Executive changes at Sodexo as company focuses on core workplace segments
Sodexo appointed Thierry Delaporte as group CEO, effective November 10, and will further expand his responsibilities to include direct leadership of the company’s North America business starting January 1, 2026. The change is part of a significant leadership shift, supported by an updated governance structure and a stronger emphasis on execution and expansion.
Changes at the board level set the tone for a new focus
The board of directors selected Delaporte following an extensive search overseen by Sodexo’s nominating committee in collaboration with the Bellon family, the company’s founding shareholders.
As part of the governance structure changes, Sodexo will separate the positions of chair of the board of directors and chief executive officer. Sophie Bellon will serve as non-executive chairwoman for the duration of her mandate and will oversee a transition period with Delaporte. The board also will maintain the role of lead director, with Gilles Pélisson, chair of the nominating committee, succeeding Luc Messier as lead independent director, effective November 10.
To accelerate growth in its largest market, Sodexo will alter its leadership structure so Delaporte, as group chief executive officer, will also lead the North America business for a period. The company said the move is designed to support a turnaround of its operations in the region and to initiate a new phase of “growth and value creation.”
Sarosh Mistry, currently president of Sodexo North America, will retire from the company, effective December 31, 2025, and will serve as a strategic advisor during the transition.
Delaporte to lead Sodexo’s North America business
Delaporte said he will focus on turning around Sodexo’s North America business by concentrating on client needs, operational efficiency and disciplined execution.
“I want to thank Sarosh for his leadership and nearly 15 years of dedicated service and contribution to Sodexo,” Delaporte said in a statement. “Given the importance of the U.S. market for Sodexo, I have decided to assume direct leadership of Sodexo operations for the zone for a period of time. We have great strengths — our people, our clients, and our deep roots in this market; however, we must move with greater focus and at a faster pace to capture our fair share of the market.”
Delaporte said his initial work with the management team has reinforced his view that Sodexo can “unlock our full potential” in North America. “I will dedicate my first months to assessing the organization, identifying opportunities for acceleration, and recentering the business around client needs to deliver outsized value,” he said. “This will require innovation, increased operational efficiency and disciplined execution.”
Sodexo promotes Ganci to focus on core workplace segments
According to Sodexo, Ganci will lead efforts to strengthen client relationships, improve service delivery and accelerate growth in major metropolitan areas and fast-growing U.S. markets. His focus includes advancing Sodexo’s branded dining and workplace concepts, including The Good Eating Company, Modern Recipe and Kitchen Works. He also will be responsible for driving operational performance across corporate, energy, manufacturing, pharmaceutical and life sciences accounts.
Ganci will report to Delaporte and serve on the North America Leadership Team.
About the Author
Linda Becker
Editor-in-Chief
Linda Becker is editor-in-chief of Automatic Merchandiser and VendingMarketWatch.com. She has more than 20 years of experience in B2B publishing, writing, editing and producing content for magazines, websites, webinars, podcasts, newsletters and eBooks, primarily for manufacturing and process engineering audiences. Since joining Automatic Merchandiser and VendingMarketWatch.com, Linda has developed a new appreciation for the convenience services industry and the essential role it plays. She is dedicated to serving readers by covering the latest news in the vending, office coffee service and micro market industry. She can be reached at 262-203-9924 or [email protected].