89

17

38

4

(79)

6,637

6,488

-

63

(16)

43

54

87

6,778

6,884

43

87

6,618

6,660

In accordance with ANC regulation no. 2015-06, the merger 
defi cits are included in “Other fi nancial assets” for 74 million 
euro.

Sodexo S.A. participated in the recapitalization of its subsidiaries 
in Brazil and Ireland.

In  addition,  Sodexo  S.A.  created  and  acquired  new  foreign 
subsidiaries  in  connection  with  the  Group’s  international 
expansion during the fi scal year and participated in the share 
capital increases of several of its existing subsidiaries.

“Other  movements  during  the  period”  were  due  to  the 
reorganization of the Group’s legal structure.

8.  DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION

4

(in millions of euro)

Intangible assets

Property, plant and equipment

TOTAL

ACCUMULATED 
DEPRECIATION AND 
AMORTIZATION 
AUGUST 31, 2018

INCREASES 
DURING 
THE PERIOD

DECREASES 
DURING 
THE PERIOD

OTHER 
MOVEMENTS 
DURING 
THE PERIOD

ACCUMULATED 
DEPRECIATION AND 
AMORTIZATION 
AUGUST 31, 2019

5

10

15

4

1

5

-

-

-

42

2

44

51

13

64

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9.  AMOUNT AND MATURITY OF RECEIVABLES AND OTHER ASSETS

(in millions of euro)

Equity investments

Receivables related to equity investments

Other financial assets

TOTAL FINANCIAL INVESTMENTS

Accounts receivable

Prepaid expenses, other receivables and other assets

TOTAL ACCOUNTS AND OTHER RECEIVABLES*

TOTAL

GROSS VALUE

LESS 
THAN 1 YEAR

MORE 
THAN 1 YEAR

AMORTIZATION 
AND PROVISIONS

CARRYING 
AMOUNT

6,637

54

87

6,778

68

471

539

7,317

-

45

13

58

68

306

374

432

6,637

149

6,488

9

74

11

-

43

87

6,720

160

6,618

-

165

165

2

-

2

66

471

537

6,885

162

7,155

*  After deducting sold receivables, notably 41 million euro worth of CICE tax credits that have been derecognized as their sale involved the transfer of substantially all 

of the risks and rewards related to ownership of the receivables.

There is no commercial paper included in accounts receivable.

10. PROVISIONS AND IMPAIRMENT

(in millions of euro)

AUGUST 31, 2018

INCREASES AND 
CHARGES DURING 
THE PERIOD

DECREASES, 
RELEASES AND 
RECLASSIFICATIONS 
DURING THE PERIOD

OTHER 
MOVEMENTS 
DURING 
THE PERIOD

AUGUST 31, 2019

Provisions for contingencies and losses

342

124

Impairment

•  financial investments

•  current assets

TOTAL IMPAIRMENT

TOTAL

Increases and decreases:

•  operating items

•  financial items

•  exceptional items

152

3

155

497

82

28

1

29

45

-

45

169

111

9

75

84

3

57

51

-

384

(9)

-

(9)

(9)

160

2

162

546

As of August 31, 2019, the main provisions for contingencies 
and losses were for the following:

•  subsidiaries in negative net equity positions for 22 million 

euro;

•  restricted share grants for 209 million euro;

• 

foreign exchange losses for 30 million euro.

• 

losses reclaimable by subsidiaries included in the French tax 
consolidation for 111 million euro;

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I N F O R M A T I O N   O N   T H E   I S S U E R

11. MARKETABLE SECURITIES

(in millions of euro)

Treasury shares

Cash in the liquidity contract account

TOTAL

GROSS VALUE 
AUGUST 31, 2019

NET VALUE 
AUGUST 31, 2019

NET VALUE 
AUGUST 31, 2018

137

8

145

137

8

145

160

17

177

12. TREASURY SHARES

MOVEMENTS IN TREASURY SHARES DURING THE FISCAL YEAR

Number of shares held

September 1, 2018

Acquisitions

Disposals

Cancellation of treasury shares leading to a reduction in capital and additional paid-in capital

Allocation as treasury shares held for cancellation

August 31, 2019

Gross value of shares held (in millions of euro)

September 1, 2018

Acquisitions

Disposals

Cancellation of treasury shares leading to a reduction in capital and additional paid-in capital

Allocation as treasury shares held for cancellation

August 31, 2019

MARKETABLE SECURITIES OTHER FINANCIAL ASSETS

1,869,352

1,431,455*

(1,852,241)*

-

-

1,448,566

177

138*

(170)*

-

-

145

4

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

*  Acquisitions and disposals include the implementation of the liquidity contract signed with an investment services provider, which complies with the decision 2018-01 
of   the  French  securities  regulator  (Autorité  des  marchés  financiers  –  AMF),  for  the  purpose  of  improving  the  liquidity  of  Sodexo  shares  and  the  regularity  of  the 
quotations.
Disposals of treasury shares also include those resulting from the exercise of stock options and delivery of free shares granted to employees in prior years.

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13. SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

13.1  Share capital

As of August 31, 2019, the Company’s share capital totaled 
589,819,548 euro and comprised 147,454,887 shares, including 
68,751,968 with double voting rights.

payable for the related fi scal year, qualify for a 10% dividend 
premium, provided that they do not represent over 0.5% of the 
capital per shareholder.

Since Fiscal 2013, all shares held in registered form for at least 
four years and still held in that form when the dividend becomes 

13.2  Changes in shareholders’ equity

(in millions of euro)

Shareholders’ equity at end of previous fiscal year

Dividends approved by Shareholders Meeting and paid

Dividends on treasury shares

Net income for the fiscal year

Restricted provisions

Cancellation of treasury shares leading to a reduction in capital and additional paid-in capital

Other – Premiums/discounts on currency forwards

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY AT END OF FISCAL YEAR

2,671

(407)

5

597

-

-

(3)

2,863

In accordance with article L.225-210 of the French Commercial Code, Sodexo has reserves in addition to the legal reserve at least 
equal to the value of treasury shares held.

14. AMOUNT AND MATURITY OF LIABILITIES

LIABILITIES
(in millions of euro)

Bond issues

Borrowings from related companies

Other borrowings

SUB-TOTAL BORROWINGS

Accounts payable*

Other liabilities

TOTAL

*  Only accounts payable and accrued expenses are included in this line item.

There is no commercial paper included in payables.

GROSS AMOUNT

LESS THAN 1 YEAR

1 TO 5 YEARS MORE THAN 5 YEARS

2,493

618

498

3,609

44

526

4,179

13

17

7

37

44

526

607

600

21

491

1,880

580

-

1,112

2,460

-

-

-

-

1,112

2,460

166

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I N F O R M A T I O N   O N   T H E   I S S U E R

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE BY AMOUNT AND DUE DATE
(in millions of euro)

Non-Group accounts payable*

Group accounts payable

TOTAL

TOTAL

< 30 DAYS

31-44 DAYS

45-75 DAYS

76-90 DAYS

> 90 DAYS

37

7

44

37

7

44

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

*  Only accounts payable and accrued expenses are included in this line item.

15. BOND ISSUES AND OTHER BORROWINGS

15.1  Bond issues

None  of  the  above-described  bonds  are  subject  to  financial 
covenants.

On  June  24,  2014,  Sodexo  S.A.  completed  a  bond  issue 
structured in two tranches:

•  a 600-million euro tranche redeemable at par on January 24, 
2022 and bearing interest at an annual rate of 1.75%, with 
interest payable annually on January 24;

•  a 500-million euro tranche redeemable at par on June 24, 
2026 and bearing interest at an annual rate of 2.50%, with 
interest payable annually on June 24.

Accrued interest on these bonds amounted to 9 million euro as 
of August 31, 2019.

On October 14, 2016 Sodexo S.A. issued bonds for 600 million 
euro redeemable in April 2027 and bearing interest at an annual 
rate of 0.75%, with interest payable annually on April 14. On 
August  1,  2017,  the  Company  increased  this  issue  with  an 
additional 200 million euro of bonds. Accrued interest on these 
bonds was 2 million euro as of August 31, 2019.

On May 22, 2018, Sodexo S.A. issued bonds for 300 million euro 
redeemable in May 2025 and bearing interest at an annual rate 
of 1.125%, with interest payable annually on May 22. Accrued 
interest on this bond was 1 million euro as of August 31, 2019.

On June 26, 2019, Sodexo S.A. issues bonds for 250 million 
pounds sterling redeemable in June 2028 and bearing interest 
at an annual rate of 1.75%, with interest payable annually on 
June 26. Accrued interest on this bond was 1 million euro as of 
August 31, 2019.

15.2.2  U.S. Private Placements

15.2  Other borrowings

15.2.1  July 2011 multicurrency confirmed 

credit facility

On July 18, 2011, Sodexo S.A. contracted a multicurrency credit 
facility for a maximum of 600 million euro plus 800 million 
U.S. dollars, with an original maturity date of July 18, 2016. This 
facility has been amended on a number of occasions with the 
most recent amendment being in July 2019 with a new maturity 
date of July 2024, with two options to extend the maturity by 
one year each, up to July 2026. The maximum available limits 
under this facility now are 589 million euro plus 785 million U.S 
dollars.

The most recent amendment also incorporates a sustainability 
clause that links the credit facility cost to Sodexo’s ability to 
comply with its public commitment to reduce its food waste by 
50% by 2025.

Amounts drawn on this facility carry fl oating interest indexed on 
the LIBOR and EURIBOR rates. This credit facility is not subject 
to any covenants.

No amounts had been drawn down on the facility as of either 
August 31, 2019 or August 31, 2018.

4

The features of the Group’s outstanding U.S. private placements as of August 31, 2019 are as follows:

DATE OF THE PLACEMENT

March 29, 2011

SUB-TOTAL

June 27, 2018

SUB-TOTAL

TOTAL

*  After deducting 147 million U.S. dollars redeemed on March 29, 2018.

PRINCIPAL OUTSTANDING 
(in millions of U.S. dollars)

FIXED INTEREST RATE

MATURITY

4.85%
4.95%

March 2021
March 2023

3.7%

June 2023

133
74

207*

400

400

607

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4 N o t e s   t o   t h e   I n d i v i d u a l   C o m p a n y   F i n a n c i a l   S t a t e m e n t s

The borrowing is subject to two fi nancial covenants calculated 
by reference to the Group’s consolidated fi nancial statements:

•  net  debt  (excluding  restricted  cash)  must  not  exceed 
3.5 times EBITDA (operating profit plus amortization and 
depreciation) for the past 12 months;

•  net assets adjusted for cumulative foreign exchange gains 
or  losses  since  August  31,  2007  must  not  be  less  than 
1.3 billion euro.

If  the  covenants  are  not  respected,  the  lenders  may,  with 
a  qualified  majority,  require  early  reimbursement  of  these 
borrowings.

The  Group  was  in  compliance  with  these  covenants  as  of 
August 31, 2019, February 28, 2019 and August 31, 2018.

15.2.3  Commercial paper

As  of  August  31,  2019,  borrowings  under  the  Sodexo  S.A. 
commercial paper programs are nil, compared with 80 million 
euro as of August 31, 2018.

The bond issues and borrowings from financial institutions 
described  above  have  customary  early  redemption  clauses. 
There  clauses  include  cross-default  and  change  in  control 
clauses, which apply to all of the borrowings.

15.3  Borrowings from related 

companies

On September 14, 2017, Sodexo S.A. borrowed 580 million euro 
from its subsidiary Sodexo Finance Designed Activity Company 
redeemable  in  September  2034.  Accrued  interest  on  this 
borrowing was 15 million euro as of August 31, 2019.

16. ACCRUED EXPENSES – DEFERRED REVENUES AND PREPAID 

EXPENSES

ACCRUED EXPENSES
(in millions of euro)

Borrowings

Accounts payable

Tax and employee-related liabilities

TOTAL

DEFERRED REVENUES AND PREPAID EXPENSES
(in millions of euro)

Deferred revenues

Prepaid expenses

36

18

25

79

1

18

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17. RELATED-PARTY INFORMATION

(in millions of euro)

Assets – Gross values

Equity investments

Receivables related to equity investments

Other investment securities

Advances to suppliers

Accounts receivable

Other operating receivables

Due from related companies

Non-operating receivables

TOTAL

Liabilities

Accounts payable

Due to related companies

TOTAL

Income statement

Revenues

Other operating income

Other operating expenses

Financial income

Financial expenses

Exceptional income

Exceptional expenses

RELATED PARTIES

ASSOCIATED COMPANIES

OTHER

TOTAL

6,613

42

-

-

65

814

14

-

24

12

-

-

-

-

-

-

7,548

36

6,596

342

6,938

126

250

(228)

751

(65)

233

(219)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

6,637

54

-

-

65

814

14

7,584

6,596

342

6,938

126

250

(228)

751

(65)

233

(219)

4

Related parties: fully consolidated companies.

Associated companies: companies accounted for under the equity method, and non-consolidated companies in which Sodexo S.A. has 
an equity interest of more than 10%.

Other: companies accounted for under the equity method, and non-consolidated companies in which Sodexo S.A. has an equity 
interest of less than 10%.

There has been no related-party transaction that is both material and falls outside the framework of normal business dealings 
concuded at conditions that are not arms-length.

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4 N o t e s   t o   t h e   I n d i v i d u a l   C o m p a n y   F i n a n c i a l   S t a t e m e n t s

18. FINANCIAL COMMITMENTS

18.1  Commitments made by Sodexo S.A.

(in millions of euro)

AUGUST 31, 2019

AUGUST 31, 2018

Performance bonds given to Sodexo Group clients

Financial guarantees to third parties

Retirement benefit commitments

Other commitments

TOTAL

1,606

5,598

13

137

7,354

1,559

4,137

12

142

5,850

Financial guarantees to third parties concern (i) guarantees for 
loans granted to Sodexo S.A. subsidiaries, (ii) guarantees related 
to reverse factoring programs set up by Sodexo S.A. subsidiaries, 
capped  at  580  million  euro  (of  which  123  million  euro  was 
guaranteed as of August 31, 2019), and (iii) a 1,400 million 
euro guarantee given in Fiscal 2018 for a new commercial paper 
program.

Sodexo  S.A.  has  issued  a  guarantee  for  the  repayment  of 
bonds for 1,100 million U.S. dollars issued in March 2014 by 
Sodexo, Inc. in a private placement with U.S. investors.

The  leases  for  the  Group’s  corporate  headquarters  in  Issy-
les-Moulineaux increased commitments for office leases by 
23 million euro.

Other commitments notably include the guarantee issued by 
Sodexo S.A. in October 2012 to cover Sodexo UK’s retirement 
plan obligation in the United Kingdom (i.e., until October 2024). 
This guarantee was issued to the plan trustee for a maximum 
100 million pounds sterling with a 12-year term.

18.2  Commitments received by Sodexo S.A.

(in millions of euro)

Commitments received

AUGUST 31, 2019

AUGUST 31, 2018

2,950

2,921

Commitments received mainly correspond to counter-guarantees by Sodexo, Inc. of Sodexo S.A.’s fi nancial borrowings, which increased 
due to the new borrowings set up during the year.

18.3  Financial instrument commitments

The ongoing commitments as of the end of the year were as follows:

DESCRIPTION

INCEPTION DATE

EXPIRATION DATE

NOMINAL AMOUNT

MARKET VALUE AS OF 
AUGUST 31, 2019

Forward currency purchase

April 2011
June 2019

April 2021
June 2028

USD 633 million
GBP 250 million 

EUR 118 million
EUR 4 million

Swap hedging the currency and interest rate risk on loans 
to Sodexo do Brasil Comercial SA

November 2018

May 2020
November 2020

BRL 120 million

< EUR 1 million 

Sodexo may use derivative fi nancial instruments in order to hedge its exposure to volatility in interest and currency exchange rates.

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19. PRINCIPAL FUTURE ADJUSTMENTS TO THE TAX BASIS

INCREASES
(in millions of euro)

DECREASES
(in millions of euro)

Exceptional amortization

15

Employee profit-sharing

Other non-deductible provisions

-

2

The future tax liability related to this unrealized tax diff erence was 4 million euro, calculated at a rate of 34.43%.

20. RETIREMENT BENEFIT COMMITMENTS

20.1  Retirement benefi ts payable 

20.2  Commitments related to 

by law or under collective 
agreements

Sodexo S.A. is required to pay benefits to retiring employees on 
the terms stipulated in a company-wide collective agreement. The 
amount of the commitment has been calculated on the basis of rights 
vested at the balance sheet date, taking into account assumptions 
about fi nal salary, discount rates and employee turnover.

This  commitment,  which  is  not  recognized  as  a  liability  in 
the  balance  sheet,  was  estimated  at  5  million  euro  as  of 
August 31, 2019.

21. DIRECTORS’ FEES

a supplemental pension plan

Commitments related to a supplemental pension plan were 
estimated using the projected unit credit method based on fi nal 
salary and net of funding for the plan. These commitments, 
amounting to 8 million euro, are not recognized in the fi nancial 
statements.

4

Directors’ fees paid to Board members during the fi scal year represented less than 1 million euro (refer to section 5.5.3.1).

22. FRENCH TAX CONSOLIDATION

22.1  Benefi t arising from French tax 

22.2  Tax losses reclaimable 

consolidation

as of August 31, 2019

Sodexo S.A. recognized a benefit of 24 million euro from the 
French tax consolidation for Fiscal 2019. This benefi t represents 
the diff erence between the aggregate of the income tax benefi ts 
recognized by the French subsidiaries included in the French tax 
consolidation and the income tax liability of Sodexo S.A. as lead 
company in the French tax consolidation.

The  amount  of  potentially  reclaimable  tax  losses  from 
subsidiaries  included  in  the  French  tax  consolidation  as  of 
August 31, 2019 was 321 million euro, resulting in a provision 
of 111 million euro (using a rate of 34.43%).

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23. AVERAGE NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES

The average number of employees is an average of the number 
of employees who were present at the end of each quarter, and 
includes employees working at Sodexo S.A. branches in France 
and the French overseas departments and regions.

Managers

Supervisors

Other

Apprentices

TOTAL

AUGUST 31, 2019

AUGUST 31, 2018

358

30

37

9

434

303

29

31

7

370

24. CONSOLIDATION

Sodexo S.A. is consolidated in the fi nancial statements of Bellon SA, which has its registered offi  ce at 17-19, place de la Résistance, 
Issy-les-Moulineaux, France. The consolidated fi nancial statements of the Sodexo Group are presented in chapter 3 of this Universal 
Registration Document.

25. POST-BALANCE SHEET EVENTS

No signifi cant events occurred between the end of the reporting period and the date on which the Board of Directors approved the 
fi nancial statements.

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26. LIST OF SUBSIDIARIES AND OTHER EQUITY INVESTMENTS

(in thousands of euro)

CAPITAL

OTHER 
SHAREHOLDERS’ 
EQUITY

PERCENTAGE 
INTEREST 
IN CAPITAL

GROSS

NET

BOOK VALUE OF INVESTMENT

LOANS 
AND 
ADVANCES 
GRANTED, 
NET

GUARANTEES 
GIVEN

REVENUES 
FOR MOST 
RECENT 
FISCAL YEAR

INCOME 
FOR MOST 
RECENT 
FISCAL YEAR

DIVIDENDS 
RECEIVED 
DURING THE 
FISCAL YEAR

Detailed information

French subsidiaries

Sodexo Pass 
International SAS

Sodexo 
Entreprises

406,656

290,193

100,00% 662,056

662,056

51,697

17,798

100,00% 201,669

201,669

Sofinsod SAS

82,683

267,137

100,00% 133,860

133,860

Sogeres

2,153

17,204

92,26% 107,717

107,717

Sodexo GC

15,095

(2,840)

100,00%

72,218

72,218

Lenôtre SA

2,606

(25,898)

100,00%

62,394

1,517

SEVPTE

92

5,896

100,00%

34,659

34,659

Société Française 
de Restauration 
et Services

1,899

(17,142)

100,00%

31,741

16,411

Foodchéri

273

(808)

86,99%

29,920

29,920

Sodexo Ventures 
France

Sodexo 
Afrique SARL

143

(1,345)

100,00%

23,425

2,900

1,624

(2,816)

100,00%

14,539

17

Ouest Catering

516

240

100,00%

7,900

7,900

French equity investments

-

-

-

-

-

-

Foreign subsidiaries

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

95,493

80,823

1,250

701,235

12,214

16,132

-

-

-

-

-

-

261,851

11,104

479,554

2,448

8,500

-

(650)

97,602

(10,607)

-

-

54,890

5,823

6,599

2,140

268,373

(17,387)

200

9,394

(7,950)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

(592)

(379)

(148)

1,535

-

-

-

-

-

-

4

Sodexo, Inc.

4

1,642,206

100,00% 2,120,844 2,120,844

- 1,342,011 8,201,700

228,987

301,641

Sodexo Finance 
Designed Activity 
Company

Sodexo Holdings 
Ltd

Sodexo do Brasil 
Comercial SA

Sodexo 
Beteiligungs BV 
& Co. KG

Sodexo Australia 
Pty Ltd

379,830

491,764

100,00% 807,830

807,830

- 2,730,308

419,197

7,775

100,00% 555,305

555,305

-

1,104

-

-

45,084

-

-

140,700

119,991

221,377

98,58% 446,729

446,729

27,207

9,062

625,785

25,476

192

178,290

100,00% 195,456

195,456

96,838

(51,606)

100,00% 117,928

117,928

Novae Holding SA

229

84

100,00% 112,045

112,045

Sodexo Food 
Solutions India 
Private Limited

12,177

(4,606)

100,00% 110,442

110,442

Sodexo AB

10,000

31,727

100,00% 101,264

101,264

Sodexo 
Services Asia

86,466

23,823

100,00%

89,462

89,462

-

-

5,035

23,600

72,516

(13,716)

-

-

-

-

302

117,610

883

344,431

7,537

-

-

-

-

-

-

27,184

-

4,134

16,314

-

-

-

-

-

-

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4 N o t e s   t o   t h e   I n d i v i d u a l   C o m p a n y   F i n a n c i a l   S t a t e m e n t s

(in thousands of euro)

CAPITAL

OTHER 
SHAREHOLDERS’ 
EQUITY

PERCENTAGE 
INTEREST 
IN CAPITAL

GROSS

NET

BOOK VALUE OF INVESTMENT

LOANS 
AND 
ADVANCES 
GRANTED, 
NET

GUARANTEES 
GIVEN

REVENUES 
FOR MOST 
RECENT 
FISCAL YEAR

INCOME 
FOR MOST 
RECENT 
FISCAL YEAR

DIVIDENDS 
RECEIVED 
DURING THE 
FISCAL YEAR

Sodexo 
Nederland B.V.

Compagnie 
Financière Aurore 
International

Sodexo 
Belgium SA

45

25,205

100,00%

80,435

80,435

58,010

210,516

100,00%

68,920

68,920

16,765

22,277

98,54%

43,428

43,428

Sodexo Iberia SA

3,467

14,678

98,86%

26,804

26,804

Sodexo 
Entegre Hizmet 
Yonetimi AS

Sodexo Global 
Services UK 
Limited

Sodexo Technical 
Services India 
Pvt. Ltd

Sodexo 
Mexico SA de CV

Sodexo 
Inversiones SA

Sodexo Facilities 
Management 
Services India 
Private Ltd

Sodexo One-Site 
Services Israel Ltd

Sodexo 
Argentina SA

9,305

-

100,00%

25,530

25,530

24,844

100,346

100,00%

24,391

24,391

621

6,264

100,00%

20,994

20,994

5,838

1,395

100,00%

17,434

17,434

14,187

24,536

100,00%

16,100

16,100

10,726

(500)

100,00%

14,191

14,191

-

878

100,00%

12,869

12,869

201

3,716

99,57%

12,822

12,822

Sodexo Chile SpA

11,563

11,824

100,00%

10,999

10,999

Kalyx Limited

17

201,871

100,00%

9,430

9,430

Sodexo SRL

7,622

(5,720)

100,00%

8,872

-

Sodexo Singapore 
Pte Ltd

Sofinsod 
Insurance 
Designed Activity 
Company

8,817

3,142

100,00%

8,614

8,614

7,868

(626)

100,00%

7,868

7,868

Sodexo Maroc SA

2,608

(1,752)

100,00%

7,667

3,461

Sodexo OY

5,046

3,661

100,00%

7,054

7,054

Sodexo Italia SPA

1,898

72,682

100,00%

7,029

7,029

Sodexo S.R.O.

2,608

(2,174)

100,00%

6,420

434

Sodexo Euroasia

63

16,263

100,00%

6,214

6,214

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

800

274,256

(23,734)

-

-

517

-

-

3,957

328,889

1,699

1,867

-

246,674

2,188

2,796

4,657

54,542

878

-

-

89,221

64,832

-

-

-

38,408

1,505

65,811

1,246

46,359

-

3,830

-

106,429

1,810

5,270

41,656

(87)

2,949

50,714

(2,160)

26,414

366,782

4,730

-

175,983

27,975

300

14,154

(2,478)

-

65,257

845

5,500

-

400

1,883

23,316

(255)

-

-

-

-

139,061

2,123

919

419,322

17,732

14,311

29,400

(1,532)

74,778

8,101

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

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N o t e s   t o   t h e   I n d i v i d u a l   C o m p a n y   F i n a n c i a l   S t a t e m e n t s

I N F O R M A T I O N   O N   T H E   I S S U E R

BOOK VALUE OF INVESTMENT

OTHER 
SHAREHOLDERS’ 
EQUITY

PERCENTAGE 
INTEREST 
IN CAPITAL

GROSS

NET

LOANS 
AND 
ADVANCES 
GRANTED, 
NET

GUARANTEES 
GIVEN

REVENUES 
FOR MOST 
RECENT 
FISCAL YEAR

INCOME 
FOR MOST 
RECENT 
FISCAL YEAR

DIVIDENDS 
RECEIVED 
DURING THE 
FISCAL YEAR

(in thousands of euro)

CAPITAL

Foreign equity investments

Sodexo GmbH

308

307,301

37,37%

38,702

38,702

Mentor Technical 
Group Corporation

3

19,968

45,00%

18,423

18,423

Eat Club, Inc.

49,021

(27,478)

17,05%

18,395

18,395

Socat LLC

600

3,237

49,00%

11,372

11,372

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

(82)

-

1,590

599

56,965

(6,264)

-

31,034

1,153

824

Aggregate information

Other French 
subsidiaries

Other foreign 
subsidiaries

Other French 
equity 
investments

Other foreign 
equity 
investments

TOTAL

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

18,779

16,692

10

43,576

35,766

21,935

13,498

44,048

1,787

1,419

-

1,786

10,155

7,584

272

-

- 6,636,866 6,487,692

40,987 4,324,358

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

26,451

22,526

86

8,656

727,215

4

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4.3  SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION ON 

THE INDIVIDUAL COMPANY FINANCIAL 
STATEMENTS

4.3.1  Five-year financial summary

(in millions of euro)

FISCAL 2019(1)

FISCAL 2018

FISCAL 2017

FISCAL 2016

FISCAL 2015

Capital at end of period

Share capital

590

590

603

615

629

Number of ordinary shares outstanding

147,454,887 147,454,887 150,830,449 153,741,139 157,132,025

Maximum number of potential new shares issuable by 
conversion of bonds

-

-

-

-

Income statement data

Revenues excluding taxes

Earnings before income tax, employee profit-sharing, 
depreciation, amortization and provisions

Income tax

Employee profit-sharing

Earnings after income tax, employee profit-sharing, 
depreciation, amortization and provisions

Dividend payout

Per share data

Earnings after income tax and employee profit-sharing 
but before depreciation, amortization and provisions

Earnings after income tax, employee profit-sharing, 
depreciation, amortization and provisions

Net dividend per share(2)

Dividend premium per eligible share(2)

128

632

24

-

597

430

114

450

62

-

481

407

119

428

14

-

396

417

132

587

(15)

-

616

371

-

86

370

(14)

-

324

347

4.44

3.47

2.93

3.72

2.27

4.05

2.90

0.29

3.26

2.75

2.62

2.75

0.275

0.275

4.01

2.40

0.24

2.06

2.20

0.22

(1) Subject to approval by the Annual Shareholders Meeting to be held on January 21, 2020.
(2) The Board of Directors proposes that the Annual Shareholders Meeting on Juanuary 21, 2020 approve the payment of a cash dividend of 2.90 euro per share. In 
addition, and in accordance with the system adopted by the Annual Shareholders Meeting held on January 24, 2011, shares held in registered form since at least 
August 31, 2011 and still held in that form when the dividend becomes payable February 3, 2020, will automatically be entitled, without any additional formality, to 
a 10% dividend premium, representing an additional 0.29 euro per share (provided that the shares eligible for the dividend premium do not represent over 0.5% of 
the share capital for any single shareholder).

(in millions of euro)

Employee data

FISCAL 2019

FISCAL 2018

FISCAL 2017

FISCAL 2016

FISCAL 2015

Average number of employees during the fiscal year

Salary expense for the fiscal year

Social security and other employee benefits paid during the 
fiscal year

434

55

22

370

44

20

360

40

16

337

40

16

301

39

21

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I N F O R M A T I O N   O N   T H E   I S S U E R

4.3.2  Appropriation of earnings

(in millions of euro)

Net income

Retained earnings

Retained earnings(2)

Retained earnings(3)

Transfer to legal reserve

Transfer from long-term capital gains reserve

Distributable earnings

Net dividend

Dividend premium(4)

Reserves

Retained earnings

FISCAL 2019(1)

FISCAL 2018

FISCAL 2017

FISCAL 2016

FISCAL 2015

597

481

396

1,276

1,202

1,223

23

18

11

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

616

966

12

-

-

-

324

981

8

-

-

-

1,896

1,701

1,630

1,594

1,313

427

405

415

369

346

3

-

2

-

2

-

2

-

1

-

1,465

1,294

1,213

1,223

966

Number of shares outstanding

147,454,887 147,454,887 150,830,449 153,741,139 157,132,025

Number of shares entitled to a dividend

147,454,887 147,454,887 150,830,449 153,741,139 157,132,025

Earnings per share (in euro)

4.05

3.26

2.62

4.01

2.06

(1) Subject to approval by the Annual Shareholders Meeting to be held on January 21, 2020.
(2) Corresponding to dividends not paid on treasury shares.
(3) Corresponding to the 10% dividend premium not paid.
(4) The Board of Directors proposes that the Annual Shareholders Meeting on January 21, 2020 approve the payment of a cash dividend of 2.90 euro per share. In 
addition, shares held in registered form since at least August 31, 2011 and still held in that form when the dividend becomes payable on February 3, 2020, will 
automatically be entitled, without any additional formality, to a 10% dividend premium, representing an additional 0.29 euro per share (provided that the shares 
eligible for the dividend premium do not represent over 0.5% of the share capital for any single shareholder).

4

4.3.3  Supplier and client dues

INVOICES RECEIVED AND PAST DUE AS OF AUGUST 31, 2019

(in millions of euro)

0 DAYS

1-30 DAYS

31-60 DAYS

61-90 DAYS

OVER 91 DAYS

TOTAL (1 DAY 
AND OVER)

Classified as late payment

Number of invoices

Amount (incl. VAT)

% of total purchases (net of VAT) for the 
fiscal year

562

17

-

6

-

2

-

1

-

-

968

9

9.3%

3.1%

1.3%

0.5%

0.2%

5.1%

Invoices related to disputed or unrecognized payables and not classified as late payment

Number of invoices

Amount (incl. VAT)

Reference payment terms used

-

-

Contractual payment terms

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INVOICES ISSUED AND PAST DUE AS OF AUGUST 31, 2019

(in millions of euro)

0 DAYS

1-30 DAYS

31-60 DAYS

61-90 DAYS

OVER 91 DAYS

TOTAL (1 DAY 
AND OVER)

Classified as late payment

Number of invoices

Amount (incl. VAT)

291

30

-

5

-

9

% of total purchases (net of VAT) for the 
fiscal year

8.1%

1.2%

2.4%

Invoices related to disputed or unrecognized receivables and not classified as late payment

-

-

-

-

22

1,486

35

5.7%

9.3%

Number of invoices

Amount (incl. VAT)

Reference payment terms used

67

2

Contractual payment terms

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S t a t u t o r y   A u d i t o r s ’   R e p o r t

4.4  STATUTORY AUDITORS’ REPORT

4.4.1  Statutory Auditors’ Report on the financial statements

This is a free translation into English of the Statutory Auditors’ Report issued in French and is provided solely for 
the convenience of English speaking readers. This report includes information specifically required by European 
regulations or French law, such as information about the appointment of Statutory Auditors. This report should 
be read in conjunction with, and construed in accordance with, French law and professional auditing standards 
applicable in France.

For the year ended August 31, 2019

SODEXO
255, quai de la Bataille-de-Stalingrad
92866 Issy-les-Moulineaux Cedex 9, France

To the shareholders,

Opinion

In compliance with the engagement entrusted to us by your Shareholders Meeting, we have audited the accompanying fi nancial 
statements of Sodexo for the year ended August 31, 2019.

In our opinion, the fi nancial statements give a true and fair view of the assets and liabilities and of the fi nancial position of the 
Company at August 31, 2019 and of the results of its operations for the year then ended in accordance with French accounting 
principles.

The audit opinion expressed above is consistent with our report to the Audit Committee.

4

Basis of the audit opinion

Audit reference framework

We conducted our audit in accordance with professional standards applicable in France. We believe that the audit evidence we have 
obtained is suffi  cient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Our responsibilities under these standards are further described in the “Responsibilities of the Statutory Auditors relating to the audit 
of the fi nancial statements” section of our report.

Independence

We conducted our audit engagement in compliance with the independence rules applicable to us, for the period from September 1, 
2018 to the date of our report, and, in particular, we did not provide any non-audit services prohibited by article 5(1) of Regulation 
(EU) No. 537/2014 or the French Code of Ethics (Code de déontologie) for Statutory Auditors.

Justifi cation of our assessments – key audit matters

In accordance with the requirements of articles L. 823-9 and R. 823-7 of the French Commercial Code (Code de commerce) relating to 
the justifi cation of our assessments, we inform you of the key audit matters relating to the risks of material misstatement that, in 
our professional judgment, were the most signifi cant in our audit of the fi nancial statements, as well as how we addressed those risks.

These matters were addressed as part of our audit of the fi nancial statements as a whole, and therefore contributed to the opinion we 
formed as expressed above. We do not provide a separate opinion on specifi c items of the fi nancial statements.

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Valuation of equity investments

Description of risk

The balance of equity investments at August 31, 2019 represented 6,488 million euro, the largest asset on the balance sheet. Equity 
investments are carried at cost, and at each balance sheet date, may be impaired based on their value in use.

As described in note 2.1.3 to the fi nancial statements, value in use is determined by management on the basis of net asset value, 
profi tability and the future prospects of the investee.

When the carrying amount of an investment is higher than the net book value of the share of net assets of the subsidiary, value in use 
is determined based on discounted future cash fl ows, using business plans prepared by management and covering one to fi ve years. 
In preparing such business plans, management is required to exercise judgment.

Accordingly, we deemed the valuation of equity investments and any related receivables or provisions for contingencies to be a key 
audit matter, due to the inherent uncertainty of certain components of the valuation, in particular the likelihood of achieving forecast 
results used to calculate value in use.

How our audit addressed this risk

In order to assess the reasonableness of the estimate of the value in use of equity investments, based on the information provided to 
us, our audit work consisted mainly in verifying that the estimated values determined by management were based on an appropriate 
measurement method and underlying data, and, depending on the investee concerned:

• 

for valuations based on historical data: verifying that the equity values used were consistent with the fi nancial statements of the 
entities concerned, and that any adjustments to equity were based on documentary evidence;

• 

for valuations based on forecast data:

•  obtaining forecast future cash fl ows of the investees concerned, and assessing their consistency with the business plans drawn 

up by management,

•  assessing the consistency of the growth rates used for projected cash fl ows with available external analyses, in light of the 

economic environments in which the investees operate,

•  assessing the reasonableness of the discount rates applied to estimated future cash fl ows, verifying in particular that the 
various inputs used to calculate the weighted average cost of capital for each investee were suffi  cient to approximate the return 
expected by market participants for similar activities.

Our audit work also consisted in:

•  assessing the recoverability of receivables related to equity investments;

•  verifying the recognition of provisions for contingencies where the Company is exposed to the losses of investees with negative 

equity.

Specifi c verifi cations

In accordance with professional standards applicable in France, we have also performed the specifi c verifi cations required by French 
legal and regulatory provisions. 

Information given in the Management Report and in the other documents provided to the shareholders 
with respect to the Company’s fi nancial position and the fi nancial statements

We have no matters to report as to the fair presentation and the consistency with the fi nancial statements of the information given in 
the Board of Directors’ Management Report and in the other documents provided to the shareholders with respect to the Company’s 
fi nancial position and the fi nancial statements.

We attest to the fair presentation and the consistency with the fi nancial statements of the information about payment terms referred 
to in article D.441-4 of the French Commercial Code. 

Information with respect to Corporate Governance

We attest that the section of the Board of Directors’ Report relating to Corporate Governance sets out the information required by 
articles L. 225-37-3 and L. 225-37-4 of the French Commercial Code.

Concerning the information given in accordance with the requirements of article L. 225-37-3 of the French Commercial Code relating 
to remuneration and benefi ts received by corporate offi  cers and any other commitments made in their favor, we have verifi ed its 
consistency with the fi nancial statements or with the underlying information used to prepare these fi nancial statements, and, where 
applicable, with the information obtained by your Company from companies controlling it or controlled by it. Based on this work, we 
attest to the accuracy and fair presentation of this information.

Concerning the information given in accordance with the requirements of article L. 225-37-5 of the French Commercial Code relating 
to those items your Company has deemed liable to have an impact in the event of a takeover bid or exchange off er, we have verifi ed its 
consistency with the underlying documents that were disclosed to us. Based on this work, we have no matters to report with regard 
to this information.

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Other information

In accordance with French law, we have verifi ed that the required information concerning the purchase of investments and controlling 
interests and the identity of the shareholders and holders of the voting rights has been properly disclosed in the Management Report.

Report on other legal and regulatory requirements

Appointment of Statutory Auditors

We were appointed Statutory Auditors of Sodexo by the Shareholders Meetings held on February 22, 1994 for PricewaterhouseCoopers 
Audit and on February 4, 2003 for KPMG Audit.

At August 31, 2019, PricewaterhouseCoopers Audit and KPMG Audit were in the twenty-sixth and the seventeenth consecutive year 
of their engagement, respectively.

Responsibilities of management and those charged with governance for the 
fi nancial statements

Management is responsible for preparing fi nancial statements giving a true and fair view in accordance with French accounting 
principles, and for implementing the internal control procedures it deems necessary for the preparation of fi nancial statements that 
are free of material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the fi nancial statements, management is responsible for assessing the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern, 
disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern, and using the going concern basis of accounting, unless it expects to 
liquidate the Company or to cease operations.

The Audit Committee is responsible for monitoring the fi nancial reporting process and the eff ectiveness of internal control and 
risk management systems, as well as, where applicable, any internal audit systems, relating to accounting and fi nancial reporting 
procedures.

The fi nancial statements were approved by the Board of Directors.

Responsibilities of the Statutory Auditors relating to the audit of the fi nancial 
statements

4

Objective and audit approach

Our role is to issue a report on the fi nancial statements. Our objective is to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the fi nancial 
statements as a whole are free of material misstatement. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee 
that an audit conducted in accordance with professional standards will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. 
Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be 
expected to infl uence the economic decisions taken by users on the basis of these fi nancial statements.

As specifi ed in article L. 823-10-1 of the French Commercial Code, our audit does not include assurance on the viability or quality of 
the Company’s management.

As part of an audit conducted in accordance with professional standards applicable in France, the Statutory Auditors exercise 
professional judgment throughout the audit. They also:

• 

identify and assess the risks of material misstatement in the fi nancial statements, whether due to fraud or error, design and 
perform audit procedures in response to those risks, and obtain audit evidence considered to be suffi  cient and appropriate to 
provide a basis for their opinion. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one 
resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal 
control;

•  obtain an understanding of the internal control procedures relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures that are 
appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the eff ectiveness of the internal control;

•  evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates made by management 

and the related disclosures in the notes to the fi nancial statements;

•  assess the appropriateness of management’s use of the going concern basis of accounting and, based on the audit evidence 
obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or conditions that may cast signifi cant doubt on the Company’s 
ability to continue as a going concern. This assessment is based on the audit evidence obtained up to the date of the Audit Report. 
However, future events or conditions may cause the Company to cease to continue as a going concern. If the Statutory Auditors 
conclude that a material uncertainty exists, they are required to draw attention in the Audit Report to the related disclosures in 
the fi nancial statements or, if such disclosures are not provided or are inadequate, to issue a qualifi ed opinion or a disclaimer of 
opinion;

•  evaluate the overall presentation of the fi nancial statements and assess whether these statements represent the underlying 

transactions and events in a manner that achieves fair presentation.

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Report to the Audit Committee

We submit a report to the Audit Committee which includes, in particular, a description of the scope of the audit and the audit program 
implemented, as well as the results of our audit. We also report any signifi cant defi ciencies in internal control that we have identifi ed 
regarding the accounting and fi nancial reporting procedures.

Our report to the Audit Committee includes the risks of material misstatement that, in our professional judgment, were the most 
signifi cant for the audit of the fi nancial statements and which constitute the key audit matters that we are required to describe in 
this report.

We also provide the Audit Committee with the declaration provided for in article 6 of Regulation (EU) No. 537/2014, confi rming our 
independence within the meaning of the rules applicable in France, as defi ned in particular in articles L. 822-10 to L. 822-14 of the 
French Commercial Code and in the French Code of Ethics for Statutory Auditors. Where appropriate, we discuss any risks to our 
independence and the related safeguard measures with the Audit Committee.

Neuilly-sur-Seine and Paris-La Défense, November 6, 2019

The Statutory Auditors

PricewaterhouseCoopers Audit

Jean-Christophe Georghiou

KPMG Audit

Department of KPMG SA

Caroline Bruno-Diaz

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4.4.2  Statutory Auditors’ Report on related-party agreements 

and commitments

This is a free translation into English of the Statutory Auditors’ Special Report on related-party agreements 
and commitments issued in French and is provided solely for the convenience of English speaking readers. This 
report should be read in conjunction with, and construed in accordance with, French law and professional auditing 
standards applicable in France.

Shareholders’ Meeting held to approve the fi nancial statements for the year ended August 31, 2019

SODEXO
255, quai de la Bataille-de-Stalingrad
92866 Issy-les-Moulineaux Cedex 9, France

To the shareholders,

In our capacity as Statutory Auditors of Sodexo, we hereby report to you on related-party agreements and commitments.

It is our responsibility to report to shareholders, based on the information provided to us, on the main terms and conditions of the 
agreements and commitments that have been disclosed to us or that we may have identifi ed as part of our engagement, as well as 
the reasons given as to why they are benefi cial for the Company, without commenting on their relevance or substance or identifying 
any undisclosed agreements or commitments. Under the provisions of article R. 225-31 of the French Commercial Code (Code de 
commerce), it is the responsibility of the shareholders to determine whether the agreements and commitments are appropriate and 
should be approved. 

Where applicable, it is also our responsibility to provide shareholders with the information required by article R. 225-31 of the 
French Commercial Code in relation to the implementation during the year of agreements and commitments already approved by the 
Shareholders’ Meeting.

We performed the procedures that we deemed necessary in accordance with professional standards applicable in France to such 
engagements. These procedures consisted in verifying that the information given to us is consistent with the underlying documents. 

4

Agreements and commitments to be approved by the Shareholders Meeting

Agreements and commitments authorized and entered into during the year

We were not informed of any agreement or commitment authorized and entered into during the year to be submitted for approval at 
the Shareholders’ Meeting pursuant to the provisions of article L. 225-38 of the French Commercial Code.

Agreements and commitments authorized and entered into since the year end 

We were informed of the following commitment, authorized and entered into since the year end, which was authorized in advance by 
the Board of Directors.

SUPPLEMENTAL PENSION PLAN FOR DENIS MACHUEL, GROUP CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

•  Purpose and reasons given as to why they are benefi cial for the Company: 

Since he was appointed a member of the Sodexo Group’s Executive Committee in September 2014, Denis Machuel has been a 
benefi ciary of a defi ned benefi t pension plan governed by article 39 of the French General Tax Code (Code général des impôts) and 
article L. 137-11-1 of the French Social Security Code (Code de la sécurité sociale), set up for the Group’s most senior executives who 
hold an employment contract with one of its French companies. 

Following his appointment as Group Chief Executive Officer, at its meeting on April 27, 2018, on the recommendation of the 
Compensation Committee, the Board of Directors decided to authorize Denis Machuel to continue to be a benefi ciary of this plan.

This commitment to Denis Machuel was approved by the Shareholders’ Meeting of January 22, 2019. According to the Board of 
Directors, it is intended to help Sodexo reward and retain its Group Chief Executive Offi  cer.

Following the publication of France’s new law on Business Growth and Transformation dated May 22, 2019 (known as the “Pacte Act”) 
and the government order dated July 3, 2019 on supplemental occupational pension plans transposing the pension portability directive, 
the Board of Directors, on the recommendation of the Compensation Committee, decided at its meeting on November 6, 2019 to:

•  close, with eff ect from December 31, 2019, the supplemental defi ned benefi t pension plan governed by article L. 137-11-1 of 

the French Social Security Code of which Denis Machuel is currently a benefi ciary;

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•  set up, with eff ect from January 1, 2020, a new supplemental defi ned benefi t pension plan governed by article L. 137-11-2 of the 
French Social Security Code of which Denis Machuel will be a benefi ciary, regardless of whether or not he is a corporate offi  cer 
of the Company at the time of his retirement.

According to the Board of Directors, this commitment to extend and replace the previous pension plan is intended to help Sodexo 
reward and retain its Group Chief Executive Offi  cer.

•  Terms and conditions:

In accordance with article L. 137-11-2 of the French Social Security Code, Denis Machuel’s entitlements under the new supplemental 
pension plan – expressed as a percentage of his compensation for the year concerned – will accrue subject to the achievement of 
conditions related to his professional performance.

Denis Machuel’s entitlements under the plan will correspond to 0.5% of his total fi xed and variable compensation for the fi rst fi ve 
years, then to 1% per year thereaft  er, up  to 10% of said compensation , to which will be added the pensions due to him by the 
compulsory plans.

Additionally, his entitlements will accrue subject to the same performance condition as that set for the previous supplemental pension 
plan, namely the achievement of at least 80% of the annual targets set by the Board of Directors for the Group Chief Executive 
Offi  cer’s variable compensation. 

Agreements and commitments already approved by the shareholders’ meeting

Agreements and commitments approved in previous years 

a) that were implemented during the year 

In accordance with article R. 225-30 of the French Commercial Code, we were informed of the following agreements and commitments, 
which were approved by the Shareholders’ Meeting in previous years and implemented during the year.

SERVICE AGREEMENT BETWEEN BELLON SA AND SODEXO

•  Persons concerned:

Sophie Bellon, Nathalie Bellon-Szabo, Astrid Bellon, François-Xavier Bellon, members of the Board of Directors of Sodexo and members 
of the Management Board of Bellon SA.

•  Purpose and reasons given as to why they are benefi cial for the Company: 

A service agreement has been in place between the Company and Bellon SA, Sodexo’s managing holding company, since 1991. 

At its meetings on November 15, 2016 and July 10, 2017, the Board of Directors, on the recommendation of the Audit Committee, 
approved the revision of this agreement, which was approved by the Shareholders’ Meeting of January 23, 2018.

The new agreement came into eff ect on November 17, 2016 for a period of fi ve years.

According to the Board of Directors, under the terms of this agreement, Sodexo can call upon the professional experience and expertise 
of the three Bellon SA managers holding the positions of Chief Financial Offi  cer, Chief Human Resources Offi  cer and Chief Strategy 
Offi  cer.

•  Terms and conditions: 

Under the terms of this agreement, Bellon SA invoices Sodexo for the compensation of the Chief Financial Offi  cer, Chief Human 
Resources Offi  cer and Chief Strategy Offi  cer during the secondment period. Their compensation is rebilled for the exact amount and 
includes a fi xed and variable portion, as well as any related payroll taxes.

The total fees rebilled under this agreement, and changes compared with the previous year, are reviewed by the Audit Committee 
annually. In addition, and in compliance with the law, the agreement is reviewed every year by the Board of Directors.

The annual rebilled fees payable to Bellon SA are approved each year by the Board of Directors of Sodexo, without directors who are 
members of the Bellon family taking part in the deliberations or the vote.

For the year ended August 31, 2019, the fees billed by Bellon SA under this agreement amounted to 3,162,500 million euro excluding 
taxes, relating to the compensation (including payroll taxes) paid to the Chief Financial Offi  cer, Chief Human Resources Offi  cer and 
Chief Strategy Offi  cer.

Supplemental health and benefit plans for Sophie Bellon, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors

•  Purpose and reasons given as to why they are benefi cial for the Company: 

Sophie Bellon is a member of the national social welfare plans governed by the French general social security regime, as required by 
article L. 311-3, 12° of the French Social Security Code, which states that the Chairs of the Boards of Directors of French joint stock 
corporations (sociétés anonymes) must be members of such plans.

At its meeting on November 17, 2015, on the recommendation of the Compensation Committee, the Board of Directors decided that, 
following the termination of her employment contract, in her capacity as Chairwoman of the Board of Directors, Sophie Bellon would 

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I N F O R M A T I O N   O N   T H E   I S S U E R

S t a t u t o r y   A u d i t o r s ’   R e p o r t

continue to be a member of the supplemental health and benefi t plans set up by Sodexo. Her membership of these plans will be subject 
to the same conditions as all of the Sodexo employees who are plan members. 

This commitment to Sophie Bellon was approved by the Shareholders’ Meeting of January 24, 2017. According to the Board of 
Directors, it is intended to help Sodexo retain its Chairwoman of the Board of Directors by allowing her to continue to be covered by 
supplemental health and benefi t plans.

•  Terms and conditions: 

Sophie Bellon is a member of the following plans under the same conditions as all of the Sodexo employees who are plan members:

•  an “incapacity, disability or death” benefi t plan, fi nanced in part by Sodexo, which, in the event of an employee’s death, provides 
for the payment of a death benefi t equal to 215% of their annual compensation, up to a maximum amount of eight (8) times 
the French Social Security Code’s annual ceiling, and which is increased for dependent children;

•  an additional “incapacity, disability or death” benefi t plan, fi nanced in full by Sodexo, which is reserved for employees whose 
annual gross compensation is greater than eight (8) times the French Social Security Code’s annual ceiling and which, in 
the event of an employee’s death, provides for the payment of a death benefi t equal to 200% of the portion of their annual 
compensation that is greater than eight (8) times the French Social Security Code’s annual ceiling;

•  a supplemental health insurance plan, which all Sodexo employees are entitled to, fi nanced in part by Sodexo.

Supplemental health and benefit plans for Denis Machuel, Group Chief Executive Officer

•  Purpose and reasons given as to why they are benefi cial for the Company: 

Denis Machuel is a member of the national social welfare plans governed by the French general social security regime, as required by 
article L. 311-3, 12° of the French Social Security Code, which states that the Chief Executive Offi  cers of French joint stock corporations 
must be a member of such plans.

At its meeting on January 23, 2018, on the recommendation of the Compensation Committee, the Board of Directors decided that, 
following the termination of his employment contract as a result of his appointment as Group Chief Executive Offi  cer, Denis Machuel 
would continue to be a member of the supplemental health and benefi t plans set up by Sodexo. His membership of these plans will be 
subject to the same conditions as all of the Sodexo employees who are plan members.

This commitment to Denis Machuel was approved by the Shareholders’ Meeting of January 22, 2019. According to the Board 
of Directors, it is intended to help Sodexo retain its Group Chief Executive Offi  cer by allowing him to continue to be covered by 
supplemental health and benefi t plans.

•  Terms and conditions: 

Denis Machuel is a member of the following plans under the same conditions as all of the Sodexo employees who are plan members:

•  an “incapacity, disability or death” benefi t plan, fi nanced in part by Sodexo, which, in the event of an employee’s death, provides 
for the payment of a death benefi t equal to 215% of their annual compensation, up to a maximum amount of eight (8) times 
the French Social Security Code’s annual ceiling, and which is increased for dependent children;

•  an additional “incapacity, disability or death” benefi t plan, fi nanced in full by Sodexo, which is reserved for employees whose 
annual gross compensation is greater than eight (8) times the French Social Security Code’s annual ceiling and which, in 
the event of an employee’s death, provides for the payment of a death benefi t equal to 200% of the portion of their annual 
compensation that is greater than eight (8) times the French Social Security Code’s annual ceiling;

•  a supplemental health insurance plan, which all Sodexo employees are entitled to, fi nanced in part by Sodexo.

Supplemental pension plan for Denis Machuel, Group Chief Executive Officer

•  Purpose and reasons given as to why they are benefi cial for the Company: 

Since he was appointed a member of the Sodexo Group’s Executive Committee in September 2014, Denis Machuel has been a 
benefi ciary of a defi ned benefi t pension plan governed by article 39 of the French General Tax Code and article L. 137-11-1 of the 
French Social Security Code, set up for the Group’s most senior executives who hold an employment contract with one of its French 
companies. 

Following his appointment as Group Chief Executive Officer, at its meeting on April 27, 2018, on the recommendation of the 
Compensation Committee, the Board of Directors decided to authorize Denis Machuel to continue to be a benefi ciary of this plan.

This commitment to Denis Machuel was approved by the Shareholders’ Meeting of January 22, 2019. According to the Board of 
Directors, it is intended to help Sodexo reward and retain its Group Chief Executive Offi  cer.

