A tribute to our founder, Pierre Bellon

Photo credit - Kenzo TRIBOUILLARD / AFP

The story of Pierre Bellon is a truly exceptional one. Pierre was a passionate entrepreneur who was determined to build a “fairer and more humane society”. We would like to pay a tribute to our founder by retracing his steps and showing how his extraordinary path made us who we are today.

“Thanks to a rate of success that slightly outpaced our setbacks, Sodexo grew by leaps and bounds”

Pierre Bellonfrom his book “I had a lot of fun”

A pioneer who inspired our passion for business

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 423,000 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.

“Constant progress is how we can stay ahead of our competition. It’s how we can show our clients and guests that we are ever-evolving to meet their expectations."

Pierre Bellonfrom his book 'I had a lot of fun'

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A visionary who taught us to listen and follow our intuition

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.

"As soon as Sodexo expanded nationally, I started to think about international prospects”

Pierre Bellonfrom his book 'I had a lot of fun'

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An ambitious builder who framed our growth

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.

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"I made organic growth a priority from the start"

Pierre Bellonfrom his book 'I had a lot of fun'

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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.

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“I’m incredibly proud to have helped so many people grow with the company. My success lies in having created a company able to promote women and men and contribute to their personal fulfilment. I think that's my greatest achievement."

Pierre Bellonfrom his book 'To serve and to grow'

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A people person who breathed life to our purpose

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.

Download Piere Bellon’s complete biography.

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Pierre Bellon’s story as told by the people who knew him

To pay a tribute to this visionary and passionate entrepreneur, we wanted to share a short film shot in 2020 to mark his 90th birthday, in which the people who met him share their memories, stories, and above all their outlook on what an endearing man he was.