Sophie Bellon is the current Chairwoman and Chief Executive Officer of Sodexo, the historic French company that is now distinct from Pluxee. At the beginning of 2024, Pluxee and Sodexo officially separated and began operating as independent companies. Pluxee is a global firm that offers employee benefits, incentive programs, and card-based solutions, and it is publicly traded. This division allowed Pluxee to focus specifically on employee-benefit services, while Sodexo continues to operate in quality-of-life services, food management, and healthy menu planning.
Throughout this restructuring, Bellon remains at the head of Sodexo, overseeing and leading the company independently from Pluxee. Over the years, she rose through the company ranks until, in 2022, she was appointed Chief Executive Officer, after having served as Chairwoman of the Board of Directors since 2016.
Bellon began her professional career in the United States and quickly joined Sodexo. From there, she built a long and intense trajectory marked by multiple responsibilities that shaped her leadership within the French company—from personnel flow management to dynamic internal programs and strategic oversight aligned with Sodexo’s objectives.
Bellon’s unstoppable rise within Sodexo
After her experience in a U.S. company, Bellon joined Sodexo in 1994 as an analyst in the Finance Department. During those years, she contributed to the company’s international expansion, which led to her appointment in 2001 as Financial Strategic Planning Project Manager.
In 2005, she took another significant step, becoming Vice President of the Client Retention Group. Three years later, she was appointed Managing Director of Corporate Services. As time went on, Bellon grew increasingly pivotal inside Sodexo, and by 2010 she assumed leadership of Facilities Management in France.
In the corporate world, boards typically turn to highly valued or high-performing figures within the company. In 2013, replacing a key executive, Bellon became Vice Chairwoman of the Board. Further milestones followed: in 2016 she was named Chairwoman of the Board, and in 2022 she became Chief Executive Officer.
What management model does Bellon apply at Sodexo?
A few years ago, Bellon stated that the company hired “nearly 3,000 employees” per year. After the corporate separation, the figure decreased, but the model remained similar. She explained that “300 employees earn a professional certification every year, at all levels of the company. It is a genuine model of social mobility,” and highlighted that one-quarter of employees come from underprivileged neighborhoods in France.
With more than 4,500 Sodexo locations across France, the CEO reiterated her focus on people, noting: “We committed to the long-term reintegration of twenty residents receiving the RSA.” She added: “This issue of reintegration is not unfamiliar to us, as we assumed similar commitments when working with the Ministry of Justice.”
Within Sodexo, Bellon has not only risen through every level of the company but has also oriented her work toward internal social development and community engagement. In another interview, the Chairwoman of the Board emphasized the importance of “rebuilding social bonds” and “creating new ecosystems in service of the community.”
Local and social impact
“Our model is based on the commitment of residents, associations, and local public stakeholders,” Bellon summarized, encapsulating much of her work at Sodexo. Despite holding a top-tier position, she continues to prioritize the company’s social and local impact.
With economic profitability and sustainability—two of the company’s core values—Bellon continues to promote these pillars across France. Several sources close to the company have highlighted that in an increasingly dynamic and fast-changing world, Sodexo constantly seeks innovation and continuous improvement.
Bellon leads the brand in France. Managing more than 4,000 sites requires sustainable and stable operations in order to uphold the company’s values. She brings together employees, farmers, directors, and executives, focusing on connecting each part to strengthen Sodexo’s overall mission.
“The principles that will guide my actions are loyalty to Sodexo’s values, entrepreneurial spirit, and efficiency and speed of execution,” Bellon declared when she assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer.