•  Terms and conditions:

Under this supplemental pension plan (subject to a minimum of fi ve (5) years presence in the plan), as a member of the plan for at 
least fi ft  een (15) years, the pension paid to Denis Machuel can represent up to 15% of the average of his last three (3) years’ fi xed 
compensation preceding his retirement, to which are added the pensions due to him under compulsory pension plans, provided that 
he is employed by, or is a corporate offi  cer of, the Company at the time of his retirement.  

The Chief Executive Officer ’s entitlements under this plan (1% per year up to a maximum of 15%) will accrue subject to the 
achievement of at least 80% of his annual variable compensation targets. If the achievement rate is reached, then an additional 
1% contribution to the defi ned benefi t plan will accrue for the year concerned. However, if the achievement rate is less than 80%, no 
defi ned benefi t contribution will accrue for that year.

4

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4

I N F O R M A T I O N   O N   T H E   I S S U E R

b ) That were not implemented during the year 

In addition, we were informed that the following agreements and commitments, which were approved by the Shareholders’ Meeting in 
previous years, were not implemented during the year.

NON-COMPETE AGREEMENT ENTERED INTO WITH DENIS MACHUEL, GROUP CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

•  Purpose and reasons given as to why they are benefi cial for the Company: 

On April 27, 2018, on the recommendation of the Compensation Committee, the Board of Directors approved in advance the conclusion 
of a non-compete agreement, the purpose of which is to restrict Denis Machuel’s freedom to carry out certain activities following the 
end of his term as Chief Executive Offi  cer of the Company. The activities concerned are (i) holding any position as a corporate offi  cer, 
employee or consultant, and (ii) carrying out any consulting work for certain of the Sodexo Group’s competitors, as set out in the 
agreement, either directly or through another legal entity. 

Because of his duties within the Group, Denis Machuel has knowledge of Sodexo’s business, strategy and customers in each of its 
activities, which, according to the Board of Directors, justifi es the need for a non-compete agreement.

This non-compete agreement entered into between the Company and Denis Machuel on August 30, 2018, and amended on November 
6, 2018, will apply for a period of twenty-four months (24) as from the date on which his duties as Chief Executive Offi  cer cease.

However, the Board of Directors may decide to waive the Company’s right to enforce this agreement when Denis Machuel leaves the 
Group.

This commitment to Denis Machuel was approved by the Shareholders’ Meeting of January 22, 2019.

•  Terms and conditions: 

As consideration for this agreement, Denis Machuel will receive an indemnity representing twenty four (24) months of the gross fi xed 
compensation that he received during the twelve (12) months preceding the entry into force of this agreement. This indemnity will not 
be paid if Denis Machuel retires, and in any event will not be paid once he reaches the age of sixty-fi ve (65).

If Denis Machuel fails to fulfi ll his obligations under this agreement, he will not receive the indemnity described above, and he will 
have to repay any amounts that he has already received. In addition, he will be liable to pay a fi xed penalty representing twelve (12) 
months of his most recent gross annual compensation.

Neuilly-sur-Seine and Paris-La Défense, November 19, 2019

The Statutory Auditors

PricewaterhouseCoopers Audit

Jean-Christophe Georghiou

KPMG Audit

Department of KPMG SA

Caroline Bruno-Diaz

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5

CORPORATE 
GOVERNANCE

5.1 

Shareholding structure  

5.2 

Board of Directors 

5.2.1  Composition and operating 

189

190

5.4 

Risk management 

5.4.1  Group Policies 

5.4.2  Description of the risk management 

approach 

5.4.3  Risk factors 

procedures of the Board of Directors 

190

5.2.2  Compliance with the AFEP-MEDEF Code  217

5.4.4  Group Internal Audit Department 

5.3 

Other information 

5.3.1  Other information concerning 

corporate offi  cers and senior 
management of the Company 

5.3.2  Related-party agreements and 

commitments 

5.3.3  Ethics and compliance 

5.3.4  Vigilance Plan 

5.3.5  Personal data protection 

218

218

219

220

221

224

5.5 

Compensation 

5.5.1  Compensation policy applicable to 

corporate offi  cers 

5.5.2 

Information on the components of 
compensation paid or awarded to 
corporate offi  cers 

5.5.3  Compensation of directors other than 

corporate offi  cers 

5.5.4  Compensation policy for members of 

the Executive Committee 

5.5.5  Description of the long-term incentive 

plan for managers 

226

226

230

231

238

240

240

246

251

253

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C O R P O R A T E   G O V E R N A N C E

5  

In accordance with article L.225-37 of the French Commercial Code, this chapter includes the Board of Directors’ Corporate Governance 
Report. It provides information on (i) the composition of the Board of Directors and the preparation and organization of the Board’s 
work and any restrictions placed by the Board on the Chief Executive Offi  cer’s powers, (ii) the components of corporate offi  cers’ 
compensation packages and compensation policy (disclosed in compliance with article L.225-37-2 of the French Commercial Code), 
(iii) transactions in Sodexo shares disclosed by corporate offi  cers during the fi scal year ended August 31, 2019, and (iv) Sodexo’s 
ownership structure.

Certain information that forms an integral part of the Corporate Governance Report is provided in other sections of this Universal 
Registration  Document.  Information  on  shareholder  participation  in  Annual  Shareholders  Meetings  is  set  out  in  chapter  6, 
section 6.4.12; the table of authorizations for share capital increases is in section 6.3.8; and information that could have an impact 
in the event of a public tender off er is provided in section 6.3.

In accordance with article L.225-235 of the French Commercial Code, the Board of Directors’ Corporate Governance Report has been 
submitted in full to the Company’s Statutory Auditors.

The Corporate Governance reference framework used by Sodexo is the AFEP-MEDEF corporate governance Code for listed companies 
in France (hereaft  er the “AFEP-MEDEF Code”). The Company’s application of the recommendations contained in this Code is presented 
in section 5.2.2 below.

Lastly, this chapter also describes the Group’s risk management and internal control procedures (section 5.4) as well as its corporate 
responsibility vigilance plan drawn up in compliance with the applicable French legislation on companies’ duty of vigilance in this 
domain (section 5.3.4).

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C O R P O R A T E   G O V E R N A N C E

S h a r e h o l d i n g   s t r u c t u r e

5.1  SHAREHOLDING STRUCTURE* 

M R .   A N D   M R S .   P I E R R E   B E L L O N
A N D   T H E I R   C H I L D R E N

O T H E R   M E M B E R S
O F   T H E   B E L L O N   F A M I L Y

72.6%

B E L L O N   S A
F A M I L Y   H O L D I N G   C O M P A N Y

7.8%

E M P L O Y E E S

1.1%

42.2%

P U B L I C

T R E A S U R Y   S H A R E S

S O D E X O

55.7%

1.0%

S O F I N S O D

19.6%

5

For further information about the Group’s shareholding structure, see chapter 6 of this Registration document.

*   Percentages have been rounded to the nearest tenth.

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5 B o a r d   o f   D i r e c t o r s

5.2  BOARD OF DIRECTORS

5.2.1  Composition and operating procedures of the Board 

of Directors

Sodexo is a French public limited company (société anonyme) 
governed by a Board of Directors. Since September 1, 2005, 
the  roles  of  Chairman  of  the  Board  of  Directors  and  Chief 
Executive Offi  cer have been separated. This governance structure 
creates a clear segregation between the strategic planning and 
oversight functions that are the responsibility of the Board of 
Directors, and the operational and executive functions that are 
the responsibility of senior management.

The rules and operating procedures of the Board of Directors are 
defi ned by law, the Company’s by-laws and the Internal Rules of 
the Board. In addition, three specialized Committees have been 
set up by the Board in order to enhance the Board’s eff ectiveness 
and the Company’s governance.

Directors  hold  office  for  a  term  of  three  years  and  may  be 
reappointed. Exceptionally, the Shareholders Meeting may, on the 
recommendation of the Board of Directors, appoint or reappoint 
one or several directors for a period of one or two years.

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B o a r d   o f   D i r e c t o r s

5.2.1.1  Composition as of August 31, 2019

NUMBER OF 
DIRECTOR/
OFFICER 
POSITIONS 
HELD IN 
OTHER 
LISTED 
COMPANIES

FIRST 
APPOINTMENT 
TO THE BOARD

TERM EXPIRES 
(AT THE ANNUAL 
SHAREHOLDERS 
MEETING CALLED 
TO APPROVE 
THE FINANCIAL 
STATEMENTS 
FOR THE YEAR 
INDICATED)

BOARD COMMITTEES 

SENIOR–
ITY
 (YEARS) 

NUMBER 
OF SODEXO 
SHARES 
HELD

INDEPENDENT 
DIRECTOR(1)

MEMBER OF 
THE AUDIT 
COMMITTEE

MEMBER 
OF THE 
NOMINATING 
COMMITTEE

MEMBER 
OF THE 
COMPENSA–
TION 
COMMITTEE

NAME

DATE OF BIRTH

NATION–
ALITY

e
h
t
f
o
n
a
m
o
w
r
i
a
h
C

s
r
o
t
c
e
r
i
D
f
o
d
r
a
o
B

s
r
o
t
c
e
r
i
d
t
n
e
d
n
e
p
e
d
n

I

r
o
t
c
e
r
i
D

r
o
t
c
e
r
i
D

g
n
i
t
n
e
s
e
r
p
e
r

s
e
e
y
o
p
m
e

l

Sophie Bellon

08/19/1961

1

07/26/1989

Fiscal 2020

30

7,964

Emmanuel 
Babeau

02/13/1967

2

01/26/2016

Fiscal 2021

3

400

X

Robert Baconnier 04/15/1940

02/08/2005

Fiscal 2019(2)

14

410

X(3)

Françoise 
Brougher

09/02/1965

1

01/23/2012

Fiscal 2020

Soumitra Dutta

08/27/1963

1

01/19/2015

Fiscal 2020

Sophie Stabile(4 )

03/19/1970

3

07/01/2018

Fiscal 2019

Cécile Tandeau 
de Marsac(4 )

04/17/1963

01/24/2017

Fiscal 2019

7

4

1

2

400

400

100

400

X

X

X

X

Astrid Bellon

04/16/1969

07/26/1989

Fiscal 2021

30

39,000

François-Xavier 
Bellon

09/10/1965

07/26/1989

Fiscal 2021

30

36,383

Nathalie 
Bellon-Szabo

01/26/1964

07/26/1989

Fiscal 2020

30 

1,147

Philippe Besson

09/21/1956

06/18/2014

Fiscal 2019(5 )

Cathy Martin

06/05/1972

09/10/2015

Fiscal 2020

5

4 

- 

N/A(6 )

- 

N/A(6 )

Chair

Chair

Chair

5

(1) Independent director based on the criteria set out in the AFEP-MEDEF Code.
(2) Robert Baconnier, who has been a director of Sodexo since February 8, 2005 and whose term of office expires at the close of the Annual Shareholders Meeting to be 

held on January 21, 2020, has stated that he does not wish to stand for reappointment as a director.

(3) For further information on the qualification of Robert Baconnier as an independent director, see the note on “Compliance with the AFEP-MEDEF Code” at section 5.2.2 

below.

(4 ) At the Annual Shareholders Meeting to be held on January 21, 2020, the Board of Directors will recommend that shareholders reappoint Sophie Stabile and Cécile 

Tandeau de Marsac as directors for a three-year term, expiring in 2023. 

(5 ) Philippe  Besson  was  originally  appointed  as  a  director  representing  employees  in  2014  by  the  most  representative  trade  union  in  the  Group’s  French  entities, 
as  defined  in  the  applicable  legislation.  He  was  reappointed  in  2017  by  that  same  trade  union,  and  his  current  term  of  office  expires  at  the  close  of  the  Annual 
Shareholders Meeting to be held on January 21, 2020.

(6 ) In accordance with French law and the AFEP-MEDEF Code, directors representing employees are not included in the calculation of the representation of men and 

women on the Board or the percentage of independent directors. 

Independent directors
(excluding directors representing 
employees)
60%

Average age 
of directors

56 

Female directors
(excluding directors representing 
employees)
60%

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5 B o a r d   o f   D i r e c t o r s

Changes in the composition of the Board of Directors and the specialized Board Committees in Fiscal 2019

DEPARTURE

APPOINTMENT

REAPPOINTMENT

Board of Directors

January 22, 2019:
Bernard Bellon

Audit Committee

Compensation Committee

Nominating Committee

January 22, 2019:
Robert Baconnier

April 9, 2019:
Emmanuel Babeau

April 9, 2019:
Sophie Stabile

January 22, 2019:
Emmanuel Babeau
Robert Baconnier (one-year 
term)
Astrid Bellon
François-Xavier Bellon

On April 9, 2019, Sophie Stabile was appointed Chairwoman of the Audit Committee, taking over from Emmanuel Babeau who 
previously chaired this Committee, and Cécile Tandeau de Marsac replaced Françoise Brougher as Chairwoman of the Nominating 
Committee.

5.2.1.2  Chairman Emeritus

PIERRE BELLON

Born January 24, 1930

Nationality: French

Graduate of the École des hautes études commerciales (HEC)

Business address:
Sodexo
255, quai de la Bataille de Stalingrad 
92130 Issy-les-Moulineaux (France)

Number of Sodexo shares held: 12,900

Main role: Chairman of the Supervisory Board, Bellon SA, and Chairman Emeritus, Sodexo S.A.

Background

Pierre Bellon joined Société d’Exploitations Hôtelières, Aériennes, Maritimes et Terrestres in 1958 as Assistant Manager. He later served as 
Managing Director and then Chairman and Chief Executive Offi  cer.

In 1966 he founded Sodexo S.A, where he served as Chairman and Chief Executive Offi  cer until August 31, 2005. Following the Board decision 
to separate the roles of Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Offi  cer, Pierre Bellon remained as Chairman of the Board of 
Directors until the Shareholders Meeting of January 26, 2016, when he was named Chairman Emeritus.

In 1988, Pierre Bellon was appointed Chairman and Chief Executive Offi  cer of Bellon SA before serving as Chairman of the Management Board 
from 1996 to 2002 and Chairman of the Supervisory Board since February 2002.

Pierre Bellon has also served as:

•  Vice President of CNPF (subsequently MEDEF), 1980-2005;
•  President of the French National Center for Young Business Leaders (formerly the Center for Young Employers), 1968-1970;
•  President of the French National Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Chains, 1972-1975;
•  Member of the French Economic and Social Council, 1969-1979.

Other positions and corporate offices held

Companies linked to Sodexo
•  Chairman of the Supervisory Board: Bellon SA

Companies not linked to Sodexo
•  Chairman of the Supervisory Board: Sobelnat SCA
•  Member of the Board of Directors: Association progrès 
du management (APM), created by Pierre Bellon in 1987

•  Chairman and Founder: Pierre Bellon Foundation

Other positions and corporate offices held within the past five years but no longer held

•  Chairman of the Board of Directors: Sodexo SA (France) (Term ended: January 2016)

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B o a r d   o f   D i r e c t o r s

5.2.1.3  Board members as of August 31, 2019

SOPHIE BELLON – CHAIRWOMAN OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Born August 19, 1961

Nationality: French

Graduate of the École des hautes études commerciales du Nord 
(EDHEC)

First appointed: July 26, 1989

Expiration of current term: at the Annual Shareholders Meeting 
held to approve the financial statements for Fiscal 2020

Business address:
Sodexo
255, quai de la Bataille de Stalingrad 
92130 Issy-les-Moulineaux (France)

Member of the Nominating Committee

Number of Sodexo shares held: 7,964 

Main role: Chairwoman of the Board of Directors, Sodexo

Background

Sophie Bellon began her career in 1985 with Crédit Lyonnais in the United States as a mergers and acquisitions advisor for the bank’s French 
clientele in New York.

She joined Sodexo in 1994 as a senior analyst in the Group Finance Department. In 2001, she was appointed Project Manager – Strategic 
Financial Planning within the Group Strategic Planning Department to develop and implement key performance indicators for the Group. In 
September 2005, she was named Group Vice President of Client Retention and was responsible for the worldwide deployment of the initiative 
on client retention.

In September 2008, she was appointed Chief Executive Offi  cer of Corporate Services for Sodexo France. In that capacity, she also took over 
responsibility for facilities management (FM) activities in France in September 2010.

In November 2013, Sophie Bellon was appointed Vice Chairwoman of the Sodexo Board of Directors (replacing Robert Baconnier), with specifi c 
responsibility for increasing the pace of Research, Development and Innovation, particularly in Quality of Life services.

On January 26, 2016, Sophie Bellon became Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of Sodexo S.A.

Other positions and corporate offices held

Companies linked to Sodexo

Companies not linked to Sodexo

FRENCH COMPANIES

FRENCH COMPANIES

•  Member of the Management Board: Bellon SA

•  Chairwoman: PB Holding SAS
•  Member of the Board of Directors: L’Oréal*, Chairwoman of the 
Human Resources and Remuneration Committee, Chairwoman 
of the Nominations and Governance Committee, Member of 
the Audit Committee

•  Member of the Board of Directors: Association nationale 

des sociétés par actions (ANSA); Association française des 
entreprises privées (AFEP); Association Comité France Chine

5

FOREIGN COMPANIES

None.

FOREIGN COMPANIES

None.

Other positions and corporate offices held within the past five years but no longer held

•  Vice Chairwoman of the Board of Directors: Sodexo S.A. (Term ended: January 2016)
•  Chairwoman of the Management Board: Bellon SA (France) (Term ended: September 2015)
•  Founding member: Pierre Bellon Foundation  (Term ended: September 2018)
•  Co-Chair: Sodexo Women’s international Forum for Talent (SWIFT) (Term ended: June 2018)

*  Listed company.

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EMMANUEL BABEAU

Born February 13, 1967

Nationality: French

Graduate of the École supérieure de commerce de Paris (ESCP 
Europe); degree in accounting and finance (DESCF)

First appointed: January 26, 2016

Expiration of current term: at the Annual Shareholders Meeting 
held to approve the financial statements for Fiscal 2021

Member of the Audit Committee

Number of Sodexo shares held: 400

Business address:
Sodexo
255, quai de la Bataille de Stalingrad 
92130 Issy-les-Moulineaux (France)

Main role: Deputy Chief Executive Offi  cer, Schneider Electric SE

Background

Emmanuel Babeau is Deputy Chief Executive Offi  cer in charge of Finance and Legal Aff airs at Schneider Electric SE.

He began his career at Arthur Andersen in late 1990. In 1993, he joined the Pernod Ricard Group as Internal Auditor and was appointed Head 
of Internal Audit, Corporate Treasury and Consolidation in 1996. He subsequently held several executive positions at Pernod Ricard, notably 
outside France, before becoming Vice President, Development in 2001. In June 2003, he was appointed Chief Financial Offi  cer and in 2006 he 
was named Group Deputy Managing Director of Finance.

He joined Schneider Electric in 2009 as Executive Vice President, Finance and a member of the Management Board. In 2013 he became Deputy 
Chief Executive Offi  cer in charge of Finance and Legal Aff airs and he was re-appointed in this role on April 25, 2017.

Other positions and corporate offices held

Companies linked to Sodexo

Companies not linked to Sodexo

FRENCH COMPANIES

None.

FOREIGN COMPANIES

None.

FRENCH COMPANIES

•  Deputy Chief Executive Officer: Schneider Electric SE*
•  Member of the Board of Directors: Sanofi *; Schneider 

Electric Industries SAS**

•  Member of the Supervisory Board: Aster Capital 
Partners SAS**; Schneider Electric Energy Access** 
representing Schneider Electric Industries SAS

•  Managing partner: SCI GETIJ

FOREIGN COMPANIES

•  Vice Chairman: Aveva Group plc* ** (UK)
•  Member of the Board of Directors: Schneider Electric USA 
Inc.** (USA); Schneider Electric (China) Co., Ltd.** (China); 
Samos Acquisition Company Ltd.** (UK); Schneider Electric 
Holdings Inc.** (USA); Carros Sensors Topco (formerly 
InnoVista Sensors Topco Ltd)** (UK); Aveva Group plc*  ** 
(UK); AO Schneider Electric (Russia)

Other positions and corporate offices held within the past five years but no longer held

•  Chairman of the Managing Board: Schneider Electric Services International Sprl** (Belgium) (Term ended: July 2014)
•  Member of the Board of Directors: Invensys Ltd.** (UK) (Term ended: July 2018)
•  Member of the Supervisory Board: InnoVista Sensors SAS** (France) (Term ended: January 2018)
•  Member of the Steering Committee: Aster Capital 

*  Listed company.

**  Schneider Electric Group company.

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B o a r d   o f   D i r e c t o r s

Address:
Sodexo
255, quai de la Bataille de Stalingrad 
92130 Issy-les-Moulineaux (France)

ROBERT BACONNIER

Born April 15, 1940

Nationality: French

Degree in Literature, graduate of the Institut d’études 
politiques de Paris and of the École nationale d’administration

First appointed: February 8, 2005

Expiration of current term: at the Annual Shareholders Meeting 
held to approve the financial statements for Fiscal 2019

Number of Sodexo shares held: 410

Main role: Director

Background

Robert Baconnier began his career in 1967 as a civil servant at the French Ministry of Economy and Finance and was assigned to the Internal Revenue 
Service (Direction générale des impôts). From 1977 to 1979, he was Technical Advisor to the offi  ce of the Minister of Economy and Finance, then 
Deputy Director in the offi  ce of the Minister for the Budget. From 1979 to 1983, he was Deputy Director in charge of the International Division of 
the Tax Legislation Department. In 1983, he was appointed head of the Litigation Department of the French Internal Revenue Service. In 1986, he 
became head of the French Internal Revenue Service. From 1990 to 1991, he was Paymaster General at the French Treasury.

In 1991, he joined the law fi rm Bureau Francis Lefebvre, where he served as Chairman of the Management Board until 2004.

He then held offi  ce as Chairman and Chief Executive Offi  cer of Association nationale des sociétés par actions (ANSA) until January 2012, when 
he was named Chairman Emeritus. From 2010 to November 2013, he was Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sodexo.

Other positions and corporate offices held

Companies linked to Sodexo

Companies not linked to Sodexo

FRENCH COMPANIES

None.

FOREIGN COMPANIES

None.

FRENCH COMPANIES

None.

FOREIGN COMPANIES

None.

Other positions and corporate offices held within the past five years but no longer held

None.

ASTRID BELLON

Born April 16, 1969

Nationality: French

Graduate of the École supérieure libre des sciences 
commerciales appliquées (ESLSCA)

Master of Arts in Cinema Studies, New York

First appointed: July 26, 1989

Expiration of current term: at the Annual Shareholders Meeting 
held to approve the financial statements for Fiscal 2021

Number of Sodexo shares held: 39,000

Main role: Member of the Orientation Committee of the Pierre Bellon Foundation

Background

Astrid Bellon is a member of the Management Board of Bellon SA.

Other positions and corporate offices held

Business address:
Sodexo
255, quai de la Bataille de Stalingrad 
92130 Issy-les-Moulineaux (France)

5

Companies linked to Sodexo

Companies not linked to Sodexo

FRENCH COMPANIES

FRENCH COMPANIES

•  Member of the Management Board: Bellon SA

•  Member of the Orientation Committee: Pierre Bellon 

Foundation

•  Chairwoman: Sofrane SAS
•  Legal Manager: Sobelnat SCA (permanent representative 

of Sofrane SAS); SCI Lodestar

FOREIGN COMPANIES

None.

FOREIGN COMPANIES

None.

Other positions and corporate offices held within the past five years but no longer held

None.

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FRANÇOIS-XAVIER BELLON

Born September 10, 1965

Nationality: French

Graduate of the European Business School

First appointed: July 26, 1989

Expiration of current term: at the Annual Shareholders Meeting 
held to approve the financial statements for Fiscal 2021

Member of the Audit Committee

Number of Sodexo shares held: 36,383

Business address:
Sodexo
255, quai de la Bataille de Stalingrad 
92130 Issy-les-Moulineaux (France)

Main role: Chief Executive Offi  cer of LifeCarers Ltd

Background

François-Xavier Bellon joined the Adecco Group in 1990 as agency head in Orsay-les-Ulis (France). In 1992 he was appointed agency head in 
Barcelona, before becoming Catalonia Regional Director.

In 1995, François-Xavier Bellon joined the Sodexo Group as Head of Sector and became Healthcare Head of Development in France. In 1999, 
he was appointed Regional Director in Mexico, and subsequently held the role of Chief Executive Offi  cer of the Mexican subsidiary until 2004.

In January 2004, he was appointed Chief Executive Offi  cer of Sodexo UK and Ireland but later left  the Group due to health problems.

From 2004 to 2006, he rejoined the Adecco Group and was Sales and Marketing Director of the Global Temporary Work Division of the Adecco 
Group, based in Zurich and London.

In 2007, François-Xavier Bellon founded LifeCarers, a company based in the United Kingdom that provides home care services to dependent 
people (people living in social isolation, people in recovery or people living with dementia), of which he is also the Chief Executive Offi  cer..

Other positions and corporate offices held

Companies linked to Sodexo

Companies not linked to Sodexo

FRENCH COMPANIES

FRENCH COMPANIES

•  Chairman of the Management Board: Bellon SA

•  Chief Executive Officer: PB Holding SAS

FOREIGN COMPANIES

None.

FOREIGN COMPANIES

•  Chief Executive Officer: LifeCarers Ltd. (UK)
•  Member of the Board of Directors: LifeCarers Ltd. (UK)

Other positions and corporate offices held within the past five years but no longer held

•  Advisor: Dr Clic Sociedad Limitada (Spain) (Term ended: June 2013); French Foreign Trade Commission (Term ended: 

December 2018)

•  Chief Executive Officer: Bright Yellow Group** (UK) (Term ended: April 2016)
•  Member of the Board of Directors: Bright Yellow Group** (UK) (Term ended: April 2016); Bright Yellow Solutions Ltd.** (UK) 

(Term ended: April 2016); Footprint Ltd (Term ended: April 2016); U1st Sports SA (Spain) (Term ended: January 2019); House of 
HR (Belgium) (Term ended: January 2019)

**  LifeCarers Ltd Group company.

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B o a r d   o f   D i r e c t o r s

NATHALIE BELLON-SZABO

Born January 26, 1964

Nationality: French

Graduate of the European Business School

First appointed: July 26, 1989

Expiration of current term: at the Annual Shareholders Meeting 
held to approve the financial statements for Fiscal 2020

Member of the Nominating Committee

Number of Sodexo shares held: 1,147

Business address:
Sodexo
255, quai de la Bataille de Stalingrad 
92130 Issy-les-Moulineaux (France)

Main role: Chief Executive Offi  cer, Sodexo Sports and Leisure

Background

Nathalie Bellon-Szabo began her career in the foodservices industry in 1987. From 1989, she was an account manager for Scott Traiteur, and 
then Sales Manager of Le Pavillon Royal.

She joined Sodexo in March 1996 as Sales Director for Sodexo Prestige in France, becoming a Regional Manager in 1999. In September 2003, 
she was appointed Managing Director of Sodexo Prestige, and Managing Director of L’Affi  che in January 2006. She was named Chairwoman of 
the Management Board of the Lido in 2009. She became Chief Executive Offi  cer of Sodexo Prestige Sports and Leisure in France on September 1, 
2010 and Chairwoman of the Management Board of Lenôtre in 2012.

On September 1, 2015, Nathalie Bellon-Szabo was appointed Chief Executive Offi  cer Sports and Leisure France, On-site Services and Chief 
Operating Offi  cer Sports and Leisure Worldwide, On-site Services. On June 19, 2018, she was appointed Chief Executive Offi  cer Sports and 
Leisure Worldwide and joined the Group Executive Committee.

Other positions and corporate offices held

Companies linked to Sodexo

Companies not linked to Sodexo

FRENCH COMPANIES

•  Member of the Management Board: Bellon SA
•  Chairwoman: Compagnie d’armateur fl uvial 
et maritime SAS; Gedex SAS; Umanis SAS

•  Chairwoman of the Management Board: Société du Lido 

FRENCH COMPANIES

None.

(SEGSMHI); Lenôtre SA

FOREIGN COMPANIES

None.

FOREIGN COMPANIES

None.

Other positions and corporate offices held within the past five years but no longer held

•  Chairwoman: Yachts de Paris SAS (France) (Term ended: November 2018); Société d’exploitation des vedettes Paris Tour 
Eiff el SAS (France) (Term ended: November 2018); Sodexo Sports et Loisirs SAS (France) (Term ended: November 2018)

5

•  Chairwoman of the Board of Directors: Millenia SA (France) (Term ended: December 2018)
•  Member of the Board of Directors: Altima SA (France) (Term ended: December 2018)

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PHILIPPE BESSON - DIRECTOR REPRESENTATING EMPLOYEES

Born September 21, 1956

Nationality: French

First appointed: June 18, 2014

Expiration of current term: at the Annual Shareholders Meeting 
held to approve the financial statements for Fiscal 2019

Member of the Compensation Committee

Number of Sodexo shares held: N/A

Business address:
Sodexo
255, quai de la Bataille de Stalingrad 
92130 Issy-les-Moulineaux (France)

Main role: Head of Projects for Sponsorship at Sodexo

Background

Philippe Besson joined the Sodexo Healthcare Division in 1981, as foodservices manager for the Paris Île de France region. He took part in 
the World Youth Days in Paris, Rome and Cologne, was responsible for the Tour de France departure villages for Sodexo and managed athlete 
foodservices for the Pacifi c Games.

He has been Head of Projects for Sponsorship since 2014.

Other positions and corporate offices held

Companies linked to Sodexo

Companies not linked to Sodexo

FRENCH COMPANIES

None.

FOREIGN COMPANIES

None.

FRENCH COMPANIES

None.

FOREIGN COMPANIES

None.

Other positions and corporate offices held within the past five years but no longer held

None.

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B o a r d   o f   D i r e c t o r s

FRANÇOISE BROUGHER

Born September 2, 1965

Nationality: dual French and American

Graduate of ICAM-Lille (Institut catholique d’arts et métiers) 
(France) and Harvard University (United States)

First appointed: January 23, 2012

Expiration of current term: at the Annual Shareholders Meeting 
held to approve the financial statements for Fiscal 2020

Member of the Nominating Committee
Member of the Compensation Committee

Number of Sodexo shares held: 400

Business address:
Sodexo
255, quai de la Bataille de Stalingrad 
92130 Issy-les-Moulineaux (France)

Main role: Chief Operating Offi  cer, Pinterest

Background

Françoise Brougher began her career in 1989 in a production unit of L’Oréal in Japan.
Aft er receiving her MBA in 1994, she joined the strategy consulting fi rm Booz Allen & Hamilton, dividing her time between Europe and the 
United States.
In 1998, she joined the San Francisco-based Ocean Gem Pearl Corporation, an importer of black Tahitian pearls, as Chief Executive Offi  cer.
From 2000 to 2005, she was Vice President of Strategy at California-based brokerage fi rm Charles Schwab Corporation.
In March 2005, she joined Google, where she managed the Business Operations Group for four years, becoming Vice President, Global SMB 
Sales & Operations in 2009.
In April 2013, she joined San Francisco-based Square as Business Lead.
She has been Chief Operating Offi  cer at Pinterest since February 2018.

Other positions and corporate offices held

Companies linked to Sodexo

Companies not linked to Sodexo

FRENCH COMPANIES

None.

FOREIGN COMPANIES

None.

FRENCH COMPANIES

None.

FOREIGN COMPANIES

•  Executive Officer: Pinterest* (USA)
•  Member of the Board of Directors: Blackbird Air (USA)

Other positions and corporate offices held within the past five years but no longer held

•  Business Lead: Square* (USA) (Term ended: May 2017)

5

*  Listed company.

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SOUMITRA DUTTA

Born August 27, 1963

Nationality: Indian

Doctorate in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, 
University of California, Berkeley, USA

First appointed: January 19, 2015

Expiration of current term: at the Annual Shareholders Meeting 
held to approve the financial statements for Fiscal 2020

Member of the Audit Committee.

Number of Sodexo shares held: 400

Business address:
Sodexo
255, quai de la Bataille de Stalingrad 
92130 Issy-les-Moulineaux (France)

Main role: Dean and professor of Management, Cornell University

Background

Soumitra Dutta began his career in 1985 as a research assistant at University of California, Berkeley, USA.

Between 1988 and 1990, he gained further research experience at General Electric. He then joined Insead, the international management 
school based in Fontainebleau (France), where he served as lecturer then dean of technology and e-learning.

In 1999, he set up eLab@Insead, the school’s research and analytics center focused on big data analytics for businesses, which he headed 
until 2012. In 2002, he was named dean of Executive Education at Insead. During his tenure at Insead, Soumitra Dutta also participated in 
setting up and managing three strategy consultancies specialized in new technologies and innovation, which he developed before selling them.

Since 2012, he has been dean and professor of Management at Cornell SC Johnson College of Business at Cornell University, Ithaca, New York.

Other positions and corporate offices held

Companies linked to Sodexo

Companies not linked to Sodexo

FRENCH COMPANIES

None.

FOREIGN COMPANIES

None.

FRENCH COMPANIES

•  Member of the Board of Directors: Dassault Systèmes*

FOREIGN COMPANIES

•  Chairman of the Board of Directors: The Global Business 

School Network (GBSN) (USA)

Other positions and corporate offices held within the past five years but no longer held

•  Member of the Board of Directors: The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) (USA) (Term ended: 

February 2018)

*  Listed company.

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B o a r d   o f   D i r e c t o r s

CATHY MARTIN – DIRECTOR REPRESENTING EMPLOYEES

Born June 5, 1972

Nationality: Canadian

First appointed: September 10, 2015

Expiration of current term: at the Annual Shareholders Meeting 
held to approve the financial statements for Fiscal 2020

Business address:
Sodexo
255, quai de la Bataille de Stalingrad 
92130 Issy-les-Moulineaux (France)

Member of the Audit Committee

Number of Sodexo shares held: N/A

Main role: Regional Manager, On-site Services, Education segment (Sodexo Canada)

Background

Aft er completing her studies in nutrition, Cathy Martin began her career in the foodservices industry in 1998.

In January 2000, she joined Sodexo as an on-site foodservices manager. Over the past 15 years, she has held various operating and project 
management positions. In December 2014, she was named Regional Manager, On-site Services in the Education segment in Quebec, Canada.

Other positions and corporate offices held

Companies linked to Sodexo

Companies not linked to Sodexo

FRENCH COMPANIES

None.

FOREIGN COMPANIES

None.

FRENCH COMPANIES

None.

FOREIGN COMPANIES

None.

Other positions and corporate offices held within the past five years but no longer held

None.

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SOPHIE STABILE

Born March 19, 1970

Nationality: French

Graduate of the École supérieure de gestion et finances (ESGF) 
de Paris.

First appointed: July 1, 2018

Expiration of current term: at the Annual Shareholders Meeting 
held to approve the financial statements for Fiscal 2019 (Renewal 
proposed)

Chairwoman of the Audit Committee
Member of the Compensation Committee

Number of Sodexo shares held: 100

Business address:
Sodexo
255, quai de la Bataille de Stalingrad 
92130 Issy-les-Moulineaux (France)

Main role: Founder and Managing Partner of Révérence

Background

Sophie Stabile began her career as a fi nancial auditor before joining the Accor group in 1999. In 2006, she was appointed Group Controller-
General, in charge of the consolidation process, the International Finance Departments and the Financial Control and Internal Audit Departments 
as well as the Accor holding company and the group’s fi nance back offi  ces. In 2010 she became Chief Financial Offi  cer.

From 2015 to 2017 she served as Chief Executive Offi  cer, HotelServices France and Switzerland, for AccorHotels.

In February 2018, she founded Révérence – a consulting, investment and private equity fi rm – of which she has been Managing Partner since 
that date.

Other positions and corporate offices held

Companies linked to Sodexo

Companies not linked to Sodexo

FRENCH COMPANIES

None.

FOREIGN COMPANIES

None.

FRENCH COMPANIES

•  Member of the Supervisory Board: Unibail-

Rodamco Westfi eld*

•  Member of the Board of Directors: Ingenico*, SPIE*; 

Bpifrance Participations SA; Bpifrance Investissement SAS

•  Managing Partner: Révérence

FOREIGN COMPANIES

None.

Other positions and corporate offices held within the past five years but no longer held

•  Chairwoman of the Supervisory Board: Orbis (Poland) (Term ended: 2016)
•  Chief Executive Officer: HotelServices France and Switzerland, AccorHotels (France) (Term ended: 2017)
•  Member of the Supervisory Board: Altamir* (France) (Term ended: March 2019)

*  Listed company.

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Business address:
Sodexo
255, quai de la Bataille de Stalingrad 
92130 Issy-les-Moulineaux (France)

CÉCILE TANDEAU DE MARSAC

Born April 17, 1963

Nationality: French

Graduate of the École supérieure de commerce de Rouen

First appointed: January 24, 2017

Expiration of current term: at the Annual Shareholders Meeting 
held to approve the financial statements for Fiscal 2019 (Renewal 
proposed)

Chairwoman of the Compensation Committee
Chairwoman of the Nominating Committee

Number of Sodexo shares held: 400

Main role: Director

Background

Cécile Tandeau de Marsac began her career with Nestlé in 1987, holding various positions in Marketing and Communications before joining 
the Human Resources Department in 2002, where she was in charge of career development in France. In 2005, she became Human Resources 
Director for certain businesses and corporate functions at Nestlé France.

In 2007, she joined Rhodia as HR Director of a business unit in France, responsible for talent development for the Group. She subsequently took 
part in two major projects, the transformation of Rhodia’s organizational structure and the subsequent integration of Rhodia’s teams following 
its acquisition by Solvay.

From September 2012 to June 2019 she served as Chief Human Resources Offi  cer, Solvay Group.

Other positions and corporate offices held

Companies linked to Sodexo

Companies not linked to Sodexo

FRENCH COMPANIES

None.

FOREIGN COMPANIES

None.

FRENCH COMPANIES

None.

FOREIGN COMPANIES

None.

Other positions and corporate offices held within the past five years but no longer held

•  Chief Human Resources Officer, Solvay Group (Term ended: June 2019).

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5 B o a r d   o f   D i r e c t o r s

5.2.1.4  Directo rs proposed for appointment at the January 21, 2020 Annual 

Shareholders Meeting

VÉRONIQUE LAURY

Born June 29, 1965

Nationality: French

Graduate of the Institut d’études politiques (IEP) of Paris

Business address:
Sodexo
255, quai de la Bataille de Stalingrad 
92130 Issy-les-Moulineaux (France)

Number of Sodexo shares held: 0

Main role: Director

Background

Aft er graduating from Sciences Po in 1988, Véronique Laury joined Leroy Merlin and took over various functions in the marketing and sales 
fi eld for about 15 years.

In 2003, she joined Kingfi sher, the European giant do-it-yourself company and Parent company of B&Q, Brico Dépôt, Castorama and Screwfi x. 
She was in charge of the Sales and Marketing Department of Castorama (France) and later of B&Q (UK) before being named Head of the Group 
sales and marketing strategy, taking over the responsibility of Group purchasing and brand development.

In 2013, Véronique Laury became Chief Executive Offi  cer of Castorama France.

From September 2014 to September 2019, she was Chief Executive Offi  cer of Kingfi sher, which is listed in the FTSE 100 (UK).

Other positions and corporate offices held

Companies linked to Sodexo

Companies not linked to Sodexo

FRENCH COMPANIES

None.

FOREIGN COMPANIES

None.

FRENCH COMPANIES

None.

FOREIGN COMPANIES

None.

Other positions and corporate offices held within the past five years but no longer held

•  Chief Executive Officer: Kingfi sher plc.*

*  Listed company.

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B o a r d   o f   D i r e c t o r s

LUC MESSIER

Born April 21, 1964

Nationality: dual Canadian and American

Graduate  of the University of Sherbrooke (civil engineering) 
and of UC Davis (Viticulture and Enology)

Business address:
Reus Technologies LLC
1999 Bryan Street
Dallas, TX 75201 (USA)

Number of Sodexo shares held: 0

Main role: President of Reus Technologies LLC (USA)

Background

Luc Messier began his career in engineering and project management at Pomerleau. He joined the Bouygues group in 1993 as an engineer, 
project manager in Hong-Kong and in South Africa and was later appointed Chief Executive Offi  cer of the Bouygues subsidiary handling 
 construction work  in Hong Kong.

In 2003, he joined Technip as Chief Operating Offi  cer and was then named President and Chief Executive Offi  cer of Technip Off shore Inc. before 
being appointed President and Chief Executive Offi  cer of Technip USA.

Between 2007 and 2015, he served as Senior Vice President for ConocoPhillips, where he was responsible for projects, aviation and procurement.

Since 2015, he has been President of Reus Technologies LLC.

Other positions and corporate offices held

Companies linked to Sodexo

Companies not linked to Sodexo

FRENCH COMPANIES

None.

FOREIGN COMPANIES

None.

FRENCH COMPANIES

None.

FOREIGN COMPANIES

•  Member of the Board of Directors: Bird Construction Inc.* 

(Canada)  

•  Member of the Board of Directors: Ocean Installer 

(Norway)

Other positions and corporate offices held within the past five years but no longer held

•  Member of the Board of Directors: Mercury (USA)
•  Member of the Board of Directors: Da Camera (USA)
•  Member of the Board of Directors: Australia Pacifi c LNG (Australia)
•  Member of the Board of Directors: Junior Achievement (USA)

5

*  Listed company.

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5.2.1.5  Departure of two directors at 

the close of the January 21, 
2020 Annual Shareholders 
Meeting

Robert Baconnier will step down from the Board of Directors at 
the close of the Annual Shareholders Meeting on January 21, 
2020. As a widely recognized fi nancial expert, Robert Baconnier 
has made a signifi cant contribution to the discussions of the 
Board and the Audit Committee, notably in relation to fi nance, 
mergers and acquisitions, tax, risk analysis and internal control. 
Robert Baconnier served with great dedication and conviction as 
Chairman of the Audit Committee, a role that was strengthened 
by  his  in-depth  knowledge  of  the  Group  and  his  financial 
expertise. The Board of Directors has benefi ted greatly from the 
objectivity he has always shown during the Board’s debates and 
discussions, as well as his ability to convey his opinions and 
beliefs and make balanced judgments in all circumstances. The 

Chairwoman of the Board and all the other members commend 
Robert Baconnier for  his individual input to the Board’s work .

Astrid Bellon will also leave the Board of Directors at the close of 
the January 21, 2020 Annual Shareholders Meeting in order to 
fully devote herself to her role on the Orientation Committee of 
the Pierre Bellon Foundation as well as to her personal projects. 
The Chairwoman of the Board and all the other members thank 
Astrid Bellon for her contribution to the Board of Directors, 
of which she has been a member since 1989.

5.2.1.6  Principles governing 

the composition of the Board 
of Directors

The  Board  of  Directors  regularly  assesses  whether  the 
composition of the Board and of its specialized Committees is 
well balanced, particularly in terms of diversity (gender mix, 
nationality, age, competencies, etc.).

Diversity policy of the Board of Directors

CRITERIA

OBJECTIVES

IMPLEMENTATION AND RESULTS ACHIEVED IN FISCAL 2019

Director 
independence*

Have at least one third of the Board’s 
members considered independent in 
accordance with the recommendations 
for controlled companies in the AFEP-
MEDEF Code.

Gender balance*

Maintain an optimal gender mix on the 
Board of Directors.

46%

42%

38%

INDEPENDENT
60%

NON-INDEPENDENT
40%

60%

54%

2 0 1 5

2 0 1 6

2 0 1 7

2 0 1 8

2 0 1 9

As of August 31, 2019 the Board of Directors had 12 members (including two directors representing employees), 
comprising seven women (including one female director representing employees) and five men (including one 
male director representing employees). This 60%/40% ratio of women to men gives the Board a good gender 
balance and complies with the legal requirements in France, which require that the proportion of women and men 
on corporate b oards be at least 40% for each gender.

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CRITERIA

OBJECTIVES

IMPLEMENTATION AND RESULTS ACHIEVED IN FISCAL 2019

C O R P O R A T E   G O V E R N A N C E

B o a r d   o f   D i r e c t o r s

Directors’ ages

No more than one third of the directors 
to be over 70 years old, in accordance 
with the applicable legal requirements.

OVER 70 YEARS OLD
8%

UNDER 70 YEARS OLD
92%

Director nationality

The Board includes members from France, the United States, Canada and India.

Directors 
representing 
employees

Appointment of directors representing 
employees.

Since 2015, the Company has had two directors representing 
employees.
Philippe Besson is on the Compensation Committee and Cathy Martin 
is on the Audit Committee.

* 

In accordance with French law and the AFEP-MEDEF Code, directors representing employees are not included in the calculation of the representation of men and 
women on the Board or the percentage of independent directors.

COMPETENCIES MATRIX

The image below shows the number of directors who have the competencies considered important for the Board:

EXECUTIVE 
MANAGEMENT 
OF INTERNATIONAL 
COMPANIES

8

FINANCE

8

TO TAL

SUSTAINABLE 
DEVELOPMENT, 
SOCIETAL 
COMMITMENT 
AND HUMAN 
RESOURCES

DIGITAL - 
 NEW 
TECHNOLOGIES

MARKETING 
AND SALES 

STRATEGY – 
MERGERS AND 
ACQUISITIONS 

KNOWLEDGE 
OF THE SERVICE 
SECTOR

6

4

6

7

6

5

   Executive management of international 

   Digital –  New Technologies

companies

Experience as a Chief Executive Offi  cer, Executive 
Committee member or other executive management 
position in a large international company or a group 
with a global operating presence.

  Finance

Extensive experience in business fi nance 
and fi nancial reporting processes, risk management, 
accounting, cash management, tax, mergers 
and acquisitions, and the fi nancial markets.

   Sustainable development, Societal 

Commitment and Human Resources

Experience in managing Environmental, Social 
and Governance (ESG) issues, as well as human 
resources management.

Expertise or recent experience in developing 
and implementing digital strategies; experience in 
companies with a strong digital focus.

   Marketing and Sales

Experience in marketing, sales, distribution, 
and BtoC brand management.

   Strategy – Mergers and Acquisitions

Experience in defi ning strategies and managing 
strategic issues; experience in external growth 
transactions.

   Knowledge of the service sector

Experience in the services industry, knowledge 
of the Group’s business areas and competitive 
environment.

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Competencies

The Board of Directors takes particular care in the selection of 
its members. Directors are chosen for their ability to act in the 
interests of all shareholders and for their expertise, experience 
and understanding of the strategic challenges in markets where 
the Group operates. The composition of the Board of Directors 
is intended to adhere closely to the principles of diversity and to 
refl ect the geographic mix of the business (insofar as possible), 
to provide a range of technical skills, and to include individuals 
with in-depth knowledge of Sodexo’s activities.

In a continuous process of Board renewal, the Board will propose 
at the January 21, 2020 Annual Shareholders Meeting two new 
candidates , Véronique Laury and Luc Messier, for appointment as 
directors of the Company.

INDEPENDENCE 

Véronique Laury was Chief Executive Officer of the Kingfisher 
Group,  based  in  London,  from  2014  to  September  2019. 
Kingfisher, which is a FTSE100 listed company, is the p arent 
company of the do-it-yourself retail chains Bricorama and B&Q. 
Véronique Laury will bring to the Board her solid expertise in 
consumer culture and sales and marketing.

Luc Messier, who has dual Canadian/American nationality, will 
bring to the Group his international operational experience, 
gained notably in the energy industry, where he held executive 
positions in several large French and American multinationals. 
He has lived and worked in Canada, Asia, Africa, Europe, and 
more recently, the United States where he currently resides.

ANALYSIS BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF EACH DIRECTOR’S STATUS BASED ON THE INDEPENDENCE CRITERIA DEFINED 
IN ARTICLE 8 OF THE AFEP-MEDEF CODE

AFEP-MEDEF CODE INDEPENDENCE CRITERION

EMPLOYEE/
CORPORATE 
OFFICER IN THE 
PAST 5 YEARS

CROSS-
DIRECTORSHIPS

SIGNIFICANT 
BUSINESS 
RELATIONSHIPS

CLOSE FAMILY 
TIES

AUDITOR IN THE 
PAST 5 YEARS

PERIOD 
OF OFFICE 
EXCEEDING 
12 YEARS

STATUS OF 
NON-EXECUTIVE 
CORPORATE 
OFFICER

STATUS 
OF MAJOR 
SHAREHOLDER

Sophie Bellon

Emmanuel Babeau

Robert Baconnier

Astrid Bellon

François-Xavier Bellon

Nathalie Bellon-Szabo

Françoise Brougher

Soumitra Dutta

Sophie Stabile

Cécile Tandeau de 
Marsac

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

In this table, ✓ indicates an independence criterion that is met.

Business relationships

During Fiscal 2019, six(1) Board members were deemed independent 
directors (see also section 5.2.2 below). No independent director, 
the group or entity of which he or she is a member and in which he 
or she exercises executive powers, has any signifi cant business ties 
with the Company, its group or its management.

When examining the independent status of its directors, the 
Board of Directors pays particular attention to any business 
relations existing between the Sodexo Group and the entity 
or group of which each independent director is a member or 
director.

 Cécile Tandeau de Marsac served as Chief Human Resources 
Officer  of  Solvay  until  June  2019  and  Emmanuel  Babeau  is 
Deputy Chief Executive Offi  cer of Schneider Electric and a director 
of Sanofi . The Board carried out a quantitative and qualitative 
analysis of their situations and the business relationships that 
the  Solvay,  Schneider  Electric  and  Sanofi  groups  have  with 
Sodexo. In this analysis, the Board of Directors determined that 
agreements are negotiated between the parties at arm’s length. 
The  Board  also  determined  that  the  business  flows  between 
these groups (all activities combined and at the global level) are 

1  In accordance with the AFEP-MEDEF Code, directors representing employees are not included in the calculation of the percentage of independent directors on 

the Board.

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signifi cantly lower than the 1% materiality threshold retained 
by the Board of Directors. Consequently, the Board of Directors 
considers that Cécile Tandeau de Marsac and Emmanuel Babeau 
are independent directors and that it should continue to benefi t 
from their valuable experience in their respective fi elds.

5.2.1.7  Organization, operating 

procedures and preparation 
of the work of the Board of 
Directors

Management of confl icts of interest

Since 2014 Sophie Stabile has been a member of the Board 
of Directors of SPIE, which, in a number of limited and clearly 
identified  cases  in  the  technical  services  field,  could  be 
considered to be a competitor of Sodexo in Europe. Sodexo’s 
Board  of  Directors  has  therefore  put  measures  in  place 
to  minimize  this  conflict  of  interest  risk.  In  particular,  no 
commercially sensitive information concerning activities in 
which Sodexo competes with SPIE may be disclosed or discussed 
in her presence.

Accordingly, the Board of Directors considers that Sophie Stabile 
complies with the recommendations of the AFEP-MEDEF Code to 
which the Company refers and with the provisions of the Internal 
Rules of the Board concerning confl ict of interest situations.

In addition, the Board of Directors’ Internal Rules state that 
directors are required to disclose to the Board any actual or 
potential confl icts of interest and must abstain from discussing 
and voting on any matters associated with such conflicts of 
interest.

Directors representing employees

On January 21, 2014, the Shareholders Meeting decided on the 
conditions of appointment to the Board of Directors of one or 
more directors representing employees. Directors representing 
employees are appointed for a period of three years.

A fi rst director representing employees, Philippe Besson, was 
appointed by the trade union that obtained the most votes in 
the fi rst round of the most recent elections in France of union 
representatives and took his seat on the Board at its meeting on 
June 18, 2014. Philippe Besson was reappointed in 2017 by this 
trade union for a three-year term which expires at the end of the 
Annual Shareholders Meeting to be held on January 21, 2020.

A second director representing employees, Cathy Martin, was 
appointed by the European Works Council and became a member 
of the Board at its meeting on September 10, 2015. Cathy Martin 
was reappointed by the European Works Council for a three-year 
term, eff ective from the Annual Shareholders Meeting held on 
January 23, 2018.

The Board does not have any directors representing employee 
shareholders, as the amount of the Company’s capital held by 
employees does not exceed the 3% threshold that triggers the 
requirement for such a director, as set in article L.225-23 of the 
French Commercial Code.

Sodexo is governed by a Board of Directors, which has been 
chaired by Sophie Bellon since January 26, 2016.

Role of the Chairwoman of the Board of Directors

The Chairwoman of the Board of Directors represents the Board 
and organizes and directs its work, and reports to the shareholders 
at the Shareholders Meeting. The Chairwoman also represents the 
Board of Directors in matters concerning third parties such as 
employee representatives and Statutory Auditors. In addition, she 
is responsible for shareholder relations, particularly concerning 
Corporate  Governance  matters,  and  reports  to  the  Board  of 
Directors on this role. The Chairwoman oversees the functioning 
of all of the Company’s Corporate Governance structures and, in 
particular, ensures that the Board members are able to fulfi ll their 
duties. Moreover, in order to make the roles of the Chairwoman 
of the Board of Directors and the Chief Executive Officer more 
complementary, the Chairwoman assists the Chief Executive 
Offi  cer by providing him with support and acting as a strategic 
sounding board. In addition to these duties, Sophie Bellon plays 
an important role as ambassador of the Group.

Operating procedures of the Board of Directors – 
Internal Rules

In addition to the Company’s bylaws, the Board of Directors is 
governed by the Board’s Internal Rules, which notably set out 
the Board’s mission, the minimum and maximum number of 
Board members, the rules of the Directors’ charter, the minimum 
number of Board meetings and the rules for allocating directors’ 
fees. The Internal Rules also set the criteria for assessing the 
performance of the Board, organize the powers of the Chief 
Executive Offi  cer, and defi ne the policy for issuing guarantees.

The Internal Rules were amended by the Board of Directors in late 
2018, in particular to comply with the new recommendations of 
the June 2018 revised version of the AFEP-MEDEF Code.

