A tribute to our founder, Pierre Bellon

From a small Marseille start-up to a global group

Born in 1930 and a graduate of HEC business school, Pierre Bellon began his career in his father’s maritime supply company in his hometown, Marseille. However, anticipating the impact of air transport on shipping supply companies, he decided to change the family business. In 1962, he embarked on a new venture, creating ‘Repas Service’, a small business delivering meals to companies in the Marseille area.

He encountered many obstacles throughout his journey to create and grow Sodexo from a small start-up to the world’s #1 France-based private employer with 430,000 employees across 45 countries. But his determination and his entrepreneurial spirit helped him overcome them one at a time, ultimately leading him to success.

Landing his first contract

The way he managed to win Sodexo’s first contract was no exception. In 1964, he landed a contract offering a self-service restaurant for 2,000 customers at the CEA (Atomic Energy Commission), even though the call for tenders was closed. The competition was fierce and Sodexo was still a budding business, but Pierre Bellon was able to convince the decision makers. 

Focusing on the field: school catering

Pierre Bellon aspired “to create a moment of conviviality and quality of life over lunch”. As Sodexo grew, he relied on empathy and listening to understand client expectations and consumer needs.  

For example, before entering the Education market, he spent entire afternoons in a suburban Parisian school. He thus managed to understand the stakes of school catering for toddlers, such as nutritional and environmental challenges. 

 

The Chinese market: a strategic turn

When Pierre Bellon later focused on the potential of China as a future market, his determination stayed strong, despite several obstacles such as when a potential client’s factory shut down. But when he learned that an American school was going to open, he immediately knew that it would be a great entry point for Sodexo. He realised that satisfying students would help convince their parents to hire Sodexo as a food provider at their own companies. This strategy paid off: two years later, Sodexo had developed throughout the eastern part of China, well ahead of its competitors.

Global success

Just 8 years after its international debut, Sodexo was operating in 35 countries, generating 55% of its revenues and employing 8,000 people outside France, more than half of the company’s total workforce of 15,000 employees.

Between 1990 and 1994, 25 new countries were opened. Sodexo became a partner in the Tour de France as well as the Olympic Games and developed partnerships with top chefs. Then between 1994 and 1997 Sodexo acquired Gardner Merchant in the United Kingdom, partnered with Partena in Sweden as well as Marriott Management Services.

From the stock exchange to new services

On March 2nd, 1983, Sodexo was listed on the Paris stock exchange. The company became the world’s leading listed European food service company. 

Pierre Bellon then expanded his scope of action beyond the foodservice market, envisioning bigger ambitions. He ventured into commercial catering, services and leisure with the acquisition of Bateaux Parisiens in 1987.

Pierre doubled the size of Sodexo at that time and positioned the Group as the number one in Food services, while planning to become the leader in Food Services and Facility Management services.

This period embodies Pierre Bellon’s success: the Group was listed on the CAC 40 in 1998, Pierre was elected Executive of the Year in 1997 and received the “Chaptal de l’Industrie” award the following year.

From the outset, Pierre Bellon saw Sodexo as a community where employees, clients and shareholders come together. 

His passion for people and commitment only grew stronger as his career progressed. Pierre was deeply committed to empowering people – within as well as outside of Sodexo – and companies. He was involved in many organizations throughout his life:

• He joined the Centre des Jeunes Patrons in 1958 (now the CJD) which brings together young managers who believe that companies should serve people first.
• Then the Medef from 1976 to 2013, of which he was also vice-president from 1980 to 2005.
• And he created the APM (Association Progrès du Management) in 1987.

The values that Pierre Bellon shared with all Sodexo employees continue to shape the way we do business today, with the clear company purpose to create a better everyday for everyone to build a better life for all.