The  full  version  of  the  Board  of  Directors’  Internal  Rules  is 
available  on  the  Group’s  website  (www.sodexo.com)  and  a 
summary of the principal components thereof is provided below.

The Directors’ charter

The main elements of the Directors’ charter are described below.

Each director should constantly be mindful of the corporate 
interest,  exercise  good  judgment  (particularly  of  situations, 
strategies and people), and look to the future in order to identify 
the risks and strategic challenges that lie ahead. Each director 
should also be focused, active and engaged, and act with integrity.

Each director must personally own at least 400 Sodexo shares 
by  the  end  of  their  first  year  of  office  (except  for  directors 
representing employees to whom no such requirement applies 
in accordance with French law).

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Except in cases of force majeure, all directors of Sodexo must 
attend Shareholders Meetings.

It appoints the corporate offi  cers responsible for managing the 
Group’s general policies.

Any director of Sodexo who obtains undisclosed information 
during the course of his or her duties is subject to insider trading 
legislation.  In  accordance  with  the  European  Market  Abuse 
Regulation, the Company may draw up specifi c insider lists if 
insider information has been identifi ed but a decision has been 
taken to postpone the publication of the relevant information.

The Board of Directors ensures the existence and eff ectiveness 
of the management of the Group’s commitments, risks and 
internal control procedures, and oversees the quality of the 
information provided to shareholders and the fi nancial markets 
in  the  financial  statements  and  in  connection  with  major 
fi nancial transactions.

Directors are prohibited from trading in Sodexo securities as 
follows:

•  during the period commencing 30 calendar days prior to the 
date of publication of the half-year and annual consolidated 
fi nancial statements and up to and including the date of their 
publication;

It ensures the implementation of a mechanism for the prevention 
and detection of corruption and infl uence peddling and receives 
all the information necessary for this purpose.

The Board of Directors also ensures that the Chief Executive 
Officer implements non-discrimination and diversity policies 
and a vigilance plan.

•  during the period commencing 15 calendar days prior to the 
date of publication of the consolidated fi nancial information 
for the fi rst and third quarters up to and including the date 
of their publication.

As required by law, the Board of Directors approves the fi nancial 
statements for publication, decides on appropriation of net 
income, proposes dividends, and makes decisions on signifi cant 
investments and the Group’s fi nancial policy.

Transactions  in  the  Company’s  securities  carried  out  by 
directors must be disclosed to the French securities regulator 
(Autorité des marchés financiers – AMF) within three trading 
days of the transaction date. Directors are required to inform the 
Group Legal Department of all transactions in Sodexo securities.

Induction and training of directors

Upon joining the Board, all directors receive training adapted to 
their specifi c needs. They meet the Chairwoman of the Board 
of Directors, the Chief Executive Offi  cer and Group executives. 
Meetings are also organized with certain executives and external 
advisors. Site visits are arranged to provide an overview of the 
Group’s businesses and a better understanding of each activity. 
Directors may also receive additional training on Corporate 
Responsibility or other matters. Board member training is a 
continuous process, throughout a mandate.

In  addition,  the  Board  ensures  that  directors  representing 
employees  are  given  the  necessary  time  to  prepare  their 
participation in each Board meeting and that they receive the 
number of training hours required under the applicable legal 
provisions. Since joining Sodexo’s Board of Directors, Philippe 
Besson and Cathy Martin have participated in several training 
seminars organized by the French Institute of Directors (IFA) 
as well as in-house training courses delivered by several of the 
Company’s corporate functions, which are open to all of Sodexo’s 
directors. Both Philippe Besson and Cathy Martin have been 
off ered training that leads to certifi cation as Board directors, 
and they began this training in Fiscal 2019.

Mission of the Board of Directors

The  Board  of  Directors  is  a  collegial  body  that  acts  in  the 
Company’s best interests, in line with the Group’s corporate 
mission,  and  in  the  best  interests  of  all  of  the  Company’s 
shareholders.

The Board defi nes Sodexo’s strategy, long-term objectives and 
overall policies, in consideration of the social and environmental 
issues  related  to  its  activities,  and  ensures  that  they  are 
properly implemented.

It regularly carries out the controls and verifications that it 
deems appropriate (particularly concerning progress made on 
the performance metrics set by the Board).

At least five days ahead of Board meetings, each director is 
given briefi ng documents so that he or she can review and/or 
investigate the issues to be discussed.

The Group’s senior executives make regular presentations to the 
Board of Directors, in particular at the meeting during which the 
budget is discussed:

•  the  Chief  Executive  Officer  and  the  other  operational 
executives, each in their area of responsibility, discuss the 
potential for growth, competitive positions, the ambition, the 
strategy for achieving it and the principal elements of their 
action plans;

•  Group executives in each functional area (Human Resources, 
Finance  and  Strategy)  present  their  recommendations 
regarding  strategy  and  policy  developments,  progress 
a c h i e v e d   a n d   t o   b e   a c h i e v e d   a n d   a c t i o n   p l a n s   f o r 
implementation in the Group.

The Board of Directors performs periodic in-depth reviews of 
the fi nancial statements at meetings attended as necessary by 
members of the Group’s operational and functional management 
teams as well as by the external auditors.

The  Board  of  Directors  meets  at  least  once  a  year  without 
the  presence  of  executive  management  and  employee 
representatives.

The  Board  of  Directors  is  also  kept  regularly  informed  of 
questions, comments or criticism from shareholders, whether at 
meetings with shareholders or by mail, e-mail or conference call.

Board meetings during the fi scal year

BOARD MEETINGS

The  Board  of  Directors  met  eight  times  during  Fiscal  2019, 
fulfi lling the minimum requirement of six meetings per year as 
stated in the Board of Directors’ Internal Rules. The Board’s work 
during the year mainly related to the following areas:

Corporate Governance

•  approving the Management Report of the Board of Directors 

and the Corporate Governance Report for Fiscal 2018;

•  reviewing the Fiscal 2018 Registration document;

•  assessing the operating procedures and membership structure 
of the Board of Directors and the specialized Committees;

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•  proposing the reappointment of directors whose terms of 

•  regularly reviewing strategic opportunities, especially in 

offi  ce were due to expire;

terms of external growth.

•  proposing the appointment of a new director;

•  assessing directors’ independence;

•  reviewing the Board of Directors’ Internal Rules in order to 

align them with the AFEP-MEDEF Code;

•  reviewing the charters of the specialized Committees;

•  carrying out its annual review of related-party agreements 

and commitments;

•  calling the Annual Shareholders Meeting, preparing the Board 
of Directors’ Report to the Annual Shareholders Meeting, 
reviewing the resolutions to be put to the shareholders’ vote, 
and draft  ing replies to the written questions received from 
shareholders prior to the meeting;

•  reviewing employee engagement;

•  reviewing corporate responsibility issues; and

•  more  generally,  examining  the  work  carried  out  and 
recommendations issued by the Nominating Committee and 
the Compensation Committee.

Compensation

•  reviewing the compensation of Board members; 

•  approving the compensation and benefi ts of the Chief Executive 

Offi  cer;

•  approving the compensation and benefi ts of the Chairwoman 

of the Board of Directors;

•  approving a new compensation policy for corporate offi  cers 

to be submitted to the Annual Shareholders Meeting;

•  reviewing gender pay equality;

•  adopting the restricted and performance share plans (previously 

referred to as “free shares”).

Financial statements and fi nancial management

•  reviewing  and  approving  the  financial  statements  of  the 

Company and the Group for Fiscal 2018;

•  appropriating net income for Fiscal 2018 and deciding on a 

dividend payment;

•  examining the Group budget for Fiscal 2019;

•  examining Sodexo’s share performance and investors/analysts 

feedback;

•  regularly renewing the authorizations granted to the Chief 
Executive  Officer  for  issuing  guarantees  up  to  a  certain 
threshold;

•  reviewing and approving the consolidated fi nancial statements 
for the fi rst half of Fiscal 2019 and the Interim Financial Report;

•  examining business trends for the end of Fiscal 2019;

•  approving forecast documents; and

•  more generally, examining the Statutory Auditors’ Reports 
and analyzing the work of the Audit Committee and approving 
its recommendations.

Group business and strategy

•  regularly reviewing the Group’s various business activities and 
segments, as well as their growth outlook and competitive 
environments;

Each year, a whole day is devoted to presentations on strategic 
issues given to the Board by operations and support teams, in 
addition to the plans that are regularly presented during the 
year at other Board meetings. These annual presentations are 
an occasion for high-quality discussions between the directors 
and the Company’s senior management team, and are extremely 
appreciated by everyone involved.

ASSESSMENT OF BOARD OPERATING PROCEDURES

At least once a year, the Board of Directors devotes an agenda 
item to discussing its operating procedures, and every three 
years it organizes a formal external assessment.

The most recent formal assessment took place in 2017 and its 
fi ndings were presented and discussed at the Board meeting on 
June 14, 2017 and, more recently, the Board’s annual discussion 
on this issue took place at its meeting on June 19, 2019.

From these discussions, it appeared that the general view of 
the Board’s operating procedures was very positive and the 
directors particularly appreciated their freedom of expression 
and the Board’s spirit of collective intelligence. The directors also 
consider that Board meetings are highly participative.

The  Board’s  membership  structure  has  recently  been 
strengthened with the arrival of new independent directors with 
solid competencies in fi nance, human resources and operations, 
and  the  overall  age  profile  is  gradually  getting  younger. 
Similarly, there has been a renewal of skills within the Board 
Committees.

The induction and training courses off ered both to new directors 
and  directors  representing  employees  are  considered  to  be 
particularly useful in terms of their impact on the quality of 
the work of the Board and its specialized Committees as they 
enhance each director’s individual contribution.

In response to the fi ndings of previous assessments of Board’s 
operating procedures, Board and Audit Committee agendas now 
include closer monitoring of performance and regular updates 
on strategic plans.

Lastly, in this year’s discussion, the Board expressed its desire 
that a Board meeting be held outside France.

Specialized Committees of the Board

To support its decision-making process, the Board of Directors 
has three specialized Committees, each with its own charter 
approved  by  the  Board  of  Directors  setting  out  its  role, 
responsibilities and operating procedures.

Broadly, the role of these specialized Committees is to examine 
specifi c issues ahead of Board meetings and to submit opinions, 
proposals and recommendations to the Board of Directors.

AUDIT COMMITTEE

Composition as of August 31, 2019:

•  Sophie Stabile*, Chairwoman since April 2019, independent 

director;

•  Emmanuel Babeau*, independent director (Chairman of the 

•  analyzing client retention and sales eff ectiveness;

Committee until March 2019);

5

*  Deemed a “fi nancial expert” as defi ned in article L.823-19 of the French Commercial Code.

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•  François-Xavier Bellon, director;

•  a review of the internal control process;

•  Soumitra Dutta, independent director;

•  the risk map, the audit plan and monitoring audit engagements;

•  Cathy Martin, director representing employees.

•  update of the internal audit charter;

The  Audit  Committee  is  responsible  for  ensuring  that  the 
Group’s accounting policies are appropriate and consistently 
applied, particularly with respect to material transactions. It also 
verifi es that the procedures used for preparing and processing 
accounting  information  (both  financial  and  extra-financial) 
are eff ective and it issues recommendations for ensuring the 
integrity of such information.

It examines the Company’s fraud detection procedures and its 
whistleblowing system. It is notably in charge of ensuring that 
a procedure is in place for dealing with complaints from third 
parties or employees (which may be anonymous) about any 
irregularities concerning accounting or internal control practices 
or any other area.

It issues observations and recommendations to the Company’s 
senior management team about risks, particularly the structure, 
scope  and  organization  of  risk  management.  Accordingly, 
it  periodically  reviews  senior  Management  Reports  on  risk 
exposure  (including  social  and  environmental  risks)  and 
prevention,  and  ensures  that  effective  internal  controls  are 
applied. It also regularly reviews the Internal Audit Reports and 
is informed of the internal audit plan.

All Audit Committee members have recognized competencies 
in fi nance and accounting, as confi rmed by their professional 
background  (see  section  5.2.1.3).  When  Cathy  Martin  was 
appointed  as  a  member  of  the  Audit  Committee,  she  was 
given specifi c in-house training on the Company’s accounting, 
fi nancial and operating procedures.

The Audit Committee performs an annual review of the fees 
paid to the Statutory Auditors of Sodexo and its subsidiaries, 
assesses auditor independence and pre-approves certain non-
audit services. When necessary, it carries out the process for 
appointing and re-appointing the Statutory Auditors.

In addition, it reviews the annual payment due under the service 
agreement signed between Sodexo and Bellon SA (detailed in 
section 5.3.2 of this Universal Registration Document), as well 
as any changes in its amount from one year to the next.

To perform its role, the Audit Committee is assisted by the 
Chief Executive Offi  cer, the Chief Financial Offi  cer, the Senior 
Vice President Group Internal Audit and the Statutory Auditors, 
who  present  their  work  to  the  Committee  and  answer  any 
questions that it may have. The Committee may also make 
inquiries  of  any  Group  employee,  without  any  Company 
executives being present, and seek advice from outside experts. 
It  meets  at  least  once  a  year  with  the  Statutory  Auditors 
without management.

The Audit Committee met five times in Fiscal 2019 and the 
attendance rate was 97%.

In addition to the above matters, the Committee’s work during 
the year concerned the following:

•  the impact of the fi rst-time application of IFRS 9, IFRS 15 and 

IFRS 16;

•  monitoring the Group’s fi nancing;

•  monitoring the guarantees issued by the Company and the 
related authorizations granted to the Chief Executive Offi  cer 
by the Board of Directors, and, more generally, monitoring 
the Group’s off  balance-sheet commitments;

•  reviewing the non-audit services performed by the Statutory 

Auditors;

•  reviewing  the  fees  paid  to  Bellon  SA  under  the  service 

agreement with the Company;

•  examining the Group’s scope of consolidation, the integration 
process for newly acquired companies, and the accounting 
restatements carried out in relation to acquisitions.

The Audit Committee also reviewed the annual consolidated 
fi nancial statements for Fiscal 2018 and the interim consolidated 
fi nancial statements for the fi rst half of Fiscal 2019. In addition, it 
examined the sections of the Fiscal 2018 Registration document 
relating to risk management and internal control procedures as 
well as the content of the Interim Financial Report, and reviewed 
the draft   fi nancial press releases before they were submitted to 
the Board of Directors.

Part of the meetings dedicated to reviewing the Group’s annual 
and half-yearly results took place with the Statutory Auditors 
and without management.

In addition to formal Committee meetings, the Chair of the Audit 
Committee also had meetings during the fi scal year with the 
Chief Executive Offi  cer, the Senior Vice President Group Internal 
Audit, the Chief Financial Offi  cer and the Statutory Auditors.

NOMINATING COMMITTEE

Composition as of August 31, 2019:

•  Cécile Tandeau de Marsac, Chairwoman since April 2019, 

independent director;

•  Sophie Bellon, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors;

•  Nathalie Bellon-Szabo, director;

•  Françoise Brougher, independent director (Chairwoman of the 

Committee until March 2019).

This Committee:

•  assesses regularly the competencies and experience represented 
on the Board of Directors, and more generally the situation of 
directors in relation to the criteria concerning the composition 
of the Board of Directors specifi ed in the relevant legislation, the 
AFEP-MEDEF Code and the Board’s Internal Rules;

•  examines proposals made by the Chairwoman of the Board 
of Directors in relation to director nominations. It may retain 
the services of external executive search firms to identify 
candidates, while ensuring that the backgrounds of short-
listed candidates are adapted to its current needs ;

•  provides  an  opinion  to  the  Board  of  Directors  on  the 
appointment  of  the  Chief  Executive  Officer  and,  as 
appropriate, one or more Deputy Chief Executive Offi  cers;

•  the internal control system and combating cyber-risks;

•  prepares succession plans for corporate offi  cers; 

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•  ensures that it is able to propose potential replacements at 
any time if the position of Chief Executive Officer were to 
suddenly become vacant, while maintaining confi dentiality;

•  ensures that succession plans are in place for the members of 
the Group Executive Committee and regularly reviews those 
plans.

•  regularly reviews the training plans for directors as well as 

the welcome and induction process for new directors.

The Nominating Committee met four times in Fiscal 2019 and 
the attendance rate was 100%.

Other than the above matters, the Committee’s work during the 
year included examining the following:

•  the  resolutions  submitted  to  the  Annual  Shareholders 

Meeting;

•  the sections within its remit of the Corporate Governance 
Report published in the Fiscal 2018 Registration document;

•  succession plans;

•  the Group’s talent retention strategy;

•  a specifi c training plan for directors representing employees;

puts forward proposals about the Group’s executive incentive 
policy,  in  particular  performance  share  grants  (including 
the  underlying  performance  conditions),  and  examines  the 
implementation of employee share ownership plans. Lastly, it 
issues recommendations concerning the budget and allocation 
procedures for directors’ fees.

The principles and rules applied by the Board of Directors in 
determining the compensation and fringe benefits provided 
to the corporate officers are described in section 5.5 of this 
Registration document.

In connection with its work, the Compensation Committee may 
use external specialists.

The Compensation Committee met fi ve times in Fiscal 2019 and 
the attendance rate was 100%.

Its work carried out during the year notably concerned:

•  corporate offi  cer compensation packages (ex post and ex ante 

say-on-pay votes);

•  recent  developments  and  new  regulations  concerning 

executive pay, including pension plans;

•  the Corporate Governance Report included in the Fiscal 2018 

•  regular updates on the recruitment of new directors;

Registration document;

•  directors’ independence;

•  the Board’s diversity policy;

•  a skills matrix for directors identifying their competencies 
and determining the profi les sought for future candidates.

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

Composition as of August 31, 2019:

•  Cécile  Tandeau  de  Marsac,  Chairwoman,  independent 

director;

•  Sophie Stabile, independent director;

•  Françoise Brougher, independent director;

•  Philippe Besson – director representing employees.

This  Committee  makes  proposals  to  the  Board  of  Directors 
relating to the compensation policy and packages of the Group’s 
executives (corporate offi  cers and non-corporate offi  cers). It also 

•  the overall compensation policy for Executive Committee 

members and the Group’s Top 200 managers;

•  reviewing  the  budget  for  directors’  fees,  which  it  kept 

unchanged;

•  the Group’s restricted and performance share plans;

•  reviewing the Compensation Committee’s charter; and

•  more generally, issuing recommendations to the Board of 
Directors concerning corporate offi  cers’ compensation and 
the Group’s executive incentive system.

On June 19, 2019, the Committee recommended to the Board 
that  810,990  restricted  shares  be  granted  to  2,144  people 
(with some of the shares subject to performance conditions), 
and expressed its opinion on the individual grants proposed 
and the performance conditions defi ned for the Chief Executive 
Offi  cer.

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DIRECTORS’ ATTENDANCE RATES AT BOARD AND COMMITTEE MEETINGS DURING FISCAL 2019

BOARD MEETINGS(1)

AUDIT COMMITTEE 
MEETINGS(2)

COMPENSATION 
COMMITTEE MEETINGS(3)

NOMINATING 
COMMITTEE MEETINGS(4)

Sophie Bellon

Emmanuel Babeau

Robert Baconnier

Astrid Bellon

Bernard Bellon

François-Xavier Bellon

Nathalie Bellon-Szabo

Philippe Besson

Françoise Brougher

Soumitra Dutta

Cathy Martin

Sophie Stabile

Cécile Tandeau de Marsac

Average rate

(1) Number of Board meetings: 8.
(2) Number of Audit Committee meetings: 5.
(3) Number of Compensation Committee meetings: 4.
(4) Number of Nominating  Committee meetings: 5.

100%

100%

100%

63%

100%

81%

100%

100%

81%

100%

75%

88%

100%

91%

80%

100%

100%

100%

100%

97%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

ROLE OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The Chief Executive Officer has the authority to manage the 
operations and functions of the Group. Limits are placed on 
the powers of the Chief Executive Offi  cer. These limits are set 
by the Board of Directors based on the recommendations of the 
Chairwoman of the Board.

The Chief Executive Offi  cer is required to obtain the prior consent 
of the Board to make any pledge, endorsement or guarantee as 
follows:

•  term  greater  than  15  years,  regardless  of  the  amount; 
however,  where  the  term  is  less  than  25  years  and  the 
amount is less than 100 million euro, and with prior approval 
of the Chairwoman of the Audit Committee, this prior consent 
is not required;

•  term between 10 and 15 years and amount greater than or 

equal to 15 million euro;

•  term between 5 and 10 years and amount greater than or 

equal to 30 million euro;

•  term less than 5 years and amount greater than or equal to 

50 million euro.

The total amount for which the Chief Executive Offi  cer may make 
any pledge, endorsement or guarantee between Board meetings 
is limited to 150 million euro.

The  Chief  Executive  Officer  must  also  obtain  prior  consent 
from the Board of Directors to commit the Company beyond 
certain amounts related notably to acquisitions of interests 
in companies for more than 50 million euro (enterprise value) 
per  transaction  (100  million  euro  with  the  approval  of  the 
Chairwoman of the Board), to disposals of shares in companies 
for more than 20 million euro (enterprise value) per transaction, 
and for medium- and long-term new financing of more than 
100 million euro. The Chief Executive Offi  cer must also obtain 
the  prior  consent  of  the  Board  for  decisions  relating  to  the 
startup of new activities.

Denis  Machuel  was  appointed  Chief  Executive  Officer  on 
January 23, 2018 to replace Michel Landel, who had held the 
position since September 1, 2005. Following his appointment as 
Chief Executive Offi  cer, Denis Machuel’s employment contract 
with a Sodexo subsidiary was terminated.

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DENIS MACHUEL – CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Born April 19, 1964

Nationality: French

Graduate of the École nationale supérieure d’informatique 
et de mathématiques appliquées de Grenoble (ENSIMAG)

Holds a Master of Science degree in Computer Science from 
Texas A&M University

First appointed: January 23, 2018

Expiration of current term: Unlimited period

Number of Sodexo shares held: 23,100

Business address:
Sodexo
255, quai de la Bataille de Stalingrad
92130 Issy-les-Moulineaux (France)

Main role: Chief Executive Offi  cer, Sodexo

Background

Denis began his career with Schneider Electric in Egypt, before assuming a position as consultant at Altran, with Dassault Électronique as 
client. He remained with Altran for 16 years, holding several management positions including Altran Technologies UK’s Chief Executive Offi  cer, 
where he created the subsidiary. He then became Chief Executive Offi  cer of Altran Technologies France before becoming Director of Strategy 
and Off shore Operations.

In 2007, he joined Sodexo as Benefi ts and Rewards Services Chief Executive Offi  cer for Central and Eastern Europe. In 2010, Denis took the 
lead of Benefi ts and Rewards Services activity in Europe and Asia, before being appointed as Benefi ts and Rewards Services Chief Executive 
Offi  ce worldwide in January 2012. Denis joined Sodexo’s Executive Committee in January 2014. In January 2015, he also became Group Chief 
Digital Offi  cer and in September 2016, Denis was also appointed as Personal and Home Services Chief Executive Offi  cer.

On January 23, 2018, Denis Machuel was appointed Chief Executive Offi  cer of Sodexo.

Other positions and corporate offices held

Companies linked to Sodexo

Companies not linked to Sodexo

FRENCH COMPANIES

FRENCH COMPANIES

•  Chairman of the Board of Directors: Sodexo Pass 

None.

International

FOREIGN COMPANIES

•  Chairman of the Board of Directors: Sodexo Pass Tunisie 
(Tunisia); Shangai Sodexo Pass Service Limited (China); 
Sistemas de Incentivos Empresariales (Panama)

•  Member of the Board of Directors: Sodexo Pass Portugal 

Unipessoal Lda (Portugal); Inspirus LLC (USA)

•  Member of the Management Board: Sodexho Pass 

Venezuela CA (Venezuela)

•  Member of the Supervisory Board: iAlbatros Poland SA 

(Poland)

FOREIGN COMPANIES

•  Member of the Board of Directors: Catalyst

Other positions and corporate offices held within the past five years but no longer held

Denis Machuel has held numerous corporate offi  ces in Sodexo Group subsidiaries within the past fi ve years. For ease of reference, not all of 
these offi  ces are listed here.

 Executive Committee

The  Chief  Executive  Officer  is  supported  by  an  Executive 
Committee.

the potential benefits of growth opportunities and the risks 
inherent in its business operations.

The Executive Committee meets regularly, and is the linchpin 
of the management structure. It is responsible not only for 
discussing and developing strategies to be recommended to the 
Board of Directors, but also for monitoring the implementation 
of these strategies once the Board of Directors has approved 
them. The Executive Committee tracks the implementation of 
action plans, monitors business unit performance, and assesses 

During Fiscal 2019 the following change  took place in relation to 
the Executive Committee’s members:

•  Sarosh Mistry, CEO Home Care Services Worldwide, joined the 
Executive Committee, having also been appointed as Region 
Chair for North America (On-site Services), replacing Lorna 
Donatone, who continued in her role as CEO, Geographic 
Regions.

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As of August 31, 2019, Sodexo’s Executive Committee had 20 members (including Denis Machuel), 35% women with eight diff erent 
nationalities. These members are as follows:

Denis Machuel

Chief Executive Officer

Nathalie Bellon-Szabo

CEO, Sports and Leisure Worldwide, On-site Services

Cathy Desquesses

Johnpaul Dimech

Lorna Donatone(1) 

Sean Haley

Nicolas Japy(2)

Tony Leech

Group Chief People Officer

Region Chair, Asia Pacific , On-site Services

Region Chair, Latin America and CEO, Geographic Regions

CEO, Service Operations
Region Chair, UK & Ireland, On-site Services

CEO Energy & Resources Worldwide, On-site Services

CEO, Government & Agencies Worldwide, On-site Services

Satya-Christophe Menard

CEO, Schools & Universities Worldwide, On-site Services

Sylvia Metayer

CEO, Corporate Services Worldwide, On-site Services

Sarosh Mistry

Region Chair, North America, On-site Services
CEO, Home Care Services Worldwide

Belen Moscoso Del Prado

Group Chief Digital and Innovation Officer

Anna Notarianni

Region Chair, France, On-site Services

Marc Plumart

Marc Rolland

Dianne Salt

Didier Sandoz

Aurélien Sonet

Bruno Vanhaelst

Damien Verdier

(1)  Will retire on December 31, 2019.
(2) Has retired on September 1, 2019.

CEO, Healthcare & Seniors Worldwide, On-site Services

Group Chief Financial Officer

Group Chief Communications Officer

CEO Personal and Home Services

CEO, Benefits and Rewards Services

Group Chief Sales and Marketing Officer 

Group Chief Corporate Responsibility Officer

On September 1, 2019 the following changes took place:

•  Simon  Seaton  replaced  Nicolas  Japy  as  CEO  Energy  & 

Resources Worldwide (On-site Services);

•  Sunil  Nayak  replaced  Sylvia  Metayer  as  CEO  Corporate 

Services Worldwide (On-site Services);

•  Sylvia Metayer became Chief Growth Offi  cer;

•  Johnpaul  Dimech  replaced  Lorna  Donatone  as  CEO, 

Geographical Regions;

•  Damien Verdier’s role was changed to focus exclusively on 
Corporate Responsibility and institutional relationships.

In relation to gender diversity within the Executive Committee, 
t h e   B o a r d   o f   D i r e c t o r s   c o m p l i e s   w i t h   a p p l i c a b l e   l a w , 
the  recommendations  set  out  in  the  AFEP-MEDEF  Code  and 
best market practices. In line with this, 20% of the performance 
shares granted to Executive Committee members are subject 
to a specific diversity and inclusion vesting condition aimed 
at  promoting  women  to  top  management  positions,  i.e. 

posts reporting directly to a member of the Group Executive 
Committee. The targets are for 37% of top management posts 
to be held by women in 2022 and 40% in 2025.

The Executive Committee is supported by a Group Investment 
Committee  whose  members  comprise  the  Chief  Executive 
Officer,  the  Chief  Financial  Officer  and  one  or  more  CEOs 
depending  on  the  investment  projects  concerned.  This 
Committee considers and approves:

•  signifi cant new contracts for the Group;

•  any  plan  to  invest  in  property,  plant  and  equipment  or 
intangible  assets  as  well  as  cumulative  overruns  of  any 
investment budget approved at the beginning of the fi scal 
year;

•  any plan to invest in or acquire companies;

•  disposals of shareholdings.

The Executive Committee meets regularly in plenary meetings 
and ad hoc meetings are held when required.

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5.2.2  Compliance with the AFEP-MEDEF Code

Sodexo uses the AFEP-MEDEF Code as its Corporate Governance framework. The latest version of this Code, as revised in June 2018, is 
available on the websites of the AFEP (www.afep.com) and the MEDEF (www.medef.com). The Company has opted not to apply certain 
of the Code’s recommendations, for the reasons set out in the table below.

AFEP-MEDEF RECOMMENDATIONS

SODEXO PRACTICE

Independence criteria for Board members 
(section 8.5.6 of the Code)
Among  the  criteria  to  be  evaluated  in 
considering  whether  a  Board  member  is 
independent is that of not having been a 
Board member for more than 12 years.

Proportion of independent members on 
the Nominating Committee 
(section 16.1 of the Code)
The Code recommends that the majority of 
the members of the Nominating Committee 
be independent directors.

Robert  Baconnier’s  terms  of  office  as  a  director  of  Sodexo  have  exceeded  12  years  since 
February 9, 2017.
In its analysis of whether Robert Baconnier could still qualify as an independent director, 
the Board of Directors took the following factors into account:
•  his financial expertise;
•  the objectivity he has always shown during the Board’s debates and discussions;
•  his ability to convey his opinions and beliefs and make balanced judgments in all circumstances;
•  his deep understanding of the Group’s challenges and goals, which facilitates the continuity 

of discussion and provides perspective on decisions.

The Board of Directors considers that his personality, leadership qualities and underlying 
commitment are all evidence of his independent mindset.
Taking all of these factors into consideration, the Board has decided not to apply the independence 
criterion limiting Board members’ terms of office to 12 years and to continue to consider Robert 
Baconnier an independent director.
Furthermore, Robert Baconnier chose to resign from the Audit Committee as of January 22, 
2019 and his directorship was only renewed for one year at the Annual Shareholders Meeting of 
January 22, 2019. Consequently, his final term of office will end on January 21, 2020.

Sodexo’s Nominating Committee comprises four members, 50% of whom are independent 
directors. However, it is important to note that:
•  its members do not include any executive corporate officer, as recommended by the Code;
•  like the Board’s other Committees, it is chaired by an independent director.

ATTENDANCE OF SHAREHOLDERS AT THE ANNUAL 
SHAREHOLDERS MEETING

INFORMATION THAT COULD HAVE AN IMPACT IN THE 
EVENT OF A PUBLIC TENDER OFFER

Specific  procedures  pertaining  to  the  participation  of 
shareholders  at  the  Shareholders  Meeting  are  indicated  in 
article 16 of Sodexo’s bylaws (see section 6.4.12 of this Universal 
Registration Document).

The Company considers that its ownership structure and voting 
rights,  which  are  described  in  section  6.3.2   of  this  Universal 
Registration Document, are the items that it is required to disclose 
pursuant to article L.225-100-3 of the French Commercial Code, 
which provides a list of items that require disclosure if they could 
have an impact in the event of a public tender off er.

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5.3  OTHER INFORMATION

5.3.1  Other information concerning corporate officers and senior 

management of the Company

Family relationships within the Board of Directors are as follows:

•  Astrid Bellon, Nathalie Bellon-Szabo and François-Xavier 
Bellon (directors) are the sisters and brother of Sophie Bellon, 
Chairwoman of the Board of Directors;

•  Nathalie Bellon-Szabo (director) is a member of Sodexo’s 

Executive Committee.

No  loans  or  guarantees  have  been  made  or  given  to  either 
members of the Board of Directors or senior management by 
Sodexo or by any Group company.

No assets necessary for the Group’s operations are owned by 
either members of the Board of Directors or senior management 
or by their families.

There are no potential confl icts of interest between the duties 
to  Sodexo  of  members  of  the  Board  of  Directors  or  senior 
management and their private interests. In particular:

•  Mr. and Mrs. Pierre Bellon and their four children control 
72.6% of Bellon SA, which in turn holds 42.2% of the share 
capital of Sodexo and 56.6% of the exercisable voting rights 
as of August 31, 2019. Mr. and Mrs. Pierre Bellon and their 

children entered into an agreement in June 2015 to prevent 
direct descendants of Mr. and Mrs. Pierre Bellon from freely 
disposing of their Bellon SA shares for 50 years. Bellon SA’s 
only asset is its holding in Sodexo; Bellon SA has no intention 
of selling this holding to a third party;

•  other members of the Bellon family hold 7.8% of the shares 

of Bellon SA.

As far as the Company is aware, no member of the Board of 
Directors or of the senior management has during the past fi ve 
years been:

•  convicted of fraud;

•  associated with a bankruptcy, receivership or liquidation;

•  offi  cially incriminated and/or subject to any offi  cial public 

sanction issued by a statutory or regulatory authority;

•  prohibited  by  a  court  from  acting  as  a  Board  member, 
a  Supervisory  Board  member,  or  a  member  of  senior 
management  of  an  issuer,  or  from  participating  in  the 
management or business aff airs of an issuer.

Transactions in Sodexo shares carried out by corporate offi  cers, Board 
members, members of their family and related persons

As required under article 223-26 of the French securities regulator’s (Autorité des marchés financiers – AMF) General Regulation, 
transactions in Company shares by corporate offi  cers, directors and persons with personal ties to these offi  cers and directors declared 
to the AMF pursuant to article L.621-18-2 of the French Monetary and Financial Code were as follows during Fiscal 2019:

Soumitra Dutta (director)

Sale of 500 ADRs

September 24, 2018

U.S.$21.86

Person with close ties to Bernard Bellon (director)

Sale of 5,400 shares

November 20, 2018

€91.25

Person with close ties to Bernard Bellon (director)

Sale of 165 shares

November 29, 2018

€91.66

TRANSACTION TYPE

TRANSACTION DATE

AVERAGE PRICE

Measures to prevent abuse from controlling shareholder

Sodexo has put in place a series of measures in order to ensure 
that the control over the Company is not exercised in an abusive 
manner. Examples of these measures include:

(a)  the presence of six independent directors among the twelve 
members of the Board of Directors (including two directors 
representing employees) as of August 31, 2019;

(b)  the fact that the Company has put in place three specialized 
Committees, which are all chaired by independent directors 
and  whose  members  include  independent  directors,  as 
recommended by the AFEP-MEDEF Code;

(c)  the separation of the roles of Chairman of the Board and 

Chief Executive Offi  cer;

(d)  the disclosures within this document of the relationship 

between Sodexo and Bellon SA:

•  these  include  the  ownership  interest  of  Bellon  SA  in 

Sodexo (disclosed in section 6.3 of this document),

•  the Sodexo shares are the only assets held by Bellon SA; 
consequently, the interests of Sodexo’s shareholders are 
aligned with those of Bellon SA’s shareholders and the 
capital ties between the two companies do not generate 
any confl ict of interest,

•  since 1991, a service agreement between Bellon SA and 
Sodexo  has  been  in  operation  (described  below  in  the 
paragraph concerning related-party agreements). The fees 
payable under this agreement and changes in these fees 
are reviewed annually by the Audit Committee.

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5.3.2  Related-party agreements and commitments

Related-party agreements and 
commitments submitted for approval 
at the Annual Shareholders Meeting 
of January 21, 2020

The Company did not enter into any related-party agreements 
or commitments governed by articles L.225-38 or L.225-42-1 of 
the French Commercial Code during Fiscal 2019.

After the close of Fiscal 2019, the Company entered into the 
following commitment, governed by article L.225-42-1 of the 
French Commercial Code, which was authorized by the Board of 
Directors on November 6, 2019:

Regulated commitment benefi ting Denis Machuel 
(pension plan)

In  order  to  comply  with  the  France’s  Business  Growth  and 
Transformation Act dated May 22, 2019 (the “PACTE Act”) as 
well as with the Ordonnance of July 3, 2019 transposing the 
pension portability directive, the Board of Directors decided to 
close as of December 31, 2019 the defi ned benefi t pension plan 
benefiting Denis Machuel and to implement another benefit 
pension plan governed by article L.137-11-2 of the French Social 
Security Code. This new plan which will benefi t Denis Machuel 
will grant   annual rights amounting to 0.5% of his fixed and 
variable compensation for the fi rst fi ve years and to 1% beyond 
those fi ve years, up  to a total of  10% . The acquisition of rights 
will remain subject to the same performance condition as the 
one set for the previous plan, i.e. an achievement rate of his 
annual variable compensation targets of at least 80%.

Related-party agreements and 
commitments approved by 
the shareholders in previous years 
that remained in force during 
Fiscal 2019

Service agreement between Bellon SA and Sodexo, 
in which Sophie Bellon, Nathalie Bellon-Szabo, 
Astrid Bellon and François-Xavier Bellon are 
corporate offi  cers in both companies and exercise 
control as defi ned in article L.233-3 of the French 
Commercial Code

The service agreement between Bellon SA and Sodexo, which falls 
within the scope of article L.225-38 of the French Commercial 
Code  and  was  approved  by  shareholders  in  previous  years, 
remained  in  force  during  Fiscal  2019.  This  agreement  was 
subject to an annual review by the Board of Directors and the 
Statutory Auditors were informed thereof.

Information on this service agreement is provided below as 
well  as  in  the  Statutory  Auditors’  Special  Report  set  out  in 
section 4.4.2 of this Registration document.

A service agreement has been in place between the Company 
and Bellon SA since 1991.

At  its  meetings  on  November  15,  2016  and  July  10,  2017, 
the Board of Directors, on the recommendation of the Audit 
Committee, approved changes to this agreement that became 
effective  on  November  17,  2016  and  were  approved  at  the 
Shareholders Meeting of January 23, 2018.

 Under the terms of this agreement, Sodexo benefi ts from the 
professional experience and expertise of the three Bellon SA 
managers.

 Under the terms of the agreement, Bellon SA invoices Sodexo 
for the compensation of the Chief Financial Offi  cer, Chief People 
Offi  cer, and Chief Strategy Offi  cer during the secondment period. 
In compliance with the law, their compensation is fully rebilled, 
including the fi xed and variable portions, as well as any related 
payroll taxes.

The  total  fees  billed  under  this  agreement,  and  changes 
compared with the prior year, are reviewed annually by the Audit 
Committee. In addition, and in compliance with the law, the 
agreement and the annual billed fees are reviewed every year by 
the Board of Directors (with none of the directors from the Bellon 
family taking part in either the vote or the related discussions).

In Fiscal 2019, the fees billed by Bellon SA under this agreement 
amounted  to  3,162,500  euro  excluding  taxes,  relating  to 
the compensation (including payroll taxes) paid to the Chief 
Financial Offi  cer, Chief People Offi  cer, and Chief Strategy Offi  cer. 
T his is down from 3,709,500 million euro in the previous year, 
refl ecting lower bonus payout in Fiscal 2018.

Other agreements and commitments

The  commitments  made  by  the  Company  to  Sophie  Bellon, 
Chairwoman  of  the  Board  of  Directors  (concerning  her 
supplemental health and benefit plans) and Denis Machuel, 
Chief Executive Officer (concerning his supplemental health 
and benefi t plans and supplemental pension plan), governed by 
article L.225-42-1 of the French Commercial Code and approved 
by shareholders in previous years, remained in force during 
Fiscal 2019.

The  commitment  made  by  the  Company  to  Denis  Machuel, 
Chief Executive Offi  cer, relating to his non-compete obligation 
(governed by article L.225-42-1 of the French Commercial Code) 
also remained in force in Fiscal 2019 but was not executed.

These commitments were subject to an annual review by the 
Board of Directors and the Statutory Auditors were informed 
thereof. Information on these commitments is provided in the 
Statutory Auditors’ Special Report set out in section 4.4.2 of this 
document.

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Assessment procedure for related-party agreements and other agreements

On November 6, 2019, on the recommendation of the Audit 
Committee, the Board of Directors adopted an internal charter 
for the Group to be used for identifying those agreements that 
need to undergo the procedure for related-party agreements, 
and distinguishing them from other agreements entered into in 
the ordinary course of business. This charter will help ensure 
that  Sodexo  complies  with  new  French  legislation  on  these 
agreements, which requires companies to regularly assess the 
conditions under which such agreements are entered into and to 
analyze their classifi cation.

In addition to describing the regulatory framework applicable 
to the various types of agreements that may be entered into 
by the Group, the charter provides for a regular assessment to 
be carried out by the Audit Committee of the conditions under 
which agreements are entered into in the ordinary course of 
business, with any parties that have a direct or indirect interest 
in  an  agreement  being  prohibited  from  taking  part  in  the 
corresponding assessment.

5.3.3  Ethics and compliance

Conducting business with integrity is critical to Sodexo’s success 
and constitutes a fundamental pillar of the Group’s responsible 
business conduct commitments. Sodexo’s management has a 
zero tolerance policy for any form of unethical practice, such as 
bribery, corruption, or breaches of human rights.

In line with this, Sodexo has chosen to appoint a Group Chief 
Ethics Offi  cer, who reports directly to the Chief Executive Offi  cer 
and is responsible for promoting ethical principles and relaying 
the Group’s Responsible Business Conduct program.

5.3.3.1  Organizational structure

Since  2011,  the  Sodexo  Ethics  and  Compliance  Committee 
ensures that business is conducted responsibly, by:

•  deploying  an  ethics  and  compliance  culture,  and  related 

programs and policies across the Group;

•  addressing a range of issues relating to anti-corruption, the 
duty of vigilance, anti-money laundering, and preventing 
confl icts of interests;

5.3.3.2  Ethics and Compliance 

program

Sodexo has further strengthened its Ethics and Compliance 
program,  notably  with  a  view  to  meeting  the  requirements 
provided for under new French legislation (the “Sapin II” Act of 
December 9, 2016 and the Duty of Vigilance Act of March 27, 
2017). The program now includes the following:

• 

• 

 Code  of  conduct:  Sodexo’s  Code  of  conduct  –  which  sets 
out the Group’s ethical principles – was updated in 2018. 
It provides practical examples showing employees how to do 
the right thing when faced with a dilemma and is available on 
the Sodexo website;

 Whistleblowing system: The Sodexo Speak Up Ethics Line, 
available in over 30 languages, enables all Sodexo employees 
and  partners  to  report  anything  that  they  suspect  to  be 
unethical, illegal or unsafe, through a dedicated website or 
by phone. The Speak Up Line replaces the local alert systems 
that previously existed;

•  supporting  all  of  the  Group’s  Ethics  and  Compliance 

• 

Committees worldwide;

•  examining all specifi c issues brought to its attention.

This Committee is co-chaired by the Group General Counsel and 
the Group Chief Ethics Officer and comprises representatives 
from  the  Group’s  various  support  functions:  Legal,  Internal 
Control, Internal Audit, Human Resources, Supply Management, 
and Corporate Responsibility, Communication as well as heads 
of certain Group activities (some of these representatives are 
also Group Executive Committee members). Two other Group 
Executive  Committee  members  take  part  in  the  work  of  the 
Ethics and Compliance Committee (a region President and a 
worldwide segment CEO). These two members change every 
year so that all of the Group’s functions can be represented. The 
Ethics and Compliance Committee makes a quarterly report on 
its work to the Group Executive Committee.

A  local  network  of  Compliance  Committees  is  also  being 
gradually set up across the Group. Local Ethics and Compliance 
Committees that report to the regional Executive Committees 
are being put in place in regions and/or countries that did not 
have them before France’s “Sapin II” Act took eff ect.

 Risk mapping: New risks specific to responsible business 
conduct have been assessed for each country and aggregated 
within the global risk map. These risks cover major issues 
such as bribery, corruption, breaches of human rights, anti-
trust practices and environmental damage;

• 

 Third-party assessments: Sodexo introduced its Supplier 
Code of conduct in 2008 and updates it every three years. 
The Group’s suppliers are required to respect this Code, which 
is included as an appendix to all sales contracts, and also to 
pass on its terms and conditions to all of the players in their 
own supply chains.

In addition, Sodexo is continuing the deployment of its online 
registration tool in order to centralize information about its 
suppliers. This tool incorporates all of Sodexo’s requirements 
relating to capacity, certification, geographical coverage, 
and  regulation.  It  is  also  used  to  collect  data  on  social 
responsibility. Suppliers benefit from a simple interface, 
which enables them to provide all the required information 
easily. The advantage for Sodexo is that the tool provides a 
“gateway” for the collection of information adapted to the 
Group’s social responsibility requirements. Suppliers are 

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invited to respond to various questions linked to the Group’s 
social  responsibility  commitments  and  are  required  to 
update them throughout their relationship with Sodexo. At 
the end of August 2019, more than 16,500 suppliers were 
registered in the tool;

• 

• 

• 

 Training: Specifi c training courses on responsible business 
conduct are developed and delivered within the Group to the 
staff  categories with the highest level of exposure. E-learning 
modules on anti-corruption and conflicts of interest have 
been put in place for all of the Group’s managers, as well as 
associated in-house communication campaigns;

 Accounting control procedures: The internal control and risk 
management procedures relating to the preparation and 
processing of fi nancial and accounting information form an 
integral part of the Group’s anti-corruption measures;

 Internal control and audit procedures: Internal and external 
audits are performed on a regular basis, notably covering 
the following topics: anti-corruption, anti-money laundering, 

environmental  protection,  respect  of  human  rights  and 
fundamental  labor  rights,  and  occupational  health  and 
safety.

5.3.3.3  Sodexo Group tax policy

The Sodexo Group has established a tax policy that has been 
published  on  its  website.  This  policy  mainly  states  that 
the  Sodexo  Group  undertakes  to  respect  local  tax  laws  and 
regulations  that  apply  and  pay  its  fair  share  of  taxes  in  all 
countries where it operates, in line with the substance of the 
economic activity of the business locally. Sodexo is not using 
intended tax structures for tax avoidance nor investing in tax 
structures located in so-called “tax havens” in order to avoid 
taxes.  The  tax  policy  complies  with  principles  of  Business 
Integrity and the Code of Ethics of the Sodexo Group. Therefore, 
the Group considers that it is complies with the requirements 
of the new article L.225-102-1 of the French Commercial Code 
combating tax fraud.

5.3.4  Vigilance Plan

Sodexo has been actively managing its risks for a long time. The 
new legal requirements regarding the duty of vigilance therefore 
refl ect the values and actions long championed by the Group and 
its founder, Mr Pierre Bellon.

In accordance with France’s Duty of Vigilance Act, the Vigilance 
Plan presents the measures put in place within the Group to 
identify risks and prevent serious impacts in terms of (i) human 
rights and fundamental freedoms, (ii) the health and safety 
of persons, and (iii) environmental damage that may result 
from the Group’s activities and those of its subcontractors and 
suppliers.

As  Sodexo  operates  in   67  countries  in  a  variety  of  complex 
economic and socio-cultural contexts, it adapts its approach 
to the above issues in accordance with its diff erent businesses 
and host countries. The Vigilance Plan covers Sodexo and its 
subsidiaries’ activities and is perfectly in line with its Corporate 
Responsibility roadmap.

In Fiscal 2019, Sodexo Group created a dedicated governance 
relating  to  ethics  and  compliance  issues  (including  those 
that fall within the scope of the French Duty of Vigilance Act). 

The organization of the Group Ethics and Compliance Committee 
has been reviewed. This Committee now reports regularly to 
the Group Executive Committee and local network of regional 
Committees reporting to the regional and country executive 
Committees  is  also  being  progressively  put  in  place  (see 
section 5.3.3 above).

Issues that fall within the scope of the Duty of Vigilance cover 
all businesses and involve numerous teams, including corporate 
responsibility,  supply  management,  legal  affairs,  internal 
control, internal audit, human resources, ethics and operations. 
The Group’s work on these issues also involves its customers, 
suppliers and subcontractors.

The diagram below details the measures implemented by the 
Group in accordance with the fi ve obligations concerning three 
categories of issues (human rights and fundamental freedoms, 
health and safety, environment). These measures are described 
in  more  detail  in  chapter  2  of  this  Universal  Registration 
Document .  

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THE MAIN MEASURES CONTAINED IN THE VIGILANCE PLAN ARE PRESENTED BELOW:

RISK MAPPING

REGULAR EVALUATION PROCEDURES 
COMPANY-WIDE

APPROPRIATE ACTIONS TO MITIGATE 
RISKS OR PREVENT SERIOUS HARM

•  Risk map including human 
rights risks , prepared by all 
countries  

•  Taking into account the risk 
of sexual harassment in the 
social dialogue (employee 
Sodexo)

•  New Materiality Assessment 
(see Materiality Assessment, 
Chapter 1) 

•  Identification of three supply 
chain risk categories and 
specific monitoring:
•  Textile: Uniforms 
•  Seafood: Tuna 
•  Agricultural products: 

Beef

•  Risk map including health & 
safety risks , prepared by all 
countries (see section 5.4 
Risk Management) 

•  New materiality assessment 
(see Materiality Assessment, 
Chapter 1) 

•  Culture of « Zero harm »

HUMAN 
RIGHTS

HEALTH 
AND SAFETY

•  Implementation of the 
Responsible Business 
Conduct program

•  Supplier Code of conduct
•  Matrix audit categories 

textile (uniforms)

•  Assessment* using the 
Supplier Information 
Management (SIM) system

•  Specific clauses in customer 
and employee contracts
•  Sodexo Code of conduct 
(statement of integrity)
•  Supplier and Subcontractor 

Contract Management 
(Contract clauses, Right 
Supplier, Right Terms)

•  Implementation of the 
Responsible Business 
Conduct program
•  Sodexo Safety Net

(evaluation and monitoring 
of high risk sites)

•  Supplier Code of conduct
•  Assessment* using the 
Supplier Information 
Management (SIM) system

•  Deployment of Global Health 
Policies - Workplace Safety

•  Culture o f « Zero harm »
•  Specific clauses in customer 
and employee contracts
•  Sodexo Code of conduct 
(statement of integrity)
•  Supplier and Subcontractor 

Contract Management 
(Contract clauses, Right 
Supplier, Right Terms)

•  Risk map including 

•  Standard Operating 

•  Sales Academy 

environmental risks , 
prepared by all countries 
(see section 5.4 Risk 
Management) 

•  New materiality Assessment 
(see Materiality Assessment, 
Chapter 1) 

Procedures (SOPs) for Site 
Managers

•  Implementation of the 
Responsible Business 
Conduct program

•  Supplier Code of conduct
•  Assessment* using the 
Supplier Information 
Management (SIM) system

ENVIRONMENT

(Environment dedicated 
session )

•  Site Manager Academy 
(Environment dedicated 
session)

•  Deployment of Group 

Policies: Palm Oil, Seafood, 
Eggs, Animal Welfare
•  Customer and employee 

contractual clauses
•  Sodexo Code of conduct 
(Integrity Principles)

•  Supplier and Subcontractor 

Contract  Management 
(Contract Clauses, Right 
Supplier, Right Terms)

*  Self-assessments

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ALERT AND REPORTING MECHANISM

FOLLOW-UP ON IMPLEMENTED 
MEASURES AND EVALUATION OF 
THEIR EFFECTIVENESS

INDICATORS AND EXAMPLES OF 
EFFECTIVENESS

OPPORTUNITY CREATED

•  “Speak up” alert system 
accessible to people 
impacted by Sodexo’s 
activities

•  Third-party independent 

•  94.5% of Sodexo’s  Senior 

•   Strengthening  social 

audit (KPMG)

•  Biennial Engagement Survey
•  Regular supplier review 

process (external 
certification, mitigation 
and prevention)

Leaders received training on 
sexual harassment

•  100% of Sodexo’s  textile 

suppliers are evaluated by 
an independent organization

dialogue through global 
framework agreement on 
sexual harassment
•  Strengthening the 

relationship with suppliers 
through the Seafood 
Task Force and the Global 
Sustainable Seafood 
Initiative

•  “Speak up” alert system 
accessible to people 
impacted by Sodexo’s 
activities

•  Health and safety reporting 

tool (Salus)

•  “Speak up” alert system 
accessible to people 
impacted by Sodexo’s 
activities

•  Third-party independent 

audit (KPMG)

•  Lost Time Injury Rate (LTIR): 
0.86 (improved by 11.1%)

•  Attraction and customer 

loyalty

•  Biennial Engagement Survey
•  Regular supplier review 

process (external 
certification, mitigation and 
prevention)

•  External certifications and 
compliance with standards 
(e.g., OHSAS 18001)

•  88% of Group revenues 
of countries having one 
or more OHSAS 18001 or 
ISO 45001 certifications

•  Reduction of insurance costs

•  Third-party independent 

•  89,1% of On-site Services 

•  Sodexo has a reputation as 

5

audit (KPMG)

•  Biennial Engagement Survey
•  Regular supplier review 

process (external 
certification, mitigation and 
prevention)

an attractive employer

•  Sodexo continues to 

expand its ecosystem to 
reduce greenhouse gas 
emissions and meet growing 
stakeholder expectations

revenues of countries having 
the Sodexo Animal Welfare 
Supplier charter available in 
at least one official language

•  77,9% of sustainable 

fish and seafood which is 
sustainable as a % of total 
seafood (in kg)

•  57,0% of cage free shell eggs 
(of the total of shell eggs 
purchased by Sodexo)

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 5.3.5  Personal data protection

Respecting people’s private lives and protecting their personal 
data  are  critical  to  Sodexo  for  it  to  maintain  relationships 
of  trust  with  its  employees,  customers,  consumers  and 
shareholders.

In view of this, in Fiscal 2017 Sodexo appointed a Group Data 
Protection Offi  cer who reports to the Group General Counsel.

2018 was the year of the implementation of the European General 
Data Protection Regulation(1) (the “GDPR”), which entered into 
force on May 25, 2018, as well as the adaptation of the French 
Informatique et libertés law (Data Protection Act)(2). This new 
legal framework for the protection of personal data, applicable 
beyond the borders of the European Union, was an opportunity 
for the Sodexo Group to roll out the required governance and a 
comprehensive personal data protection program.

Protecting personal data is the responsibility of everyone at 
Sodexo  and  is  one  of  the  pillars  of  the  Group’s  Responsible 
Business Conduct program.

5.3.5.1  Organizational structure

Sodexo’s Group Data Protection Offi  cer has a team of experts 
at the Group level which has recently been further strengthened 
with the addition of a project management specialist.

A network of data protection single points of contact now covers 
all of the Group’s geographic regions and business segments. 
This network is overseen by the Group Data Protection Offi  cer 
and  her  team  at  Group  level  in  order  to  ensure  that  data 
management  best  practices  are  harmonized  and  that  data 
protection policies and procedures are deployed consistently.

A reporting system has been set up and the reporting packages 
submitted by the data protection correspondents are used as the 
basis of the reports given on a quarterly basis by the Group Data 
Protection Offi  cer to the Chief Executive Offi  cer.

In Fiscal 2019, a shared governance system for personal data 
protection was set up at Group level with the teams responsible 
for information systems security. This system is structured 
around two Committees:

•  a cyber-security and personal data protection review 
Committee, comprising the Group Information Systems 
Security Offi  cer, the Group Data Protection Offi  cer, the Group 
General Counsel, the Chief Information Systems Offi  cer, the 
Group  Internal Control Officer and seven members of the 
Executive Committee.

The  role  of  this  Review  Committee,  which  meets  three 
to  four  times  a  year,  is  to  (i)  approve  the  strategies  and 
programs drawn up by the information systems security 
offi  cers and the Group Data Protection Offi  cer, and monitor 
the implementation of their respective roadmaps, (ii) draw 
lessons from major security incidents and data breaches 
and adjust the corresponding programs where necessary, 
(iii) review the reports of the internal and external auditors 
and  the  responses  to  be  put  in  place  for  any  identified 

weaknesses, and (iv) identify any major residual risks for the 
Group and decide on the appropriate remedial actions;

•  a Compliance Management Committee, comprising the 
Group Information Systems Security Offi  cer, the Group Data 
Protection Offi  cer, and members of their respective teams at 
Group level.

This Committee meets on a regular basis and is assisted, when 
required, by representatives of the Group’s business activities, 
segments   and support functions. Its role is to ensure that the 
IT-related technical and organizational measures implemented 
to guarantee security and confidentiality adequately cover 
personal data protection risks.

A personal data protection governance system has also been set 
up in some regions and its deployment for the remaining regions 
is a priority for Fiscal 2020.

5.3.5.2  Program for comp liance with 

GDPR and other personal 
data protection laws

The Group has deployed a compliance program to ensure that 
it fully respects the new requirements provided for in the GDPR 
and other personal data protection laws. This program includes 
the following:

 Governance

The  governance  measures  undertaken  to  structure  the 
organization of the overall personal data protection system are 
described above.

 Responsibility

In conjunction with the IT teams, in Fiscal 2018 an inventory 
was performed of (i) the types of personal data processing, 
by  purpose,  carried  out  by  Sodexo  entities  operating  in  the 
European Union and the European Economic Area, and (ii) the 
associated IT applications in place. This work resulted in the 
creation of registers, an overall data protection policy, and a 
practical GDPR compliance guide aimed at providing a standard 
set of procedures to be followed by the entities concerned when 
deploying GDPR-compliance measures (for further details on t he 
Group’s overall data protection policy, see section 5.4.1).

This inventory exercise was extended in Fiscal 2019 to the Asia 
Pacifi c region, the United States and Brazil.

Sodexo has also decided to submit Binding Corporate Rules 
to the French supervisory authority for data protection, the 
National  Commission  for  Information  Technology  and  Civil 
Liberties (“CNIL”), which Sodexo considers as its competent 
lead supervisory authority. This is a legal framework proposed 
in the GDPR, which allows multinational companies to submit 
a binding Code of conduct for personal data protection. Once 
approved by the CNIL, this Code will enable Sodexo to even more 
eff ectively share common compliance management rules with all 
Group entities and have a Group-wide data transfer framework.

1  Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of April 27, 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing 

of personal data and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Directive 95/46/EC.

2  French Act No. 78-17 of January 6, 1978 relating to information technology, data fi les, and civil liberties, as amended by Act No. 2018-493 of June 20, 2018.

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 Data sharing

The Group Data Protection Offi  cer has drawn up a best practice 
code for sharing data as well as template clauses for supplier 
agreements on processing personal data. These documents 
have been relayed throughout the network of data protection 
single points of contact so that all Group entities apply the same 
practices where data processing operations are either fully or 
partially outsourced.

Additionally, a map of the applicable personal data protection 
laws has been drawn up with the aim of providing a clear overall 
view of the formalities that need to be carried out in each of the 
Sodexo entities and therefore to prepare for implementation of 
the Binding Corporate Rules.

 Risk management and control

To  make  certain  that  personal  data  is  protected  right  from 
its collection, the Group has tightened its existing procedures 
by  incorporating  a  review  of  risks  related  to  privacy  and 
fundamental rights.

A systematic and automated review of these risks is carried out 
on Group suppliers before any contracts are signed with them.

Following  the  inventory  conducted  in  Fiscal  2018,  internal 
controls  and  a  recent  audit  of  risks  and  any  residual  non-
compliance  issues  was  performed  on  all  Sodexo  entities 
operating in the European Union and the European Economic 
Area. A regular monitoring plan has been put in place for the 
data protection single points of contact in order to assist them 
with ongoing compliance management.

The next planned major project in this area will be to create a 
register of risks and a list of control points to verify that the 
Group’s data protection procedures and best practices are being 
eff ectively implemented.

 Response protocols and execution measures

To ensure that any security incidents resulting from personal 
data breaches are properly managed, the Group Data Protection 
Offi  cer and the Group Information Systems Security Offi  cer have 
jointly draft  ed a Group directive to be adapted locally by all of 
the Sodexo entities. A dedicated system is also currently being 
deployed so that any such security incidents can be even more 
effi  ciently dealt with.

 Transparency, managing personal data rights, and 
awareness raising

As well as providing information on data processing and the 
Group’s  confidentiality  and  cookie  management  policies  to 
people whose data may be collected by Sodexo entities, the 
Group has put in place a policy and procedure for managing 
these  people’s  rights  so  that  any  requests  they  make  are 
handled rapidly and effi  ciently.

As an extension to the global GDPR training program set up 
in Fiscal 2018 for all of Sodexo’s employees, the Group has 
launched a new practical campaign, based on ten golden rules 
and designed in a fun and engaging way, to step up Sodexo’s 
drive to raise employee awareness about confidentiality and 
data protection.

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5.4  RISK MANAGEMENT

5.4.1  Group Policies

Sodexo  faces  a  number  of  internal  and  external  risks  and 
uncertainties  in  the  conduct  of  its  business  and  in  the 
implementation of its strategy. To confront these risks and 
uncertainties, the Group has established an organization and 
policies intended to identify, evaluate, prevent and manage 
these risks in order to limit any adverse impacts.

Internal control procedures are established by the Company 
and implemented under its responsibility, and are intended to 
ensure:

•  compliance with laws and regulations and application of 

Group policies;

•  the  effectiveness  of  the  Company’s  internal  processes, 
notably those concerning the safeguarding of its assets;

•  the reliability and integrity of financial and non-financial 

information.

Internal control procedures play a major role in the conduct of 
the Group’s business, by contributing to the prevention and 
management of risks.

Strategy, long-term objectives 
and general policies of the Group

The Group’s strategy, long-term objectives and general policies, 
as  defined  initially  by  Mr.  Pierre  Bellon  and  subsequently 
adjusted over the years by the Board of Directors, the Chief 
Executive Offi  cer and the Executive Committee, are set out in 
the fi rst chapter of this document and are presented each year 
during the Shareholders Meeting.

The Group’s internal control procedures rely on these principles.

General policies of the Group

Group policies cover such areas as strategic planning, human 
resources  development,  finance,  procurement,  consumer 
and  customer  focus,  food  safety  and  hygiene,  sustainable 
development and internal audit. They comprise four parts: goals, 
procedures, improvement metrics, and research and innovation. 
The Group continues to develop its policies to make them easier 
to understand and apply.

In light of the Group’s changing environment and its expanding 
portfolio of services and solutions, these policies are regularly 
updated and approved by the Board of Directors.

Strategic planning process

The Board of Directors and senior management work together to 
constantly improve the strategic planning process and promote 
buy-in at all levels of the organization.

The Group’s fundamental principles demonstrate how Sodexo 
was able to start from scratch in 1966 and then become a major 
international group with 470,000 employees, in 67 different 
countries,  and   world  leader  in  Quality  of  Life  services.  In  a 
profoundly changing world, Sodexo has defined priorities to 
enable  it  to  continue  to  grow  its  revenues  and  underlying 
operating profi t in the future.

Periodically,  and  particularly  during  the  September  Board 
meeting, the Group Chief Executive Officer, the heads of the 
Group  corporate  functions  and  the  Chief  Executive  Officers 
of the main segments and activities present their strategic 
plans. Through this process, directors and senior executives all 
contribute to evolving the strategy and policies of the Group.

The process leads to the preparation of a consolidated annual 
budget that is submitted to the Board of Directors for approval.

Human resources development policy

The Group’s three overriding human resources priorities are:

•  to meet staffi  ng requirements in terms of numbers, skills and 

competencies;

•  to promote the development of our people off ering training, 

learning and by giving priority to internal promotions;

•  to develop a performance-based culture based on shared 

priorities and indicators.

The main human resources policies are focused on: the profi le of 
a Sodexo leader and senior manager, Group organizational rules, 
succession planning for senior managers, senior managers’ 
training and skills enhancement, employee engagement, senior 
managers’ compensation, and innovation and research in the 
area of human resources administration.

Finally, annual tracking of improvement metrics by the Executive 
Committee  and  Board  of  Directors  should  serve  to  validate 
action  plans  aimed  at  advancing  these  policies,  including 
engagement surveys, employee retention, internal promotion, 
and the representation of women in senior management.

Sodexo  is  also  making  significant  advances  in  the  area  of 
diversity, particularly in relation to gender balance at all levels 
of  the  organization  and  is  establishing  partnerships  with 
organizations for people with disabilities.

Financial policies

The Group’s fi nancial objectives are twofold, namely:

TO PRESERVE THE GROUP’S FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE

Financial independence is a fundamental principle, because it 
enables the Group to hold fi rm to its values, pursue a long-term 
strategic vision, ensure management continuity and guarantee 
the business’s lasting success.

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Sodexo’s financial independence is guaranteed by the family 
shareholding. As of August 31, 2019, Sodexo’s holding company, 
Bellon SA, held 42.2% of the shares and 56.6% of the exercisable 
voting rights. It is based on three simple principles:

•  choosing low capital-intensive activities;

•  continuously  maintaining  sufficient  liquidity  to  fund 
growth, reimburse medium-term debt, and pay dividends to 
shareholders;

•  preserving a strong balance sheet and sound fi nancial ratios.

ENHANCING THE ATTRACTIVENESS OF SODEXO SHARES 
TO LOYAL, LONG-TERM SHAREHOLDERS

Financial policies establish rules applicable to areas such as 
investment approvals, and the management of working capital, 
cash and debt.

Group fi nancial policies require all decisions involving external 
financing  to  be  made  by  the  Group  Chief  Financial  Officer, 
the Chief Executive Offi  cer or the Board of Directors, depending 
on the amount and type of the transaction.

The Group Finance Department prepares a ten-year fi nancing 
plan for the Group each year.

Group fi nancial policies are designed to prevent any speculative 
positions  being  taken  and  to  avoid  risk  in  connection  with 
fi nancing and cash management activities.

Procurement policy

The objectives of the procurement function are documented 
in  the  Group’s  procurement  policies  and  processes.  The 
performance  of  Sodexo’s  procurement  teams  in  the  main 
countries where it does business is measured through savings 
metrics,  which  enable  the  Group  to  gauge  the  impacts  of 
procurement initiatives and demonstrate the savings achieved.

T h e   G r o u p ’ s   p r i o r i t y   i s   t o   e n s u r e   t h a t   s u p p l i e r s   a n d 
subcontractors that deliver Sodexo products and services have 
the right skills, capabilities and potential to carry out the tasks 
assigned  to  them.  Our  risk  management  guidelines  set  out 
the procurement procedures that our teams are required to 
follow in terms of working with and managing suppliers and 
subcontractors. The level of initial evaluation process and type 
of on-going management procedures for suppliers and sub-
contractors directly depend on the product supplied or service 
rendered, and include verifying issues such as food safety and 
traceability.

In  line  with  the  Group’s  procurement  policy,  suppliers  and 
subcontractors must sign the Sodexo Supplier Code of conduct 
which sets out Sodexo’s requirements for adopting responsible 
best practices concerning ethical, social and environmental 
issues.

Business Integrity Guide

The Business Integrity Guide sets forth the Group’s standards 
f o r   a c h i e v i n g   b u s i n e s s   i n t e g r i t y .   A d h e r e n c e   t o   t h e s e 
uncompromising standards is part of what it means to be an 
employee of an industry-leading, best-in-class company. Sodexo 
employees must never compromise adherence to this guide for 
fi nancial or other business objectives or personal gain. Sodexo 

does  not  tolerate  any  practice  that  is  not  born  of  honesty, 
integrity and fairness, anywhere in the world where it does 
business.

Corporate Responsibility

Since  its  creation  in  1966,  Sodexo’s  vocation  has  been  to 
improve the Quality of Life for its employees and all whom it 
serves  and contribute to the economic, social and environmental 
development  of  the  communities,  regions  and  countries  in 
which it operates . In 2009, the Group formalized its Corporate 
Responsibility roadmap, the Better Tomorrow Plan. A revised 
version of this roadmap, Better Tomorrow 2025 was released 
in 2016.

The roadmap focuses on Sodexo’s role as an employer, as a 
service provider and as a corporate citizen as well as on the 
impacts that it has on individuals, on communities and on the 
environment. It has 9 measurable commitments to action by 
2025 with interim targets.

Sodexo’s  commitment  to  the  environment  as  a  service 
provider  is  to  source  responsibly  and  provide  management 
services that reduce carbon emissions. Since 2009, Sodexo has 
implemented a low carbon strategy which is motivated by our 
desire to improve Quality of Life. Our strategy takes into account 
the business opportunities, risks and their fi nancial implications.

In particular, these commitments are demonstrated through the 
following actions:

•  renewal of the technical partnership agreement with World 
Wildlife Fund (WWF) to work on carbon reduction throughout 
Sodexo’s supply chain;

•  membership of the Better Buying Lab initiative led by the 
World Resources Institute (WRI) to promote the consumption 
of more plant-based food;

•  combined management focus on achievement of the 34% 
carbon  emissions  reduction  target,  compared  to  2011 
baseline year.

In  the  area  of  nutrition  for  the  health  and  wellness  of 
consumers,  Sodexo  is  committed  to  food  safety  and  the 
promotion of a balanced diet for its consumers. Sodexo plays 
a critical role in the fi ght against obesity and malnutrition and 
provides solutions to make health and wellness a priority.

In  the  area  of  social,  economic  and  environmental 
development  in  the  cities,  regions  or  countries  where 
Sodexo is present, we focus on the following actions:

• 

 Sodexo has been supporting the fight against hunger and 
malnutrition through Stop Hunger  a global network created 
20 years ago;

•  working with local and small businesses and contributing to 
local economies through the Partner Inclusion program which 
allows thousands of local businesses s to integrate Sodexo’s 
value chain;

•  tackling waste by engaging with clients and supply partners 
to provide innovative solutions on food waste through the 
deployment of the program WasteWatch ;

•  promoting gender balance with a target of having at least 

40% woman among Sodexo’s senior leaders by 2025.

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Sodexo  is  committed  to  respecting  human  rights  wherever 
it  does  business.  This  commitment,  with  its  core  policies 
and procedures are based on international texts such as the 
Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Labour 
Organization’s Declaration of Fundamental Principles and Rights 
at Work, and by the principles set forth in the OECD Guidelines 
for Multinational Enterprises and the UN Guiding Principles on 
Business and Human Rights.

In  September  2019,  Sodexo,  world  leader  in  Quality  of  Life 
services, was named Global Sustainability Industry Leader in its 
sector for the 15th year in a row by the Dow Jones Sustainability 
Index (DJSI).

Health, safety and environment policy

A  world-class  HSE  performance  is  essential  to  our  future 
commercial success and our reputation as a responsible global 
business. More importantly, at the heart of our HSE commitment 
is our care for people, for our community of employees as well 
as for all the tens of millions of consumers we serve every day. 
Health and safety is the founding pillar on which we base our 
mission to improve Quality of Life.

Sodexo’s global Health, Safety and Environment policy sets out 
the Company’s commitments. In partnership with our clients, 
consumers, suppliers and local communities, we work towards 
a zero harm culture where we prevent injuries and ill-health and 
protect the environment.

Information systems policies

The Group Information Systems and Technologies Department 
(Global IS&T) has defi ned three core objectives:

• 

improve the productivity of the Group’s teams and bring 
them closer to their customers and consumers by leveraging 
new information and communication technologies;

•  resolutely focus on serving users and keep pace with their 

changing needs and expectations;

•  standardize  information  systems  in  order  to  continue 
to  support  Sodexo’s  growth,  while  also  developing  more 
robust  performance  measurement  systems  and  control 
environments for our activities.

To meet these three core objectives, the Information Systems 
and  Technologies  Department  has  deployed  numerous 
procedures, notably in the following areas:

•  Group Information Systems Governance;

• 

Information and Systems Security;

•  Mobile Terminal Allocation and Security;

• 

IS&T Capital Expenditure Programs;

•  Third Party Security.

Data Protection policy

As Sodexo put individuals at the heart of the Quality of Life services, 
it was essential for Sodexo to establish a foundation for privacy 
and the protection of all personal data. The Sodexo’s Global Data 
Protection Policy is aimed to describe how Sodexo entities collect, 
use, store, share, delete or otherwise process personal data and 
how data subjects can exercise their rights. This policy applies to 
the global organization of Sodexo entities when the European data 
protection law, namely, the General Data Protection Regulation 
(or “GDPR”) is applicable. This policy applies to the processing of 
personal data collected by Sodexo, directly or indirectly, from all 
individuals including, but not limited to Sodexo’s job applicants, 
our employees, clients, consumers, suppliers or subcontractors, 
our shareholders or any third parties (for further details of the 
compliance program relating to GDPR and other data protection 
laws, please refer to section 5.3.5.2).

Internal audit policy

Internal audit activities include reviewing and assessing the 
adequacy and eff ectiveness of governance, risk management 
and  internal  control  systems  and  processes.  This  includes 
assessing:

•  the reliability of fi nancial and non-fi nancial information;

•  compliance  with  existing  policies,  procedures,  laws  and 

regulations;

•  the methods used to safeguard assets;

•  the eff ectiveness of operations and the resources used.

The  internal  audit  team  is  also  responsible  for  alerting  the 
Chairwoman of the Board of Directors, the Audit Committee and 
the Executive Committee to any material risks and informing 
them of the causes of identifi ed weaknesses.

The  internal  audit  team  has  defined  several  procedures, 
primarily covering the identifi cation of internal audit priorities 
for the coming fi scal year, the planning and execution of internal 
audits, the draft  ing of Internal Audit Reports and the follow up of 
action plans to implement the team’s recommendations.

A  series  of  internal  audit  performance  indicators  has  been 
developed, covering such issues as the percentage of internal 
audit  recommendations  that  have  been  implemented,  the 
average  time  required  to  issue  Internal  Audit  Reports,  the 
annual audit plan completion rate, Internal Auditor training and 
rotation rates, the satisfaction rate among audited units.

Delegations of authority

Principles and policies in this area are supplemented by job 
descriptions, annual targets and, for senior executives, clearly 
defi ned delegations, which are reviewed annually and formally 
communicated to each executive by his or her superior.

The Chief Executive Offi  cer delegates certain authority to the 
members of the Group Executive Committee, who themselves 
delegate to members of their executive teams.

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Delegations of authority cover business development, human 
resources, procurement, investments and fi nance.

Delegations of authority must comply with the Group’s policies.

Improvement metrics

All progress can be measured. Accordingly, Sodexo has developed 
improvement metrics allowing for progress to be measured 
in  five  main  areas:  Business  Development,  Management, 
Procurement, Human Resources and Corporate Responsibility.

The Group Finance Department coordinates the process and 
monitors operational improvement metrics for activities and 
entities using a Group scorecard.

Making progress in these areas is critical for future growth in 
underlying operating profi t, operating cash fl ow and revenue.

The improvement metrics are presented each year to the Board 
of Directors and the Group Executive Committee in order to track 
progress in the areas concerned.

Development metrics:

•  client retention rate;

•  client and consumer satisfaction rates;

•  comparable unit growth;

•  new business development rate;

•  return on investments in development (particularly non-

tangible investments).

Management metrics:

•  contract profi tability;

•  profi tability of the diff erent activities and client segments;

•  gross operating margin and on-site costs;

•  general and administrative expenses by subsidiary, by client 

segment and by function.

Procurement metrics:

•  percentage of purchases made from referenced suppliers;

•  number of referenced products, reduction in the number of 

deliveries on a site, etc.

Corporate Responsibility metrics

Employer metrics, including:

•  employee engagement rate for which the Group has targeted 
a  level  comparable  to  that  of  firms  ranked  as  the  best 
employers worldwide. This indicator is measured every two 
years by an engagement survey;

•  employee retention for all personnel and for site managers;

• 

internal promotion, which is measured by the number of 
employees promoted to site manager, to a middle manager 
or a senior management position;

•  representation of women in senior management;

•  percentage reduction in LTIR;

•  percentage of workforce working in countries implementing 
action plans to integrate people with disabilities into the 
workplace.

Nutrition, health and wellness metrics, including:

•  percentage  of  client  sites  implementing  actions  that 
proactively address the Sodexo 10 Golden Rules of Nutrition, 
Health and Wellness.

Economic, social and environmental development metrics, 
including:

•  percentage of spend with contracted suppliers having signed 

the Sodexo Supplier Code of conduct;

•  business value benefi ting SMEs (in euro).

Environmental protection metrics, including:

•  measure of the consumption of products, identifi ed as having 

an impact on the environment (for example palm oil);

•  percentage of sustainable fi sh and seafood;

•  percentage  reduction  in  carbon  emissions  intensity 

(compared to 2011 baseline).

Sodexo selected an independent fi rm to audit a representative 
s e l e c t i o n   o f   s o c i a l ,   e n v i r o n m e n t a l   a n d   s o c i e t a l   d a t a 
demonstrating the progress made in the area of Corporate Social 
Responsibility. The conclusions of this audit are presented in 
 section 3.2.9  of this document.

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5.4.2  Description of the risk management approach

5.4.2.1  Organization of the risk management and internal control model

The risk management and internal control process is built using the 3 Lines of Defense model, as shown below:

SODEXO’S RISK MANAGEMENT AND INTERNAL CONTROL MODEL

The Three Lines of Defense

BOARD / AUDIT COMMITTEE

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Report

Report

Report

Inform

FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE

SECOND LINE OF DEFENSE

THIRD LINE OF DEFENSE

OPERATIONAL
MANAGEMENT

Segment Directors, 

District Managers, 

Site Managers…

SUPPORT/
TRANSVERSAL
FUNCTIONS

Service Operations 

 Finance

Human Resources

Health & Safety

IT Security

Risk Management and Internal Control, 
Legal Affairs...

GROUP
INTERNAL 
AUDIT

E
X
T
E
R
N
A
L

A
U
D

I
T
O
R
S
/
R
E
G
U
L
A
T
O
R
S

Identify and manage risks 

• 
  within their activities 

•  Support our operators 
in risk management 

•  Put controls into place 

•  Provide tools and processes 

•  Evaluates and makes 

recommendations for the 
improvement of risk management

The  first  line  of  defense  mainly  consists  of  our  operational 
managers who identify and manage risks within their activities. 
They  put  controls  and  action  plans  in  place  for  the  risks 
identifi ed.

The second line of defense is our support functions who are there 
to support operators in their risk management. They define 
the procedures and standards and provide standardized tools 
and processes to enable operational staff to put in place the 
appropriate controls.

The  third  line  of  defense  is  internal  audit,  which  gives  an 
independent evaluation of the risk management and internal 
control  process  to  the  Executive  Committee  and  Board  of 
Directors. It makes recommendations to the fi rst and second 
lines of defense for the improvement of risk management and 
internal control, and carries out monitoring in relation to action 
plans.

Sodexo has put in place a robust procedure for the identifi cation 
and assessment of major risks, designed to ensure that risks 
are evaluated and managed at the appropriate level within the 
organization. Measures to manage risks are implemented either 
at the site, country, regional or global level, depending on their 
nature.

The Group’s internal control procedures rely on the fundamental 
principles defi ned by the Board of Directors.

5.4.2.2  Approach to Risk Assessment

Sodexo uses a hybrid risk assessment approach, both “bottom-
up” from operators and “top-down” from senior management.

On an operational level, the leadership Committees of each of 
Sodexo’s main entities carry out an annual risk assessment, 
facilitated by risk and internal control managers. The results of 
these assessments are recorded in a global risk management 
tool. Risks thus identifi ed are owned and managed at the local 
level.

Additionally, a series of interviews with Sodexo’s senior leaders 
across the world is carried out by Group Internal Audit  on an 
annual basis to identify key risks impacting Sodexo’s business 
and the achievement of its objectives.

The results of all the risk assessments and the senior leader 
interviews are taken into account in the Group risk profi le that 
consists  of  the  principal  risks  that  might  impact  Sodexo’s 
Strategic Agenda. The profi le is shared with Sodexo’s Executive 
Committee for comment, before being submitted to the Audit 
Committee and the Board of Directors.

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5.4.2.3  Risk Assessment 

Methodology

5.4.2.4  Link between internal control 
and risk assessment

Sodexo assesses its risks in 3 stages using a standard global 
methodology:

•  risk Identification: the fi rst step is the identifi cation of risks 
that may impact Sodexo’s ability to achieve its objectives, 
whether  it  be  at  site,  country,  regional  or  global  level.  A 
number of risk identification methods are used, including 
surveys and risk registers, but the recommended and most 
widely  used  method  for  both  bottom-up  and  top  down 
assessments is by individual interview with key stakeholders;

•  risk evaluation: risks identifi ed in the previous step are then 

evaluated using three risk criteria:

• 

• 

• 

impact – the eff ect or consequence the risk will have,

likelihood  -  the  frequency  or  probability  of  the  risk 
occurring,

level of control - the level of control already in place to 
reduce the risk;

•  risk  prioritization:  following  evaluation,  risks  are  then 

prioritized for further actions to treat them.

The main risk factors to which the Group is exposed are described 
in section 5.4.3 of this Universal Registration Document.

As  described  above,  risk  assessment  is  used  to  identify, 
evaluate and prioritize risks. Once they have been assessed, 
risks  are  treated  to  reduce  their  effect.  Ways  of  treating 
risks include putting in place action plans and implementing 
controls. Controls therefore form an important part of the range 
of measures that can be used to mitigate risks, and Sodexo’s 
internal control procedures are part of an ongoing process of 
managing the Group’s risk exposure.

Sodexo’s risk management and internal control system is based 
on the internal control reference framework recommended by 
the French securities regulator (Autorité des marchés financiers – 
AMF). The fi ve components of the reference framework are the 
control  environment  (integrity,  ethics,  competencies,  etc.), 
evaluation of risks (identifi cation, analysis and management of 
risks), control activities (methods and procedures), information 
and communication (collection and sharing of information) and 
monitoring (follow-up and eventual updating of processes).

5.4.3  Risk factors

5.4.3.1  Principal Risks & Risk Management Measures

Summary of Sodexo’s Principal Risk Factors

The  summary  table  of  Sodexo’s  principal  risks  shows  a 
classifi cation of the risks by reference to the pillars of Sodexo’s 
Strategic Agenda, as well as risks from the external environment. 
As outlined in 5.4.2.3, each risk is assessed using impact and 
probability to give an evaluation of the inherent risk, and then a 

third criteria “level of control” is used to evaluate the overall net 
risk. The table below shows the net risk assessment. The most 
signifi cant risks are presented at the top of each category, and 
the materiality of each risk shown is using a two -level rating 
scale, as follows:

5

MEDIUM

HIGH

RISK MANAGEMENT AND MAIN RISKS

CLIENT &
CONSUMER CENTRIC

Client retention

Consumer expectations

Bidding risk

Competition

OPERATIONAL
EFFICIENCY

Client contract execution

Technology and information security

TALENT

Talent management and development

CORPORATE
RESPONSIBILITY

EXTERNAL
ENVIRONMENT

Labor shortage

Food, services & workplace safety

Environmental impact

Compliance with laws and regulations

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Description of Principal Risk Factors

The tables describing Sodexo’s principal risk factors (see below) give an estimate of their timeframe (short term, medium term or long 
term), their possible impact and examples of measures implemented to reduce these risks.

The risk timeframe is shown as follows:

Short Term (less than a year)

Medium Term (1 to 3 years)

Long Term (over 3 years)

CLIENT RETENTION

Risk of not keeping and renewing contracts with Sodexo’s existing clients.

Risk Timeframe: Long Term 

Category: Client & Consumer Centric

Impact
Growth is an essential ingredient in Sodexo’s business model, and the 
most efficient way to grow is by retaining the clients it already has. 
Sodexo’s FY19 retention rate is 93.3% compared to an objective of 95%.
Any  lack  of  quality  in  services,  lack  of  ability  to  provide  certain 
services or exaggeration in the cost of services or any changes in 
client outsourcing strategy could mean that the client is not retained, 
possibly leading to :
•  less growth;
•  decrease in profitability;
•  loss of credibility in the market place.

Examples of Mitigating Activities
•  On-site teams continually listening to the client and the consumer.
•  Strengthening of the client relationship management process to 
ensure alignment with client expectations on an on-going basis.

•  Renewed client relationship management tool.
•  Combined offer of On-site Services and Benefits and Rewards Services 

widens the choice for clients.

•  Continual refining of service offers to respond to client challenges 
(e.g. healthy eating choices, development of energy management 
services).

•  Monitoring at global level of retention in the client portfolio.

CONSUMER EXPECTATIONS

Increasing consumer expectations around personalized and innovative services, healthy food choices and a comfortable 
environment; increasing consumer expectations in relation to Company business conduct and environmental impact.

Risk Timeframe: Short/Medium Term 

Category: Client & Consumer Centric

Impact
“Empowered consumers” is one of 11 megatrends that Sodexo has 
identified in its markets. Consumers are increasingly voicing their 
opinions and clients are taking their opinions into account. Consumers 
expect more choice, more convenience, more healthy options and 
socially responsible behavior from the companies from which they 
receive service. Specific examples that Sodexo has had to take into 
account include:
•  increased use of digital platforms for delivery of meals;
•  rise of demand from our consumers for plant-based food that is less 

carbon intensive;

•  reduction of single use plastics to reduce marine pollution.
If Sodexo cannot anticipate and interpret such consumer expectations 
or cannot meet their expectations for innovation and in relation to 
environmental impact or business conduct, its revenues, as well as its 
reputation, could be affected.

Examples of Mitigating Activities
•  Partnering with startups
•  Sodexo is a partner of Vivatech, a digital fair that brings together 

startups and large companies.

•  Better  Tomorrow  Program:  Sodexo’s  corporate  responsibility 
roadmap, that sets out 9 commitments based on their impact on 
individuals, communities and the environment.

•  Roll-out of 10 Golden rules of nutrition, health and well-being.
•  Sodexo employs more than 5,000 dieticians worldwide.
•  Sodexo’s Code of conduct, the” Business Integrity Guide” sets out 

Sodexo’s standards for business integrity.

•  Global  Ethics  &  Compliance  Committee  supports  programs 

throughout the Company.

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BIDDING RISK

Risks relating to the commercial and contractual model and the scope of services included in a client contract.

Risk Timeframe: Long Term 

Category: Client & Consumer Centric

Impact
Some of Sodexo’s client contracts are long-term and may run between 
five and ten years at a time. This is particularly relevant for the Business 
& Administrations segment.
Inaccurate pricing assumptions, a lack of definition or detail in the 
scope of services and inadequate contractual clauses during a bid 
proposal can lead to low margins or even losses on the contract, either 
in the startup phase or at a later date.

Examples of Mitigating Activities
•  Benchmark  exercises,  site  visits,  full  due  diligence  and  the  use 
of technical expertise are all part of the process to establish unit 
costs, seasonality of services and base-line estimates (monitoring 
of  cost  and  performance  indicators  to  verify  the  relevance  and 
competitiveness of our offer).

•  Identification of the main contractual risks (from the analysis) and 

the deployment of measures to compensate these risks.

•  System of review of projects by different stakeholders according to 

their size, stake and scope.

•  Strict execution of Sodexo’s key processes for contract design & 

solution and mobilization.

COMPETITION

Sodexo faces both established competitors and new digital entrants at the local, national and international levels: risk of market 
share loss and loss of growth momentum.

Risk Timeframe: Long Term 

Category: Client & Consumer Centric

Impact
Losing ground to competitors reflects a lack of understanding of the 
evolution of client needs and entails a lack of growth in revenues and 
lower profitability.
As an example, the Healthcare & Seniors and the Education segments 
in  North  America  have  lost  market  share  in  recent  years,  losing 
momentum in growth and profitability.

Examples of Mitigating Activities
•  Growing convergence between On-site Services and Benefits and 
Rewards Services, with the digital content, widens the choice that 
can be offered to consumers in both activities.

•  Creation of new offers to better respond to consumer expectations.
•  Strategic acquisitions to expand Sodexo’s offers.
•  Roll-out of STEP: Sodexo’s performance management framework 
designed  to  drive  operational  performance  through  common 
operational indicators.

•  Identification of savings to be redeployed in investment for growth.
•  Strengthening of commercial teams on the ground.

CLIENT CONTRACT EXECUTION

5

Risks relating to the execution of a client contract: poor service delivery, non-fulfilment of contractual and performance obligations, 
over delivery of additional services not defined in the contract, poor management of food and labor costs.

Risk Timeframe: Short/Medium Term 

Category: Operational Efficiency

Impact
Poor service delivery to clients or non-fulfilment of contract obligations 
could lead to client dissatisfaction, possible contractual penalties and 
ultimately the loss of the client.
Over-delivery of additional services not defined in the contracts and 
without related invoicing could lead to a shortfall in revenues and loss 
of profitability on the contract.
Poor management of food and labor costs could result in reduced 
profitability on the contract.

Examples of Mitigating Activities
•  Strict  execution  of  Sodexo  key  processes  defined  for  contract 

mobilization.

•  « I Promise »: tools and techniques to help site managers manage 

their contracts and improve the services they deliver.

•  Definition of operational standards and best practices that are 

shared to improve performance (e.g. Innovhub).

•  Implementation of a tool such as the Site Management System to 
ensure proper training of employees and the execution of quality 
inspections.

•  DRIVE: integrated food management process.
•  STEP: Sodexo’s performance management framework.
•  Strict monitoring of loss-making contracts.

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TECHNOLOGY & INFORMATION SECURITY

Risks around managing the confidentiality, availability and integrity of Sodexo’s information technology assets; managing 
cloud systems and third-party suppliers, managing Sodexo and client data; risks from external cyber threats.

Risk Timeframe: Short/Medium Term  

Category: Operational Efficiency

Impact
On a daily basis Sodexo IT systems across 67 countries process the 
data  of  470,000  Sodexo  employees  and  100  million  consumers; 
including patients in hospitals and children in Childcare.
In addition, the demand for new innovative and efficient services 
creates a fast changing and highly interconnected architecture, while 
the scale of operations also makes Sodexo a target for cyber criminals 
who want to exploit its weaknesses and those of the thousands of 
clients and suppliers, to whom Sodexo is connected.
Within this challenging environment, information security issues 
such as poor data integrity, loss of data confidentiality and lack of 
availability of key systems, or collaboration services, could result in 
high cost and/or high-volume impacts such as:
•  inaccurate financial reporting;
•  contractual penalties;
•  regulatory fines (e.g. GDPR, Brazilian data protection law LGPD, card 

payment standard PCI-DSS);

•  reputational  damage  with  shareholders,  clients,  consumers, 

suppliers and employees.

Examples of Mitigating Activities
•  Group Information & Systems Security Policy aligned to ISO 27001 
framework, with detailed security directives on key topics (e.g. 
security by design, cloud services, incident management).

•  Investment in security infrastructure, tools and services such 
as multi-factor authentication, laptop encryption, security risk 
assessments, security operations centre and email monitoring.
•  Global Data Centre consolidation strategy focused on using trusted 
hosting  partners  (e.g.  Microsoft  Azure)  to  provide  secure  and 
efficient services.

•  Company-wide collaboration on security and compliance topics 
such  as  data  privacy,  cyber  threats,  new  technologies  and  IT 
internal controls facilitated by formal Governance Committees 
and cross entity network groups.

TALENT MANAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT

Risk of not having the right people in the right place at the right time.

Risk Timeframe: Short/Medium Term  

Category: Talent

Impact
Sodexo is a company of people serving people. With 410,000 consumer 
and client-facing employees and 60,000 managers, Sodexo’s employees 
are central to its long-term growth objectives.
Particular focus is on North America for talent identification (pipeline) 
and strengthening performance-led culture. In developing markets like 
APAC, the focus is on talent attraction and talent retention.
A  lack  of  attention  to  employee  performance  management  and 
development could lead to:
•  a decrease in service quality jeopardizing retention and  therefore 

long-term profitable growth;

•   reactive vs. proactive talent management, leading to loss of top 

talent.

Examples of Mitigating Activities
•  Sodexo offers training and development programs to reskill and 

upskill.

•  Sodexo has designed a new performance and reward framework to 

help retain, develop and motivate people.

•  Annual talent reviews are run at management level.
•  Global New Generation Leader program designed to strengthen 

leadership bench.

•  Succession  planning  is  included  in  individual  management 

objectives.

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LABOR SHORTAGE

Shortage in skills due to significant pressure on labor markets and lack of industry experience.

Risk Timeframe: Short Term 

Category: Talent

Impact
On a global scale, Sodexo’s ability to recruit enough employees is 
influenced by:
•  demographic issues;
•  perceived attractiveness of the jobs available;
•  availability of necessary skills (e.g. chefs).
Any inability to mobilize the skills needed in terms of quality and 
volume could lead to client contracts not being served properly.

Examples of Mitigating Activities
•  Sodexo develops local training centers to skill current and future 
employees (e.g.; CEDEX in Latam, Food Services Apprenticeship 
Training Center in France).

•  Sodexo designs competency models, career paths to help people 

grow and stay.

•  Sodexo  has  started  to  develop  and  pilot  Strategic  Workforce 
Planning  in  some  segments  (Energy  &  Resources)  and  regions 
(China) to better anticipate labor needs.

FOOD SERVICES AND WORK PLACE SAFETY

Consumer illness or injury caused by technical services, consumer illness caused by food services, work-related Injury/illness 
of Sodexo employee or contractor.

Risk Timeframe: Short/Medium Term  

Category: Corporate Responsibility

Impact
Potential illness, injury or loss of life of consumers, clients or Sodexo 
employees could mean:
•  loss of client confidence in Sodexo;
•  significant lost time due to injury and illness;
•  fines and potential litigation;
•  impact on Company reputation.

Examples of Mitigating Activities
•  Sodexo Safety Nets – 7 measures for accident prevention.
•  Employee training.
•  Global HSE and food safety policy and standards.
•  Leadership Safety Walks.
•  Incident and accident reporting.
•  Quick Share process to share lessons learned from investigations.
•  Global HSE Committee that reviews incidents and the effectiveness 

of processes on a quarterly basis.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

Adverse environmental impact from Sodexo’s activities: poor management of food waste, ineffective actions to mitigate climate 
change.

Risk Timeframe: Long Term 

Category: Corporate Responsibility

Impact
•  Poor food waste management could result in a loss of client and 
consumer confidence and a decreased ability to attract new 
clients.

•  Ineffective climate change actions could result in Sodexo’s carbon 

emissions staying the same or even increasing.

5

Examples of Mitigating Activities
•  WasteWatch global program to reduce food waste.
•  Connecting financing costs of the Group to action on food waste 

performance.

•  Environmental awareness campaigns – WasteLess week.
•  Participation in the International Food Waste Coalition.
•  Local and responsible sourcing.
•  Roll-out of plant-based recipes in units using ingredients selected 
for their lower environmental impact and higher nutritional value.
•  Measurement and tracking of carbon footprint of Sodexo’s food 

purchases.

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COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS AND REGULATIONS

The nature of Sodexo’s business and its worldwide presence mean that it is subject to a wide variety of laws, including labor law, 
anti-trust law, anti-corruption law, data protection and privacy, and health, safety and environmental law.

Risk Timeframe: Medium Term 

Category: External Risk

Impact
The wide range of services that Sodexo proposes means that it is subject 
to very specific laws and regulations for each activity at both the global 
and local level. As examples:
•  as  a  food  operator,  Sodexo  has  a  legal  requirement  to  provide 
accurate allergen information about the food and drinks it serves;
•  the emission of vouchers and cards in Benefits & Rewards services 
requires  compliance  with  anti-money-laundering  laws  in  some 
countries;

Examples of Mitigating Activities
•  Legal teams deployed at the central and local levels, who provide 

advice to operational staff.

•  Legal teams specialized by area of expertise, having recourse to 

external experts.

•  Awareness training sessions for our employees.
•  Global Ethics and Compliance Committee ensures coordination 
and coherence of deployment of compliance programs amongst 
countries.

•  working  with  sensitive  populations  like  children  and  seniors  in 
Personal  &  Home  Services  requires  back-ground  checks  of  our 
employees.

•  Sodexo Speak Up offers Sodexo employees and partners a confidential 
way to report activities or behaviors contrary to the Code of conduct 
or illegal.

Any non-compliance of Sodexo with laws and regulations or a lack of 
knowledge and awareness of laws and regulations either at a country 
level or a global level could mean:
•  harm to employees, clients and consumers;
•  damage to Sodexo’s reputation;
•  potential financial penalties;
•  criminal action being brought against the Company and its directors.

5.4.3.2  Risk coverage

5.4.3.2.1  Insurance coverage

Sodexo’s  general  policy  is  to  transfer  non-retained  risks, 
especially intensity risks, to the insurance market. Insurance 
programs are contracted with reputable insurers.

The main insurance programs are as follows:

• 

liability insurance, which covers against personal injury, 
property  damage  or  consequential  loss  caused  to  third 
parties. This category notably includes operational, product, 
after-delivery  and  professional  liability  insurance.  Since 
June 1, 2016, Sodexo has implemented a worldwide liability 
insurance  program  benefiting  all  countries  in  which  the 
Group operates, including the USA and Canada;

•  property insurance, which mainly covers the risk of fi re and 
explosion, water damage, natural disasters, and (in some 
countries)  acts  of  terrorism.  As  a  general  rule,  the  sum 
insured is equal to the value of the insured property; however, 
some insurance contracts cap the amount paid out under the 
policy;

•  workers’ compensation. In countries with no government-
provided coverage (primarily the United States, Canada and 
Australia), Sodexo has contracted workers’ compensation 
programs;

•  crime insurance dedicated to Benefi ts and Rewards Services, 
to partially transfer to the insurance market the risks of 
fraud, falsifi cation and theft  ;

•  marine cargo insurance for covering loss or theft   of goods 

during their shipment;

•  employment practices liability which provides coverage for 
wrongful termination, sexual harassment, discrimination and 
workplace torts. This program was originally implemented in 
the USA and Canada, but has been expanded globally from 
June 1, 2017;

•  cyber risk insurance, which responds to cyber events such 
as intrusion, denial of service attacks, data breach. It covers 
the forensics, privacy breach and data restoration costs as 
well as any business interruption arising out of a cyber event.

In addition, Sodexo maintains compulsory insurance as legally 
required in the countries where it operates.

5.4.3.2.2  Self-Insured Risks

Retained or self-insured risks correspond to the deductibles 
specifi ed in the insurance programs contracted by Sodexo. They 
consist for the most part of frequency risks (i.e., risks that recur 
regularly) but from time to time may also include intensity risks 
(i.e., risks representing substantial amounts). In some countries, 
these retained risks correspond to deductibles under employer’s 
liability, workers compensation, third-party automobile and 
property insurance. In North America, deductibles range from 
5,000 U.S. dollars to 5,000,000 U.S. dollars per occurrence. 
Outside  North  America,  deductibles  generally  range  from 
7,500  euro  to  2,000,000  euro  per  occurrence.  Sodexo  also 
self-insures frequency risks and low amplitude risks through 
two  captive  insurance  companies.  The  American  company, 
incorporated in the State of Hawaii, manages the deductibles of 

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the Workers’ Compensation, Automobile Liability and General 
Liability  insurance  programs.  The  Irish  company,  based  in 
Dublin, provides:

•  direct insurance and re-insurance for motor own damage and 
third party liability risks up to 500,000 euro per claim and 
2,500,000 euro in aggregate per year;

•  reinsurance on the property insurance program for up to 

3,000,000 euro per claim and in aggregate per year.

5.4.3.2.3  Placing of risk and total cost

On  the  occasion  of  its  most  recent  policy  renewals,  Sodexo 
maintained  the  scope  and  level  of  its  coverage,  as  regards 
in  particular,  general  liability  insurance  and  professional 
liability insurance, especially for risks associated with facilities 
management activities.

The total cost of the main insurance programs and self-insured 
risks (excluding workers’ compensation) of fully-consolidated 
Group companies, represents around 0.25% of consolidated 
revenue.

5.4.3.3  Description of internal 

control process, including 
controls relating to the 
preparation and accounting 
disclosure

The risk management and internal control approach applied 
within the Group consists of:

•  the identifi cation and assessment of risks;

•  the description of the control environment, both at Group and 

subsidiary levels;

•  documentation and self-assessment of these control points, 

both at local and Group level;

• 

independent testing of the effectiveness of these control 
points, by independent persons.

A very large number of Group entities representing almost 97% 
of Sodexo’s revenues, prepare a detailed report (Company Level 
Control Report) on their control environment based on the fi ve 
components of the reference framework and which includes 
an evaluation of the subsidiary’s principal risks, a description 
of  risk  management  measures  and  an  assessment  of  their 
eff ectiveness.

The most signifi cant Group entities together representing more 
than 93% of Group revenues, go beyond this initial phase, and 
evaluate the eff ectiveness of additional controls determined by 
their own risk assessment (Process Level Controls). Some of 
these controls are also subject to eff ectiveness tests performed 
by independent persons (Group Internal Auditors).

An executive summary of the status of internal controls and 
the progress achieved is submitted to the Audit Committee at 
the end of the fiscal year. For Fiscal 2019, 650 controls were 
independently  tested  by  Group  Internal  Audit  in  different 
entities. 27% of the recommendations made by Internal Audit 
in Fiscal 2019 have already been satisfactorily implemented 
and confi rm actual progress, while action plans are underway to 
implement the other recommendations.

5.4.3.4  Description of internal 

controls relating 
to the preparation of 
accounting and fi nancial 
disclosure

The Group Finance Department is responsible for ensuring the 
reliability of fi nancial and accounting information.

A  process  is  in  place  to  produce  and  analyze  financial 
information at both operational sites and in the Group and 
entity Finance Departments.

The entity Finance Departments produce monthly a cumulative 
income  statement  since  the  beginning  of  the  fiscal  year, 
a  balance  sheet,  and  a  statement  of  cash  flows.  They  also 
regularly  produce  projections  for  the  full  year.  Financial 
statements are consolidated on a monthly basis by the Group 
Finance Department.

At the half-year, the external auditors conduct a limited review 
of the interim fi nancial statements.

At the end of the fiscal year, the Chief Executive Officers and 
Chief Financial Offi  cers of the segments and regions certify the 
reliability of their fi nancial statements, prepared in accordance 
with the IFRS standards adopted by the European Union. The 
external auditors of the main entities express a view on these 
fi nancial statements in accordance with the mandate given to 
them by Sodexo’s shareholders. The Group Finance Department 
monitors changes to IFRS standards and interpretations and 
ensures that the accounting treatments applied by all entities 
are compliant with Group rules.

Twice a year, the Group Finance Department identifi es the events 
that  may  have  led  to  one  or  several  assets  being  impaired, 
notably goodwill and intangible assets (in accordance with IFRS). 
Where appropriate, the carrying amount of the asset concerned 
is written down in the fi nancial statements.

S e g m e n t   C h i e f   E x e c u t i v e   O f f i c e r s   a n d   t h e i r   E x e c u t i v e 
Committees,  as  well  as  Regional  Chairs  and  Regional  Chief 
Financial Officers review operational and financial reporting 
(comprising improvement metrics for client retention, sales 
development  and  comparable  unit  revenue  growth)  before 
presenting  it  to  the  Group  Executive  Committee,  and  then 
to  the  Chairwoman  of  the  Board  of  Directors.  In  addition, 
quarterly reviews with each of the Group’s activities, segments 
and regions give the Group Chief Executive Offi  cer and Group 
Chief Financial Offi  cer insight into performance trends for the 
segments  and  regions  based  on  the  financial  reporting  and 
operational information.

Procedures  are  in  place  to  identify  off-balance  sheet 
commitments. This term covers all rights and obligations that 
may have an immediate or future impact on Sodexo’s fi nancial 
position but are not recognized (or are only partially recognized) 
in the balance sheet or income statement. These include items 
such  as  assets  pledged  as  security;  guarantees  relating  to 
operating  contracts  (for  example  bid  bonds  or  performance 
bonds),  to  borrowings,  or  to  claims  and  litigation;  lease 
obligations not recognized in the balance sheet; commitments 
under call or put options, etc. Off -balance sheet commitments 
are presented regularly to the Board of Directors.

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The Group Insurance Department works closely with the relevant 
executives in the entities to:

• 

implement global insurance programs, negotiated at the 
Group  level,  available  for  all  entities  and  supported  by 
insurance  companies  recognized  within  the  Insurance 
Industry for their fi nancial solidity;

•  put in place insurance coverage to protect the interests of 

employees, clients, shareholders and the Group;

• 

identify and evaluate the key insurable risks faced by Sodexo, 
with particular attention to the emergence of new risk factors 
associated  with  changes  in  our  activities,  especially  in 
facilities management;

•  reduce contractual risk, in particular by means of limitation 

of liability clauses or hold-harmless agreements;

•  achieve the appropriate balance between risk retention (self-
insurance) and the insurance market in covering the potential 
fi nancial consequences of Sodexo’s risk exposure; and

•  achieve optimization by fi nancing some of the Group’s   risks 

through the use of captive insurance companies.

The  Sodexo  legal  function  (comprised  of  a  Group  team  and 
regional  and  local  teams)  works  pro-actively  with  business 
development and operational teams to ensure legal compliance 
and support contract negotiations, so that risks pertain solely 
to contractual obligations for services and are limited in value 
and duration.

L a s t l y ,   u s i n g   t h e   f i n a n c i a l   i n f o r m a t i o n   r e p o r t e d   a n d 
consolidated,  the  Chief  Executive  Officer,  assisted  by  the 
Group  Finance  Department,  prepares  the  Group’s  financial 
communication. The Chief Executive Offi  cer also relies on the 
operating data required to prepare the Universal Registration 
Document. The interim and annual results press releases are 
submitted to the Board of Directors for approval.

 To  enable  the  Chief  Executive  Officer  to  provide  reliable 
information on the Group’s financial situation, a Disclosure 
Committee  comprising  representatives  from  the  Group’s 
corporate  functions  reviews  all  financial  information  prior 
to  publication.  Members  represent  the  following  functions: 
Financial Control, Financial Communications, Legal, Human 
Resources,  Sustainable  Development,  Communications  and 
Board Secretary.

5.4.4  Group Internal Audit Department

The Senior Vice President Group Internal Audit Reports directly 
to the Chairwoman of the Board, thus ensuring the independence 
of the Group Internal Audit Department within the organization. 
The  Senior  Vice  President  Group  Internal  Audit  meets  the 
Chairwoman of the Board on a monthly basis and works closely 
with the Chairwoman  of the Audit Committee, holding informal 
meetings (approximately four times per year).

Since 2015, Sodexo’s Group Internal Audit activities have been 
certified  by  the  French  Internal  Audit  and  Internal  Control 
Institute (IFACI). This internationally recognized certifi cation 
attests  to  Sodexo’s  compliance  with  and  application  of 
30  general  requirements  of  the  Professional  Internal  Audit 
Standards  (independence,  objectiveness,  competence, 
methodology,  communication,  supervision  and  continuous 
assurance program).

IFACI certification is a high-level confirmation of quality and 
performance that:

•  powerfully conveys Sodexo’s rigorous approach to evaluating 

its risk management and internal control processes;

•  benchmarks  Sodexo’s  processes  against  best  market 

practices;

•  enables the Group to sustainably strengthen its internal 

audit practices;

•  unites employees around a challenging project.

The Internal Audit Department performs internal audits of Group 
entities based on an internal audit plan established annually.

The audit plan is based on a risk assessment performed by Group 
Internal Audit, relying on the Group risk assessment process 

and input from the Chairwoman of the Board of Directors, the 
 Chief Executive Offi  cer, the  Chief Financial Offi  cer and other key 
stakeholders from Sodexo. The Audit Committee reviews and 
approves this annual audit plan.

The responsibilities of the Internal Audit Department include:

•  ensuring, with the related functional teams, that employees 
throughout  the  organization  are  aware  of  and  diligently 
apply Group policies;

•  ensuring that delegations of authority and procedures have 
been  established  and  communicated  to  the  appropriate 
levels of management, and checking that they are properly 
implemented;

•  helping to assess entities’ internal controls, issuing action 
plans designed to remedy identifi ed control weaknesses, and 
monitoring implementation of these action plans.

The  Internal  Audit  Department  may  also  conduct  special 
assignments at the request of the Chairwoman of the Board, the 
Audit Committee, the Chief Executive Offi  cer or the Executive 
Committee.

66% of the Group internal audit plan approved by the Audit 
Committee at the start of Fiscal 2019 was completed during 
the year. The Group Internal Audit Department, with an average 
of 26 staff, conducted 51 audits in 27 countries. In addition, 
a network of some 85 internal control coordinators (many of 
whom report to the Finance Directors) is in place. This network 
is coordinated by a central internal control team and enables 
specifi c support to be given to internal audit engagements and 
to rectifying weaknesses identifi ed by the internal audit team.

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The Internal Audit Department regularly tracks implementation 
of post-audit action plans by Group entities. An overall progress 
report is updated regularly and submitted on a semi-annual 
basis to the Chief Executive Offi  cer, the Group Chief Financial 
Offi  cer, the Chairwoman of the Board and the Audit Committee. 
Further progress was achieved in following up recommendations 
in Fiscal 2019. All audits are followed up within a maximum of 
12 months.

Around  92%  of  recommendations  made  in  years  prior 
to  Fiscal  2019  have  been  implemented  by  the  entities’ 
management. For Fiscal 2019, 27 % of the 650 recommendations 
made by the Group Internal Audit Department have already been 
implemented and the other recommendations are addressed 
in action plans. In Fiscal 2019, the Internal Audit Department 
carried out a survey of a sample of entities. The vast majority 
(95%)  of  them  considered  that  the  quality  of  audits  was 
satisfactory. Every year, the Group Internal Audit Department 
measures  the  savings  achieved  and  the  losses  avoided 
through its audits. In Fiscal 2019, investigations, assistance 
engagements and process efficiency audits generated added 
value of 2.4 million euro.

The  Group  Internal  Audit  Department  also  conducts  an 
independent evaluation of internal control.

Finally, the Internal Audit Department assesses the external 
auditors’  independence  and  reviews  the  annual  budgets  for 
external auditors’ fees (for both statutory audit work and other 
engagements) prior to their approval by the Audit Committee.

Risk  management  and  the  reinforcement  of 
internal  control  are  a  permanent  strategic 
priority for the Group.

Internal  controls  cannot  provide  an  absolute 
guarantee that all risks have been eliminated. Sodexo 
nevertheless  endeavors  to  ensure  that  the  most 
eff ective internal control procedures feasible are in 
place in each of its entities.

In the preparation of this report, and in compliance 
with  the  recommendation  issued  by  the  French 
securities regulator, the French securities regulator 
(Autorité des marchés financiers – AMF), in July 2010, 
this report is prepared on the basis notably of the 
“Reference  Framework”  produced  by  the  French 
Market Advisory Group and published by the AMF.

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5.5  COMPENSATION

The disclosures provided in this section comply with the recommendations contained in the AFEP-MEDEF Code as revised in June 2018 
and the recommendations of the French securities regulator (Autorité des marchés financiers – AMF) on Corporate Governance and 
corporate offi  cers’ compensation in listed companies.

5.5.1  Compensation policy applicable to corporate officers

The compensation policy applicable to corporate offi  cers sets 
out the principles and criteria used to determine, allocate and 
award the fixed, variable and exceptional components of the 
total compensation and benefits payable to the Company’s 
corporate offi  cers for the duties performed under the terms of 
their corporate offi  ce.

In accordance with article L.225-37-2 of the French Commercial 
Code,  at  the  Annual  Shareholders  Meeting  to  be  held  on 

January 21, 2020, the shareholders will be asked to approve, 
on the basis of the compensation policy described below, the 
compensation principles set by the Board of Directors on the 
recommendation of the Compensation Committee.

In  all  cases,  these  principles  and  criteria  shall  apply  in 
Fiscal  2020  to  any  person  who  holds  a  corporate  officer ’s 
position.

5.5.1.1  General principles for corporate offi  cers’ compensation

The  compensation  policy  applicable  to  corporate  officers 
is  determined  by  the  Board  of  Directors  on  the  basis  of 
recommendations  made  by  the  Compensation  Committee 
and  is  reviewed  annually.  The  Compensation  Committee  is 
entirely  comprised  of  independent  directors,  except  for  one 
director  representing  employees  in  accordance  with  AFEP-
MEDEF recommendations. The Compensation Committee may 
use the services of external advisors specialized in corporate 

offi  cers’ compensation. It also takes into account feedback from 
institutional shareholders.

The Board of Directors ensures that the compensation policy is 
adapted to the Company’s strategy and operating context and 
that its purpose is to enhance Sodexo’s medium  and long-term 
performance and competitiveness. The policy is based on the 
following principles:

COMPLIANCE

COMPETITIVENESS

The compensation policy for the Company’s corporate officers is determined in accordance with the 
recommendations of the AFEP-MEDEF Code.

Research is regularly conducted – including with the assistance of external consulting firms – in order to 
benchmark the Company’s compensation packages against panels of its peers (comparable companies in 
terms of size and international scope), both in the French market (CAC 40 companies excluding banks and 
insurance companies) and in international markets (main competitors).

COMPLETENESS – BALANCE

A comprehensive analysis of all of the components of corporate officers’ compensation and benefits is 
conducted using a component-by-component approach. An overall consistency analysis is also performed 
to ensure that the best balance is achieved between fixed and variable, individual and collective, and short- 
and long-term compensation.

ALIGNMENT OF INTERESTS

Aligning interests means both ensuring that the Company has the ability to attract, motivate and retain 
the talent that it needs, and at the same time, meeting the expectations of the Company’s shareholders 
and other stakeholders, particularly in terms of social and environmental responsibility, transparency, and 
associating compensation with performance.

PERFORMANCE

The performance conditions applicable to corporate officers’ compensation are rigorous and are based on 
the key factors that contribute to the Company’s profitable and sustainable growth. They are also in line 
with the Company’s published short , medium  and long-term targets.

TRANSPARENCY

The corporate officers’ compensation policy is governed by clear, straightforward and transparent rules.

The Compensation Committee ensures that all of these principles are appropriately applied in the work it 
performs and the recommendations it issues to the Board of Directors, both in terms of determining the 
compensation policy and its implementation, when the actual amounts of the compensation packages 
are determined.

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5.5.1.2  Compensation policy for the Chairwoman of the Board of Directors 

(non-executive corporate offi  cer)

Compensation package

Collective health and benefi t plans

The compensation package of the Chairwoman of the Board 
of  Directors  comprises  a  fixed  compensation  payment  and 
collective health and benefi t plans.

As  the  Chairwoman  is  a  non-executive  director,  in  line  with 
market practices in France, she does not receive any short-
term annual variable compensation or any multi-year variable 
compensation, or any long-term incentive plan.

Fixed compensation

The  fixed  compensation  of  the  Chairwoman  of  the  Board  of 
Directors is determined in line with benchmark studies and is 
awarded as payment for duties and responsibilities inherent to 
such position.

Accordingly, the following factors are taken into account:

•  the  duties  specific  to  the  role  of  chairing  the  Board  of 
Directors, as provided for by Law and the Board of Directors’ 
Internal  Rules,  which  notably  involve  ensuring  that  the 
Company  is  properly  governed  and  that  its  governance 
bodies (Board of Directors, specialized Committees of the 
Board and Shareholders Meeting) function eff ectively;

•  her role as ambassador of Sodexo’s reputation and image;

•  the skills, experience, expertise and professional profi le of the 

holder of the position;

The Chairwoman of the Board of Directors is a member of the 
Company’s collective health and benefi t plans, subject to the 
same terms and conditions as those applicable to the category 
of employees to which she is deemed to belong for the purpose 
of determining these benefi ts.

Accordingly,  the  Chairwoman  of  the  Board  of  Directors  is  a 
benefi ciary under the following plans, subject to the same terms 
and conditions as all of the Sodexo French entities’  employees:

•  an “incapacity, disability or death” benefi t plan, fi nanced in 
part by Sodexo, which, in the event of an employee’s death, 
provides for the payment of a death benefi t equal to 215% of 
their fi xed compensation, up to a maximum amount of eight 
times the French Social Security Code’s annual ceiling, and 
which is increased for dependent children;

•  an additional “incapacity, disability or death” benefi t plan, 
fi nanced in full by Sodexo, which is reserved for employees 
whose  annual  gross  compensation  is  greater  than  eight 
times the French Social Security Code’s annual ceiling and 
which, in the event of an employee’s death, provides for the 
payment of a death benefi t equal to 200% of the portion of 
their fi xed compensation that is greater than eight times the 
French Social Security Code’s annual ceiling;

•  a supplemental health insurance plan, to which all Sodexo 

employees are entitled, fi nanced in part by Sodexo.

•  market analyses and benchmark studies on the compensation 

awarded for comparable positions in peer companies.

Company car

The compensation policy may be modifi ed during the term of the 
corporate offi  ce and prior to its renewal if there is a signifi cant 
evolution in the scope of responsibility, which may be related to 
the Company’s evolution, or if there is a major disparity with the 
market. In such specifi c situations, the nature of any adjustment 
to the fixed compensation and the related motives would be 
publicly disclosed.

The  annual  fixed  compensation  of  the  Chairwoman  of  the 
Board of Directors has been maintained at 675,000 euro for 
Fiscal 2019. This amount will remain unchanged in Fiscal 2020.

The  Chairwoman  of  the  Board  of  Directors  has  the  use  of  a 
company car. The insurance, maintenance and fuel costs (related 
to her professional use) are covered by Sodexo.

Other components of compensation

The Chairwoman of the Board of Directors does not receive any 
directors’ fees for attending Board or specialized Committee 
meetings. In addition, she will not receive a termination benefi t 
if her corporate offi  ce is terminated.

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5.5.1.3  Compensation policy for the Chief Executive Offi  cer (executive 

corporate offi  cer)

Compensation package

Based on the Compensation Committee’s recommendations, 
each year the Board of Directors ensures that the Chief Executive 
Offi  cer’s variable compensation – which is governed by specifi c 
performance  criteria  –  constitutes  a  sufficiently  significant 
portion of his fi xed compensation.

The  aim  of  the  compensation  policy  for  the  Chief  Executive 
Officer is to achieve a balance between long  and short-term 

performance in order to promote the Group’s development for 
the benefi t of all of its stakeholders.

To this end, and with a view to protecting stakeholders’ interests, 
the  Company  strives  to  ensure  consistency  between  the 
Chief Executive Offi  cer’s compensation package and Sodexo’s 
performance trends.

FISCAL 2020 STRUCTURE OF CEO COMPENSATION

75%
SUBJECT
TO PERFORMANCE
CONDITIONS

25%
NOT SUBJECT 
TO PERFORMANCE 
CONDITIONS

PERFORMANCE CONDITIONS

PRESENCE DURING 3-YEARS VESTING PERIOD

25% ORGANIC GROWTH

25% INCREASE IN UOP MARGIN

30% TSR VS PEER PANEL

20% DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION, 

PROPORTION OF WOMEN IN TOP 
MANAGEMENT 

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50%
PERFORMANCE
 SHARES

25%
FIXED 

25%
ANNUAL 
VARIABLE

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PERFORMANCE CONDITIONS

70% FINANCIAL:

20% organic revenue growth,
20% underlying operating margin,
10% growth in Group net income,
20% free cash flow.

30% NON FINANCIAL:

10% occupational health & safety
10% talent management,
10% DJSI ranking.

Fixed compensation

Annual variable compensation

The fi xed compensation of the Chief Executive Offi  cer is awarded 
as payment for the duties and responsibilities inherent to such 
a position.

Consequently, the following factors are considered:

•  the  level  and  complexity  of  the  roles  and  responsibilities 
attributed to the Chief Executive Offi  cer, who has the broadest 
powers to act on behalf of the Company in all circumstances 
and to represent the Company in its dealings with third parties;

•  the skills, experience, expertise and professional profi le of the 

holder of the position;

•  market analyses and benchmark studies on the compensation 

awarded for comparable positions in peer companies.

The  Chief  Executive  Officer ’s  annual  fixed  compensation  is 
used  as  the  reference  for  determining  his  annual  variable 
compensation and long-term compensation. The amount of this 
fi xed compensation is not systematically revised each year.

The  Chief  Executive  Officer ’s  annual  fixed  compensation  is 
900,000  euro,  unchanged  since  he  was  first  appointed  on 
January 23, 2018.

CALCULATION METHODS

The Chief Executive Officer ’s annual variable compensation 
is  intended  to  encourage  the  achievement   of  the  annual 
performance targets determined by the Board of Directors in line 
with Sodexo’s strategy.

Provided that all the applicable targets are achieved, it amounts 
to 100% of his annual fi xed compensation.

It is based mainly on fi nancial criteria, as follows:

•  70%  is  contingent  upon  targets  based  on  the  Group’s 
fi nancial performance for the fi scal year, including organic 
revenue growth, underlying operating profi t margin, Group 
net income and free cash fl ow ;

•  30%  is  contingent  upon  non-financial  targets,  primarily 
quantitative  targets  (including  occupational  health  and 
safety, talent management and Sodexo’s ranking in the Dow 
Jones Sustainability Index).

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C o m p e n s a t i o n

LONG-TERM COMPENSATION SYSTEM

Sodexo’s long-term compensation system currently consists 
solely of performance share grants.

At its meeting on November 6, 2019, the Board decided to reduce 
the vesting period of shares granted under future restricted 
share plans from four years to three years in order to align the 
vesting periods with the performance assessment periods and to 
change the timing of when the plans are usually approved or put 
in place. Until now, the plans were approved in the second half of 
the fi scal year, sometime in May or June. From now on, the plans 
will be approved  at the beginning of each fi scal year, when the 
fi nancial statements for the previous fi scal year are published.

Consequently, and in order to maintain a regular annual delivery 
of performance shares, no performance shares will be granted to 
the Chief Executive Offi  cer in Fiscal 2020.

The Board of Directors has capped the value of the performance 
shares granted to the Chief Executive Officer at 150% of his 
total annual compensation (including fi xed compensation and 
annual variable compensation at targets achieved ). In addition, 
the performance shares granted to him may not represent more 
than 5% of the total number of restricted shares granted by the 
Board of Directors in any given fi scal year.

PERFORMANCE CONDITIONS

The proportion of the performance shares that will vest depends 
on the achievement of both internal and external performance 
conditions  as  measured  over  a  three-year  period.  The 
achievement levels shall be disclosed on a criterion-by-criterion 
basis once the Board of Directors has assessed whether the 
performance targets have been reached.

The aim of the criteria used is to measure the Group’s overall 
performance, refl ecting a good balance between the Company’s 
performance, investor confi dence in the Group and the Group’s 
Corporate Responsibility performance:

•  fi nancial performance: 50%;

•  stock market performance: 30%;

•  Corporate Responsibility performance: 20%.

CONTINUED PRESENCE CONDITION

For  performance  shares  to  vest,  the  Chief  Executive  Officer 
must be present within the Group at the vesting date. However, 
in accordance with article 24.5.1 of the AFEP-MEDEF Code and 
the  plan  rules  applicable  to  all  beneficiaries  of  the  Group’s 
performance share plans, in exceptional circumstances, the 
Board of Directors, on the recommendation of the Compensation 
Committee, may authorize the Chief Executive Offi  cer to retain 
his rights to any non-vested shares at the date of his departure.

5

The annual variable compensation due to the Chief Executive 
Offi  cer is calculated and set by the Board of Directors following 
the close of the fi scal year to which it applies.

In the first quarter of each year, based on the Compensation 
Committee’s recommendations, the Board of Directors reviews the 
various targets, their weightings, and the expected performance 
levels. It then sets:

•  the trigger threshold under which no variable compensation 

is paid;

•  the variable compensation target level, corresponding to the 

amount due when each target is reached; and

•  the  quantitative  performance  measurement,  which  also 

applies to non-fi nancial criteria.

Consequently:

•  100% of the annual variable compensation is paid if the 

targets are achieved ;

•  150% of the annual variable compensation is paid if the 

targets are exceeded.

The fi nancial performance targets that are based on fi nancial 
indicators are determined in a specific manner  by reference 
to the budget pre-approved  by the Board of Directors and are 
subject to the above-mentioned performance thresholds.

The  achievement  levels  will  be  disclosed  on  a  criterion-by-
criterion basis once the Board of Directors has assessed whether 
the performance targets have been reached.

PAYMENT CONDITION

In accordance with French law, payment of the annual variable 
compensation is subject to shareholder approval during the 
Annual Shareholders Meeting.

APPOINTMENT TO OR TERMINATION OF OFFICE

If a new Chief Executive Offi  cer is appointed or the existing Chief 
Executive Offi  cer’s term of offi  ce is terminated during the course 
of a fiscal year, the same principles as above will apply, on a 
proportional basis by reference to the period during which the 
Chief Executive Offi  cer concerned actually holds offi  ce. However, 
if a Chief Executive Offi  cer is appointed during the second half 
of the fi scal year, the performance appraisal will be carried out 
on a discretionary basis by the Board of Directors, taking into 
account the recommendations of the Compensation Committee.

Long-term compensation

OBJECTIVE

T h e   B o a r d   o f   D i r e c t o r s   c o n s i d e r s   t h a t   t h e   l o n g - t e r m 
compensation system – which also applies to other key positions 
within the Company – is particularly suited to the position of 
Chief Executive Officer in view of the direct contribution that 
he is expected to make to Sodexo’s long-term performance. 
It is based on (i) the Group achieving organic revenue growth 
and  underlying  operating  profit  margins  over  a  period  of 
several years, in line with market guidance (ii) Sodexo’s share 
performance compared with a peer group, and (iii) Corporate 
Social Responsibility criteria. The system therefore helps to 
increase the Chief Executive Officer ’s motivation and loyalty 
while  aligning  his  interests  with  those  of  the  Company’s 
stakeholders.

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In  such  a  case,  the  number  of  shares  that  vest  would  be 
determined on a proportional basis by reference to the actual 
time the Chief Executive Offi  cer spent within the Group during 
the vesting period. The original vesting period would continue 
to  run  and  the  rules  of  the  applicable  plan  –  including  the 
performance conditions – would still apply.

LOCK-UP CONDITION

In accordance with article L.225-197-1 of the French Commercial 
Code, the Chief Executive Offi  cer is required to hold in registered 
form, for the duration of his term of offi  ce, a number of vested 
shares whose value has been set by the Board of Directors as 
equivalent to 30% of his annual fi xed compensation at the date 
the shares are delivered.

Based on the recommendation of the Compensation Committee, 
the Board reinforced  this shareholding obligation by deciding 
that the Chief Executive Offi  cer must now maintain  a portfolio of 
shares with a value equivalent to 200% of the gross annual fi xed 
compensation. This portfolio must be built up over a maximum 
period of three years, as from September 1, 2019 for the current 
Chief Executive Offi  cer. Denis Machuel currently holds a portfolio 
of shares with a total value exceeding the threshold set by the 
Board.

In addition, as long as he remains in offi  ce, the Chief Executive 
Offi  cer may not use hedging instruments on any performance 
shares granted to him.

Multi-year compensation

The Board of Directors has decided not to create a multi-year 
compensation system, preferring instead to apply a long-term 
compensation system based on the use of equity instruments, 
which it considers to be more closely aligned with the interests 
of the Company’s shareholders.

However, the Board may envisage putting in place such a system 
if any regulatory changes or other changes in circumstances 
were  to  render  it  difficult  or  impossible  to  use  equity 
instruments. If a multi-year compensation plan were to be set 
up, it would be based on the same principles and criteria as 
those used for determining and allocating performance shares 
and  the  same  grant  cap  would  apply.  The  system  would  be 
structured based on very similar terms and conditions to those 
applicable to performance share plans.

Indemnity in the event of termination of offi  ce

If the Chief Executive Offi  cer’s term of offi  ce is terminated for 
any  reason  (other  than  resignation,  retirement  or  gross  or 
willful misconduct) then he may be entitled to an indemnity 
representing  up  to  twice  the  amount  of  his  annual  gross 
compensation (fi xed and variable) received over the 12 months 
preceding the termination.

This indemnity will only be paid if, at constant consolidation 
scope and currency exchange rates, the annual increase in the 
Sodexo Group’s consolidated underlying operating profi t is equal 
to or higher than 5% for each of the three fiscal years ended 
prior to the termination of the appointment.

Denis  Machuel  has  expressly  refused  this  indemnity  and 
therefore  will  not  benefit  from  any  payment  in  case  of 
termination of offi  ce.

Non-compete agreement

If the Chief Executive Offi  cer ’s term of offi  ce is terminated he 
is  also subject to a non-compete obligation for a maximum 
term of 24 months, which is intended to protect the Group by 
restricting the Chief Executive Officer ’s freedom to carry out 
certain activities following the end of his term. The activities 
concerned  include  holding  any  position  as  an  employee  or 
corporate officer, or carrying out any consulting work, either 
directly or through another legal entity, for any of Sodexo’s 
competitors. As consideration for these restrictions, the Chief 
Executive Offi  cer will  be paid an indemnity representing up to 
24 months of his fi xed compensation paid during the fi scal year 
preceding the termination of his term of offi  ce.

At its meeting on April 27, 2018, the Board decided to approve 
the conclusion of a non-compete agreement with Denis Machuel 
for a period of 24 months as from the date on which his duties 
as Chief Executive Offi  cer would cease.

However,  the  Board  of  Directors  will  have  the  possibility  to   
decide  to  waive  the  Company’s  right  to  enforce  this  non-
compete agreement when the Chief Executive Offi  cer leaves the 
Group. In addition, the maximum aggregate amount paid to the 
Chief Executive Offi  cer for (i) his non-compete agreement, and/
or (ii) his indemnity on termination of office, will  not exceed 
24 months’ worth of his fi xed compensation.

This indemnity will not be paid if the Chief Executive Officer 
retires, and in any event will not be paid once he reaches the 
age of 65.

Supplemental pension plan

Until  December  31,  2019,  the  Chief  Executive  Officer  is  a 
beneficiary  of  a  defined  benefit  pension  plan  governed  by 
article 39 of the French General Tax Code and article L.  137-11-1 
of the French Social Security Code, and which has been set up 
for the most senior executives employed by a French company 
of the Group. Under this supplemental pension plan (subject to a 
minimum of fi ve years of presence in the plan), as a member of 
the plan for at least 15 years, the pension paid can represent up 
to 15% of the average of his last three years’ fi xed compensation 
preceding his retirement, to which are added the pensions due 
to him under compulsory pension plans, provided that he is a 
corporate offi  cer of, the Company at the time of his retirement.

The Board of Directors has decided that the Chief Executive 
Officer ’s entitlements under this plan  will only accrue if the 
achievement rate for his annual variable compensation targets 
is at least 80%. If this rate is reached, a 1% contribution to 
the defi ned benefi t plan will be accrued for the year concerned. 
However, if the achievement rate is less than 80%, no defi ned 
benefi t contribution will be accrued for that year.

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The entitlements under this plan are financed and provisioned 
through annual charges, which are revalued each year depending on 
new commitments and the balance of the account held by the insurer.

This plan has been closed to new members since February 28, 
2018.  In  order  to  comply  with  new  French    law  on  Business 
Growth  and  Transformation  (Act  2019-486  dated  May  22, 
2019 – known as the “PACTE Act”) and with the Ordonnance 
of July 3, 2019 transposing the pension portability directive, 
rights  acquired  as  at  December  31,  2019,  will  be  frozen  at 
such date. As from January 1, 2020, it is expected that a new 
benefi t pension plan governed by article 137-11-2 of the French 
Social Security Code be implemented, although a circular from 
the French Social Security Department, which will specify the 
funding mechanisms of such plans, has not yet been issued. A 
minimum seniority of one year within the Sodexo Group will be 
required to benefi t from this new plan. It was agreed that this 
plan shall grant  annual rights amounting to 0.5% of fi xed and 
variable compensation for the fi rst 5 years and to 1% of fi xed 
and variable compensation paid to him beyond fi ve years, up to 
a total of 10%  . The acquisition of rights shall remain subject to 
the same performance condition as the one set for the previous 
plan, i.e. an achievement rate of the Chief Executive Officer ’s 
annual  variable  compensation  targets  of  at  least  80%.  The 
resulting pension will top up the pensions provided by the basic 
mandatory schemes.

Company car

Unemployment insurance

As the Chief Executive Officer does not have an employment 
contract, the Company has taken out a private unemployment 
insurance policy with the French association of unemployment 
insurance for corporate offi  cers (Association pour la garantie 
sociale des chefs et dirigeants d’entreprises – GSC). Under this 
policy,  if  the  Chief  Executive  Officer  were  to  lose  his  office, 
he would receive benefi ts for a maximum period of 24 months.

Exceptional compensation

The compensation policy does not permit the granting of an 
exceptional compensation to the Chief Executive Offi  cer.

Potential change of governance

If one or more Deputy Chief Executive Offi  cers were appointed, 
the  principles  and  criteria  for  determining,  allocating  and 
awarding the compensation components provided for in the 
Chief  Executive  Officer ’s  compensation  policy  would  also 
apply to the Deputy Chief Executive Offi  cer(s). In such a case, 
the Board of Directors, acting on the recommendation of the 
Compensation  Committee,  would  adapt  the  principles  and 
criteria to the person(s) concerned in order to determine the 
applicable targets, performance levels, conditions, compensation 
structures and maximum percentages of the fi xed compensation 
that their variable compensation may represent (which may not 
be higher than those set for the Chief Executive Offi  cer).

The  Chief  Executive  Officer  has  the  use  of  a  company  car, 
the  insurance,  maintenance  and  fuel  costs  (related  to  his 
professional use) of which are covered by Sodexo.

In the case where the Chief Executive Offi  cer is also a member of 
the Board of Directors of the Company, he does not receive any 
director fees.

Collective health and benefi t plans

Signing bonus

The Chief Executive Offi  cer is a member of the collective health 
and benefit plans set up within the Company, subject to the 
same terms and conditions as those applicable to the category 
of employees to which he is deemed to belong for the purpose of 
determining these benefi ts.

Pursuant to article 24.4 of the AFEP-MEDEF Code, if a new Chief 
Executive Offi  cer is recruited from outside Sodexo, the Board of 
Directors may decide to grant him or her an indemnity (in cash 
and/or shares) in order to compensate for any loss of previous 
remuneration or benefi ts (excluding pension benefi ts).

5

In accordance with article L.225-37-2 of the French Commercial 
Code, the payment or implementation of any such compensation 
would be subject to shareholder approval.

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5.5.2  Information on the components of compensation paid or 

awarded to corporate officers

5.5.2.1  Compensation of Sophie Bellon, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors

The amounts paid in Fiscal 2019 for the various components of 
Sophie Bellon’s compensation are presented in the tables below.

These amounts were determined in line with the compensation 
policy for the Chairwoman of the Board of Directors approved 
at  the  January  22,  2019  Annual  Shareholders  Meeting 
(15th resolution).

Summary of compensation awarded to the Chairwoman of the Board of Directors

TABLE 2, BASED ON THE AFEP-MEDEF CODE TEMPLATE AND AMF RECOMMENDATION 2009-16

SOPHIE BELLON
CHAIRWOMAN OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
(in euro)

Fixed compensation

Variable compensation

Exceptional compensation

Directors’ fees paid by Sodexo in her capacity as 
Chairwoman of the Board of Directors

Fringe benefits*

TOTAL

The following amounts were paid by Bellon SA 
to Sophie Bellon for her mandate as member of 
the Management Board of Bellon SA:

•  fixed compensation

•  directors’ fees

*  Sophie Bellon has the use of a company car.

FISCAL 2019

FISCAL 2018

GROSS AMOUNTS DUE 
(BEFORE TAX)

GROSS AMOUNTS PAID 
(BEFORE TAX)

GROSS AMOUNTS DUE 
(BEFORE TAX)

GROSS AMOUNTS PAID 
(BEFORE TAX)

675,000

675,000

625,347

625,347

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1,739

1,739

1,730

1,730

676,739

676,739

627,077

627,077

185,000

185,000

180,000

180,000

-

-

-

-

Summary of benefi ts awarded to the Chairwoman of the Board of Directors

TABLE 11, BASED ON THE AFEP-MEDEF CODE TEMPLATE AND AMF RECOMMENDATION 2009-16

EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT

SUPPLEMENTAL 
PENSION PLAN

COMPENSATION OR 
ENTITLEMENTS DUE OR 
LIKELY TO BECOME DUE AS A 
RESULT OF TERMINATION OR 
CHANGE OF POSITION

COMPENSATION RELATING 
TO A NON-COMPETE CLAUSE

YES

NO

X

YES

NO

X

YES

NO

X

YES

NO

X

Sophie Bellon

Date appointed: January 26, 2016

Expiration of current term: 2021 Annual 
Shareholders Meeting

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5.5.2.2  Compensation of Denis Machuel, Chief Executive Offi  cer

The amounts paid in Fiscal 2019 for the various components 
of  Denis  Machuel’s  compensation,  including  measurement 
of the value of performance shares granted, are presented in 
the tables below. These amounts decided in conformity with  
the compensation policy for the Chief Executive Officer were 

approved at the January 22, 2019 Annual Shareholders Meeting 
(16th resolution).

 The  figures  for  Fiscal  2018  reflect  his  appointment  as  of 
January 23, 2018.

Summary of compensation awarded to the Chief Executive Offi  cer

TABLE 2, BASED ON THE AFEP-MEDEF CODE TEMPLATE AND AMF RECOMMENDATION 2009-16

DENIS MACHUEL
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
SINCE JANUARY 23, 2018
(in euro)

Fixed compensation

Variable compensation(1)

Exceptional compensation

Fringe benefits(2)

TOTAL(3)

FISCAL 2019

FISCAL 2018 (PROPORTIONAL)

GROSS AMOUNTS DUE
(BEFORE TAX)

GROSS AMOUNTS PAID
(BEFORE TAX)

GROSS AMOUNTS DUE
(BEFORE TAX)

GROSS AMOUNTS PAID
(BEFORE TAX)

900,000

892 ,800

N/A

14,930

900,000

245,596

N/A

14,930

545,768

245,596

N/A

7,531

545,768

N/A

7,531

1,807 ,730

1,160,526

798,895

553,299

(1) Denis Machuel’s variable compensation for the year, to be paid the following year (see tables below for details).
(2) Denis Machuel has the use of a company car and is the beneficiary of an unemployment insurance policy.
(3) The total gross amounts paid during Fiscal 2018 including the pre-appointment period amount to 1,138,359 euro.

Breakdown of variable compensation due for Fiscal 2019

Although  organic growth has outperformed during Fiscal 2019 compared to the initial objective, the Board of Directors, at Denis 
Machuel’s request, decided that, as the underlying operating profi t margin underperformed over the same period, payment of variable 
compensation due in relation to the organic growth objective will be capped at 100%, both for himself and the Executive Committee 
members.

70% 
based on 
financial targets

30% 
based on 
non-financial targets

Organic growth

Underlying operating profit margin

Growth in Group net income

Free cash flow

Total financial targets

Health and safety target

Talent management

Dow Jones Sustainability Index, industry 
leader position

Total non-financial targets

TOTAL VARIABLE COMPENSATION FOR FISCAL 2019

WEIGHTING OF 
TARGETS

MAXIMUM IN % 
OF TARGET

ACHIEVEMENT 
LEVEL

CORRESPONDING 
AMOUNT 
(in euro)

20%

20%

10%

20%

70%

10%

10%

10%

30%

100%

175%

175%

175%

175%

100%

180,000

86%

154,800

0%

0

175%

315,000

175%

103%

649,800

100%

100%

100%

100%

150%

100%

90,000

7 0%

63 ,000

100%

90,000

90 %

99 %

243 ,000

892 ,800

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Breakdown of variable compensation due and paid for Fiscal 2018

70% 
based on 
financial targets

30% 
based on 
non-financial targets

Organic growth

Growth in underlying operating profit

Growth in Group net income

Free cash flow

Total financial targets

Health and safety target

Employee engagement rate

Dow Jones Sustainability Index, industry 
leader position

SUBTOTAL BEFORE HIGH-END OPERATING PROFIT GROWTH TARGET

ACHIEVEMENT OF OUTPERFORMANCE OPERATING PROFIT 
GROWTH TARGET

WEIGHTING OF 
TARGETS

MAXIMUM IN % 
OF TARGET

ACHIEVEMENT 
LEVEL

CORRESPONDING 
AMOUNT 
(in euro)

20%

20%

10%

20%

70%

10%

10%

10%

100%

175%

175%

175%

175%

175%

100%

100%

100%

150%

0%

0%

0%

0

0

0

175%

191,019

35%

191,019

0%

0%

0

0

100%

54,577

45%

245,596

50%

50%

0%

0

TOTAL VARIABLE COMPENSATION FISCAL 2018

150%

200%

45%

245,596

Performance shares granted to the Chief Executive Offi  cer in Fiscal 2019

TABLE 6, BASED ON THE AFEP-MEDEF CODE TEMPLATE AND AMF RECOMMENDATION 2009-16

NUMBER OF 
SHARES GRANTED 
DURING THE 
FISCAL YEAR

VALUE OF 
SHARES(1) 
(in euro)

DATE OF PLAN

VESTING DATE

END OF LOCK-UP 
PERIOD

PERFORMANCE 
CONDITION

Denis Machuel

06/19/2019

22,000(2)

1,836,252

06/19/2023

06/19/2023

Yes

(1) Performance  shares  are  measured  at  the  estimated  fair  value  at  the  grant  date,  taking  into  account  the  terms  and  conditions  of  grant  (see  note  4.22.2  to  the 

consolidated financial statements). An accounting charge for the 4-year share grant is recognized over a period of four years.

(2) Representing 0.015% of the Company’s share capital as of August 31, 2019 and 2.71% of all restricted shares granted during the fiscal year by the Board of Directors 
(within the limits defined in the 18th resolution of the January 22, 2019 Annual Shareholders Meeting). The grants have no dilutive impact as existing shares have 
been allocated to the plan.

The applicable performance conditions under this plan are as 
follows:

In line with the previous year, the shares will be allocated 
depending on Sodexo’s ranking within the peer group:

•  25% of the shares are subject to a performance condition 

based on average organic revenue growth;

•  25% of the shares are subject to a performance condition 

based on growth in underlying operating profi t margin.

As  the  Group’s  medium-term  objectives  are  not  publicly 
disclosed, the organic growth revenue target and underlying 
operating margin target will remain confi dential. However, 
at  the  end  of  the  plan,  the  Board  will  fully  disclose  both 
the target and actual achievement levels related to these 
performance conditions;

• 

for the purpose of simplicity, the Board has decided to simplify 
Total Shareholder Return (TSR) performance target to compare 
with a peer group of competitors which accounts for 30% of the 
vesting. Thirty percent of the shares are therefore subject to a 
TSR performance condition. Sodexo’s TSR will be compared with 
that of a peer group comprising 12 companies (ABM Industries, 
Aramark, CBRE, Compass, Edenred, Elior, Elis/Berendsen, G4S, 
ISS, Jones Lang LaSalle, Rentokil and Securitas), selected based 
on their size, the similarity of their operations with those of 
Sodexo and the fact that they all operate in the outsourcing and 
shared services industry.

QUARTILE ACHIEVED BY SODEXO 
IN RELATION TO THE PEER GROUP’S TSR

% OF THE SHARES SUBJECT TO 
THE TSR VESTING CONDITION 
THAT WILL VEST

Top quartile

Second quartile

Third quartile

Fourth quartile

100%

50%

15%

0%

•  20% of the shares are subject to a performance condition 
based  on  a  diversity  and  inclusion  target  set  by  Sodexo 
with a view to encouraging the promotion of women to top 
management positions.

For the purposes of this target, and based on the Group’s 
current organizational structure, top management comprises 
all of the executives who report directly to a member of the 
Group Executive Committee.

Sodexo’s  objective  is  for  37%  of  its  top  managers  to  be 
women by August 31, 2022 and 40% by 2025.

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Summary of compensation and stock options and performance shares granted to the Chief Executive 
Offi  cer

TABLE 1, BASED ON THE AFEP-MEDEF CODE TEMPLATE AND AMF RECOMMENDATION 2009-16

DENIS MACHUEL
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
(in euro)

Compensation due (gross, before tax)

Value of stock options granted

Value of performance shares granted

TOTAL

FISCAL 2019

FISCAL 2018 (PROPORTIONAL)

1,807 ,730

N/A

1,836,252

3,643 ,982

798,895

N/A

1,600,438

2,399,333

Summary of benefi ts awarded to the Chief Executive Offi  cer

TABLE 11, BASED ON THE AFEP-MEDEF CODE TEMPLATE AND AMF RECOMMENDATION 2009-16

EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT

SUPPLEMENTAL 
PENSION PLAN

COMPENSATION OR 
ENTITLEMENTS DUE OR 
LIKELY TO BECOME DUE AS 
A RESULT OF TERMINATION 
OR CHANGE OF POSITION

COMPENSATION
 RELATING TO 
A NON-COMPETE CLAUSE

YES

NO

YES

NO

YES

NO

YES

NO

X

X

X

X

Denis Machuel
Chief Executive Officer

Date appointed: January 23, 2018

No fixed term

5.5.2.3  Compensation and benefi ts paid or awarded for Fiscal 2019 – Say on 

Pay (ex post vote at the Shareholders Meeting of January 21, 2020)

Compensation and benefi ts paid or awarded for Fiscal 2019 to Sophie Bellon, Chairwoman of the Board of 
Directors

5

TYPE OF COMPENSATION OR BENEFITS

AMOUNT

COMMENTS

Fixed compensation

Fringe benefits

€675,000

€1,739

Pre-tax gross amount due 
for the fiscal year.

Sophie Bellon has the use 
of a company car.

Sophie Bellon does not receive any of the following types of compensation or benefi ts: directors’ fees, annual variable compensation, 
multi-year variable compensation, exceptional compensation, stock options, performance shares, indemnity for loss of offi  ce, or 
supplemental pension benefi ts.

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Compensation and benefi ts paid or awarded for Fiscal 2019 to Denis Machuel, Chief Executive Offi  cer

TYPE OF 
COMPENSATION OR 
BENEFITS

Fixed 
compensation

Variable 
compensation

AMOUNT

COMMENTS

€900,000

Pre-tax gross amount due for the fiscal year.

€892 ,800

Variable compensation due for Fiscal 2019 (which will be paid subject to the approval of the Shareholders 
Meeting of January 21, 2020).

Stock options 
and performance 
shares

€1,836,252

Non-compete 
indemnity

No amounts 
paid

Supplemental 
pension plan

No amounts 
paid

On June 19, 2019, the Board of Directors used the authorization granted in the eighteenth resolution 
of the January 22, 2019 Annual Shareholders Meeting to grant Denis Machuel 22,000 performance 
shares (representing 2.71% of the total number of restricted shares and performance shares allocated 
by the Board during the fiscal year).
These shares are subject to a four-year vesting period and their vesting will be contingent upon the 
following:
•  for 25% of the shares, average organic revenue growth based on the financial statements for 

Fiscal 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022;

•  for 25% of the shares, average growth in underlying operating profit margin based on the financial 

statements for Fiscal 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022;

•  for 30% of the shares, a TSR target, based on Sodexo’s TSR as measured against that of a peer 
group comprising 12 companies (ABM Industries, Aramark, CBRE, Compass, Edenred, Elior, Elis/
Berendsen, G4S, ISS, Jones Lang Lasalle, Rentokil and Securitas);

•  for 20% of the shares, a Corporate Responsibility target corresponding to 37% of the Group’s top 

management posts to be held by women as of August 31, 2022.

These performance conditions are described in detail in section 5.5.2.2 of this Document.
No stock options were  granted to Denis Machuel.

In the event of the termination of Denis Machuel’s duties as Chief Executive Officer, he is subject to a 
non-compete obligation. This commitment from the Company, which was approved by the Shareholders 
Meeting on January 22, 2019, has not been implemented during Fiscal 2019. The related conditions 
and financial consideration are set out in section 5.5.1.3 (Compensation policy) and in section 4.4.2 
(Statutory Auditors’ Report on related party agreements and commitments).

Since he was appointed a member of the Group’s Executive Committee in September 2014, Denis Machuel 
has been a beneficiary of a defined benefit pension plan governed by article 39 of the French General Tax 
Code and article 137-11-1 of the French Social Security Code, set up for the Group’s senior executives 
who hold an employment contract with one of its French companies.
Following his appointment as Chief Executive Officer, at its meeting on April 27, 2018, the Board of 
Directors decided to authorize Denis Machuel to continue to be a beneficiary of this plan.
Under this supplemental pension plan (subject to a minimum of five years of presence in the plan), as 
a member of the plan for at least 15 years, the pension paid can represent up to 15% of the average 
of his last three years’ fixed compensation preceding his retirement, to which are added the pensions 
due to him under compulsory pension plans, provided that he is a corporate officer of the Company 
at the time of his retirement.
Since the enactment of French law of August 6, 2015 known as the “Macron Act”, supplemental 
pension benefits for corporate officers of listed companies must be subject to performance conditions. 
Consequently, the Board decided that the Chief Executive Officer’s entitlements under this plan (1% 
per year up to a maximum of 15%) will only accrue if the achievement rate for his annual variable 
compensation targets is at least 80%. If this rate is reached then an additional 1% contribution to the 
defined benefit plan will be accrued for the year concerned. However, if the achievement rate is less 
than 80%, no defined benefit contribution will be accrued for that year.
The Chief Executive Officer did not acquire any rights in Fiscal 2018. Total commitments in favor of the 
Chief Executive Officer represent, as at August 31, 2019, an amount of 1,554,905 euro.

Fringe benefits

€14,930

Denis Machuel has the use of a company car and is the beneficiary of an unemployment insurance 
policy.

Denis Machuel does not receive any of the following types of compensation or benefi ts: multi-year variable compensation, exceptional 
compensation or indemnity for loss of offi  ce.

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5.5.2.4  Pay equity ratio: the ratio between the compensation paid to the 

Company’s executive corporate offi  cers and the average and median 
compensation received by Sodexo employees

The  information  in  the  following  table  is  disclosed  in  order 
to  immediately  comply  with  France’s  new  law  on  Business 
Growth and Transformation (known as the “PACTE Act”), which 
introduces new requirements on executive pay disclosures.

The ratios set out below were calculated based on the fi xed and 
variable compensation paid during the fiscal years indicated 
as well as on the performance shares granted during the same 
periods, measured at fair value. This information is based upon 
the Social and Economic Unit (Unité Economique et Sociale) 
made up of French holding companies of the Sodexo Group.

Chief Executive Officer

Ratio – average compensation

Ratio – median compensation

Chairwoman of the Board of Directors

Ratio – average compensation

Ratio – median compensation

FISCAL 2019

FISCAL 2018

FISCAL 2017

FISCAL 2016

FISCAL 2015

23

41

5

9

25

45

4

8

34

65

4

7

31

61

4

7

32 

62

Elements explaining the variation of the ratios related to the 
compensation of the Chief Executive Offi  cer:

Elements explaining the variation of the ratios related to the 
compensation of the Chair of the Board of Directors:

•  Michel Landel was the Chief Executive Officer for the full 

Fiscal 2015, 2016 and 2017;

•  Denis Machuel was the Chief Executive Officer for the full 

Fiscal 2019;

• 

for  the  Fiscal  2018,  the  ratio  was  calculated  based  on 
compensation paid both to Michel Landel and Denis Machuel 
proportionally to their terms of offi  ce.

•  during  Fiscal  2015,  Mr  Pierre  Bellon  did  not  receive  any 
compensation under his mandate of Chairman of the Board 
of Directors;

• 

for the purposes of calculating the ratio for Fiscal 2016, 
Sophie Bellon’s compensation as Chairwoman of the Board 
of Directors has been annualized.

5.5.3  Compensation of directors other than corporate officers

Except for the Chairwoman of the Board, who is a non-executive director, the members of the Board of Directors of Sodexo are not 
classifi ed as corporate offi  cers.

5.5.3.1  Compensation paid to non-corporate offi  cers for their mandate as 

Sodexo directors

The total annual amount of compensation available for payment to the directors of Sodexo was set at 900,000 euro at the Annual 
Shareholders Meeting of January 23, 2018. The total amount actually paid to all directors (both executive and non-executive) for 
Fiscal 2019 was 822,750 euro, compared to 879,900 euro for Fiscal 2018.

These directors’ fees were calculated in accordance with the Board of Directors’ Internal Rules, based on the following criteria 
established for Fiscal 2019:

(in euro)

Board of Directors

Audit Committee

Nominating Committee

Compensation Committee

ANNUAL FIXED FEE

ADDITIONAL ANNUAL 
FIXED FEE FOR CHAIRING A 
COMMITTEE

VARIABLE FEE PER 
ATTENDANCE AT EACH 
MEETING

20,000

5,500

5,500

5,500

20,000

20,000

20,000

4,000

2,400

2,400

2,400

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A travel allowance of 1,250 euro per Board meeting attended is paid to directors travelling from the United States.

Compensation paid to directors other than corporate offi  cers in offi  ce as of August 31, 2019 for Fiscal 2019 and Fiscal 2018, based 
on their attendance at Board and Committee meetings as indicated in section 5.2.1.7, was as follows:

TABLE 3, BASED ON THE AFEP-MEDEF CODE TEMPLATE AND AMF RECOMMENDATION 2009-16

DIRECTORS OTHER THAN CORPORATE OFFICERS
(in euro)

FISCAL 2019 

FISCAL 2018 

Emmanuel Babeau

Robert Baconnier

Patricia Bellinger

Astrid Bellon

Bernard Bellon(1)

François-Xavier Bellon

Nathalie Bellon-Szabo

Philippe Besson(2)

Françoise Brougher

Soumitra Dutta

Michel Landel

Cathy Martin

Sophie Stabile(3)

Cécile Tandeau de Marsac

81,600

63,100

-

36,000

38,000

63,500

63,100

65,500

98,600

67,750

-

61,500

80,500

105,600

100,600

65,500

58,950

44,000

50,000

65,500

63,100

63,100

106,950

74,250

22,000

65,500

4,250

98,200

(1) This total includes 2,000 euro paid by Bellon SA in Fiscal 2019 and Fiscal 2018 for his role as a member of Bellon SA’s Supervisory Board. Bernard Bellon completed 

his term on January 22, 2019 and was not renewed.

(2) Upon Philippe Besson’s request, compensation due to him for his role as director representing employees is paid partially to the trade union which designated him 
(Fiscal 2019: 21,429 euro were paid to him directly and 44,071 euro were paid to his trade union – Fiscal 2018: 21,429 euro were paid to him directly and 41,671 euro 
were paid to his trade union).

(3) Sophie Stabile was appointed on July 1, 2018.

5.5.3.2  Other compensation paid to non-executive directors by Bellon SA 

and Sodexo

No stock options or restricted shares have been granted to non-executive directors and they are not eligible for any supplemental 
pension plan or compensation or benefi ts potentially resulting from the assumption, termination or change of position.

(in euro)

Astrid Bellon(1)

François-Xavier Bellon(2)

Nathalie Bellon-Szabo(3)

FISCAL 2019 

FISCAL 2018 

TOTAL ANNUAL COMPENSATION

TOTAL ANNUAL COMPENSATION

FIXED

VARIABLE

FRINGE BENEFITS

FIXED

VARIABLE

FRINGE BENEFITS

146,666

355,000

524,410

-

-

-

-

-

230,000

320,000

3,583

490,923

-

-

-

-

-

3,583

(1) Compensation paid for her role as a member of the Management Board of Bellon SA.
(2) Compensation paid for his role as Chairman of the Management Board of Bellon SA.
(3) Compensation paid for her role as a member of the Management Board of Bellon SA (275,000 euro in Fiscal 2019 and 270,000 euro in Fiscal 2018) and for her role 
as Chief Executive Officer of Sodexo Sports et Loisirs France and Chief Operating Officer of Sodexo Sports and Leisure worldwide (On-site Services) (249,410 euro in 
Fiscal 2019 and 220,923 euro in Fiscal 2018). Nathalie Bellon-Szabo has the use of a company car.

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5.5.4  Compensation policy for members of the Executive Committee

The compensation of the members of the Executive Committee 
comprises a fi xed salary, a variable annual bonus, a long-term 
incentive (restricted share) plan and a travel allowance, the 
amount of which varies depending on the countries visited and 
the length of stay.

The compensation policy applicable to members of the Executive 
Committee  was  reviewed  in  2019  by  the  Compensation 
Committee and the Board of Directors.

The compensation of Executive Committee members is fully 
aligned with that of the Chief Executive Offi  cer. For Fiscal 2020 it 
comprised the following:

•  a fixed salary;

•  an annual performance bonus.

Depending on the Executive Committee member, the annual 
performance-based bonus represents between 50% and 80% 
of their fi xed salary.

The bonus is calculated and paid following the close of the 
fi scal year to which it applies and aft  er the Board of Directors 
has approved the fi nancial statements;

The applicable performance conditions and the proportion 
of  shares  subject  to  each  condition  are  equivalent  to 
those set for the Chief Executive Officer and described in 
section 5.5.1.3.

In addition to this compensation, Executive Committee members 
may receive fringe benefi ts (primarily a car) and pension plan 
contributions are paid under the following plans:

•  a defined contribution plan for holders of an employment 

contract with one of the Group’s foreign companies;

•  a defi ned benefi t plan for holders of a French employment 

contract.

Total compensation paid during Fiscal 2019 by the Group to 
members of the Executive Committee in offi  ce as of August 31, 
2019 (including the Chief Executive Officer, details of whose 
compensation are provided in section 5.5.2.2 of this document), 
amounted to 12,713,427 euro.

This amount comprises:

•  a fi xed portion of 8,870,206 euro, including 570,448 euro of 

contributions to the above-mentioned pension plans;

•  a  long-term  incentive  plan,  consisting  of  restricted 
share grants. All of the shares are subject to presence and 
performance conditions.

•  a  variable  portion  of  3,843,221  euro  (comprising  the 
Fiscal 2018 performance-based bonus and travel allowances 
of 60,458 euro paid in Fiscal 2019).

5.5.5  Description of the long-term incentive plan for managers

The Group’s incentive compensation policy for managers has two objectives:

•  aligning the fi nancial interests of managers with those of shareholders;

•  attracting and retaining the intra-entrepreneurs needed to expand and strengthen Sodexo’s market leadership.

5.5.5.1  Stock option plans

Until Fiscal 2012, as part of this policy stock options were granted at regular intervals.

The number of unexercised stock options issued by the Company to managers in the Group as of August 31, 2018 was 45,765 (around 
0.03% of the capital at that date), representing a total amount of 2,352,321 euro. As these options were exercised in Fiscal 2019 there 
were no longer any stock options outstanding as of August 31, 2019.

5

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Stock options granted to Group managers

TABLE 8, BASED ON THE AFEP-MEDEF CODE TEMPLATE AND AMF RECOMMENDATION 2009-16

DATE OF SHAREHOLDERS 
MEETING

DATE OF BOARD MEETING 
GRANTING STOCK OPTION PLAN

TOTAL NUMBER OF 
OPTIONS GRANTED(1)

TOTAL NUMBER OF 
OPTIONS GRANTED TO 
CORPORATE OFFICERS

START DATE OF 
VESTING PERIOD

01/19/2009

12/13/2011 (A1a)

57,150

01/19/2009

12/13/2011 (A1b)

358,500

-

-

12/13/2012

70% of the options: 
12/13/2012
30% of the options: 
12/13/2014(3)

(1) Total number of options granted by the Board of Directors at grant date.
(2) Exercise price adjusted after capital transactions carried out since grant date.
(3) Subject to achieving an annual increase in Group net income of at least 6% over three years at constant currency exchange rates.
(4) Total number of options cancelled as a result of departure of beneficiaries.

Stock options granted to and exercised by the ten Group employees receiving the largest number 
of options (other than corporate offi  cers)

INFORMATION DISCLOSED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ARTICLE L.225-184 OF THE FRENCH COMMERCIAL CODE

Stock options granted during Fiscal 2019 to the ten Group employees receiving the largest 
number of options (aggregate information)

-

-

Stock options exercised during Fiscal 2019 by the ten Group employees exercising the largest 
number of options (aggregate information)

26,000

51.40

TOTAL NUMBER OF 
OPTIONS

WEIGHTED AVERAGE 
EXERCISE PRICE (in euro)

5.5.5.2  Restricted share grants

Since Fiscal 2013, long-term incentive plans have consisted 
exclusively of restricted share plans.

The rules governing restricted share plans within the Group are 
as follows:

•  all restricted share grants are made in the same period of 

the year;

•  vesting  of  shares  granted  under  the  long-term  incentive 
program is contingent upon the benefi ciary’s employment 
with the Group through the vesting date;

•  performance  conditions  apply  to  the  grant,  in  the 

following proportions:

•  100%  of  the  restricted  shares  granted  to  the  Chief 
Executive  Officer,  and  the  members  of  the  Executive 
Committee,

•  tranches  of  the  restricted  shares  granted  to  other 
benefi ciaries, as explained below (for the shares granted 
in April 2018 and June 2019):

NUMBER OF SHARES GRANTED PER BENEFICIARY

Up to 1,000 shares

More than 1,001 shares

% OF SHARES SUBJECT 
TO PERFORMANCE 
CONDITIONS

30%

50%

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C o m p e n s a t i o n

EXPIRATION DATE

EXERCISE PRICE(2) 
(in euro)

12/12/2018

51.40

12/12/2018

51.40

TERMS OF EXERCISE

25% at each 
anniversary date

17.5% at each 
anniversary date
30% at the 3rd 
anniversary date(3)

CUMULATIVE NUMBER OF 
SHARES PURCHASED AS 
OF 08/31/2019

CUMULATIVE NUMBER OF 
OPTIONS CANCELLED(4)

OPTIONS 
OUTSTANDING AS 
OF 08/31/2019

48,515

8,635

308,780

49,720

0

0

The performance conditions underlying these plans have changed 
over the years. Following the introduction of a Total Shareholder 
Return (TSR) target  introduced in Fiscal 2015 and a comparative 
TSR  target  in  Fiscal  2016,  the  indicator  for  the  financial 
performance condition was changed from Group net income to 
consolidated underlying operating profi t to bring this condition 
in line with the market guidance issued in relation to the Group’s 
medium-term targets. Moreover, in Fiscal 2016 the vesting period 
was extended to four years in order to align it with the four-year 
performance condition assessment period. This applies to all 
restricted shares granted, irrespective of whether or not they are 
subject to performance conditions. At the same time, the lock-up 
period was removed for French benefi ciaries.

International restricted share plan rules dated April 27, 2015 
provided for two performance conditions:

•  a vesting condition based on Sodexo’s Total Shareholder 

Return (TSR)  of 20% over 3 years;

•  a vesting condition based on an average growth in Group 
share of net income of at least 6% per year over 3 years.

Performance conditions have been met as follows: a 54% TSR 
 and a 14% net income average growth per year.

Consequently, 458 ,225 shares were delivered to the benefi ciaries 
concerned on April 27, 2019.

The  restricted  shares  granted  by  the  Board  of  Directors  on 
June  19,  2019  will  be  delivered  on  June  19,  2023,  provided 
that each benefi ciary concerned is still with the Group and any 
applicable performance conditions have been met.

F u r t h e r   d e t a i l s   o f   t h e   p l a n s   i n   f o r c e   a r e   p r o v i d e d   i n 
section 5.5.2.2.

As stated in section 5.5.1.3 above, the Board decided to reduce 
the vesting period for shares granted under future share plans 
to three years and to change the timing of when the plans are 
usually  approved  or  put  in  place.  Until  now,  the  plans  were 
approved and the shares were granted at the end of the fi scal 
year, with the most recent one being in June 2019. From now 
on, in order to align the performance assessment period with 
the vesting period, the plans will be approved at the beginning of 
each fi scal year, when the fi nancial statements for the previous 
fi scal year are published. This change in timing will not result in 
a year without shares being delivered to the benefi ciaries.

5

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Restricted shares granted to Group managers

TABLE 9, BASED ON THE AFEP-MEDEF CODE TEMPLATE AND AMF RECOMMENDATION 2009-16

Date of Annual 
Shareholders Meeting

Date of grant by the 
Board of Directors

Total number of shares 
granted

Total number of 
beneficiaries

2015 PLAN

2015-2 PLAN

2016 PLAN

2016-2 PLAN

2016-3 PLAN

2017 PLAN

2017-2 PLAN

2018 PLAN

2018-2 PLAN

2019 PLAN

01/21/2013 01/21/2013 01/26/2016 01/26/2016 01/26/2016 01/26/2016 01/26/2016 01/26/2016 01/26/2016 01/22/2019

04/27/2015 12/01/2015 04/27/2016 09/30/2016 11/30/2016 04/20/2017

09/14/2017 04/27/2018

09/13/2018 06/19/2019

849,875

15,100

866,075

11,950

10,000

884,895

14,000

917,880

34,100

810,990

1,299

8

1,264

16

2

1,357

5

1,671

20

2,144

% of share capital

0.54%

0.01%

0.56%

0.01%

0.01%

0.58%

0.01%

0.62%

0.02%

0.55%

Performance 
conditions

Growth in Group net 
income

Growth in  operating 
profit

Organic growth

TSR

RSE
(see description above)

FRENCH PLAN

Vesting date for shares 
subject to the condition 
of the beneficiary still 
working with the Group

Vesting date for shares 
subject to performance 
conditions

X

X

X

X

04/27/2017

12/012017

04/27/2018

12/01/2018

End of lock-up period

04/27/2020 12/01/22020

Total number of shares 
granted

276,140

6,750

Number of shares 
granted to the 
corporate officer

% of share capital

Cumulative number of 
shares cancelled

Transferred shares 
(beneficiaries 
participating in the 
international mobility 
program)

40,000

0.03%

(24,458)

0

0

0

Vested shares

251,682

6,750

SITUATION OF 
THE FRENCH PLAN 
AT AUGUST 31, 2019 

0

0

X

X

0

0

X

X

0

0

X

X

0

0

X

X

0

0

X

X

0

0

X

X

X

0

0

X

X

X

0

0

X

X

X

X

0

0

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C o m p e n s a t i o n

2015 PLAN

2015-2 PLAN

2016 PLAN

2016-2 PLAN

2016-3 PLAN

2017 PLAN

2017-2 PLAN

2018 PLAN

2018-2 PLAN

2019 PLAN

INTERNATIONAL 
PLANS

Vesting date

04/27/2019

12/01/2019 04/27/2020 09/30/2020 11/30/2020 04/20/2021 09/14/2021 04/27/2022 09/13/2022  06/19/2023 

End of lock-up period/
date available

Total number of shares 
granted

Number of shares 
granted to the 
corporate officer

% of share capital

Cumulative number of 
shares cancelled

Transferred shares 
(beneficiaries 
participating in the 
international mobility 
program)

04/27/2019

12/01/2019 04/27/2020 09/30/2020 11/30/2020 04/20/2021 09/14/2021 04/27/2022 09/13/2022  06/19/2023

573,735

8,350

866,075

11,950

10,000

884,895

14,000

917,880

34,100

810,990

44,000

0.03%

44,000

25,000

22,000

0.03%

0.00%

0.02%

0.00%

0.01%

(115,510)

(6,000)

(149,470)

(350)

(92,166)

(1,000)

(62,860)

(2,830)

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Vested Shares

458,225

Accelerated vesting 
for Death and 
Disability

SITUATION OF THE 
INTERNATIONAL PLAN 
AT AUGUST 31, 2019

TOTAL OF THE PLANS 
AT AUGUST 31, 2019

0

0

1,250

350

500

2,350

715,355

11,600

10,000

792,379

13,000

854,520

34,100

808,160

2,350

715,355

11,600

10,000

792,379

13,000

854,520

34,100

808,160

As of August 31, 2019, a total of 6,114,720 restricted shares had been granted to Group managers since 2013 (cumulatively 
representing approximately 4.14% of the capital since the adoption of the resolution at the January 2013 Annual Shareholders 
Meeting) for an amount of 458,765,089 euro (based on estimated fair value at the grant date, taking into account the related terms 
and conditions).

5

These grants concerned 1,123 benefi ciaries in 2013, 1,200 in 2014, 1,307 in 2015, 1,282 in 2016, 1,357 in 2017, 1,691 in 2018 and 
2,144 in 2019.

Restricted shares granted to the ten Group employees (other than corporate offi  cers) receiving the largest 
number of restricted shares, and shares vested for those employees

INFORMATION DISCLOSED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ARTICLE L.225-197-4 OF THE FRENCH COMMERCIAL CODE

Shares granted during Fiscal 2019 to the ten Group employees receiving the largest number of 
restricted shares (aggregate information)

93,000

June 19, 2019

Shares vested during Fiscal 2019 for the ten Group employees receiving the largest number of 
restricted shares (aggregate information)

85,400

April 27, 2015

TOTAL NUMBER OF 
SHARES

PLAN DATE

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6

SHAREHOLDERS 
AND SHARE CAPITAL

Financial communications calendar 

How to obtain information 

6.1 

Sodexo Share Performance 

6.1.1  Stock market performance 

6.1.2  Share and dividend performance 

6.1.3  Benefi ts of being a registered 

shareholder 

6.1.4  ADR program 

6.2 

Financial Communications 
Policy 

6.2.1  Listening to our shareholders and the 

fi nancial community 

260

260

261

261

263

264

265

266

266

6.2.2  Universal Registration Document (URD)  267

6.2.3  Annual Shareholders Meeting 

267

6.2.4  Regular meetings and ongoing dialogue  267

6.2.5  Launching of Shareholders Club 

267

6.3 

Shareholders 

6.3.1  Evolution of the share capital in the 

last three fi scal years 

6.3.2  Changes in the breakdown of share 

capital and voting rights over the last 
three years 

6.3.3  Shareholding held by Bellon SA 

6.3.4  Crossing of legal and statutory 

reporting thresholds in Fiscal 2019 

6.3.5  Share buy-back program 

268

268

269

269

270

270

6.3.6  Description of the share buy-back 

program subject to the authorization 
of the Annual Shareholders Meeting 
to be held on January 21, 2020 

6.3.7  Employee share ownership 

6.3.8  Capital authorized but not issued 
– Delegations and valid fi nancial 
authorizations 

6.3.9  Potential share capital 

271

271

272

272

6.4 

Additional general information  
and the bylaws of the Company 

273

6.4.1  Corporate name, registered offi  ce, 

website 

6.4.2  Legal form 

6.4.3  Date of incorporation and duration 

6.4.4  Corporate purpose 

6.4.5  Company registration and LEI 

6.4.6  Material contracts 

6.4.7  Fiscal year 

6.4.8  Form of shares and transfer of shares 

6.4.9  Statutory disclosure thresholds 

6.4.10  Identifi cation of shareholders 

6.4.11  Appropriation of earnings and 

dividend premium 

6.4.12  Shareholder Meetings 

6.4.13  Double voting rights 

6.4.14  Modifi cation of shareholders’ rights 

6.4.15  Consultation of legal documents 

273

273

273

273

274

274

274

274

274

274

275

275

275

276

276

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6  

Financial communications calendar

Fiscal 2020 first quarter revenues

2020 Annual Shareholders Meeting

Ex-Dividend date

Dividend record date

Dividend payment date

Fiscal 2020 half-year results

Fiscal 2020 nine month revenues

Fiscal 2020 annual results

Fiscal 2020 Annual Shareholders Meeting

January 9, 2020

January 21, 2020

January 30, 2020

January 31, 2020

February 3, 2020

April 9, 2020

July 7, 2020

October 29, 2020

January 12, 2021

These dates are purely indicative and are subject to change without notice. Regular updates to the calendar are 
available on our website www.sodexo.com.

How to obtain information

INVESTOR RELATIONS 

By e-mail: financial.communication.group@sodexo.com

SHAREHOLDERS CLUB

By e-mail: clubactionnaires@sodexo.com

By phone: +33 (0)1 57 75 80 54

Address: Sodexo, Investor Relation /Shareholders Club – 255, quai de la Bataille  de  Stalingrad – 
92866 Issy-les-Moulineaux Cedex 9 – France

Further information  available on the Sodexo website
  www.sodexo.com

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6.1  SODEXO SHARE PERFORMANCE

 _ Sodexo shares are listed on Euronext Paris (Euroclear code: FR0000121220) and have been 
included in the CAC 40 index since March 21, 2016. In addition, Sodexo off ers securities listed in U.S. 
dollars, in the form of American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) that are traded on the over-the-counter 
(OTC) market, ticker SDXAY, with fi ve ADRs representing one Sodexo share.

6.1.1  Stock market performance

ADJUSTED SODEXO SHARE PRICE TRENDS FROM INITIAL LISTING ON MARCH 2, 1983 THROUGH AUGUST 31, 2019 (in euro), 
COMPARED TO THE CAC 40 INDEXED ON THE SODEXO SHARE PRICE

120

100

80

60

40

20

0

A u g u s t   3 1
1 0 3 . 1 0

A u g u s t   3 1
2 2 . 8 2

3

8

9

1

5

8

9

1

7

8

9

1

9

8

9

1

1

9

9

1

3

9

9

1

5

9

9

1

7

9

9

1

9

9

9

1

1

0

0

2

3

0

0

2

5

0

0

2

7

0

0

2

9

0

0

2

1

1

0

2

3

1

0

2

5

1

0

2

6

1

0

2

7

1

0

2

8

1

0

2

9

1

0

2

SODEXO

CAC 40 indexed

6

The initial listing was on March 2, 1983 at an adjusted price 
of 1.55 euro. As of August 31, 2019 (the last trading day of 
Fiscal 2019), the closing share price was 103.10 euro.

Since its first listing, the value of the Sodexo share has been 
multiplied by 67, whereas the CAC 40 index has been multiplied 

by only 14.7 over the same period, which means that Sodexo’s 
shares have signifi cantly outperformed the CAC 40(1).

Since its listing on the stock exchange in 1983, Sodexo’s share 
value  has  appreciated  by  an  average  of  12.5% per  annum, 
excluding dividends.

1  CAC 40 index reconstituted from 1983 to 1987.

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SODEXO SHARE PRICE FROM AUGUST 31, 2014 THROUGH TO AUGUST 31, 2019 (in euro), 
COMPARED TO THE CAC 40 INDEXED ON THE SODEXO SHARE PRICE

130

120

110

100

90

80

70

60

50

A u g u s t   3 1
1 0 3 . 1 0

A u g u s t   3 1
9 3 . 7 8

August 2014

August 2015

August 2016

August 2017

August 2018

August 2019

SODEXO

CAC 40 indexed

Over the last fi ve fi scal years, Sodexo’s share price has increased by 38%, whereas the CAC 40 index has increased by 25% during 
the same period.

SODEXO SHARE PRICE FROM AUGUST 31, 2018 THROUGH TO AUGUST 31, 2019 (in euro), 
COMPARED TO THE CAC 40 INDEXED ON THE SODEXO SHARE PRICE 

120

110

100

90

80

70

60

A u g u s t   3 1
1 0 3 . 1 0

A u g u s t   3 1
9 0 . 9 4

Sept. 2018

Nov. 2018

Jan. 2019

March 2019

May 2019

July 2019

August 2019

SODEXO

CAC40 indexed

During Fiscal 2019, the share price increased by 15% whereas 
the CAC 40 index rose by 1%. Aft  er underperforming the CAC 40 
by  almost  15%  the  previous  year,  linked  to  the  downward 
revision of forecasts during Fiscal 2018, investor  confidence 

gradually returned during Fiscal 2019 thanks to an improvement 
in organic revenue growth and results,  in line with expectations.

As of August 31, 2019, the market capitalization of Sodexo was 
15.2 billion euro.

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6.1.2  Share and dividend performance

Dividend policy

The Group’s dividend policy is aimed at securing long-term shareholder loyalty by regularly increasing the dividend, a dividend payout 
ratio of around 50% and a dividend premium for shareholders who have held their shares in registered form for an unbroken period 
of at least four years.

DIVIDEND (in euro) 

PAYOUT RATIO (in %)

52%

50%

51%

49%

46%

56%

56%

57%

57%

63%

64%

€2.90

€2.75

€2.75

48%

€2.20

€2.40

€1.27

€1.27

€1.35

€1.46

€1.59

€1.62

€1.80

3.5

3.0

2.5

2.0

1.5

1.0

0.5

0.0

70%

60%

50%

40%

30%

20%

10%

0%

Fiscal 2 0 0 8

Fiscal 2 0 0 9

Fiscal 2 0 1 0

Fiscal 2 0 1 1

Fiscal 2 0 1 2

Fiscal 2 0 1 3

Fiscal 2 0 1 4

Fiscal 2 0 1 5

Fiscal 2 0 1 6

Fiscal 2 0 1 7

Fiscal 2 0 1 8

Fiscal 2 0 1 9

At  the  Annual  Shareholders  Meeting  on  January  21,  2020, 
the Board of Directors will propose that shareholders approve 
the  payment  of  a  cash  dividend  of  2.90   euro  per  share  for 
Fiscal 2018, up +5.5% compared with Fiscal 2018.

In addition, shares held in registered form for the past four years 
or more (i.e., since at least August 31, 2015) and which are 
still held in such form when the dividend becomes payable on 
February 3, 2020 will be entitled to a 10% dividend premium, 
representing an additional 0.290  euro per share. The number of 
shares eligible for this dividend premium may not exceed 0.5% 
of the share capital for any single shareholder.

The distribution of dividends and the 10% dividend premium 
represent a payout ratio of 64 %.

The dividend and dividend premium (for eligible shares) will 
become payable on February 3, 2020, with a Euronext Paris 
ex-dividend date of January 30, 2020. The record date – i.e., 
the date before which an investor must own shares in order to 
receive the dividend – will be January 31, 2020.

Dividends not claimed within fi ve years of the date on which they 
were payable to shareholders are forfeited.

6

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6  

FISCAL 2019

FISCAL 2018

FISCAL 2017

FISCAL 2016

FISCAL 2015

SHARE PRICE (in euro)

Opening price as of August, 31

89.74

98.26

104.75

77.71

Closing price as of August, 31

103.10

89.72

98.03

103.85

Market capitalization as of August 31 (in billions of euro)

15.2

13.2

14.8

84.20

78.10

96.02

108.65

114.05

123.60

75.03

78.43

12.3

69.49

95.76

16.0

70.45

106.7

12-month low

12-month high

DAILY AVERAGE VOLUME OF SHARE TRADING

In number of shares

In value (in thousands of euro)

DIVIDEND AND SHARE PERFORMANCE

253,895

361,046

241,150

275,923

232,550

26,839

34,221

25,607

24,551

19,800

Total payout(2) (in millions of euro)

430 (1)

403 

411

371

335

Payout ratio including dividend premium
(Total payout/Group net profit)

64.7%

62.6%

57.0%

58.2%

47.9%

Dividend per share (DPS) (in euro)

2.90 (1)

2.75

2.75

10% dividend premium (in euro)

0.290 (1)

0.275

0.275

Earnings per share (EPS)(3) (in euro)

Payout ratio (DPS/EPS)

4.56

4.40

63.6 %

62.5%

4.85

57%

2.40

0.24

4.21

57%

2.20

0.22

4.60

47.8%

TOTAL SHAREHOLDER RETURN (TSR)(4)

+18 .0%

-5.9%

-4.1%

36.5%

6.9%

(1) Subject to approval at the Annual Shareholders Meeting on January 21, 2020.
(2) Theoretical payout for current fiscal year and actual figures for previous years. Includes dividend premium.
(3) Based on an average number of shares (quarterly average).
(4) Calculation of the Total Shareholder Return over a given period and calculated as follows: (market price at the end of the period – market price at the beginning of the 

period + dividends paid over the period, excluding the dividend premium)/market price at the beginning of the period.

6.1.3  Benefits of being a registered shareholder

Registered Sodexo shareholders are entitled to:

•  an  exemption  from  administration  costs  (for  directly-

•  double voting rights for registered shares held for at least 

four years;

registered shares only).

Sodexo share codes

•  a dividend premium of 10%(1) for registered shares held for 
at least four years (the number of shares eligible for this 
dividend premium may not exceed 0.5% of the share capital 
for any single shareholder);

•  automatic  invitation  to  Shareholders  Meetings  and 
personalized  information  on  all  financial  transactions 
(capital increases, bond issues, etc.);

Sodexo bearer shares are traded under the code FR0000121220.

The code for registered shares already eligible for the dividend 
premium is FR0011532431.

Diff erent share codes have been introduced for registered shares 
in order to refl ect the period in which the shares were acquired 
and to determine eligibility for the dividend premium.

1  The dividend premium payment will be made on February 3 , 2020 for the fi scal year ended August 31, 2019 for shareholders holding registered shares (directly 

or indirectly) since August 31, 2015 and up until the payment of the dividend.

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The use of diff erent codes does not aff ect the tradability of the shares. When selling shares, it is advisable to sell the most recently 
acquired fi rst in order to maintain the dividend premium rights on the highest number of remaining shares.

REFERENCE DATE FOR REGISTRATION OF SHARES TO QUALIFY FOR THE DIVIDEND PREMIUM

RIGHT TO DIVIDEND PREMIUM 
FOR FISCAL 

ISIN CODES FOR 
REGISTERED SHARES

Before August 31, 2015

August 31, 2016

August 31, 2017

August 31, 2018

August 31, 2019

August 31, 2020

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

FR0011532431*

FR0013193125

FR0013270261

FR0013353075

FR0013436029

FR0013447026

*  On  September  1,  2019,  Euroclear  merged  the  shares  held  under  the  code  SODEXO  ACTIONS  PRIME  DE  FIDÉLITÉ  2019  –  FR0012891414  into  the  code 

FR0011532431 (which will be eligible for the 10% dividend premium for the February 2020 dividend payment).

Contacts for registered shareholders

Directly-registered shareholder accounts are managed by Société Générale, which also acts as transfer agent for all Sodexo shares.

For further information call:

Société Générale Nantes (France): +33 (0)2 51 85 67 89

or visit the Société Générale website: www.sharinbox.societegenerale.com

6.1.4  ADR program

Since Sodexo’s voluntary delisting from the New York Stock 
Exchange in 2007, Sodexo American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) 
are traded on the over-the-counter (OTC) market, ticker SDXAY, 
with fi ve ADRs representing one Sodexo share.

Advantages for U.S. investors:

•  U.S. brokers purchase, sell and settle the ADRs in the same 

way as they would for the shares of a U.S. company;

•  the prices of the ADRs are quoted in U.S. dollars and the 

dividends are paid in U.S. dollars;

•  ADRs are a straightforward and eff ective way of enabling U.S. 

investors to invest in international companies.

KEY INFORMATION ON THE SODEXO ADRS:

ADR ticker symbol

Platform

CUSIP

DR ISIN

ISIN code

SEDOL

SDXAY

OTC

833792104

US8337921048

FR0000121220

7062713

6

Custodian bank

Citibank Europe Plc (Dublin)

ADR ratio

5 ADRs for 1 ordinary share

CONTACTS AT CITIBANK FOR ANY QUESTIONS CONCERNING 
THE ADRS:

New York

Michael O’Leary

London

Michael Woods

michael.oleary@citi.com

michael.woods@citi.com

Tel.: +1 212 723 4483

Tel.: +44 20 7500 2030

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6 F i n a n c i a l   C o m m u n i c a t i o n s   P o l i c y

6.2  FINANCIAL COMMUNICATIONS POLICY

 _ To respond more eff ectively to the expectations of its shareholders, Sodexo continuously works 
to improve its investor relations program by developing new information channels and in the quality 
of its interactions during the diff erent meetings with the fi nancial community.

6.2.1  Listening to our shareholders and the financial community

I n   o r d e r   t o   c o m p l y   w i t h   a l l   a p p l i c a b l e   r e g u l a t i o n s   i n 
connection with its listing on Euronext Paris (the French stock 
exchange), Sodexo and all those involved in preparing fi nancial 
communications  have  committed  to  a  set  of  transparency 
principles designed to ensure equal treatment of all shareholders.

Sodexo’s investor relations policy is based on four core 
principles:

•  equal treatment when disclosing quarterly financial 
information:  all  financial  press  releases  are  issued 
simultaneously in real time to all our stakeholders, both in 
French and English. These press releases are published on the 
Group’s website (www.sodexo.com) and relayed through the 
press, e-mail and via an authorized provider;

•  regular reporting: the financial community is informed 
of the fi nancial publication schedule a year in advance, and 
updates  are  always  available  on  the  Group’s  website.  In 
a process of acceleration of the publication of the Group’s 
accounts, the announcement of the Fiscal 2020 results and 
the Shareholders meeting to approve those accounts are 
advanced by one week; 

•  ease of access to financial meetings: Annual Shareholder  
Meetings  and  revenue  and  results  presentations  are 
broadcast via a live webcast and subsequently available on 
the Sodexo website. In addition, all fi nancial communication 
is available and archived on the website;

•  transparency: all information on  the Group, including the 
bylaws, Universal Registration Document (formerly called 
the  Registration document ), Interim Report, press releases, 
presentations and share price trends, is also available on the 
website: www.sodexo.com.

6.2.1.1  Group spokesperson

Only the Chairwoman, the  Chief Executive Offi  cer and members 
of the Executive Committee are authorized to provide fi nancial 
communications.  The   Chief  Executive  Officer  appoints  the 
Director of Financial Communication to act as spokesperson for 
the Group, within specifi c delegated powers.

6.2.1.2  Preparation and publication 
of fi nancial communications

All financial communication  is  reviewed prior to publication 
by a Group Disclosure Committee comprising representatives 

from  Group  Finance,  Legal,  Communications,  Corporate 
Responsibility, Board secretary and Human Resources.

Barring exceptional circumstances, all information with the 
potential  to  influence  the  share  price  is  published  before 
Euronext Paris opens for trading.

Aft  er approval of this information by the  Chief Executive Offi  cer, 
the  Chief Financial Offi  cer or the Board of Directors (depending 
on its nature), it is communicated to the markets via a press 
release issued simultaneously to the entire fi nancial community 
and to the stock market authorities.

S o d e x o   d o e s   n o t   c o m m u n i c a t e   f i n a n c i a l 
information during the following periods:

•  30 calendar days preceding the Board of Directors’ 
meeting to approve the annual and half-year fi nancial 
statements up to the release of its consolidated annual 
and interim results;

•  15 calendar days before the release of its fi rst and 
third quarter consolidated revenue fi gures up to the 
release of these quarterly publications.

6.2.1.3  Code of conduct for senior 

managers

To ensure Sodexo’s commitment to transparency and regulatory 
compliance, the Board of Directors adopted a Code of conduct 
for  senior  managers  in  2003.  Since  that  date,  the  Group’s 
Executive Committee members and key fi nance executives must 
systematically and formally sign up to this Code and abide by 
its principles.

This Code of conduct sets out a core set of behaviors:

•  to avoid actual or apparent confl icts of interest;

•  to comply with all laws, rules and regulations;

•  to protect the Group’s confi dential information;

•  to conduct all business fairly;

•  to hold managers accountable for their behavior and create 
an environment of trust where concerns can be reported 
without fear of retaliation or retribution.

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F i n a n c i a l   C o m m u n i c a t i o n s   P o l i c y

The Group’s ethical principle of transparency means effi  cient 
communication with the Group’s shareholders, so that they 
are provided with full and accurate information on  the Group’s 

financial  condition  and  profits.  The  Group  is  committed  to 
timely communication and to complete, accurate, reliable and 
clear reporting.

6.2.2  Universal Registration Document (URD)

A  Registration  D ocument  is  filed  each  year  with  the  French 
securities regulator (Autorité des marchés financiers – AMF) in 
accordance with its General Regulation. The French-language 
document  can  be  consulted  on  the  AMF  website  (www.amf-
france.org). It is also available, along with the English  version, 
at  www.sodexo.com  (“Finance”  section,  “Presentations 
and  publications”  tab).  According  to  the  new  Regulation 
(EU)  2017/1129  and  its  Delegated  Regulation  2019/980, 
in  force  since  July  21,  2019,  Sodexo  publishes  a  Universal 

Registration Document this year.  Apart from its new name, this 
Universal Registration Document aims to enhance shareholder 
and investor understanding of the risk factors, overall strategy 
and extra-fi nancial aspects.

An interactive and accessible version of the Universal Registration 
Document in French and English is also available on the Group’s 
website  to  facilitate  reading,  particularly  for  those  that  are 
visually impaired.

6.2.3  Annual Shareholders Meeting

The Annual Shareholders Meeting is announced in offi  cial notices 
published  in  the  press,  in  the  BALO  (Bulletin  des  annonces 
légales obligatoires) in France and on the Group’s website, at 
www.sodexo.com.

The  Notice  of  meeting   is  available  in  French  and  English  at 
least 21 days before the meeting. It is sent to all registered 
shareholders, and to other shareholders upon request. It is also 
available at  www.sodexo.com.

A live webcast of the Sodexo Annual Shareholders Meeting is 
broadcast on our website, enabling shareholders who cannot 
attend  in  person  to  ask  questions  and  follow   the  voting  on 
resolutions.  The  webcast  of  the  last  Annual  Shareholders 
Meeting  has  been  archived  and  is  available  on  the  Sodexo 
website: www. Sodexo.com.

6.2.4  Regular meetings and ongoing dialogue

Sodexo is committed to genuine dialogue with its shareholders 
and with the broader fi nancial community.

Lastly, the Financial Communications Department is always 
available to answer questions from analysts and investors.

In order to ensure that the fi gures it releases each quarter are 
fully understood, the Group organizes conference calls led by the 
 Chief Executive Offi  cer and  Chief Financial Offi  cer. In addition, 
a program of regular meetings with investors and analysts is 
put in place each year, with the  Chief Executive Offi  cer and  Chief 
Financial Officer holding sessions in Europe (in particular in 
Paris, London and Frankfurt) and also in the United States and 
Canada. These events create opportunities for more informal 
dialogue.

Themed briefi ngs are also held periodically to give investors and 
analysts insight into front-line operations.

Sodexo also regularly participates in industry presentations and 
conferences organized by brokerage fi rms in France and abroad.

On September 6, 2018, the Group organized its first Capital 
Markets Day in nine years. The event was held at the Yachts 
de Paris, on the banks of the Seine, with presentations on the 
strategy  of  the  Group   and  its  various  activities  including  a 
presentation by Sophie Bellon of her vision on the Group. All 
the members of the Executive Committee, some representatives 
from other departments and the Chairwoman of the Board were 
present throughout the day. More than 90 investors, analysts, 
bankers and fi nancial journalists attended the event. All plenary 
presentations, recordings and transcripts are available on the 
website:  www.sodexo.com .

6

6.2.5  Launching of the Shareholders Club

To respond to shareholder requests during the General Meeting 
of January 22, 2019, Sodexo launched its Shareholders Club on 
October 3, 2019.

In addition to the existing double voting rights and the dividend 
premium aft  er four years of ownership in registered form, this 

Club  aims to strengthen the personal link between the Company 

and  its  shareholders,  provide  a  direct  flow  of  information 

on  Sodexo  and  its  services  and  provide  a  dedicated  forum 

for discussion. To become a member, simply fi ll out the form 

available on www.sodexo.com, in the shareholders section.

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6 S h a r e h o l d e r s

6.3  SHAREHOLDERS

SHAREHOLDER BREAKDOWN AS OF AUGUST 31, 2019

 VOTING RIGHTS BREAKDOWN AS OF AUGUST 31, 2019

55.7%
PUBLIC

40.6%
NON-FRENCH
INSTITUTIONS

11.0%
FRENCH
INSTITUTIONS

Source: Nasdaq.

42.2%
BELLON SA

42.3%
PUBLIC

56.6%
BELLON SA

1.1%
EMPLOYEES

1%
TREASURY 
SHARES

1.1%
EMPLOYEES

4.1%
INDIVIDUAL
SHAREHOLDERS

6.3.1  Evolution of the share capital in the last three fiscal years

As at August 31, 2019, the share capital of the Company was 
an aggregate nominal value of 589,819,548 euro divided into 
147,454,887 shares of a nominal value of 4 euro each.

As no new shares were created, for any purpose, and no shares 
were cancelled during Fiscal 2019, the Company’s share capital 

as at August 31, 2019 still stood at 589,819,548 euro, divided 
into 147,454,887 shares with a nominal value of 4 euro each.

There were no changes in the Company’s share capital between 
August 31, 2019 and the date of publication of this document.

The table below provides the evolution of the share capital over the last three fi scal years:

Position as at September 1, 2016

DATE OF 
THE TRANSACTION

NATURE OF 
THE OPERATION

NUMBER OF SHARES 
CANCELLED

NUMBER OF SHARES 
COMPRISING THE SHARE 
CAPITAL FOLLOWING 
THE OPERATION

SHARE CAPITAL 
FOLLOWING 
THE OPERATION

153,741,139

€614,964,556

14 June 2017

Share cancellation(1)

2,910,690

150,830,449

€603,321,796

Position as at September 1, 2017

150,830,449

€603,321,796

29 August 2018

Share cancellation(2)

3,375,562

147,454,887

€589,819,548

Position as at September 1, 2018

Position as at September 1, 2019

147,454,887

€589,819,548

147,454,887

€589,819,548

(1) Following the utilization by the Board of the authorization approved by the General Meeting of January 24, 2017.
(2) Following the utilization by the Board of the authorization approved by the General Meeting of January 23, 2018.

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S h a r e h o l d e r s

6.3.2  Changes in the breakdown of share capital and voting rights 

over the last three years

AUGUST 31, 2019

AUGUST 31, 2018

AUGUST 31, 2017

SHAREHOLDERS

NUMBER 
OF SHARES

% OF 
CAPITAL

% OF 
THEORETICAL 
VOTING 
RIGHTS(1)

% OF 
EXERCISABLE 
VOTING 
RIGHTS(1)

NUMBER 
OF SHARES

% OF 
CAPITAL

% OF 
THEORETICAL 
VOING RIGHTS

% OF 
EXERCISABLE 
VOTING 
RIGHTS

NUMBER 
OF SHARES

% OF 
CAPITAL

% OF 
THEORETICAL 
VOTING 
RIGHTS

% OF 
EXERCISABLE 
VOTING 
RIGHTS

Bellon SA

62,250,485

42.2

56.2

56.6

62,250,485

42.2

56.7

57.2

60,900,485

40.4

55.2

55.8

BlackR ock Inc.

6,586,640

4.5

3.0

3.1

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

First Eagle 
Investment 
Management(2)

Artisan 
Partners(2)

6,478,143

4.4

3.0

3.0

6,913,289

4.7

3.1

3.1

4,218,962

2.8

1.9

1.9

6,311,718

4.3

2.9

2.9

8,019,726

5.4

3.7

3.8

International 
Value Advisers(2)

1,968,257

Employees(3)

1,602,197

Treasury shares

1,448,566

1.3

1.1

1.0

1.1

1.1

0.7

1.1

1.1

3,821,370

1,721,960

0

1,869,352

2.6

1.2

1.3

1.8

1.1

0.9

-

-

1,599,407

1.8

1.2

0

2,205,010

-

-

1.1

1.5

-

-

1.1

1.0

-

-

1.1

0

Public

60,808,881

41.2

32.0

32.2

62,858,705

42.6

32.6

32.9

81,906,585

54.2

40.8

41.2

TOTAL

147,454,887 100%

100%

100% 147,454,887 100%

100%

100% 150,830,449 100%

100%

100%

(1) As at August 31, 2019, the 147,454,887 shares making up the Company’s share capital carried 216,206,855 theoretical voting rights and 214,758,289 voting rights 

exercisable at General Meetings. Only treasury shares do not carry any voting rights, in accordance with article L.225-210 of the French Commercial Code.

(2) Acting on behalf of its managed funds.
(3) This figure includes the shares held by employees in an account with Société Générale as a result of restricted  share awards, in accordance with French Act no. 2015-

990 of August 6, 2015 on growth, business and equal economic opportunities.

As at August 31, 2019 the members of the Board of Directors together directly held less than 0.5% of the Company’s share capital.

6.3.3  Shareholding held by Bellon SA

During the Fiscal year 2019, the shareholding held by Bellon SA 
in Sodexo remained stable, at 62,250,485 shares representing 
42.2% of the Company’s share capital.

It should be noted that during the Fiscal year 2018, Bellon SA 
purchased 1,350,000 Sodexo shares on June 1, 2018, increasing 
its equity stake in the Company to 41.27% of the share capital 
(compared to 40.38% as at August 31, 2017). As a result of 
the  acquisition  followed  by  the  cancellation  by  Sodexo  on 
August 29, 2018 of 3,375,562 shares, representing 2.2% of the 
Company’s share capital, Bellon SA increased its equity stake in 
the Company to 42.2%, i.e. by more than 1% over a 12-month 
period. Prior to this transaction, the French stock market regulator 

(Autorité des marchés financiers – AMF) had granted Bellon SA on 
June 26, 2018, on the basis of article 234-9 paragraph 6 of the 
General Regulations of the AMF, an exemption from the obligation 
to fi le a public exchange off er on the Sodexo shares, considering 
that Bellon SA already held the majority of Sodexo’s voting rights 
before the transaction (D&I 2018C1176 and D&I218C1545).

Mr & Mrs Pierre Bellon and their four children who control 72.6% 
of Bellon SA, signed 50-year agreements in June 2015 which 
prevent their direct descendants from selling their Bellon SA 
shares to a third-party. The only asset of Bellon SA is its stake 
in Sodexo and Bellon SA has no intention of selling its stake to 
a third-party.

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6.3.4  Crossing of legal and statutory reporting thresholds 

in Fiscal 2019

In accordance with article L.233-7, I of the French Commercial 
Code, the following legal thresholds have been reported to the 
Company during the Fiscal year 2019:

(D&I 218C1911). The threshold was breached following 
the sale of shares on the market as well as a redemption 
of Sodexo shares held as collateral;

•  BlackRock Inc., acting on behalf of its managed clients and 

funds, reported:

•  o n   O c t o b e r   1 8 ,   2 0 1 8   t h a t   i t   h a d   e x c e e d e d   o n 
October  16,  2018  the  legal  threshold  of  5%  of  the 
Company’s  share  capital   holding  7,410,257  shares, 
representing 5.03% of the share capital of the Company 
and 3.46% of voting rights (D&I 218C1689). The threshold 
was exceeded following the acquisition of shares on the 
market as well as the receipt of Sodexo shares held as 
collareral,

•  o n   N o v e m b e r   1 5 ,   2 0 1 8   t h a t   i t   h a d   c r o s s e d   o n 
November  13,  2018  the  legal  threshold  of  5%  of  the 
Company’s  share  capital  in  the  downward  direction, 
holding  7,360,951  shares,  representing  4.99%  of  the 
share capital of the Company and 3.44% of voting rights 
(D&I 218C1840). The threshold was crossed following the 
sale of shares on the market,

•  o n   N o v e m b e r   2 8 ,   2 0 1 8   t h a t   i t   h a d   e x c e e d e d   o n 
November  26,  2018  the  legal  threshold  of  5%  of  the 
Company’s  share  capital ,  holding  7,395,655  shares, 
representing 5.02% of the share capital of the Company 
and 3.45% of voting rights (D&I 218C1899). The threshold 
was  exceeded  following  the  acquisition  of  shares  off-
market as well as the receipt of Sodexo shares held as 
collateral,

•  o n   N o v e m b e r   2 9 ,   2 0 1 8   t h a t   i t   h a d   c r o s s e d   o n 
November  27,  2018  the  legal  threshold  of  5%  of  the 
Company’s  share  capital  in  the  downward  direction, 
holding  7,260,601  shares,  representing  4.92%  of  the 
share capital of the Company and 3.39% of voting rights 

•  Artisan Partners Limited Partnership, acting on behalf of its 
managed funds, reported on November 21, 2018 that it had 
crossed on November 16, 2018 the legal threshold of 5% 
of the Company’s share capital in the downward direction, 
holding 7,196,640 shares, representing 4.88% of the share 
capital of the Company and 3.36% of voting rights (D&I 218C 
1862). The threshold was crossed following the sale of shares 
on the market.

In accordance with article 9.4 of the bylaws of the Company, the 
following statutory threshold has been reported to the Company 
during Fiscal year 2019:

•  on January 2, 2019 International Value Advisers, LLC, acting 
on behalf of its managed funds, reported that it had crossed 
on December 27, 2018 the statutory threshold of 2.5% of the 
Company’s share capital in the downward direction, holding 
3,593,907 shares, representing 2.44% of the share capital of 
the Company and 1.68% of voting rights.

As  of  the  date  of  this  Fiscal  2019  Universal  Registration 
Document, to the best of Sodexo’s knowledge:

•  since  August  31,  2019  no  statutory  or  legal  threshold 

crossings have been notifi ed ;

•  only  Bellon  SA,  Artisan  Partners  Limited  Partnership, 
BlackR ock Inc. and First Eagle Investment Management hold 
2.5% or more of the share capital or voting rights of Sodexo, 
directly or indirectly, individually, or in concert;

•  there  are  no  shareholder  agreements  in  place  and  no 
agreements that, if implemented, could result in a change of 
control of Sodexo.

6.3.5  Share buy-back program

By way of reminder:

•  the Combined Annual Shareholders Meeting of January 23, 
2018  authorized the Board of Directors, in its 17th resolution, 
to  purchase  or  arrange  for  the  purchase  of  Company 
shares within the limit of 5% of the total number of shares 
comprising the share capital as of January 23, 2018 (i.e., 
a  total  of  7,541,522  shares),  for  a  period  of  18  months. 
The  maximum  purchase  price  of  shares  pursuant  to  the 
authorization may not exceed 150 euro per share and the 
total amount allocated to the authorized share buy-back 
program may not exceed 1.15 billion euro;

•  t h e   C o m b i n e d   A n n u a l   S h a r e h o l d e r s   M e e t i n g   o f 
January  22,  2019,  after  having  terminated  the  previous 
authorization, has again authorized the Board of Directors, in 
its 17th resolution, to purchase or arrange for the purchase of 
Company shares within the limit of 5% of the total number of 
shares comprising the share capital as of January 22, 2019 
(i.e.,  a  total  of  7,372,744  shares),  for  another  period  of 
18 months. The maximum purchase price of shares pursuant 
to the authorization may not exceed 120 euro per share and 

the total amount allocated to the authorized share buy-back 
program may not exceed 885 million euro.

The above authorizations have been granted in order to cover 
stock option and restricted  share plans, cancel the treasury 
shares by reducing the share capital and/or facilitate the Sodexo 
liquidity contract. For more information about the objectives 
targeted by the two authorizations mentioned above, please 
refer to section 8 of the Fiscal 2017 Registration d  ocument and/
or section 7 of the Fiscal 2018 Registration d  ocument.

During the Fiscal year 2019, the Board of Directors implemented 
the said authorizations as follows:

•  Sodexo repurchased 197,535 shares (representing 0.13% of 
the share capital) at an average price of 99.73 euro per share 
plus trading fees of 66.981 euro excluding taxes;

•  Sodexo transferred 506,935 shares on the exercise of stock 

options and for delivery under restricted  share plans;

•  under the liquidity contract concluded between Sodexo and 
Kepler-Cheuvreux on October 1, 2016, in accordance with AMF 
decision n°2018-01 on the introduction of liquidity agreements 

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S h a r e h o l d e r s

on equity securities under accepted market practice in force on 
January 1, 2019, Sodexo carried out the following transactions:

•  the total carrying amount of the treasury shares portfolio 

was 145 million euro as at August 31, 2019;

•  purchase  of  1,233,920  shares  for  a  total  amount  of 

•  the Sodexo liquidity account was composed of 73,314 shares.

117,830,841.88 euro (average  price of 95.49 euro),

•  s a l e   o f   1 , 3 4 5 , 3 0 6   s h a r e s   f o r   a n   a g g r e g a t e 

129,515,902.82 euro (average  price of 96.27 euro).

As at August 31, 2019:

•  S o d e x o   d i r e c t l y   h e l d   1 , 4 4 8 , 5 6 6   o f   i t s   o w n   s h a r e s 
(representing 0.98% of the share capital) intended to hedge 
various restricted  share plans set up for Group employees 
(for more information about  restricted  share plans, please 
refer to section 5.5 of this document);

Since August 31, 2019, the Company has purchased Sodexo 
shares  other  than  through  its  liquidity  contract.  Detailed 
information on these transactions may be found on the Sodexo 
website in “Regulated information” section.

6.3.6  Description of the share buy-back program subject to 
the authorization of the Annual Shareholders Meeting 
to be held on January 21, 2020

The  Board  of  Directors  proposes  that  the  Combined  Annual 
Shareholders Meeting to be held on January 21, 2020, in its 
13 th resolution, renews the authorization granted to the Board to 
repurchase Sodexo shares pursuant to articles L.225-209 et seq. 
of the French Commercial Code and the European rules under 
European regulation no. 596/2014 of April 16, 2014.

The principal aims of the new share buy-back program, in line 
with previous years, without this list being exhaustive, would 
be to honor the restricted  allocation of Company shares to the 
employees and/or corporate officers of the Sodexo Group, to 
reduce the Company’s share capital through the cancellation 
of shares and to trade in the shares within the context of the 
existing liquidity contract.

The maximum number of shares that may be purchased under 
this new share buy-back program would be set at 5% of the 
total number of shares comprising the Company’s capital as 

of the date of the Combined Annual Shareholders Meeting on 
January 21, 2020, i.e., a maximum number of 7,372,744 shares.

The maximum share purchase price under this share buy-back 
program  may   not  exceed  120  euro  per  share  and  the  total 
amount allocated to the program may  not exceed 885 million 
euro.

This authorization would be valid for a period of 18 months, 
replacing the authorization given for the same purpose by the 
Combined Annual Shareholders Meeting on January 22, 2019, 
in its 17th resolution.

For further information about this authorization submitted 
to a vote at the Combined Annual Shareholders Meeting on 
January 21, 2020, please refer to the draft   resolutions presented 
in chapter 7 of this Fiscal 2019 Universal Registration Document.

6.3.7  Employee share ownership

As  at  August  31,  2019,  Group  employees  held  1.1%  of  the 
Company’s share capital, representing 1,602,197 shares, 53.5% 
of which was held in an employees’ mutual fund (FCPE).

As  at  August  31,  2019,  the  number  of  Group  employee 
shareholders was estimated at 29,840.

6

The various profi t-sharing agreements in force allow employees 
of the Group’s French subsidiaries to pay the amounts they 
receive in respect of these profit-sharing agreements into an 
employees’  mutual  fund  invested  in  Sodexo  shares,  or  into 
a restricted savings account. To qualify for favorable tax and 
social  security  treatment,  amounts  due  to  employees  are 
subject to a fi ve-year lock-up period.

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6 S h a r e h o l d e r s

6.3.8  Capital authorized but not issued – Delegations and 

valid financial authorizations

As at the date of this Fiscal 2019 Universal Registration Document, the Board of Directors of the Company had the following 
delegations and fi nancial authorizations conferred to it by the decisions of the Annual General Meetings.

CURRENTLY VALID AUTHORIZATIONS

Authorizations with preferential rights

MAXIMUM 
AGGREGATE 
NOMINAL VALUE 
OF CAPITAL 
INCREASE(S)* 
(in millions 
of euro)

MAXIMUM 
AMOUNT 
OF CAPITAL 
INCREASE(S)* 
(% of share 
capital)

DATE OF AUTHORIZATION

DATE OF 
EXPIRATION

USAGE

•  Issuance of ordinary shares and/or any other securities 

January 23, 2018 

carrying rights to Sodexo shares

100

17%

(19th) March 22, 2020

Unused

•  Issuance of debt securities carrying rights to Sodexo shares

1,000

N/A

(19th) March 22, 2020

Unused

January 23, 2018 

Authorizations to issue shares to employees and managers

•  Issuance of ordinary shares and/or any other securities 

January 23, 2018 

reserved for members of Employee Savings Plans

About 9

1.5%

(21st) March 22, 2020

Unused

•  Grant of restricted  shares and performance shares

About 15

2.5%

(18th) March 21, 2022

January 22, 2019 

See 
section 5.5

Issuance of shares by capitalizing profit, reserves 
or premiums

100

17%

(20th) March 22, 2020

Unused

January 23, 2018 

Share capital reduction through cancellation of shares

*  Adjusted amounts of share capital as at August 31, 2019.

5% of 
number of 
shares

January 23, 2018 

(18th) March 22, 2020

See 
section 6.3.2

As most of the above authorisations are due to expire shortly, 
shareholders are invited to renew them under similar conditions 
at  the  Annual  General  Meeting  on  January  21,  2020.  More 

information on the resolutions to be submitted to the Annual 
General  Meeting    is  presented  in  Chapter  7  of  this   present 
d ocument.

6.3.9  Potential share capital

As  of  the  date  of  this  document,  there  are  no  securities 
outstanding,  other  than  existing  equity  securities  and  the 
restricted  shares allocated to Group employees and corporate 

offi  cers, as described in section 5.5 of the present document, 
which carry immediate or future rights to the Company’s share 
capital.

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S H A R E H O L D E R S   A N D   S H A R E   C A P I T A L

6.4  ADDITIONAL GENERAL INFORMATION  

AND THE BYLAW S OF THE COMPANY

6.4.1  Corporate  name, registered office, website

Corporate  name: Sodexo.

Registered offi  ce: 255 quai de la Bataille de Stalingrad, 92130 Issy-les-Moulineaux (Hauts-de-Seine), France.

Telephone: +33 (0)1 30 85 75 00.

Website: www.sodexo.com

Information that can be found on the Company’s website is not an integral part of this document, except if incorporated by reference 
into said document.

6.4.2  Legal form

Sodexo is a French public limited company (société anonyme), subject to all laws and regulations governing commercial corporations 
in France, and in particular to the provisions of the French Commercial Code.

6.4.3  Date of incorporation and duration

The Company has a life of 99 years from December 31, 1974, save earlier termination or winding up.

The date of expiration of the Company is December 30, 2073.

6.4.4  Corporate purpose

The objectives of the Company shall be, in France, the French 
overseas  departments  and  territories  or  abroad,  directly  or 
indirectly, on behalf of third parties or on its own account or in 
association with third parties, as follows:

•  the development and provision of all services related to the 
organization of foodservices and other essential services for 
corporations and public bodies;

•  the  operation  of  all  restaurants,  bars,  hotels  and  more 
generally all establishments connected with foodservices, 
the hotel industry, tourism, leisure and other services, and 
the ownership and fi nancing thereof;

•  the provision of some or all of the services required for the 
operation, maintenance and management of establishments 
or buildings used for offi  ce, commercial, industrial, leisure, 
healthcare or educational purposes, and for the operation 
and maintenance of some or all of the equipment installed 
therein;

6

•  the execution of all installation, repair, refurbishment and 

replacement works on installed equipment;

•  the  provision  of  advice  and  of  economic,  financial  and 
technical surveys relating to all projects and to all services 
associated with the development, organization and operation 
of the establishments defi ned above, and in particular all acts 
in furtherance of the construction of such establishments 
and all related consultations and assistance;

•  the  formation  of  all  new  companies  and  the  acquisition 
by  whatever  means  of  equity  interests  in  all  companies 
irrespective of their corporate purposes;

•  and  more  generally  all  civil,  commercial,  industrial  and 
fi nancial transactions, and transactions involving movable 
property  or  real  estate,  that  are  directly  or  indirectly 
associated with the aforementioned purposes or with all 
similar or related purposes.

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 6.4.5  Company registration 

6.4.9  Statutory disclosure 

and LEI

thresholds

Sodexo is registered in the Trade and Companies Register of 
Nanterre under no. 301 940 219.

Business identifi er code (APE code): 5629B

LEI code: 969500LCBOG12HXPYM84.

6.4.6  Material contracts

During the last two years, the Company has not entered into any 
material contract, other than those signed in the ordinary course 
of business, that create a material obligation or commitment for 
the entire Group.

6.4.7  Fiscal year

The fiscal year commences on September 1 of each year and 
ends on August 31 of the following year.

In  accordance  with  article  9  of  the  bylaws  of  the  Company, 
any shareholder whose direct or indirect shareholding reaches 
2.50% of the Company’s issued capital or any multiple thereof 
is required to inform the Company by registered letter with 
acknowledgment of receipt within fi ft  een days.

Failure  to  make  such  disclosure  may  result  in  the  shares 
exceeding the threshold being stripped of voting rights on the 
terms stipulated by law. This disclosure requirement applies 
equally when a shareholding passes below any of the disclosure 
thresholds.

If a shareholder fails to comply with the above disclosure rules, 
the shares not disclosed may be stripped of voting rights at 
General Meetings.

The  Board  of  Directors  proposes  that  the  Combined  Annual 
Shareholders Meeting to be held on January 21, 2020 lowers the 
statutory disclosure threshold which is currently fi xed at 2.50% 
of the Company’s share capital to be reported within a 15-day 
period, to  1 % of the voting rights to be declared within 5 trading 
days.

It  would  also  be  expected  that  from  now  on  th e  disclosure 
requirements  apply   to  registered  intermediaries  on  behalf 
of shareholders who are not domiciled in France. As for legal 
disclosure threshold requirements, these obligations apply also 
to derivative agreements which might be settled through the 
issuance of shares. 

6.4.8  Form of shares and 

transfer of shares

The Company’s shares may be held in either registered or bearer 
form. They are freely negotiable.

Transfer of shares occurs by transfer from one account to another 
in accordance with the conditions laid down by law and regulations.

6.4.10  Identification of 

shareholders

The Company may  make use of the legal framework available for 
identifying the holders of shares which have, either immediately 
or in the future, voting rights at General Shareholders Meetings.

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6.4.11  Appropriation of earnings and dividend premium

Each share entitles its holder to a proportion of the Company’s 
profits  and  net  assets  equal  to  the  proportion  of  capital 
represented by the share.

The fi rst appropriation of net income, net of any accumulated 
losses from prior periods, must be an amount of at least 5% of 
net income to establish the reserve fund required by law. This 
appropriation ceases to be compulsory  once this reserve fund 
is equal to one-tenth of the issued capital but must be resumed 
if for any reason the reserve falls below one-tenth of the issued 
capital.

Distributable earnings comprise net income for the fi scal year, 
minus any accumulated losses brought forward and any transfer 
to the legal reserve, plus any retained earnings brought forward.

Distributable earnings are appropriated in the following order 
(i) any sum that the Ordinary Shareholders Meeting, on the 
proposal of the Board of Directors, decides to carry forward 
as retained earnings or to appropriate to the creation of an 
extraordinary reserve fund, contingency fund or other fund, 
whether or not created for a specifi c purpose and (ii) the surplus 
is distributed among all of the shareholders, each share entitling 
its holder to an equal share of the profi t.

However,  shareholders  able  to  show  that  they  have  been  a 
registered shareholder for at least four years as of the end of 

a given fiscal year, and who remain registered at the dividend 
payment date related to the said fiscal year, are entitled to a 
dividend premium on the shares so registered, equal to 10% of the 
dividend paid on the other shares, the resulting dividend premium 
being rounded down to the nearest euro cent where appropriate.

Similarly,  shareholders  able  to  show  that  they  have  been 
a registered shareholder for at least four years as of the end 
of a given fiscal year, and who remain registered at the date 
of a capital increase by capitalization of reserves, income or 
share premiums, by distribution of bonus shares, are entitled 
to supplementary bonus shares equal to 10% of those to be 
distributed. In the case of odd lots, the number of supplementary 
shares will be rounded down to the nearest unit. The resulting 
new shares will qualify for the same treatment as the old shares 
from which they are derived for the purposes of calculating 
rights to the dividend premium and to receive supplementary 
bonus shares.

The number of shares upon which a single shareholder shall be 
eligible for these dividend premiums or supplementary bonus 
shares may not exceed 0.5% of the share capital.

The above-mentioned right to a dividend premium has been 
applicable since the payment of the dividend for the fi scal year 
ended August 31, 2013.

6.4.12  Shareholders  Meetings

General Shareholder s Meetings are called and deliberate on the 
terms stipulated by the law. They are held at the registered 
offi  ce or at any other place specifi ed in the N otice of M eeting.

For the purposes of calculating quorum and majority at General 
Shareholder s  Meetings,  shareholders  taking  part  in  said 
meetings via video-conferencing or electronic links allowing 
them to be identified in accordance with the definitions and 
conditions relating to such links as stipulated in the relevant 
laws or regulations are deemed to have attended the meeting.

General Shareholder s Meetings are made up of all shareholders 
whose shares are paid up to the extent called and whose right to 
participate in the Shareholders Meeting is evidenced by an entry 
recorded, by the date and according to the procedure required by 
 applicable laws and regulations, in a share register or securities 
account in the name of the shareholder or, for shareholders who 
are not resident in France, the shareholder’s accredited fi nancial 
intermediary, showing the number of shares held.

Shares must be registered within the above-stipulated deadline 
either in share accounts in the shareholder’s name held by the 
Company or via the approved intermediary, or in bearer share 
accounts held by the approved intermediary.

Members are entitled to attend General Shareholders Meetings 
upon simple proof of identity and entitlement. The Board of 
Directors may, at its discretion, issue personal admission cards 
to shareholders in their names and demand presentation thereof.

All shareholders may vote remotely as provided by applicable 
laws and  regulations.

Equally, all shareholders may take part in discussions when 
meetings are in session and vote via electronic data.

General Shareholders Meetings are chaired by the Chairman of 
the Board of Directors, or in his absence by the Vice Chairman 
if one has been appointed or failing that by the longest-serving 
director present. If there is no director present, the meeting 
elects its own Chairman.

6

6.4.13  Double voting rights
No shareholder  holds any special voting rights and all shares in 
the Company carry one voting right, except for registered shares 
carrying double voting rights.

The Annual Shareholders Meeting held on February 23, 1999 
introduced double voting rights conferred on all fully paid-up 
shares registered in the name of the same shareholder for at 
least four years as well as on registered shares allotted free 
of charge to a shareholder for the existing shares held by that 
shareholder that carry double voting rights, in the event of a 

bonus share issue carried out by capitalizing profi t, reserves or 
premiums.

As  at  August  31,  2019,  the  147,454,887  shares  making  up 
the Company’s capital carried 216,206,855 theoretical voting 
rights and 214,758,289 voting rights exercisable at General 
Meetings. Only treasury shares do not carry any voting rights, 
in accordance with article L.225-210 of the French Commercial 
Code (which accounts for differences between the theoretical 
number of voting rights and the number of exercisable voting 
rights).

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6.4.14  Modification of shareholders’ rights

All modifi cations to share capital or voting rights attached to the 
shares therein are subject to legal requirements, as the bylaws 
do not contain specifi c provisions.

A full version of the Company’s bylaws is available in the Group’s 
website at www.sodexo.com.

6.4.15  Consultation of legal documents

Documents  relating  to  the  Company  which  are  required  to 
be  made  available  to  the  public  (bylaws,  reports  and  other 
documents, historical individual company and consolidated 
fi nancial information for at least each of the two fi scal years 
preceding the date of this Fiscal 2019 Universal Registration 

D o c u m e n t )   a r e   a v a i l a b l e   o n   t h e   C o m p a n y ’ s   w e b s i t e 
(www.sodexo.com) and may also be consulted at its registered 
offi  ce at 255, quai de la Bataille  de  Stalingrad – 92130 Issy-les-
Moulineaux, France, preferably by appointment.

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7

COMBINED ANNUAL 
SHAREHOLDERS MEETING, 
JANUARY 21, 2020

7.1 

Agenda 

Ordinary business 

Extraordinary business 

Ordinary business 

7.2 

Resolutions submitted to 
the Combined Annual Shareholders 
Meeting of January 21, 2020 

Ordinary resolutions 

Extraordinary resolutions 

Ordinary resolution 

278

278

278

278

279

279

286

293

7.3 

Statutory Auditors’ Report 

294

7.3.1  Statutory Auditors’ Report on the 

issuance of ordinary shares and/or 
any other securities with preferential 
subscription rights 

7.3.2  Statutory Auditors’ Report on the 
issuance of ordinary shares and/
or other securities of the Company 
reserved for members of an employee 
share purchase plan 

7.3.3  Statutory Auditors’ Report on the 

capital reduction 

294

295

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7 A g e n d a

7.1  AGENDA

Ordinary business

1.  Adoption of the individual company fi nancial statements 

for Fiscal 2019.

2.  Adoption  of  the  consolidated  financial  statements  for 

Fiscal 2019.

3.  Appropriation of net income for Fiscal 2019; determination 

of the dividend amount and payment date.

4.  Appointment of Véronique Laury as a director for a three-

year term.

5.  Appointment of Luc Messier as a director for a three-year 

term.

6.  Reappointment of Sophie Stabile as a director for a three-

year term.

7.  Reappointment of Cécile Tandeau de Marsac as a director 

for a three-year term.

8.  Approval  of  the  components  of  compensation  paid  or 
awarded for Fiscal 2019 to Sophie Bellon, Chairwoman of 
the Board of Directors.

Extraordinary business

14.  Deletion of article 6 of the bylaws relating to contributions.

15.  Amendment  to  article  9-4  of  the  bylaws  relating  to 

disclosure thresholds for ownership interests.

16.  Amendment  to  article  11-4  of  the  bylaws  in  order  to 
comply with the new legal requirements concerning the 
appointment of directors representing employees.

17.  Amendment to article 12 of the bylaws in order to enable 
the Board of Directors to take decisions by way of written 
consultation  as  permitted  by  the  applicable  laws  and 
regulations.

18.   Amendment to article 15 of the bylaws in order to remove 
the  obligation  to  appoint  a  deputy  Statutory  Auditor, 
pursuant to article L.823-1 of the French Commercial Code.

19.   Amendment  to  article  18  of  the  bylaws  relating  to  the 
appropriation  and  distribution  of  net  income  in  order 
to  remove  the  transitional  provisions  concerning  the 
introduction in 2011 of a dividend premium.

Ordinary business

24.  Powers to carry out formalities.

9.  Approval  of  the  components  of  compensation  paid  or 
awarded for Fiscal 2019 to Denis Machuel, Chief Executive 
Offi  cer.

10.  Approval of the principles and criteria used to determine, 
allocate and award the components of the compensation 
and benefits payable to the Chairwoman of the Board of 
Directors.

11.  Approval of the principles and criteria used to determine, 
allocate and award the components of the compensation 
and benefi ts payable to the Chief Executive Offi  cer.

12.  Approval of a regulated commitment made in favour of 

Denis Machuel.

13.  Authorization for the Board of Directors to purchase shares 

of the Company.

20.  Delegation of powers to the Board of Directors to increase 
the Company’s share capital by issuing ordinary shares 
and/or other securities carrying immediate or deferred 
rights  to  the  Company’s  capital,  with  preferential 
subscription rights for shareholders.

21.  Delegation of powers to the Board of Directors to increase 
the Company’s share capital by capitalizing premiums, 
reserves or profi t.

22.  Delegation of powers to the Board of Directors to increase 
the Company’s share capital by issuing ordinary shares 
and/or other securities carrying immediate or deferred 
rights to the Company’s capital, with such issue(s) reserved 
for members of employee share purchase plans, without 
preferential rights for existing shareholders.

23.  Authorization  to  the  Board  of  Directors  to  reduce  the 
Company’s share capital by canceling treasury shares.

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7.2  RESOLUTIONS SUBMITTED TO 

THE COMBINED ANNUAL SHAREHOLDERS 
MEETING OF JANUARY 21, 2020

Ordinary resolutions

First and second resolutions: Adoption of the individual company 
and consolidated fi nancial statements for Fiscal 2019

Purpose

In the fi rst and second resolutions, shareholders are invited to adopt the individual company fi nancial statements of Sodexo for 
Fiscal 2019, showing net income of 597,146,224 euro, and the consolidated fi nancial statements of the Group, showing profi t 
attributable to equity holders of the parent amounting to 665 million euro.

The individual company fi nancial statements have been prepared in accordance with French legal and regulatory provisions and 
the consolidated fi nancial statements in accordance with the applicable regulations in force, including International Financial 
Reporting Standards (IFRS) as endorsed by the European Union.

In compliance with article 223 quater of the French General Tax Code (Code général des impôts), no expenses falling within the 
scope of said Code were incurred during Fiscal 2019.

First resolution
(ADOPTION OF THE INDIVIDUAL COMPANY FINANCIAL 
STATEMENTS FOR FISCAL 2019)

Second resolution
(ADOPTION OF THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR 
FISCAL 2019)

Having  considered  the  Board  of  Directors’  Report  and  the 
Statutory Auditors’ Report on the individual company fi nancial 
statements for Fiscal 2019, the Shareholders Meeting, acting 
under the rules of quorum and majority applicable to Ordinary 
Shareholders Meetings, adopts the individual company fi nancial 
statements  for  the  fiscal  year  ended  August  31,  2019  as 
presented, which show net income of 597,146,224 euro.

The  Shareholders  Meeting  also  approves  the  transactions 
refl ected in these fi nancial statements and/or described in these 
reports.

In application of article 223 quater of the French General Tax 
Code, the Shareholders Meeting notes that no expenses falling 
within the scope of article 39-4 of said Code were incurred in 
Fiscal 2019.

Having  considered  the  Board  of  Directors’  Report  and  the 
Statutory  Auditors’  Report  on  the  consolidated  financial 
statements for Fiscal 2019, the Shareholders Meeting, acting 
under the rules of quorum and majority applicable to Ordinary 
Shareholders  Meetings,  adopts  the  consolidated  financial 
statements  for  the  fiscal  year  ended  August  31,  2019  as 
presented, which show profi t attributable to equity holders of 
the parent of 665 million euro.

The  Shareholders  Meeting  also  approves  the  transactions 
refl ected in these fi nancial statements and/or described in these 
reports.

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Third resolution: Appropriation of net income; determination of the dividend 
amount and payment date

Purpose

In the third resolution, shareholders are invited to approve the Board’s recommended appropriation of net income and the 
payment of a dividend of 2.90  euro per share for Fiscal 2019, increasing 5.5% from Fiscal 2018.

In accordance with the Company’s bylaws, shares held in registered form for at least four (4) years, i.e., since at least August 31, 
2015, and which are still held in such form when the Fiscal 2019 dividend is paid, will automatically be entitled to a 10% dividend 
premium, representing an additional 0.29 euro per share. Where necessary, the amount of the dividend plus the premium will 
be rounded down to the nearest euro cent. The number of shares eligible for the dividend premium may not represent over 0.5% 
of the share capital for any single shareholder (corresponding to a maximum of 737,274 shares per shareholder based on the 
Company’s share capital as of August 31, 2019).

The payment of the dividend and the 10% dividend premium, as described above, represents a payout ratio of 64%, which is fully 
in line with Sodexo’s policy of providing shareholders a return on their investment over the long term.

The dividend payment schedule is as follows:

January 30, 2020:  Ex-dividend date, i.e., date on which the shares are traded without rights to the Fiscal 2019 dividend.

January 31, 2020: 

 Record date, i.e., date on which shareholders’ positions must be on record (upon closing of stock market 
trading day) in order to be entitled to receive the Fiscal 2019 dividend payment.

February 3, 2020:  Payment date of dividend and, as applicable, the dividend premium.

Third resolution
(APPROPRIATION OF NET INCOME FOR FISCAL 2019; DETERMINATION OF THE DIVIDEND AMOUNT AND PAYMENT DATE)

In accordance with the proposal made by the Board of Directors, the Shareholders Meeting, acting under the rules of quorum and 
majority applicable to Ordinary Shareholders Meetings, resolves:

to allocate net income for Fiscal 2019 of

plus retained earnings as of the close of Fiscal 2019 of

Making a total available for distribution of

In the following manner:

€597,146,224

€1,298,556,584

€1,895,702,808

•  dividend (on the basis of 147,454,887 shares comprising the share capital as of August 31, 2019)

€427,619,172 

•  a 10% dividend premium (on the basis of 9,336,529 shares held in registered form as of August 31, 2019 that 

are eligible for the dividend premium after application of the limit of 0.5% of capital per shareholder)

€2,707,593 

•  retained earnings

TOTAL

€1,465,376,043 

€1,895,702,808 

Accordingly, the Shareholders Meeting resolves that a dividend 
of 2.90 euro will be paid for Fiscal 2019 on each share eligible 
for the dividend.

In accordance with article 18 of the Company’s bylaws, shares 
held in registered form since at least August 31, 2015 and which 
are still held in such form when the Fiscal 2019 dividend is 
paid, will automatically be entitled to a 10% dividend premium, 
representing an additional 0.29 euro per share. The number of 
shares eligible for this dividend premium may not represent 
over 0.5% of Sodexo’s share capital for any single shareholder 
(corresponding to a maximum of 737,274 shares per shareholder 
based on the Company’s share capital as of August 31, 2019).

The dividend and dividend premium (for eligible shares) will be 
paid on February 3, 2020, with a Euronext Paris ex-dividend date 
of January 30, 2020. The record date will be January 31, 2020.

In the event that the Company holds any of its own shares on 
the payment date, the dividend due on these shares will not be 
paid and will be transferred to retained earnings.

Similarly, if any of the 9,336,529 shares held in registered form 
that are eligible for the dividend premium as of August 31, 2019 
cease to be recorded in registered form between September 1, 2019 
and February 3, 2020 (the dividend payment date), the amount 
of the dividend premium due on such shares will not be paid and 
instead will be transferred to retained earnings.

When the dividend is paid to individuals who are tax resident 
in  France,  the  dividend  income  (including  the  premium)  is 
subject, at the shareholder’s option, to either (i) a 12.8% fl at 
tax (prélèvement forfaitaire unique – PFU) (article 200 A of the 
French General Tax Code) or (ii) personal income tax based on 
a sliding scale, aft  er applying a 40% allowance (articles 200 A, 
2. and 158 3.2° of the French General Tax Code). The option 
for dividend income to be taxed based on the sliding personal 
income tax scale must be exercised in the shareholder ’s tax 
return, prior to the deadline for submitting personal income tax 
returns. In addition to taxation, dividend income is subject to 
social security charges at a rate of 17.2%.

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In accordance with article 243 bis of the French General Tax Code, the Shareholders Meeting notes that dividends paid for the last 
three fi scal years were as follows:

Dividend per share*

Total payout

FISCAL 2018 (PAID IN 2019)

FISCAL 2017 (PAID IN 2018)

FISCAL 2016 (PAID IN 2017)

€2.75

€2.75

€2.40

€402,512,000

€410,658,908

€359,265,450

*  Dividend fully eligible for the 40% allowance applicable to individuals who are tax resident in France, as provided for in article 158-3 2° of the French General Tax 

Code.

Fourth to seventh resolutions: Composition of the Board of Directors

The Board of Directors currently has twelve members, including two directors representing employees, six independent directors 
and seven women.

Appointment of two new independent directors

Purpose

Robert Baconnier, who has been a director of Sodexo since February 8, 2005 and whose term of offi  ce expires at the close of the 
January 21, 2020 Annual Shareholders Meeting, has stated that he does not wish to stand for reappointment. Sophie Bellon 
would like to thank Robert Baconnier, both personally and on behalf of the Board of Directors and all of the shareholders, for his 
invaluable contribution to the work of the Board and the Audit Committee.

Astrid Bellon, who has been on the Board of Directors since July 26, 1989, has stated that she wishes to resign from her position 
as a director of Sodexo as from January 21, 2020 in order to devote herself fully to her role as a member of the Steering 
Committee of the Bellon SA Foundation and to her personal projects. Sophie Bellon would like to thank Astrid Bellon, both 
personally and on behalf of the Board of Directors and all of the shareholders, for her contribution to the Board since 1989.

Consequently,  in  the  fourth  and  fifth  resolutions,  shareholders  are  invited  to  appoint  two  new  independent  directors  – 
Véronique Laury and Luc Messier – for three-year terms expiring at the close of the Annual Shareholders Meeting to be held to 
adopt the fi nancial statements for the fi scal year ending August 31, 2022.

Véronique Laury was Chief Executive Offi  cer of the Kingfi sher Group from 2014 to September 2019, based in London. Kingfi sher, 
which is publicly traded in the United Kingdom, is the p arent company of Bricorama and B&Q. She has built up solid expertise 
in consumer culture through her experience in the retail sector and the various posts she has held in sales and marketing. 
Her experience will enhance the skills of the Board of Directors in these areas.

Luc Messier, who has dual Canadian/American nationality, will bring to the Group his international operational experience, gained 
notably in the energy industry, where he held executive positions in several large French and American multinationals. He has 
lived and worked in Canada, Asia, Africa, Europe, and more recently, the United States where he currently resides.

Reappointment of two directors

Purpose

The purpose of the sixth and seventh resolutions is to reappoint Sophie Stabile and Cécile Tandeau de Marsac, whose terms as 
directors expire at the close of the January 21, 2020 Annual Shareholders Meeting. Shareholders are invited to reappoint Sophie 
Stabile and Cécile Tandeau de Marsac for three-year terms expiring in 2023. These reappointments will enable the Company to 
continue to benefi t from:

•  Sophie Stabile’s operational and fi nancial expertise in the services and hospitality sector, as well as her experience in major 

international mergers and acquisitions, innovation and digital transformation; and

•  Cécile Tandeau de Marsac’s international experience and competencies in the areas of human resources management, 

in particular in-depth transformation processes following major acquisitions, and sales and marketing.

Sophie Stabile will continue to chair the Audit Committee and serve as a member of the Compensation Committee.

Cécile Tandeau de Marsac will continue to chair the Nominating Committee and the Compensation Committee.

If all of the above resolutions are adopted, at the close of the January 21, 2020 Annual Shareholders Meeting the Board of 
Directors will comprise a total of twelve members, including seven independent directors and seven women, as follows.

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COMPOSITION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AFTER THE SHAREHOLDERS MEETING OF JANUARY 21, 2020

NUMBER OF 
DIRECTOR/
OFFICER 
POSITIONS 
HELD IN 
OTHER 
LISTED 
COMPANIES

FIRST 
APPOINTMENT 
TO THE BOARD

TERM EXPIRES 
(AT THE ANNUAL 
SHAREHOLDERS 
MEETING CALLED 
TO APPROVE 
THE FINANCIAL 
STATEMENTS 
FOR THE YEAR 
INDICATED)

BOARD COMMITTEES 

SENIOR–
ITY 
(YEARS) 

NUMBER 
OF SODEXO 
SHARES 
HELD

INDEPENDENT 
DIRECTOR(1)

MEMBER OF 
THE AUDIT 
COMMITTEE

MEMBER 
OF THE 
NOMINATING 
COMMITTEE

MEMBER 
OF THE 
COMPENSA–
TION 
COMMITTEE

NAME

DATE OF BIRTH

NATION–
ALITY

e
h
t
f
o
n
a
m
o
w
r
i
a
h
C

s
r
o
t
c
e
r
i
D
f
o
d
r
a
o
B

s
r
o
t
c
e
r
i
d
t
n
e
d
n
e
p
e
d
n

I

r
o
t
c
e
r
i
D

r
o
t
c
e
r
i
D

g
n
i
t
n
e
s
e
r
p
e
r

s
e
e
y
o
p
m
e

l

Sophie Bellon

08/19/1961

1

07/26/1989

Fiscal 2020

30

7,964

Emmanuel 
Babeau

Françoise 
Brougher

02/13/1967

2

01/26/2016

Fiscal 2021

09/02/1965

1

01/23/2012

Fiscal 2020

Soumitra Dutta 08/27/1963

1

01/19/2015

Fiscal 2020

Véronique Laury 06/29/1965 

0

01/21/2020

Fiscal 2022

Luc Messier

04/21/1964 

1

01/21/2020

Fiscal 2022

Sophie Stabile(2 ) 03/19/1970

3

07/01/2018

Fiscal 2019

4 

8 

5 

0

0

1

400

400

400

0

0

100

Cécile Tandeau 
de Marsac(2 )

04/17/1963

François-Xavier 
Bellon

09/10/1965

01/24/2017

Fiscal 2019

3 

400

07/26/1989

Fiscal 2021

30

36,383

Nathalie 
Bellon-Szabo

01/26/1964

07/26/1989

Fiscal 2020

30 

1,147

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

Philippe Besson 09/21/1956

06/18/2014

Fiscal 2019(3 )

Cathy Martin

06/05/1972

09/10/2015

Fiscal 2020

5

4 

- )

- )   

N/A(4 )

N/A(4 )

Chair

Chair

Chair

(1) Independent director based on the criteria set out in the AFEP-MEDEF Code.
(2 ) At the Annual Shareholders Meeting to be held on January 21, 2020, the Board of Directors will recommend that shareholders reappoint Sophie Stabile and 

Cécile Tandeau de Marsac as directors for a three-year term, expiring in 2023. 

(3 )  Philippe Besson was originally appointed as a director representing employees in 2014 by the most representative trade union in the Group’s French entities, 
as defined in the applicable legislation. He was reappointed in 2017 by that same trade union, and his current term of office expires at the close of the Annual 
Shareholders Meeting to be held on January 21, 2020.

(4 ) In accordance with French law and the AFEP-MEDEF Code, directors representing employees are not included in the calculation of the representation of men and 

women on the Board or the percentage of independent directors.   

Independent directors
(excluding directors representing 
employees)
70%

Average age 
of directors

55

Female directors
(excluding directors representing 
employees)
60%

 Biographical information on these directors is provided in section 5.2.1 of the Fiscal 2019 Universal Registration Document.

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Fourth resolution
(APPOINTMENT OF VÉRONIQUE LAURY AS A DIRECTOR FOR 
A THREE-YEAR TERM)

Sixth resolution
(REAPPOINTMENT OF SOPHIE STABILE AS A DIRECTOR FOR 
A THREE-YEAR TERM)

Having  considered  the  Board  of  Directors’  Report,  the 
Shareholder Meeting, acting under the rules of quorum and 
majority applicable to Ordinary Shareholders Meetings, resolves 
to appoint Véronique Laury as a director for a three-year term 
expiring at the close of the Annual Shareholders Meeting to be 
held to adopt the fi nancial statements for the fi scal year ending 
August 31, 2022.

Fift  h resolution
(APPOINTMENT OF LUC MESSIER AS A DIRECTOR FOR 
A THREE-YEAR TERM)

Having  considered  the  Board  of  Directors’  Report,  the 
Shareholders Meeting, acting under the rules of quorum and 
majority applicable to Ordinary Shareholders Meetings, resolves 
to  appoint  Luc  Messier  as  a  director  for  a  three-year  term 
expiring at the close of the Annual Shareholders Meeting to be 
held to adopt the fi nancial statements for the fi scal year ending 
August 31, 2022.

Having considered the Board of Directors’ Report, and noting 
that Sophie Stabile’s term of offi  ce expires at the close of this 
meeting, the Shareholders Meeting, acting under the rules of 
quorum  and  majority  applicable  to  Ordinary  Shareholders 
Meetings, resolves to reappoint her as a director for a three-year 
term expiring at the close of the Annual Shareholders Meeting 
to be held to adopt the fi nancial statements for the fi scal year 
ending August 31, 2022.

Seventh resolution
(REAPPOINTMENT OF CÉCILE TANDEAU DE MARSAC AS 
A DIRECTOR FOR A THREE-YEAR TERM)

Having considered the Board of Directors’ Report, and noting 
that Cécile Tandeau de Marsac’s term of offi  ce expires at the end 
of this meeting, the Shareholders Meeting, acting under the rules 
of quorum and majority applicable to Ordinary Shareholders 
Meetings, resolves to reappoint her as director for a three-year 
term expiring at the close of the Annual Shareholders Meeting 
to be held to adopt the fi nancial statements for the fi scal year 
ending August 31, 2022.

Eighth and ninth resolutions: Approval of the components of compensation 
paid or awarded to corporate offi  cers for Fiscal 2019

Purpose

In the eighth and ninth resolutions, shareholders are invited to approve the components of compensation paid or awarded to 
corporate offi  cers for Fiscal 2019 (generally referred to as “ex post say-on-pay votes”).

In accordance with article L.225-100 of the French Commercial Code, shareholders are asked to approve the fi xed and variable 
components of the total compensation and benefi ts paid or awarded for Fiscal 2019 to Sophie Bellon, Chairwoman of the Board 
of Directors, and Denis Machuel, Chief Executive Offi  cer.

All of the components of these corporate offi  cers’ compensation were set by the Board of Directors based on the recommendations 
of the Compensation Committee as detailed in the Board of Directors’ Corporate Governance Report provided in chapter 5, 
section 5.5.2 of the Fiscal 2019 Universal Registration Document.

Eighth resolution
(APPROVAL OF THE COMPONENTS OF COMPENSATION PAID OR 
AWARDED FOR FISCAL 2019 TO SOPHIE BELLON, CHAIRWOMAN 
OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS)

Ninth resolution
(APPROVAL OF THE COMPONENTS OF COMPENSATION PAID 
OR AWARDED FOR FISCAL 2019 TO DENIS MACHUEL, CHIEF 
EXECUTIVE OFFICER)

Having  considered  the  Board  of  Directors’  Report,  the 
Shareholders Meeting, acting under the rules of quorum and 
majority applicable to Ordinary Shareholders Meetings and in 
accordance with article L.225-100 of the French Commercial 
Code, approves the components of the total compensation and 
benefi ts paid or awarded to Sophie Bellon, Chairwoman of the 
Board of Directors, for the fi scal year ended August 31, 2019, 
as described in the Corporate Governance Report drawn up in 
compliance with article L.225-37 of the French Commercial 
Code and provided in chapter 5, section 5.5.2 of the Company’s 
Fiscal 2019 Universal Registration Document.

Having  considered  the  Board  of  Directors’  Report,  the 
Shareholders Meeting, acting under the rules of quorum and 
majority applicable to Ordinary Shareholders Meetings and in 
accordance with article L.225-100 of the French Commercial 
Code,  approves  the  components  of  the  total  compensation 
and benefi ts paid or awarded to Denis Machuel, Chief Executive 
Offi  cer, for the fi scal year ended August 31, 2019, as described 
in the Corporate Governance Report drawn up in compliance with 
article L.225-37 of the French Commercial Code and provided in 
chapter 5, section 5.5.2 of the Company’s Fiscal 2019 Universal 
Registration Document.

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Tenth and eleventh resolutions: Approval of the compensation policy 
applicable to corporate offi  cers for Fiscal 2020

Purpose

In the tenth and eleventh resolutions, shareholders are invited to approve the compensation policy applicable to corporate offi  cers 
(generally referred to as “ex ante say-on-pay votes”).

In accordance with article L.225-37-2 of the French Commercial Code, shareholders are asked to approve the principles and 
criteria used to determine, allocate and award the fi xed, variable and any exceptional components of the compensation and 
benefi ts (as defi ned in article R.225-29-1 of said Code) payable to the Chairwoman of the Board of Directors and the Chief 
Executive Offi  cer. These principles and criteria will apply from Fiscal 2020 until the approval of a new compensation policy by 
the Shareholders Meeting.

The main proposed evolutions to the compensation policy approved by the Shareholders Meeting of January 22, 2019 are the 
following:

•  the possibility to grant exceptional compensation to the Chief Executive Offi  cer has been discarded ;

•  the authorization which may be given to the Chief Executive Offi  cer by the Board to retain non-vested shares in case of 
departure will only be possible in exceptional circumstances and the number of shares will be determined on a pro rata basis 
by reference to the time spent within the Group during the vesting period;

•  the vesting period of shares granted under future performance share plans was aligned with the performance assessment 
period of 3 years. From now on, the plans shall be approved at the beginning of each fi scal year, aft  er the fi nancial statements 
for the previous fiscal year have been published. Consequently, and in order to maintain a regular annual delivery of 
performance shares, no performance shares will be granted to the Chief Executive Offi  cer in Fiscal 2020.

The  compensation  policies  submitted  for  shareholder  approval  were  approved  by  the  Board  of  Directors  based  on  the 
recommendations of the Compensation Committee and are presented in the Board of Directors’ Corporate Governance Report 
provided in chapter 5, section 5.5.1 of the Fiscal 2019 Universal Registration Document.

Tenth resolution
(APPROVAL OF THE PRINCIPLES AND CRITERIA USED TO 
DETERMINE, ALLOCATE AND AWARD THE COMPONENTS 
OF THE COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS PAYABLE TO 
THE CHAIRWOMAN OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS)

Eleventh resolution
(APPROVAL OF THE PRINCIPLES AND CRITERIA USED TO 
DETERMINE, ALLOCATE AND AWARD THE COMPONENTS OF 
THE COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS PAYABLE TO THE CHIEF 
EXECUTIVE OFFICER)

Having  considered  the  Board  of  Directors’  Report,  the 
Shareholders Meeting, acting under the rules of quorum and 
majority applicable to Ordinary Shareholders Meetings and in 
accordance with article L.225-37-2 of the French Commercial 
Code, approves the principles and criteria used to determine, 
allocate  and  award  the  fixed,  variable  and  exceptional 
components of the compensation and benefits (as defined in 
article R.225-29-1 of said Code) payable to the Chairwoman 
of  the  Board  of  Directors  for  Fiscal  2020,  as  set  by  the 
Company’s Board of Directors based on the recommendations 
of  the  Compensation  Committee  and  as  described  in  the 
Corporate  Governance  Report  drawn  up  in  compliance  with 
article L.225-37 of the French Commercial Code and provided in 
chapter 5, section 5.5.1 of the Fiscal 2019 Universal Registration 
Document.

Having  considered  the  Board  of  Directors’  Report,  the 
Shareholders Meeting, acting under the rules of quorum and 
majority applicable to Ordinary Shareholders Meetings and in 
accordance with article L.225-37-2 of the French Commercial 
Code, approves the principles and criteria used to determine, 
allocate  and  award  the  fixed,  variable  and  exceptional 
components  of  the  compensation  and  benefits  payable  to 
the  Chief  Executive  Officer  for  Fiscal  2020,  as  set  by  the 
Company’s Board of Directors based on the recommendations 
of  the  Compensation  Committee  and  as  described  in  the 
Corporate  Governance  Report  drawn  up  in  compliance  with 
article L.225-37 of the French Commercial Code and provided in 
chapter 5, section 5.5.1 of the Fiscal 2019 Universal Registration 
Document.

Twelfth resolution: Approval of a r egulated commitment benefi ting 
Denis  Machuel

Purpose

In order to comply with the France’s Business Growth and Transformation Act dated May 22, 2019 (the “PACTE Act”) as well as 
with the Ordonnance of July 3, 2019 transposing the pension portability directive, the Board of Directors, on November 6, 2019, 
decided to close as of December 31, 2019 the defi ned benefi t pension plan benefi ting Denis Machuel, his rights under this plan 
being frozen at such date. The Board also decided to implement another benefi t pension plan governed by article L.137-11-2 
of the French Social Security Code. This new plan which will benefi t Denis Machuel will give rise to annual rights amounting to 
0.5% of his fi xed and variable compensation for the fi rst fi ve years and to 1% beyond those fi ve years, up to a total of 10%   . 
The acquisition of rights will remain subject to the same performance condition as the one set for the previous plan, i.e. an 
achievement rate of his annual variable compensation targets of at least 80%. In the twelft  h resolution, shareholders are invited 
to approve the decision taken by the Board of November 6, 2019 which constitutes, in accordance with the current provisions of 
article L.225-42-1 of the French Commercial Code, a regulated commitment benefi ting Denis Machuel.

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Twelft  h resolution
(APPROVAL OF A REGULATED COMMITMENT BENEFITING DENIS MACHUEL)

Having  considered  the  Board  of  Directors’  Report  and  the 
Special  Report  of  the  auditors  about  the  agreements  and 
commitments subject to the provisions of articles L.225-38 and 
L.225-42-1 of the Commercial Code, the Shareholders Meeting, 
acting under the rules of quorum and majority applicable to 

Ordinary Shareholders Meetings, approves the commitment 
benefi ting Denis Machuel and made by the Board of Directors 
on November 6, 2019 that is described therein concerning the 
implementation of a defi ned benefi t pension plan.

Thirteenth resolution: Authorization for the Company to purchase 
its own shares

Purpose

As of August 31, 2019, the Company held 1,448,566 treasury shares, corresponding to 0.98% of its share capital, mainly 
allocated to cover commitments to benefi ciaries under restricted share plans and employee share purchase plans.

In the thirteenth resolution, shareholders are invited to renew the 18-month authorization granted to the Board of Directors to 
enable the Company to purchase its own shares at any time other than when a public tender off er for the Company’s shares is 
in progress.

Although French law authorizes share buybacks of up to 10% of a company’s share capital, it is proposed that they be limited to 
5% of the share capital as of the date of the Annual Shareholders Meeting on January 21, 2020.

The maximum price of the shares that may be purchased under this share buyback program would be 120 euro per share and the 
total amount invested in the program may not exceed 885 million euro.

The shares purchased pursuant to this resolution would be used, inter alia, to (i) cover restricted share plans, (ii) reduce the 
Company’s share capital by canceling shares, and (iii) provide liquidity in Sodexo shares under the liquidity contract entered into 
between Sodexo and Kepler-Cheuvreux.

For information on the implementation of the previous share buyback authorization, see chapter 6, section 6.3.1 of the 
Fiscal 2019 Universal Registration Document.

Thirteenth resolution
(AUTHORIZATION FOR THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO PURCHASE 
SHARES OF THE COMPANY)

Having  considered  the  Board  of  Directors’  Report,  the 
Shareholders Meeting, acting under the rules of quorum and 
majority applicable to Ordinary Shareholders Meetings and 
in  accordance  with  articles  L.225-209 et  seq.  of  the  French 
Commercial  Code,  articles  241-1  et  seq.  of  the  General 
Regulations of the French securities regulator (Autorité des 
m archés  f inanciers  –  AMF)  and  the  European  regulatory 
framework applicable to market abuse (based on Regulation 
(EU) no. 596/2014 of April 16, 2014), authorizes the Board of 
Directors – or a duly authorized representative of the Board – 
to purchase or arrange for the purchase of Sodexo shares to be 
used, inter alia, for the following purposes:

•  to implement a stock option plan enabling benefi ciaries to 
acquire – for consideration and by all authorized means – 
shares of the Company in accordance with articles L.225-
177 et seq. of the French Commercial Code or any similar 
plan, with the benefi ciaries notably including (i) employees 
and/or corporate offi  cers of the Company or of companies 
or groupings affiliated to it under the conditions provided 
for in article L.225-180 of said Code, and/or (ii) any other 
benefi ciary authorized by law to receive such stock options; 
or

•  to grant restricted shares of the Company in accordance with 
articles L.225-197-1 et seq. of the French Commercial Code, 
notably to (i) employees of the Company or of companies or 
groupings affi  liated to it under the conditions provided for in 
article L.225-197-2 of said Code, and/or (ii) corporate offi  cers 

of the Company or of companies or groupings affi  liated to it 
under the conditions provided for in article L.225-197-1 II of 
said Code, and/or (iii) any other benefi ciary authorized by 
law to receive such share grants; or

•  to allocate or sell shares to employees in connection with an 
employee profi t sharing plan or a company or group share 
purchase  plan  (or  equivalent  plan)  under  the  conditions 
provided for by law, including articles L.3332-1 et seq. of the 
French Labor Code; or

•  to  transfer  shares  upon  exercise  of  rights  attached  to 
securities issued by the Company or, as authorized by law, by 
entities affi  liated to it, which give access to Company shares 
through reimbursement, conversion, exchange, presentation 
of a warrant or any other method; or

•  to reduce the Company’s share capital by cancelling shares 
within  the  limits  provided  for  by  law  and  subject  to  the 
adoption  of  the  twenty-third  resolution  of  this  meeting 
or  any  future  resolution  with  the  same  effect  that  may 
be adopted during the period in which this authorization 
remains valid; or

•  to  transfer  shares  as  a  means  of  exchange,  payment  or 
otherwise in connection with mergers and acquisitions; or

•  to  carry  out  market-making  in  Sodexo  shares  under  a 
liquidity contract with an investment services provider, in 
accordance with the market practices accepted by the AMF 
by way of decision 2018-01 dated July 2, 2018; or

•  generally, to fulfill the obligations related to stock option 
plans  or  other  share  grants  to  employees  or  corporate 
offi  cers of the Company or an affi  liated company.

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The program is also intended to permit the implementation of 
any market practices that may be authorized at a future date by 
the AMF and, generally, the execution of any other transaction 
that  complies  with  the  applicable  regulations.  In  this  case, 
shareholders will be notifi ed by means of a press release.

The transactions provided for pursuant to this resolution may 
be made by any method, in particular on the stock market or 
over-the-counter, including through the use of any financial 
instruments,  options  or  derivatives  and  by  means  of  block 
purchases  or  sales  or  in  any  other  way.  The  transactions 
may take place at any time, subject to the limits authorized 
by the applicable laws and regulations, other than during a 
public tender offer for the Company’s shares. In the event of 
such a public tender offer, unless prior consent is given by a 
Shareholders Meeting, the Board of Directors may not use this 
authorization and the Company may not implement any share 
buyback program from the time when the third party concerned 
submits the off er until the end of the off er period.

The Shareholders Meeting resolves that the maximum number 
of shares acquired pursuant to this resolution may not exceed 
5% of the Company’s share capital as of the date of this meeting 
(i.e., as an indication, as of August 31, 2019, a maximum of 
7,372,744 shares), it being stipulated that if this authorization 
is used, the existing number of treasury shares must be taken 
into account such that the Company does not at any time hold 
more treasury shares than the legally permitted maximum of 
10% of its share capital.

The Shareholders Meeting resolves that the maximum price 
paid  for  shares  purchased  under  this  resolution  may  not 
exceed 120 euro per share. However, the Shareholders Meeting 

authorizes  the  Board  of  Directors  to  adjust  this  maximum 
purchase price in the event of a change in the nominal value 
of  the  Company’s  shares,  a  capital  increase  carried  out  by 
capitalizing reserves, a free allocation of shares , a stock split 
or reverse stock split, the distribution of reserves or any other 
assets,  a  redemption  of  capital,  or  any  other  transaction 
aff ecting the Company’s capital or equity, in order to take into 
account the impact of the transaction on the share price.

The  Shareholders  Meeting  resolves  that  the  total  amount 
allocated  to  the  share  buyback  program  may  not  exceed 
885 million euro.

The Shareholders Meeting acknowledges that this authorization 
is granted for a period of eighteen (18) months as from the 
date of this meeting and cancels, with eff ect from this day, any 
unused portion of any prior authorization granted to the Board 
of Directors for the same purpose.

Full powers are given to the Board of Directors – or any duly 
authorized representative of the Board – to decide on and act 
on the present authorization, to clarify its terms if necessary 
and determine its specifi c details, to carry out share purchases 
and to place stock market orders and enter into agreements, in 
particular for the keeping of share purchase and sale registers, to 
allocate or reallocate purchased shares to the desired objectives 
in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, to establish 
the procedures necessary to safeguard, should the need arise, 
the rights of holders of securities or options, in accordance with 
applicable laws, regulations or contracts, and to make fi lings 
and carry out other formalities, and generally do all that is 
necessary.

Extraordinary resolutions

Fourteenth to nineteenth resolutions: Amendments to 
the Company’s bylaws

The fourteenth to nineteenth resolutions concern various amendments to the Company’s bylaws.

Deletion of the article relating to capital contributions

Purpose

Article 6 (Contributions) of the bylaws, which was included when the Company was fi rst created in order to state the various 
capital contributions made at the time of and subsequent to its formation, is now redundant and unnecessarily complicates 
the wording of the bylaws. Consequently, the purpose of the fourteenth resolution is to delete article 6 of the bylaws relating to 
capital contributions and to renumber the subsequent articles accordingly.

Disclosure thresholds for ownership interests

Purpose

Article 9.4 of the Company’s bylaws currently provides that any shareholder whose ownership interest reaches or falls below 
a number of shares representing 2.5% of the capital must inform the Company within fi ft  een days. The aim of the fi ft  eenth 
resolution is to amend this disclosure threshold to 1% of the Company’s voting rights and any multiple thereof and to change 
the disclosure deadline to fi ve trading days. The newly worded article 9.4 would also state that these disclosure requirements 
likewise apply (i) to registered intermediaries acting for shareholders that are not domiciled in France, and (ii) in the same way 
as for statutory disclosure thresholds, to equity-settled arrangements and derivative instruments.

In a rapidly changing market environment, stock market prices are more volatile and the Company considers that more in-depth 
knowledge of its shareholding structure, whether in shares or in derivative instruments, is essential in order to engage more 
effi  ciently with shareholders.

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Appointment of directors representing employees

Purpose

The PACTE Act lowered the number of Board directors from 12 to 8 for a second director representing employees to be appointed. 
Consequently, in the sixteenth resolution, shareholders are asked to amend article 11-4 of the Company’s bylaws relating to this 
requirement so that the article refers to the applicable legal provisions rather than a given number of directors. The Company is 
already compliant with this requirement as two directors representing employees are members of Sodexo’s Board of Directors.

Written consultation of directors for certain Board decisions

Purpose

France’s new law on the simplifi cation, clarifi cation and modernization of French business law dated July 19, 2019 introduced 
the option for French joint stock companies (sociétés anonymes) to provide in their bylaws that certain Board decisions may be 
made through written consultation of the directors. 

The purpose of the seventeenth resolution, therefore, is to amend article 12 of the Company’s bylaws in order to provide for this 
possibility for certain types of decisions. The decisions concerned are detailed in full in the legislation and correspond to the 
appointment of directors in the event that a seat becomes vacant due to a director’s death or resignation; authorizations for 
granting security interests, endorsements and guarantees; amendments to the bylaws to ensure compliance with applicable laws 
and regulations (subject to ratifi cation at an Extraordinary Shareholders Meeting); and calling the Annual Shareholders Meeting.

Removal of the obligation to appoint a deputy Statutory Auditor

Purpose

The purpose of the eighteenth resolution is to render the Company’s bylaws compliant with the French Act of December 9, 2016 
relating to transparency, anti-corruption and economic modernization (the “Sapin II Act”), with respect to the amendment to 
article L.823-1, paragraph 2, of the French Commercial Code. This new law removes the obligation for companies to appoint a 
deputy Statutory Auditor when the principal Statutory Auditor is not an individual or a one-person fi rm. The shareholders are 
therefore invited to amend article 15 of the Company’s bylaws to refl ect this change.

Removal of the transitional provisions relating to the introduction of the dividend premium in 2011

Purpose

Lastly, the fi nal paragraph of article 18-3 of the Company’s bylaws relating to the appropriation and distribution of net income, 
and in particular the right to a dividend premium for shares held in registered form for at least four years, corresponds to 
transitional provisions that have been applicable since 2014, aft  er the dividend premium was fi rst introduced in 2011. As this 
paragraph is now redundant, shareholders are invited to remove these transitional provisions.

Fourteenth resolution
(DELETION OF ARTICLE 6 OF THE BYLAWS RELATING TO CAPITAL 
CONTRIBUTIONS)

Having  considered  the  Board  of  Directors’  Report,  the 
Shareholders Meeting, acting under the rules of quorum and 
majority applicable to Extraordinary Shareholders Meetings, 
resolves to delete in its entirety article 6 of the Company’s 
bylaws, entitled “Contributions”, and therefore to renumber the 
subsequent articles from 6 to 19.

Fift  eenth resolution
(AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE 9-4 OF THE BYLAWS RELATING TO 
DISCLOSURE THRESHOLDS FOR OWNERSHIP INTERESTS)

Having  considered  the  Board  of  Directors’  Report,  the 
Shareholders Meeting, acting under the rules of quorum and 
majority applicable to Extraordinary Shareholders Meetings, 
resolves to (i) lower the threshold set in the bylaws at which 
a shareholder must disclose the percentage of voting rights it 
holds in the Company, (ii) state the forms of ownership to which 
the  requirements  also  apply,  and  (iii)  reduce  the  disclosure 
timeframe when such thresholds are crossed. Article 9-4 of 
the Company’s bylaws has therefore been amended to read as 
follows:

“Article 9-4:

Any shareholder whose interest in the Company – held in any 
form, taking into account the forms of ownership provided for in 
the legislation applicable to statutory disclosure requirements – 
reaches  or  falls  below  one  percent  (1%)  of  the  Company’s 

 voting rights or any multiple thereof, including percentages 

that are higher than the disclosure thresholds provided for in 

the applicable laws and regulations, must inform the Company 

within five trading days of the threshold being crossed. Such 

notifi cation must be sent to the Company’s registered offi  ce by 

registered mail with return receipt requested and must state the 

total number of the Company’s shares (and/or securities carrying 

rights to the Company’s shares) and the number of voting rights 

held by that shareholder, either directly or indirectly, alone or in 

concert. When a disclosure threshold is crossed due to a purchase 

or sale of shares on the open market, the above-mentioned fi ve 

trading-day timeframe will begin on the trade date of the shares 

rather than their delivery date.

The above disclosure requirements will also apply, in accordance 

with the conditions and subject to the penalties provided for in 

the applicable laws and regulations, to intermediaries that are 

registered with the Company or its share registrar as acting 

on behalf of shareholders who are not domiciled in France (as 

defi ned in the French Civil Code).

If these disclosure requirements are not respected, at the request 

of one or more shareholders that together hold at least 5% of the 

Company’s voting rights, the interests in excess of the relevant 

threshold  will  be  stripped  of  voting  rights  at  Shareholders 

Meetings. If the omission is remedied, the voting rights concerned 

will only be exercisable aft  er the expiration of a period of two 

years following such remedy.”

The wording of articles 9-1 to 9-3 remains unchanged.

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Sixteenth resolution
(AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE 11-4 OF THE BYLAWS IN ORDER TO 
COMPLY WITH THE NEW LEGAL REQUIREMENTS CONCERNING 
THE APPOINTMENT OF DIRECTORS REPRESENTING EMPLOYEES)

Having considered the Board of Directors’ Report and having 
noted that the provisions of the French PACTE Act (Act 2019-486 
dated May 22, 2019) have amended the applicable conditions 
for the appointment of directors representing employees, the 
Shareholders Meeting, acting under the rules of quorum and 
majority applicable to Extraordinary Shareholders Meetings, 
resolves to amend the Company’s bylaws in order to comply 
with these new provisions. Consequently, article 11-4 of the 
bylaws now reads as follows:

“Article 11-4:

The Board of Directors shall also include one or more director(s) 
representing  employees,  whose  number  and  terms  and 
conditions of appointment shall be set as provided for by law 
and these bylaws.

If  only  one  director  representing  employees  needs  to  be 
appointed, he or she shall be appointed by the trade union that 
has the highest level of representation (within the meaning of 
the applicable law) in the Company and its direct and indirect 
subsidiaries whose registered offi  ces are located in France.

When  two  directors  representing  employees  need  to  be 
appointed, the second director shall be appointed by the Group’s 
European Works Council.

Directors  representing  employees  are  appointed  for  three-
year terms and take up offi  ce when the duties of the outgoing 
director(s) representing employees cease. Their duties cease at 
the close of the Annual Shareholders Meeting called to approve 
the fi nancial statements for the previous fi scal year and held in 
the year in which their term expires.

The term of office of a director representing employees shall 
automatically end (i) if their employment contract is terminated, 
(ii) if they are removed from offi  ce, or (iii) in the event of a case 
of incompatibility, in accordance with the applicable laws and 
regulations.

Subject to the provisions of the applicable law and article 11-2 
above, directors representing employees shall have the same 
status,  powers  and  responsibilities  as  the  Company’s  other 
directors.

The provisions of article 11-2 above requiring directors to own 
a minimum number of the Company’s shares for the duration 
of their term of offi  ce shall not apply to directors representing 
employees.

If the seat of a director representing employees on the Board 
falls  vacant  as  a  result  of  death,  resignation,  removal  from 
office, termination of their employment contract or for any 
other reason, the vacant seat shall be fi lled in accordance with 
the applicable laws and regulations. Meetings held by the Board 
of Directors until the director or directors concerned is or are 
replaced shall be deemed to be validly constituted.

The provisions of this article 11-4 of the bylaws shall cease to 
apply if, at the end of a particular fi scal year, the Company no 
longer meets the criteria triggering the legal requirement to 
appoint a director or directors representing employees. In such a 
case, the terms of offi  ce of any directors representing employees 
appointed in accordance with this article shall terminate on their 
scheduled expiration dates.”

The wording of articles 11-1 to 11-3 remains unchanged.

Seventeenth resolution
(AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE 12 OF THE BYLAWS IN ORDER TO 
ENABLE THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO TAKE DECISIONS BY WAY 
OF WRITTEN CONSULTATION AS PERMITTED BY THE APPLICABLE 
LAWS AND REGULATIONS)

Having  considered  the  Board  of  Directors’  Report,  the 
Shareholders Meeting, acting under the rules of quorum and 
majority applicable to Extraordinary Shareholders Meetings, 
resolves to use the option provided for in article 15 of the French 
Act  dated  July  19,  2019  on  the  simplification,  clarification 
and  modernization  of  French  business  law  and  accordingly 
authorize the Board of Directors to make decisions through 
written consultation as permitted by the applicable laws and 
regulations. Consequently, the following paragraph has been 
added to the end of article 12 of the bylaws:

“The Board of Directors may make decisions through written 
consultation of the directors as permitted in the applicable laws 
and regulations.”

The wording of the rest of article 12 remains unchanged.

Eighteenth resolution
(AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE 15 OF THE BYLAWS IN ORDER TO 
REMOVE THE OBLIGATION TO APPOINT A DEPUTY STATUTORY 
AUDITOR, PURSUANT TO ARTICLE L.823-1 OF THE FRENCH 
COMMERCIAL CODE)

Having  considered  the  Board  of  Directors’  Report,  the 
Shareholders Meeting, acting under the rules of quorum and 
majority applicable to Extraordinary Shareholders Meetings, 
resolves  to  render  the  Company’s  bylaws  compliant  with 
article L.823-1, paragraph 2, of the French Commercial Code, 
as  amended  by  Act  2016-1691  dated  December  9,  2016, 
which provides that it is only compulsory to appoint a deputy 
Statutory  Auditor  if  the  principal  Statutory  Auditor  is  an 
individual or a one-person firm. Article 14 of the bylaws has 
therefore been amended to read as follows:

“Article 15 – Auditors

The  Ordinary  Shareholders  Meeting  appoints  one  or  more 
principal  Statutory  Auditors,  for  the  duration,  under  the 
conditions and with the mission set by the applicable laws. If 
the  Statutory  Auditor  thus  appointed  is  an  individual  or  a 
one-person fi rm, one or more deputy Statutory Auditors shall be 
appointed under the same conditions, whose role is to replace the 
principal Statutory Auditor in the event of that auditor’s death, 
resignation, or refusal to accept an audit engagement.”

Nineteenth resolution
(AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE 18 OF THE BYLAWS RELATING TO 
THE APPROPRIATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF NET INCOME IN 
ORDER TO REMOVE THE TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS CONCERNING 
THE INTRODUCTION IN 2011 OF A DIVIDEND PREMIUM)

Having  considered  the  Board  of  Directors’  Report,  the 
Shareholders Meeting, acting under the rules of quorum and 
majority applicable to Extraordinary Shareholders Meetings, 
resolves to remove the final paragraph of article 18-3 of the 
Company’s bylaws in order to delete the transitional provisions 
relating to the introduction, in 2011, of a dividend premium as 
from Fiscal 2013, as these provisions are now redundant.

The wording of the rest of article 18 remains unchanged.

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Twentieth to twenty-third resolutions: Financial resolutions

Increase in the Company’s share capital with preferential subscription rights, and global ceiling for 
capital increases

Purpose

In order to ensure the fi nancing of the investments required for the Group’s growth, in the twentieth resolution shareholders are 
invited to renew, for a 26-month period, the delegation of powers granted to the Board of Directors to issue – at any time other 
than when a public tender off er for the Company’s shares is in progress – shares and/or other securities carrying rights to the 
Company’s shares or to the allocation of debt securities, with preferential subscription rights for existing shareholders.

Pursuant to this resolution, if an issue is not taken up in full by shareholders exercising their preferential subscription rights, the 
Board of Directors would be able to off er all or some of the unsubscribed shares or other securities on the open market.

The subscription price of the shares and/or other securities that may be issued under this authorization would be set by the 
Board of Directors, in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations and standard market practices.

The maximum nominal amount(1) of the capital increases that could be carried out pursuant to this resolution would be set at 
85 million euro (representing approximately 14% of the Company’s share capital) and the maximum nominal amount of any debt 
securities issued would be 1 billion euro. The 85 million euro ceiling would include the amounts of any capital increases carried 
out pursuant to the twenty-fi rst and twenty-second resolutions below by capitalizing premiums, reserves or profi t or by issuing 
shares and/or other securities to members of an employee share purchase plan.

The previous authorization granted at the Annual Shareholders Meeting of January 23, 2018 for the same purpose was not used 
by the Board.

Increase in the Company’s share capital by capitalizing premiums, reserves or profi t

Purpose

The purpose of the twenty-fi rst resolution is to renew, for a 26-month period, the delegation of powers granted to the Board of 
Directors to carry out – at any time other than when a public tender off er for the Company’s shares is in progress – one or more 
capital increases by capitalizing eligible amounts as provided for in the applicable laws and the Company’s bylaws (premiums, 
reserves or profi t). The amount of the capital increases that may be carried out pursuant to this resolution would be included in 
the 85 million euro ceiling set in the twentieth resolution.

The Board of Directors would have full powers to use this delegation of powers, and in particular to set the amount and nature of 
the amounts to be capitalized and the number of new shares to be issued.

The previous authorization granted at the Annual Shareholders Meeting of January 23, 2018 for the same purpose was not used 
by the Board.

Capital increase(s) reserved for members of employee share purchase plans

Purpose

As the extraordinary resolution approved at the January 23, 2018 Annual Shareholders Meeting authorizing capital increases 
reserved for members of employee share purchase plans is due to expire, in the twenty-second resolution the Board of Directors is 
seeking a 26-month renewal of the corresponding authorization, in accordance with the applicable legal requirements. Employee 
share ownership could be used by Sodexo to align employees’ interests with those of its shareholders. The total number of shares 
that may be issued may not represent more than 1.5% of the share capital , t he aggregate amount of any capital increases 
carried out pursuant to this delegation of powers would be included in the 85 million euro ceiling set in the twentieth resolution.

Previous authorizations granted at the Annual Shareholders Meeting of January 23, 2018 and before for the same purpose have 
not been used by the Board.

Reduction of the Company’s share capital through the cancellation of treasury shares

7

Purpose

Lastly, in the twenty-third resolution, shareholders are invited to renew, for a 26-month period, the authorization for the Board 
of Directors to reduce the Company’s share capital by canceling treasury shares. The capital reductions carried out pursuant to 
this authorization in any 24-month period would be subject to the same ceiling as that provided for in the thirteenth resolution, 
i.e. 5% of the Company’s share capital.

The previous delegation of powers granted at the Annual Shareholders Meeting of January 23, 2018 for the same purpose 
was used on August 29, 2018, date on which the share capital of the Company was reduced through the cancellation of 
3,375,562 shares (i.e. about 2.2% of its share capital).

1  The nominal value of the Sodexo share is €4.0.

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Twentieth resolution
(DELEGATION OF POWERS TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO 
INCREASE THE COMPANY’S SHARE CAPITAL BY ISSUING ORDINARY 
SHARES AND/OR OTHER SECURITIES CARRYING IMMEDIATE 
OR DEFERRED RIGHTS TO THE COMPANY’S CAPITAL, WITH 
PREFERENTIAL SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS FOR SHAREHOLDERS)

Having  considered  the  Board  of  Directors’  Report  and  the 
Statutory Auditors’ Special Report and having noted that the 
Company’s  share  capital  is  fully  paid  up,  the  Shareholders 
Meeting,  acting  under  the  rules  of  quorum  and  majority 
applicable  to  Extraordinary  Shareholders  Meetings  and  in 
accordance  with  articles  L.225-129  et  seq.  of  the  French 
Commercial Code – notably articles L.225-129, L.225-129-2, 
L.225-132 to L.225-134 and L.228-91 to L.228-93:

1.  delegates to the Board of Directors – or any duly authorized 
representative  of  the  Board  –  the  power  to  increase 
the  Company’s  capital  on  one  or  more  occasions,  with 
preferential subscription rights for existing shareholders, 
by issuing, in France or elsewhere and in the amounts and 
on the dates it deems fi t, in euro or in any other currency 
or monetary unit established by reference to a basket of 
currencies, ordinary shares (therefore excluding preferred 
shares) and/or any other securities carrying immediate or 
deferred rights to ordinary shares of the Company, payable, 
fully or partly, in cash or by off setting debts or capitalizing 
reserves, profi t or premiums;

2. 

sets the duration of the validity of this delegation of powers 
at twenty-six (26) months, specifying, however, that it may 
not be used by the Board of Directors when a public tender 
off er for the Company’s shares is in progress;

3. 

resolves that if the Board of Directors uses this delegation:

•  the maximum total nominal amount of capital increases 
that may be carried out pursuant to (i) this delegation 
and (ii) the twenty-fi rst and twenty-second resolutions 
(provided said resolutions are adopted) is 85 million euro 
(or the equivalent of this amount in any other currency 
or monetary unit established by reference to a basket of 
currencies). This ceiling will not include any additional 
amount  representing  shares  to  be  issued  in  order  to 
safeguard  the  rights  of  holders  of  securities  carrying 
rights to the Company’s capital, as required by the laws 
and regulations in force and/or any applicable contractual 
provisions,

•  the  total  nominal  amount  of  debt  securities  carrying 
immediate or deferred rights to the Company’s capital 
that  may  be  issued  may  not  exceed  1  billion  euro  or 
the equivalent of this amount in any other currency or 
monetary unit established by reference to a basket of 
currencies,

•  the issue will be reserved in priority for the shareholders 
who may make irreductible subscriptions in proportion 
to the number of shares owned by them at the time, the 

Board of Directors having the option of instituting pro-
rated subscription rights to subscribe for any shares and/
or other securities not taken up by other shareholders. If 
the issue is oversubscribed, such additional preferential 
rights  will  also  be  exercisable  prorata  to  the  existing 
interests in the Company’s capital of the shareholders 
concerned,

• 

i f   i r r e d u c t i b l e   s u b s c r i p t i o n s   a n d   a n y   p r o - r a t e d 
subscriptions do not absorb the entire issue, the Board of 
Directors may take one or more of the courses of action 
provided for in article L.225-134 of the French Commercial 
Code, in the order it deems fi t,

•  any decision to issue securities carrying rights to the 
Company’s  capital  will  entail  the  explicit  waiver  by 
shareholders, in favor of holders of the securities issued, 
of their preferential rights to the equity instruments to 
which the securities issued will entitle them;

4.  acknowledges  that  this  delegation  of  powers  gives  the 
Board of Directors or its duly authorized representative 
full powers to implement this resolution and in particular, 
at its sole discretion, to set the terms of issue, the nature, 
number and characteristics of securities carrying rights to 
the Company’s capital (including the dividend eligibility 
date of the issued securities, which may be retroactive), 
the procedures for allocating the equity instruments to 
which these securities entitle their holders, and the dates 
on which allocation rights may be exercised, to charge 
the  costs  related  to  the  capital  increase(s)  against  the 
premiums  pertaining  thereto  and  transfer  from  this 
amount the necessary sums to the legal reserve, make any 
and all adjustments required in order to take into account 
the impact of any transactions affecting the Company’s 
capital or equity and to determine any other procedures 
necessary to safeguard the rights of holders of securities 
carrying  rights  to  the  Company’s  capital  (including 
through  cash  adjustments),  record  the  completion  of 
capital increases and amend the bylaws accordingly, carry 
out the necessary formalities, enter into all agreements – 
notably in order to complete the planned issues – take 
all  appropriate  measures  and  carry  out  all  formalities 
necessary for the issue, listing and service of the securities 
issued in accordance with this delegation of powers and for 
the exercise of all related rights, and generally do all that is 
necessary;

5.  acknowledges that this delegation of powers cancels, with 
eff ect from this day, the delegation granted for the same 
purpose  in  the  nineteenth  resolution  of  the  Combined 
Annual Shareholders Meeting of January 23, 2018;

6.  acknowledges that if the Board of Directors uses the powers 
given to it herein, it will report on this utilization to the 
next Ordinary Shareholders Meeting, as required under the 
applicable laws and regulations.

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C O M B I N E D   A N N U A L   S H A R E H O L D E R S   M E E T I N G ,   J A N U A R Y   2 1 ,   2 0 2 0

Twenty-fi rst resolution
(DELEGATION OF POWERS TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO 
INCREASE THE COMPANY’S SHARE CAPITAL BY CAPITALIZING 
PREMIUMS, RESERVES OR PROFIT)

Having considered the Board of Directors’ Report, the Shareholders 
Meeting, acting under the rules of quorum and majority applicable 
to  Ordinary  Shareholders  Meetings  and  in  accordance  with 
articles L.225-129 to L.225-129-2 and L.225-130 of the French 
Commercial Code:

1.  delegates to the Board of Directors – or any duly authorized 
representative of the Board – the power to increase the 
Company’s  capital  on  one  or  more  occasions,  in  the 
amounts and on the dates it deems fit, by capitalizing 
all  or  part  of  the  premiums,  reserves  or  profit  whose 
capitalization  is  permitted  by  law  and  the  Company’s 
bylaws, in the form of allocating new bonus shares or by 
increasing the nominal value of existing shares, or by a 
combination of the two procedures;

2. 

3. 

sets the duration of the validity of this delegation of powers 
at twenty-six (26) months, specifying, however, that it may 
not be used by the Board of Directors when a public tender 
off er for the Company’s shares is in progress;

resolves that if the Board of Directors uses this delegation of 
powers, the maximum nominal amount of capital increases 
that may be carried out pursuant to this delegation is 85 million 
euro (or the equivalent of this amount in any other currency 
or  monetary  unit  established  by  reference  to  a  basket  of 
currencies). This ceiling (i) will be included in the global ceiling 
of 85 million euro set in the twentieth resolution (provided said 
resolution is adopted) or any other global ceiling set in a future 
resolution adopted while this delegation of powers remains in 
force, and (ii) will not include any additional amount representing 
shares to be issued in order to safeguard the rights of holders of 
securities carrying rights to the Company’s capital, as required 
by the laws and regulations in force and/or any applicable 
contractual provisions;

4.  acknowledges  that  this  delegation  of  powers  gives  the 
Board of Directors or its duly authorized representative full 
powers to implement this resolution and in particular to:

•  determine  the  amount  and  nature  of  the  sums  to  be 
capitalized; set the number of new shares to be issued 
and/or the amount by which the nominal value of existing 
shares is to be increased; set the date (which may be 
retroactive) from which the new shares will carry rights 
and the date on which the increase in the nominal value 
of existing shares will take eff ect,

• 

if new shares are issued, decide that (i) rights attached 
to fractional shares will not be tradable, and that the 
corresponding shares will be sold and the proceeds of 
sale allocated to the holders of said rights as required by 
the applicable laws and regulations, and (ii) any bonus 
shares allocated pursuant to this delegation on the basis 
of existing shares that carry double voting rights and/or 
the right to a dividend premium will also be eligible for 
these rights as from their issue date,

•  make any and all adjustments required in order to take 
into account the impact of any transactions aff ecting the 
Company’s capital or equity and to determine any other 
procedures required in order to safeguard the rights of 
holders of securities carrying rights to the Company’s 
capital,

•  record the completion of each capital increase and amend 

the bylaws accordingly,

•  generally enter into all agreements, take all appropriate 
measures  and  carry  out  all  formalities  necessary  for 
the issue, listing and service of the securities issued in 
accordance with this delegation of powers and for the 
exercise of all related rights;

5.  acknowledges that this delegation of powers cancels, with 
eff ect from this day, the delegation granted for the same 
purpose in the twentieth resolution of the Combined Annual 
Shareholders Meeting of January 23, 2018.

Twenty-second resolution
(DELEGATION OF POWERS TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS 
TO INCREASE THE COMPANY’S SHARE CAPITAL BY ISSUING 
ORDINARY SHARES AND/OR SECURITIES CARRYING IMMEDIATE 
OR DEFERRED RIGHTS TO THE COMPANY’S CAPITAL, WITH 
SUCH ISSUE(S) RESERVED FOR MEMBERS OF EMPLOYEE SHARE 
PURCHASE PLANS, WITHOUT PREFERENTIAL RIGHTS FOR 
EXISTING SHAREHOLDERS)

Having  considered  the  Board  of  Directors’  Report  and  the 
Statutory Auditors’ Special Report, the Shareholders Meeting, 
acting under the rules of quorum and majority applicable to 
Extraordinary Shareholders Meeting and in accordance with 
articles  L.225-129 et  seq.  and  L.225-138-1  of  the  French 
Commercial Code and articles L.3332-18 to L.3332-24 of the 
French Labor Code:

1.  delegates to the Board of Directors – or any duly authorized 
representative of the Board – the power to increase the 
Company’s capital, on one or more occasions, by issuing 
ordinary  shares  and/or  securities  carrying  immediate 
or deferred rights to the Company’s capital to members 
of one or more employee share purchase plans (or any 
other  plan  permitted  under  articles  L.3332-1  et  seq. 
of  the  French  Labor  Code  or  any  other  similar  laws  or 
regulations providing for employee rights issues) set up 
by the Group (comprising the Company and the French or 
foreign companies included in the Company’s consolidated 
or  combined  financial  statements),  in  accordance  with 
article L.3344-1 of the French Labor Code. Such issue(s) 
may  be  carried  out  in  France  or  elsewhere  and  in  the 
amounts and on the dates the Board deems fit, in euro 
or in any other currency or monetary unit established by 
reference to a basket of currencies;

2. 

sets  the  duration  of  the  validity  of  this  delegation  of 
powers  at  twenty-six  (26)  months  from  the  date  of 
this  meeting  and  resolves  to  cancel,  with  effect  from 
this day, the delegation granted for the same purpose 
in the twenty-first resolution of the Combined Annual 
Shareholders Meeting of January 23, 2018.

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7 R e s o l u t i o n s   s u b m i t t e d   t o   t h e   C o m b i n e d   A n n u a l   S h a r e h o l d e r s   M e e t i n g   o f   J a n u a r y   2 1 ,   2 0 2 0

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

resolves that the total number of new shares that may be 
issued pursuant to this delegation may not represent more 
than 1.5% of the share capital as of the date of the decision 
made by the Board of Directors. This ceiling (i) will be included 
in the global ceiling set in the twentieth resolution (provided 
said resolution is adopted), i.e., a maximum total nominal 
amount of 85 million euro, or any other global ceiling set in 
a future resolution adopted while this delegation of powers 
remains  in  force,  and  (ii)  will  not  include  any  additional 
amount representing shares to be issued in order to safeguard 
the  rights  of  holders  of  securities  carrying  rights  to  the 
Company’s capital, as required by the laws and regulations in 
force and/or any applicable contractual provisions;

resolves that the issue price of the new shares or securities 
carrying  rights  to  the  Company’s  capital  that  may  be 
issued pursuant to this delegation will be determined under 
the conditions set forth in articles L.3332-19 et seq. of the 
French Labor Code and will be equal to at least 80% of the 
average of the opening prices of the Company’s shares on 
Euronext Paris over the twenty trading days preceding the 
day on which the decision is made setting the opening date 
for subscription by the members of an employee share 
purchase  plan  (or  similar  plan).  The  Board  of  Directors 
may, at its discretion, reduce or cancel the aforementioned 
discount, within the limits set by the applicable laws and 
regulations, in order to allow, inter alia, for compliance with 
local legal, accounting and tax regimes and labor laws;

resolves  that  in  addition  to  the  shares  and/or  other 
securities  offered  for  purchase  in  cash,  the  Board  of 
Directors may replace all or part of any discount and/or 
employer contribution by granting to the above-mentioned 
benefi ciaries, free of consideration, existing or newly issued 
shares and/or securities carrying rights to the Company’s 
capital. However, the benefi t resulting from this grant may 
not exceed the legal or regulatory limits applicable under 
articles L.3332-10 et seq. of the French Labor Code;

resolves  to  waive,  in  favor  of  the  above-mentioned 
beneficiaries, the preferential rights of shareholders to 
subscribe for (i) the shares or other securities carrying 
rights  to  the  Company’s  capital  issued  under  this 
delegation  of  powers,  and  (ii)  the  shares  to  which  the 
holders  of  securities  carrying  rights  to  the  Company’s 
capital will be entitled on exercise of those rights;

7.  authorizes the Board of Directors, under the conditions 
set  out  in  this  delegation,  to  sell  shares  to  the  above-
mentioned benefi ciaries as provided for in article L.3332-
24 of the French Labor Code, it being stipulated that the 
nominal value of shares sold at a discount to members 
of one or several employee share purchase plans referred 
to above will be deducted from the ceilings referred to in 
paragraph 3 above;

benefit from any shares or other securities granted free 
of consideration, to set the terms and conditions of the 
transactions, and to determine the dates and procedures 
for the issues to be carried out under this delegation, to 
determine the opening and closing dates for subscriptions, 
the cum-rights dates (which may be retroactive) and the 
procedures for the payment of shares, to grant extensions 
to the period for payment of shares, to apply to list the 
shares thus created on the stock exchanges of its choice, 
to record the completion of the capital increases based on 
the value of the shares actually purchased, to complete, 
directly or through its appointed agents, all transactions 
and  formalities  pertaining  to  the  capital  increases, 
including subsequent amendments to the bylaws, and, at 
its sole discretion, if it deems fi t, to charge the costs arising 
on the capital increases against the related premiums, and 
to transfer from this amount the requisite sums to increase 
the legal reserve to one-tenth of the new capital resulting 
from the capital increases;

9.  acknowledges that if the Board of Directors uses the powers 
given to it herein, it will report on this utilization to the 
next Ordinary Shareholders Meeting, as required under the 
applicable laws and regulations.

Twenty-third resolution
(AUTHORIZATION FOR THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO 
REDUCE THE COMPANY’S SHARE CAPITAL BY CANCELING 
TREASURY SHARES)

Having  considered  the  Board  of  Directors’  Report  and  the 
Statutory Auditors’ Special Report, the Shareholders Meeting, 
acting  under  the  rules  of  quorum  and  majority  applicable 
to  Extraordinary  Shareholders  Meetings  and  in  accordance 
with article L.225-209 et seq. of the French Commercial Code, 
authorizes the Board of Directors to cancel, on one or more 
occasions, some or all of the shares purchased by the Company 
under the shareholder-approved share buyback program and 
to reduce the share capital accordingly. The canceled shares 
may not represent more than 5% of the total number of shares 
making up the Company’s share capital as of the date of this 
Shareholders Meeting (i.e., a maximum of 7,372,744 shares) in 
any period of twenty-four (24) months.

The  Shareholders  Meeting  gives  full  powers  to  the  Board  of 
Directors – or any duly authorized representative of the Board – 
to  perform  such  transactions  relating  to  the  cancellation 
and reduction of capital as may be required pursuant to this 
authorization, and in particular to charge the diff erence between 
the purchase price of the canceled shares and their nominal 
value  against  the  related  premiums  or  available  reserves, 
including the legal reserve up to the equivalent of 5% of the 
canceled capital, to amend the bylaws accordingly, to make all 
fi lings and carry out other formalities, and generally do all that 
is necessary.

8.  

resolves that the Board of Directors – or its duly appointed 
representative – will have full powers to implement this 
resolution, and in particular to establish, in accordance 
with legal requirements, the list of companies in which the 
above-mentioned beneficiaries will be able to subscribe 
for  the  shares  and/or  other  securities  issued  and  to 

The Shareholders Meeting acknowledges that this authorization 
is  granted  for  a  period  of  twenty-six  (26)  months  from  the 
date of this meeting and cancels, with effect from this day, 
any unused portion of the authorization given for the same 
purpose in the eighteenth resolution of the Combined Annual 
Shareholders Meeting of January 23, 2018.

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C O M B I N E D   A N N U A L   S H A R E H O L D E R S   M E E T I N G ,   J A N U A R Y   2 1 ,   2 0 2 0

Ordinary resolution

Twenty-fourth resolution: Powers

The twenty-fourth resolution is a standard resolution conferring powers to complete all legal formalities and fi lings relating to 
the resolutions approved at the Annual Shareholders Meeting.

Twenty-fourth resolution
(POWERS TO CARRY OUT FORMALITIES)

The Shareholders Meeting confers full powers on the bearer of an original, copy or extract of the minutes of this Shareholders Meeting 
to carry out all fi ling and publication formalities required by law.

7

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7 S t a t u t o r y   A u d i t o r s ’   R e p o r t

7.3  STATUTORY AUDITORS’ REPORT

This is a free translation into English of the Statutory Auditors’ reports issued in French and is provided solely for the convenience 
of English speaking readers. This report should be read in conjunction with, and construed in accordance with, French law and 
professional auditing standards applicable in France.

7.3.1  Statutory Auditors’ Report on the issuance of ordinary 

shares and/or any other securities with preferential 
subscription rights

(Combined Shareholders’ Meeting of January 21, 2020 – 20th resolution)

SODEXO
255, quai de la Bataille  de  Stalingrad
92866 Issy-les-Moulineaux Cedex 9

To the Shareholders,

In our capacity as Statutory Auditors of Sodexo, and in compliance with article L.  228-92 of the French Commercial Code (Code de 
commerce), we hereby report to you on the proposed delegation of powers to the Board of Directors to carry out one or more issues of 
ordinary shares (excluding preferred shares) and/or of any other securities carrying immediate or deferred rights to ordinary shares 
of the Company, which is submitted to you for approval. 

The maximum nominal amount of capital increases that may be carried out, immediately or in the future, pursuant to this delegation 
may not exceed 85 million euro or the equivalent of this amount in any other currency or monetary unit established by reference to 
a basket of currencies. The capital increases that may be carried out under the 21st and 22nd resolutions will be deducted from this 
amount. 

The maximum nominal amount of debt securities carrying rights to the Company’s capital that may be issued may not exceed 
1 billion euro or the equivalent of this amount in any other currency or monetary unit established by reference to a basket of 
currencies.

On the basis of its report, shareholders are asked to grant the Board of Directors full powers, with the right to sub-delegate, for a period 
of 26 months, to carry out an issuance of shares. The Board of Directors cannot use this delegation during a public tender off er. The 
Board of Directors will set, if necessary, the fi nal terms and conditions of the issue.

It is the Board of Directors’ responsibility to prepare a report in accordance with articles R.  225-113 et seq. of the French Commercial 
Code. It is our responsibility to express an opinion on the fairness of the information taken from the fi nancial statements and on the 
proposed issue, as well as certain other information relating to the issue provided in the report. 

We performed the procedures we deemed necessary in accordance with professional standards applicable in France to such 
engagements. These procedures consisted in verifying the information provided in the Board of Directors’ report relating to this 
transaction and the methods used to set the issue price of the shares to be issued.

We inform you that the Board of Directors’ report does not include the terms and conditions for setting the issue price provided for 
by regulation.

In addition, we do not express an opinion on the fi nal terms and conditions of the issue, as they have not yet been set.

In accordance with article R. 225-116 of the French Commercial Code, we will prepare an additional report in the event that the Board 
of Directors uses this delegation of powers.

Neuilly-sur-Seine and Paris-La Défense, November 19, 2019

The Statutory Auditors

PricewaterhouseCoopers Audit

Jean-Christophe Georghiou

KPMG Audit

Département de KPMG SA

Caroline Bruno Diaz

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S t a t u t o r y   A u d i t o r s ’   R e p o r t

7.3.2  Statutory Auditors’ Report on the issuance of ordinary 

shares and/or other securities of the Company reserved for 
members of an employee share purchase plan

(Combined Shareholders’ Meeting of January 21, 2020 – 22nd resolution)

SODEXO
255, quai de la Bataille  de  Stalingrad 
92866 Issy-les-Moulineaux Cedex 9

To the Shareholders,

In our capacity as Statutory Auditors of Sodexo, and in compliance with articles L.  228-92 and L.  225- 135 et seq. of the French 
Commercial Code (Code de commerce), we hereby report to you on the proposed delegation of powers to the Board of Directors to 
increase the capital by issuing ordinary shares and/or securities carrying immediate or deferred rights to the Company’s capital, 
with waiver of preferential subscription rights, reserved for members of one or more employee share purchase plans set up within 
the Group formed by the Company and the French or international companies included in the scope of consolidation or combined 
fi nancial statements of the Company as defi ned in article L. 3344-1 of the French Labor Code (Code du travail), which is submitted 
to you for approval. 

The maximum total number of new shares that could be issued may not exceed 1.5% of the issued capital as of the date of the Board 
of Directors’ decision. This ceiling will be deducted from the global ceiling of a maximum total nominal amount of 85 million euro set 
forth in the 20th resolution of this Shareholders’ Meeting.

This transaction is submitted to the shareholders for approval in accordance with the provisions of article L.  225-129-6 of the French 
Commercial Code and article L. 3332-18 et seq. of the French Labor Code.

On the basis of its report, shareholders are asked to grant the Board of Directors full powers, for a period of 26 months as of the date of 
this Shareholders’ Meeting and with the right to sub-delegate, to issue shares and cancel their preferential subscription rights for the 
ordinary shares and/or securities to be issued. The Board of Directors will set, if necessary, the fi nal terms and conditions of the issue.

It is the Board of Directors’ responsibility to prepare a report in accordance with articles R.  225-113 et seq. of the French Commercial 
Code. It is our responsibility to express an opinion on the fairness of the information taken from the fi nancial statements, on the 
proposed cancellation of the shareholders’ preferential subscription rights, and on certain other information relating to the issue 
provided in the report.

We performed the procedures we deemed necessary in accordance with professional standards applicable in France to such 
engagements. These procedures consisted in verifying the information provided in the Board of Directors’ report relating to this 
transaction and the methods used to set the issue price of the shares to be issued.

Subject to a subsequent examination of the terms and conditions of the proposed issue once it has been decided, we have no matters 
to report as regards the methods used to set the issue price as provided in the Board of Directors’ report.

We do not express an opinion on the fi nal terms and conditions of the issue, as they have not been set, or consequently on the 
proposed cancellation of the shareholders’ preferential subscription rights.

In accordance with article R.  225-116 of the French Commercial Code, we will prepare an additional report in the event that the Board 
of Directors uses this delegation of power.

Neuilly-sur-Seine and Paris-La Défense, November 19, 2019

The Statutory Auditors

7

PricewaterhouseCoopers Audit

Jean-Christophe Georghiou

KPMG Audit

Département de KPMG SA

Caroline Bruno Diaz

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7 S t a t u t o r y   A u d i t o r s ’   R e p o r t

7.3.3  Statutory Auditors’ Report on the capital reduction

(Combined Shareholders’ Meeting of January 21, 2020 – 23rd resolution)

SODEXO
255, quai de la Bataille  de  Stalingrad 
92866 Issy-les-Moulineaux Cedex 9

To the Shareholders,

In our capacity as Statutory Auditors of Sodexo, and in accordance with article L. 225-209 of the French Commercial Code (Code de 
commerce), in the event of a capital reduction by canceling shares, we hereby report to you on our assessment of the reasons for and 
the terms and conditions pertaining to the proposed capital reduction.

Shareholders are asked to grant the Board of Directors full powers, with the right to sub-delegate, for a period of 26 months as of the 
date of this Shareholders’ Meeting, to cancel the shares purchased under the Company’s share repurchase program, pursuant to an 
authorization granted within the framework of the abovementioned article, up to a maximum of 5% of the share capital, as of the date 
of this Shareholder’s Meeting, by 24-month period.

We performed the procedures we deemed necessary in accordance with professional standards applicable in France to such 
engagements. These procedures consisted in verifying that the reasons for and terms and conditions of the proposed capital reduction, 
which is not considered to aff ect shareholder equality, comply with the applicable legal provisions. 

We have no matters to report on the reasons for and terms and conditions of the proposed capital reduction.

Neuilly-sur-Seine and Paris-La Défense, November 19, 2019

The Statutory Auditors

PricewaterhouseCoopers Audit

Jean-Christophe Georghiou

KPMG Audit

Département de KPMG SA

Caroline Bruno Diaz

296

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8

APPENDICES

8.1 

Glossary 

298

8.3 

Reconciliation Tables 

8.2 

Responsibility for the Universal 
Registration Document 
and the Audit of the Financial 
Statements 

8.2.1  Responsibility for the Universal 
Registration Document 

8.2.2  Responsibility for the audit of the 

fi nancial statements 

301

301

302

8.3.1  Universal Registration Document 

8.3.2  Annual Financial Report 

8.3.3  Management Report 

8.3.4  Governance Report 

8.3.5  Extra-Financial Performance 
Declaration (DPEF) 

303

303

305

306

307

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8 G l o s s a r y

8.1  GLOSSARY

ADR (American Depositary Receipts)

Comparable site growth rate

An  ADR  is  a  registered  certificate  issued  by  a  U.S.  bank  to 
represent ownership of a share or bond issued by a publicly-
traded  non-U.S.  company.  ADRs  are  quoted  in  U.S.  dollars, 
but the underlying shares or bonds are denominated in their 
original currency and are held in deposit by a bank, known as 
the custodian, in the country of issue. ADRs enable a non-U.S. 
company, subject to certain conditions, to be quoted in the 
United States. One Sodexo share is represented by fi ve Sodexo 
ADR. Dividends and voting rights belong to the ADR holder.

The comparable site growth rate is the increase in revenues 
from sites that have contributed to consolidated revenue over 
two complete consecutive fi scal years (sites with activity from 
September 1, 2016 to August 31, 2018).

Corporate offi  cers

Corporate  Officer  is  the  term  used  in  English  for  the  French 
mandataire social and refers to Sodexo’s Chief Executive Officer, 
Chairwoman of the Board and the Members of the Board of Directors.

Bearer shares

Shares held in a share account maintained by the shareholder’s 
bank or broker. Sodexo is not informed of the shareholder ’s 
identity. The share purchase and administration of the shares 
are handled by the shareholder’s bank or broker.

Development rate

The development rate is the annualized estimated revenue for 
new contracts signed during the fi scal year, divided by prior year 
revenues.

Benefi ts & Rewards Services

Dividend premium

Sodexo’s  Benefits  &  Rewards  Services  –  which  are  provided 
through  vouchers,  cards  or  digitally  –  cover  five  service 
categories:  Employee  Benefits,  Incentive  and  Recognition 
Programs, Employee mobility and Expense Management Public 
Benefi ts .

Any  shareholder  that  has  held  registered  shares  for  at  least 
four years as of the end of the fi scal year including as of the dividend 
payment date will be eligible for a 10% dividend premium on those 
shares. The number of shares eligible for the dividend premium 
cannot exceed 0.5% of Sodexo’s share capital per shareholder.

Client retention rate

Earnings per share (EPS)

The client retention rate corresponds to the total amount of 
revenue generated from business with existing clients in the 
prior fi scal year compared with total revenue for that year.

It  is  expressed  as  a  percentage  and  is  calculated  in  a 
comprehensive  way  by  deducting  the  revenue  generated  in 
the prior fi scal year that corresponds to (i) contracts lost to a 
competitor or self-operation, (ii) contracts terminated by Sodexo 
and (iii) site closures. Other companies may calculate their 
retention rates on a diff erent basis.

Group net income divided by the weighted average number of 
shares outstanding.

Employee engagement rate

Engagement is defi ned as a level of commitment in a group or 
business, and refers to employees’ commitment to the success 
of the business, their loyalty and their pride in being part of the 
organization. As such the engagement rate is the percentage of 
employees having responded to the six engagement questions 
with an average rating of 4.5 or higher on an increasing scale of 
from 1 to 6 (methodology developed by Aon Hewitt).

Additional  information  is  available  in  section  3.2.2   of  this 
document.

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G l o s s a r y

Employee retention rate

Issue volume

The employee retention rate corresponds to the proportion of 
employees who remain with the Group during the year out of the 
overall average number of employees for the year.

Note that for purposes of this calculation employees leaving the 
Group do not include departures related to legal requirements or 
regulations concerning lost contracts, transfers between Group 
subsidiaries or the expiration of fi xed-term contracts.

GRI

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) was created in 1997 by the 
Coalition for Environmentally Responsible Economies (CERES) in 
partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme 
(UNEP). The GRI’s vocation is to lift   sustainable development 
methods to a level equivalent to those of fi nancial reporting, in 
the interests of comparability, credibility, rigor, frequency and 
verifi ability of the communicated information.

Group net income

Group net income corresponds to the line “Profi t attributable 
to equity holders of the parent” in the consolidated income 
statement. It is the Group’s total consolidated net income (i.e., 
the  net  income  generated  by  all  Group  companies)  less  the 
portion of net income attributable to interests held by third 
party shareholders in subsidiaries not wholly owned by Sodexo.

Intensity risk

Risks  whose  frequency  and  severity  require  transfer  to  the 
insurance market.

ISO

ISO  (International  Organization  for  Standardization)  is  the 
world’s largest developer of voluntary International Standards. 
International Standards give state of the art specifi cations for 
products, services and good practice, helping to make industry 
more effi  cient and eff ective. They include ISO 9001 for Quality 
management,  ISO  14001  for  Environmental  management, 
ISO 22000 for Food Safety management, ISO 27000 (security IT 
standard) and ISO 55000 for asset management.

Issue  volume  corresponds  to  the  total  face  value  of  service 
vouchers, cards and digitally-delivered services issued by the 
Group (Benefi ts & Rewards Services activity) for benefi ciaries on 
behalf of clients.

Net debt

Net debt corresponds to the Group’s borrowings at the balance 
sheet date less operating cash. More details in section 3.5.1 
Financial Ratios.

OHSAS 18001

A standard developed in the United Kingdom (Occupational 
Health  and  Safety  Assessment  Series)  used  as  a  model  for 
occupational  health  and  safety  management  systems.  Its 
objective  is  to  provide  companies  with  assessment  and 
certifi cation of their health and safety management systems, 
consistent with international management system standards.

On-site Services

Sodexo On-site Services respond to the needs of Sodexo’s client 
segments.

Performance shares

Sodexo shares granted free of consideration by the Board of 
Directors to the Chief Executive Officer and Group managers 
in order to reward individual performance and whose vesting 
is  subject  to  the  beneficiary  still  forming  part  of  the  Group 
at the end of the vesting period as well as the achievement 
of  performance  conditions  (for  grants  representing  over 
250 shares). The proportion of performance shares within the 
overall number of shares granted can vary between 0% and 
100% depending on the number of shares making granted and 
the responsibilities of the benefi ciaries concerned.

Personal & Home Services

Sodexo  Services  provided  in  three  main  areas:  childcare, 
concierge services and in-home care for dependent persons.

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8 G l o s s a r y

Registered shares

Registered shares are shares that are registered in the holder’s 
name in Sodexo’s share register (unlike bearer shares). They 
may  be  directly  or  indirectly  registered.  Registered  Sodexo 
shareholders are entitled to:

•  double voting rights for registered shares held for at least 

four years;

•  a dividend premium of 10% for registered shares held for at 
least four years, limited to 0.5% of Sodexo’s issued capital 
per shareholder;

1.  Directly registered shares (French nominatif pur)

The shares are recorded in the holder’s name in a share account 
kept by the Company’s registrar, Société Générale, allowing 
direct communications between the shareholder and Sodexo.

2.  I n d i r e c t l y   r e g i s t e r e d   s h a r e s   ( F r e n c h  n om i n a t i f 

administré)

In this case, the shares are registered in the holder’s name in 
a share account managed by his or her bank or broker, which 
is  responsible  for  the  related  custodial  and  administration 
services. The shares are administered in the same way as for 
bearer shares.

•  automatic  invitation  to  Shareholders  Meetings  and 
personalized  information  on  all  financial  transactions 
(capital increases, bond issues, etc.);

TSR

•  reduced administration costs (for directly registered shares 

only).

Total Shareholder Return (TSR) is a measure of the performance 
of  a  company’s  shares  over  time.  The  total  return  to  the 
shareholder combines share price appreciation and dividends 
paid.

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R e s p o n s i b i l i t y   f o r   t h e   U n i v e r s a l   R e g i s t r a t i o n   D o c u m e n t   a n d   t h e   A u d i t   o f   t h e   F i n a n c i a l   S t a t e m e n t s

A P P E N D I C E S

8.2  RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE UNIVERSAL 

REGISTRATION DOCUMENT 
AND THE AUDIT OF THE FINANCIAL 
STATEMENTS

8.2.1  Responsibility for the Universal Registration Document

Person responsible for the information included in the “Document 
d’enregistrement universel” (French-language equivalent of the 
Universal Registration Document):

Denis Machuel, Chief Executive Offi  cer

Having taken all reasonable precautions, I hereby declare that 
the information contained in the Document d’enregistrement 
universel is to the best of my knowledge in accordance with 
reality and that nothing has been omitted that would alter its 
impact.

I  declare  that  to  the  best  of  my  knowledge  the  financial 
statements comply with the applicable accounting standards 
and present a true statement of the net worth, the financial 
position,  and  of  the  income  of  the  Company,  and  of  the 
consolidated entities.

T h e   M a n a g e m e n t   R e p o r t   i n c l u d e d   i n   t h e   D o c u m e n t 
d’enregistrement  universel  presents  a  true  picture  of  the 
evolution  of  the  business,  of  the  results  and  the  financial 
position of the Company and of the consolidated entities, as well 
as a description of the principal risks for the Group.

I have obtained from our Statutory Auditors an engagement 
completion letter in which they declare that they verifi ed the 
information relating to the fi nancial position and the fi nancial 
statements which are presented in this document and that they 
have read this document in its entirety.

Denis Machuel

Chief Executive Offi  cer

November 20 , 2019

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A P P E N D I C E S

8 R e s p o n s i b i l i t y   f o r   t h e   U n i v e r s a l   R e g i s t r a t i o n   D o c u m e n t   a n d   t h e   A u d i t   o f   t h e   F i n a n c i a l   S t a t e m e n t s

8.2.2  Responsibility for the audit of the financial statements

AUDITORS

STATUTORY AUDITORS

PricewaterhouseCoopers Audit
Member of the Compagnie Régionale des Commissaires 
aux Comptes de Versailles
63, rue de Villiers
92208 Neuilly-sur-Seine, France
Registered no. RCS Nanterre 672 006 483
Represented by Jean-Christophe Georghiou

KPMG Audit
Département de KPMG SA
Member of the Compagnie Régionale des Commissaires 
aux Comptes de Versailles
Tour Eqho – 2 avenue Gambetta
92066 Paris La Défense Cedex, France
Represented by Caroline Bruno-Diaz 

DEPUTY STATUTORY AUDITORS

M. Jean-Baptiste Deschryver
Member of the Compagnie Régionale des Commissaires 
aux Comptes de Versailles
63, rue de Villiers
92208 Neuilly-sur-Seine, France

Salustro Reydel
Member of the Compagnie Régionale des Commissaires 
aux Comptes de Versailles
Tour Eqho – 2, avenue Gambetta
92066 Paris La Défense Cedex, France

FIRST APPOINTED

TERM OF OFFICE

TERM OF OFFICE EXPIRES

February 22, 1994

6 fiscal years

February 4, 2003

6 fiscal years

January 21, 2017

6 fiscal years

January 19, 2015

6 fiscal years

Shareholders Meeting to be 
held in 2023 to adopt the 
financial statements for 
Fiscal 2022

Shareholders Meeting to be 
held in 2021 to adopt the 
financial statements for 
Fiscal 2020

Shareholders Meeting to be 
held in 2023 to adopt the 
financial statements for 
Fiscal 2022

Shareholders Meeting to be 
held in 2021 to adopt the 
financial statements for 
Fiscal 2020

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A P P E N D I C E S

R e c o n c i l i a t i o n   T a b l e s

8.3  RECONCILIATION TABLES

To facilitate the reading of this document, the reconciliation 
tables below identify:

•  the main headings required by Annex 1 & Annex 2 of the 
Commission  Delegated  Regulation  (EU)  2019/980  of 
March 14, 2019 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 
of June 14, 2017;

•  the information that constitutes the Annual Financial Report 
provided for under articles L.451-1-2 of the Monetary and 
Financial Code and 222-3 of the General Regulation of the French 
securities regulator (Autorité des marchés financiers – AMF);

•  the information that constitutes the Management Report of the 

Board of Directors as defi ned by the French Commercial Code;

•  the information that constitutes the extra-fi nancial performance 

declaration as defi ned by the French Commercial Code.

8.3.1  Universal Registration Document

RECONCILIATION TABLE FOR THE UNIVERSAL REGISTRATION DOCUMENT – ANNEX 1 & ANNEX 2 OF THE COMMISSION DELEGATED 
REGULATION (EU) 2019/980 OF MARCH 14, 2019 SUPPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) 2017/1129 OF JUNE 14, 2017

1. Persons responsible, information from a third party, from expert reports and approval from 
competent authority

2. Statutory Auditors

3. Risk factors

4. Information about Sodexo

5. Business overview

5.1. Main activities

5.2. Main markets

5.3. Important events in the development of the business

PAGES

1,  303

304

231- 236

273,  274

29- 35

60- 63

57,  58

5.4. Strategy and objectives

6,  7,  14,  15,  57,  67

5.5. Risk of dependency on patents or licences, industrial, commercial of financial contracts or new 
manufacturing processes

5.6. Competitive position

5.7. Investments

6. Organizational structure

6.1. Brief description of the Group

6.2. Significant subsidiaries

7. Operating and financial review

7.1. Financial condition

7.2. Operating results

8. Capital resources

8.1. General information on the capital resources

8.2. Sources and amounts of cash flows

8.3. Information on borrowing requirements and funding structure

8.4. Restrictions on the use of capital resources having materially affected or potentially 
materially affecting the operations of the Group

8.5. Anticipated sources of funds

N/A

28,  35

66

189

154

56

86

91,  166

66,  90

67,  119- 123

115,  116

N/A

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A P P E N D I C E S

8 R e c o n c i l i a t i o n   T a b l e s

RECONCILIATION TABLE FOR THE UNIVERSAL REGISTRATION DOCUMENT – ANNEX 1 & ANNEX 2 OF THE COMMISSION DELEGATED 
REGULATION (EU) 2019/980 OF MARCH 14, 2019 SUPPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) 2017/1129 OF JUNE 14, 2017

9. Regulatory environment

10. Information on trends

11. Profit forecasts or estimates

12. Administrative Management and Senior Management

PAGES

N/A

67

67

12.1. Information concerning members of the Board of Directors and Senior management (CEO)

191- 203,  215,  218

12.2. Administrative management and Senior management conflicts of interests

13. Compensation and benefits

13.1. Amount of compensation and benefits of corporate officers

13.2. Total amounts set aside or accrued to provide for pension, retirement or other benefits

14. Board practices

14.1. Date of expiration of current terms of office

14.2.  Board members’ and Senior management’s service contracts with the Group providing for 

benefits upon termination of such contract

14.3.  Information concerning the Audit Committee, the Nominating Committee 

and the Compensation Committee

14.4. Statement of compliance with a Corporate Governance regime

14.5. Potential material changes on the Corporate Governance

15. Employees

15.1. Number of employees and breakdown by category and location

15.2.  Share ownership of Administrative management and Senior management and any option over 

such shares

15.3. Employee shareholding in the share capital of the Company

16. Major shareholders

16.1. Shareholders holding more than 5% of the share capital or voting rights

16.2. Existence of different voting rights

16.3. Control of Sodexo

16.4.  Arrangements, known to Sodexo, the operation of which may at a subsequent date result in 

a change of control

17. Related party transactions

18. Financial information concerning assets, financial position and profits and losses

18.1. Historical financial information

18.2. Interim and other financial information

18.3. Auditing of historical annual financial information

18.4. Pro forma financial information

18.5. Dividend policy

18.6. Legal and arbitration proceedings

18.7. Significant change in Sodexo’s financial position

218

246- 252

137,  250

191

244,  245

211- 213

217

204- 206

38

191,  215,  244

253- 257,  271

269

275

218

N/A

136,  137,  169,  219

20,  21,  36,  37

N/A

144- 149,  179,  182

N/A

263

138

138,  172

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RECONCILIATION TABLE FOR THE UNIVERSAL REGISTRATION DOCUMENT – ANNEX 1 & ANNEX 2 OF THE COMMISSION DELEGATED 
REGULATION (EU) 2019/980 OF MARCH 14, 2019 SUPPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) 2017/1129 OF JUNE 14, 2017

19. Additional information

19.1. Share capital

19.2. Memorandum and Articles of Association

20. Material contracts

21. Documents available

A P P E N D I C E S

R e c o n c i l i a t i o n   T a b l e s

PAGES

268- 272

273- 276

274

273,  276

Information incorporated by reference:
Pursuant to article 19 of Regulation (UE) 2017/1129 of the European Parliament and of the Council of June 14, 2017, the following information is incorporated by 
reference into this Universal Registration Document:
 − for Fiscal 2018: Group consolidated financial statements and Statutory Auditors’ Report on the consolidated financial statements for the year ended August 31, 
2018, individual Company financial statements and Statutory Auditors’ Report on the individual Company financial statements for the year ended August 31, 2018, 
as well as the financial information included in Management Report, as presented in the Registration document filed with the Autorité des marchés financiers (French 
financial markets authority) on November 22, 2018, under number D.18-0937;

 − for Fiscal 2017: Group consolidated financial statements and Statutory Auditors’ Report on the consolidated financial statements for the year ended August 31, 
2017, individual Company financial statements and Statutory Auditors’ Report on the individual Company financial statements for the year ended August 31, 2017, 
as well as the financial information included in Management Report, as presented in the Registration document filed with the Autorité des marchés financiers (French 
financial markets authority) on November 20, 2017, under number D.17-1057.

Parts of the Registration documents D.18-0937 and D.17-1057 which are not referred to above are either not relevant for the investor, or are included elsewhere in this 
Universal Registration Document.

8.3.2  Annual Financial Report

INFORMATION CONCERNING THE ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT – ARTICLES L.451-1-2 OF THE MONETARY AND FINANCIAL CODE AND 222-3 OF THE GENERAL 
REGULATION OF THE FRENCH SECURITIES REGULATOR (AUTORITÉ DES MARCHÉS FINANCIERS,  AMF)

Individual Company Financial Statements (Fiscal 2019)

Auditors’ Report on the individual Company Financial Statements (Fiscal 2019)

Consolidated Financial Statements (Fiscal 2019)

Auditors’ Report on the consolidated Financial Statements (Fiscal 2019)

Statutory Auditors’ fees

Management Report including Governance Report

Auditors’ Report on the Governance Report

Company’s repurchase of its own shares

Responsibility for the Annual Financial Report

PAGES

156- 178

179

86- 142

144

143

See reconciliation 
table below

180

270

303

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8.3.3  Management Report

RECONCILIATION TABLE FOR THE MANAGEMENT REPORT PURSUANT TO ARTICLES L.225-100 ET SEQ. OF THE FRENCH COMMERCIAL CODE

PAGES

Activity of the Company

Situation and business activity of the Company and of the Group during the past fiscal year

Results of the business activity of the Company and of the Group

Progress achieved or difficulties encountered

Research and development activities

Foreseeable evolution of the situation of the Company and the Group and future prospects

Important events occurred since the end of the fiscal year

Objective and exhaustive analysis of the evolution of business, results and financial situation of the Company 
and of the Group

Key indicators of financial and extra-financial performance

Key risks and uncertainties

Objectives, policy of coverage and exposure of the Company to risks

Injunctions or monetary penalties for anti-competitive practices

Social and environmental impact of the business activity

Description and management of environmental and climatic risks

Internal control and risk management procedures established by the Company

Vigilance Plan

Subsidiaries and holdings

List of subsidiaries and holdings

Significant participation or control in companies headquartered in France

Information on share capital

Structure and evolution of the share capital

State of employee participation in the share capital

Crossing of legal thresholds declared to the Company

Redemption and transfer by the Company of its own shares

Transactions carried out on the securities of the Company by executives, their relatives and assimilated persons

Other information

Amount of dividends distributed over the last three years

Information on terms of payment for suppliers and customers

Table showing the Company’s results in each of the last five fiscal years

56- 67

56- 67

56- 67

N/A

67

138,  172

56- 67

36- 39

226,  238

139

N/A

235,  236

236,  237

221

173

135

268

271

270

270

218

263

177

176

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8.3.4  Governance Report

RECONCILIATION TABLE FOR THE GOVERNANCE REPORT PURSUANT TO ARTICLES L.225-37-4 ET SEQ. OF THE FRENCH COMMERCIAL CODE

PAGES

Choice of method of exercise of the General Management

190,  214- 216

Reference to a corporate governance Code and application of the “comply or explain” principle

Composition of the Board of Directors, gender equality

Diversity policy applied to directors

List of all mandates and functions exercised in any company by each director during the last fiscal year

Conditions of preparation and organization of the work of the Board of Directors

Limitations on the authority of the Chief Executive Officer

Agreements between a significant shareholder and a subsidiary, related party agreements

Procedure established by the Company to assess the conditions under which agreements are entered into

Compensation policy applicable to corporate officers

Remuneration and benefits of any kind paid during the past fiscal year to each corporate executive officer

Ration between compensation paid to the executive corporate officers and the average compensation received by 
Sodexo employees

Conditions governing shareholder’s attendance at Shareholders Meetings

Information that may have an impact in the event of a public offering

Summary table of currently valid delegations concerning share capital increases

Auditors’ Report on the Governance Report

8.3.5  Extra-Financial Performance Declaration (DPEF)

RECONCILIATION TABLE FOR THE EXTRA-FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE DECLARATION PURSUANT TO ARTICLES L.225-102-1 AND R.225-105 
OF THE FRENCH COMMERCIAL CODE

I. Value creation Business Model

II. Risk management

1. A description of the main risks related to the company's activity

2. A description of the policies put in place to mitigate and prevent the occurrence of these risks

3. The results of these policies, including key performance indicators

III. Declaration of relevant information related to the main risks/measures mentioned in II

1. Workforce-related data:

a 

Employment: 

i 

total workforce and distribution of employees by gender, age group and 
geographical area 

ii 

new employee hires and dismissals 

iii 

remuneration and any related changes 

b  Work organisation: 

c 

Labour/Management relations: 

i 

ii 

i 

working-time organisation 

absenteeism 

organisation of social dialogue including information procedures, 
consultation and negotiation with employees 

ii 

summary of collective bargaining agreements 

217

191- 209

206- 208

193- 203

209- 214

214

219

220

240- 245

246- 252

251

217,  275

217,  269

272

180

PAGES

12, 13

226-239

231-237

231-237

231-237

69, 70 

70, 71 

18, 19 

73 

38, 73 

73, 74 

73, 74 

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RECONCILIATION TABLE FOR THE EXTRA-FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE DECLARATION PURSUANT TO ARTICLES L.225-102-1 AND R.225-105 
OF THE FRENCH COMMERCIAL CODE

d 

Health and safety: 

e 

Training and education: 

i 

ii 

iii 

i 

ii 

occupational health and safety conditions 

summary of collective bargaining agreements signed with trade unions 
or workers’ representatives on occupational health and safety 

occupational accidents, including accident frequency and severity rates, 
and occupational diseases 

policies implemented regarding training and education 

total number of hours of training 

f 

Diversity and equal opportunity: 

i  measures implemented to promote gender equality 

ii  measures implemented to promote the employment and integration of 

disabled people 

iii 

policy against discrimination 

PAGES

46, 73  

73, 74 

73 

50, 72  

72 

70, 78 

74 

74 

g 

Promotion of and compliance with 
the core Conventions of the ILO 
relative to: 

i 

ii 

freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining 

73, 74 

non-discrimination in respect of employment and occupation 

iii 

the elimination of all forms of forced or compulsory labour 

iv 

the effective abolition of child labour 

2. Environmental data:

a 

General environmental policy: 

i 

ii 

iii 

iv 

the Company’s organisational strategy to factor in environmental 
issues and, if appropriate, the approaches to auditing/obtaining 
certification for environment-related performance 

information and training measures for employees regarding 
environmental protection 

resources allocated to the prevention of environmental risks and 
pollution 

amount of provisions and guarantees for environmental risks, unless 
such information is likely to cause serious harm to the Company in the 
event of ongoing litigation 

b 

Pollution: 

i  measures of prevention, reduction or repair of discharges into the air, 

water and ground, impacting severely the environment 

ii 

consideration of noise and any other activity-specific pollution 

c

Circular economy:
i) Waste prevention and 
management:

ii) Sustainable use of resources:

i

ii

i

ii

measures of prevention, recycling, reuse, other forms of recovery and 
disposal of waste 

actions against food waste

water consumption and water supply adapted to local constraints 

consumption of raw materials and measures implemented to improve 
efficiency in their use 

d

Climate change:

iii

energy consumption and measures implemented to improve energy 
efficiency and renewable energy use 

iv

land usage 

i

significant greenhouse gas emissions items generated as a result of 
the Group’s activity, particularly by the use of goods and services they 
provide 

ii

adaptation to consequences of climate change 

e

Protection of biodiversity:

i

measures implemented to protect or develop biodiversity 

74 

74 

74 

22-25 

50, 72 

22, 23 

N/A 

N/A 

N/A 

78 

52, 78 

N/A 

76 

53, 77 

N/A 

53 , 77  

52, 53, 76, 77, 
78 

52, 53, 76, 77, 
78 

308

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OF THE FRENCH COMMERCIAL CODE

3. Social data:

a

b

Territorial, economic and social 
impact of the Company’s activity: 

Relations with stakeholders, 
including associations for the 
promotion of social integration, 
educational institutes, 
environmental protection 
associations, consumer 
associations and local residents: 

c

Subcontractors and suppliers: 

d

Fair business practices: 

i 

ii 

i 

ii 

i 

ii 

i 

ii 

regarding regional employment and development 

on local residents/communities 

conditions surrounding dialogue with stakeholders 

partnership or sponsorship actions 

24, 27, 28 

inclusion of social and environmental issues in the Company’s 
procurement policy 

extent of subcontracting and the importance placed on social and 
environmental responsibility in relations with subcontractors and 
suppliers 

anti-corruption policies and procedures 

information on the fight against tax evasion: the actions to prevent tax 
evasion 

221-223 

221-223 

74 , 220 

221 

e

Other actions 

i

actions implemented to promote human rights

5, 23, 74, 235

iii  measures taken for the health and safety of consumers (food safety) 

27, 75, 235 

ii 

fight for the respect of animal welfare 

76 

8

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Published by Sodexo 

Photo credits:
Adobe Stock / Yaruniv-Studio, David Levenson, Stephan Julliard, Christian Sprogoe, iStockphoto, Sodexo Media Library.

Photos of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee: 
William Beaucardet, Philippe Castano, A. Peduzzi, J. David, L. Crespi

This document is printed in France by an Imprim’Vert certifi ed printer on PEFC 
certifi ed paper produced from sustainably managed forest. 

Sodexo
Group Financial Department
255, quai de la Bataille de Stalingrad
92866 Issy-les-Moulineaux Cedex 9
France
Tel.: +33 (0)1 30 85 75 00