FILER:
COMPANY DATA:
COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: SODEXHO ALLIANCE SA
CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001169715
STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: SERVICES-MANAGEMENT SERVICES [8741]
IRS NUMBER: 000000000
FISCAL YEAR END: 0831
FILING VALUES:
FORM TYPE: 6-K
SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC
FILE NUMBER:
FILM NUMBER:
BUSINESS ADDRESS:
STREET 1: 3 AVENUE NEWTON
STREET 2: 78180 MONTIGNY-LE-BRETONNEUX
CITY: FRANCE
STATE:
ZIP: 00000
BUSINESS PHONE: 0113313085
6-K
FORM 6-K
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington D.C. 20549
FORM 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13A-16 OR 15D-16 OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
January 9, 2004
SODEXHO ALLIANCE SA
3, avenue Newton
78180 Montigny-le-Bretonneux
France
(Address of principal executive offices)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports
under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form 20-F X Form 40-F
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information
contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the
Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Yes No X
If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in
connection with Rule 12g3-2(b):
Contents: Press Release
EXHIBIT LIST
Exhibit Description
99.1 Press Release
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
SODEXHO ALLIANCE SA
By: /s/ Sian Herbert-Jones
-------------------------------
Name: Sian Herbert-Jones
Title: Chief Financial Officer
Date: January 9, 2004
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of
the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These
include, but are not limited to, statements regarding anticipated future events
and financial performance with respect to our operations. Forward-looking
statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to
historical or current facts. They often include words like "believe," "expect,"
"anticipate," "estimated" , "project " , "plan" "pro forma," and "intend" or
future or conditional verbs such as "will," "would," or "may." Factors that
could cause actual results to differ materially from expected results include,
but are not limited to, those set forth in our Registration Statement on Form
20-F, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the
competitive environment in which we operate, changes in general economic
conditions and changes in the French, American and/or global financial and/or
capital markets. Forward-looking statements represent management 's views as of
the date they are made, and we assume no obligation to update any
forward-looking statements for actual events occurring after that date. You are
cautioned not to place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements.
Paris, January 9, 2004 - Sodexho Alliance Strengthens Management Teams
Following the appointment of co-Chief Operating Officers Jean-Michel Dhenain and
Michel Landel, Sodexho Alliance Chairman Pierre Bellon has strengthened his
management team, as he announced last June, by "speeding the promotion of people
based on performance, with support through high-level recruitments."
In North America, Dick Macedonia was promoted to Chief Operating Officer in
June. Michel Landel has now broadened Dick Macedonia's responsibilities by
appointing him President and Chief Operating Officer of Sodexho North America.
In Continental Europe, Jean-Michel Dhenain has strengthened his team, while
gradually organizing operations into four separate regions: France, Northern
Europe, Southern Europe, Central and Eastern Europe.
In the United Kingdom and Ireland, we have made the following changes to the
management team.
Michel Landel, President and Chief Operating Officer of Sodexho Alliance, is
also serving as Executive Chairman of Sodexho United Kingdom and Ireland. Mark
Shipman has announced his plans to return to the United States for personal
reasons. Mark Shipman will remain Chief Executive UK and Ireland until March 31,
2004.
Michel Landel has announced two appointments:
Francois-Xavier Bellon has been promoted Chief Executive and Debbie White has
joined Sodexho United Kingdom and Ireland as Chief Financial Officer.
A graduate of the European Business School, Francois-Xavier Bellon began his
career in services as an agency manager for Adia France, before serving as
Regional Director, Catalonia for Ecco in Spain. In 1995, he joined Sodexho
France, where he successively held operational and sales positions. In 1999, he
became Managing Director of Sodexho Mexico where he managed a successful
turnaround.
A graduate of Cambridge University and a Chartered Accountant, Debbie White
first worked for Arthur Andersen. From 1987 to 1999, she held various senior
financial roles within AstraZeneca PLC. In 2000, she joined
PriceWaterhouseCoopers as a director and became an associate partner when IBM
purchased PWC Consulting in 2002.
Commenting on the appointments Michel Landel said : "I am extremely confident in
the ability of the new team. They will continue to implement the current
strategic plan and grow profitability to the Group average."
A new position of Senior Vice President, Group Purchasing has been created to
further improve the efficiency of our procurement process. It will be filled by
Philippe Lauthier.
In addition to a post-graduate degree from the Universite de Marseille and a
Master's Degree in Economic Science, Mr. Lauthier has acquired unrivalled
expertise in purchasing management at companies renowned for their performance
in this area, such as Auchan (1981-1989), Promodes (1989-1999) and Carrefour
(1999 to present). After gaining international experience at Promodes, Mr.
Lauthier successfully developed the synergies resulting from the
Carrefour-Promodes-Comptoirs Modernes merger.
Mr. Lauthier will be a member of the Sodexho Alliance Executive Committee.
In a statement, the Executive Committee emphasized that "these appointments and
recruitments are in line with our previously announced policy and reflect the
vitality of our human resources as well as our commitment to hiring experienced,
competent people to match our specific needs in all aspects of our business. Our
ability to attract new talent is a good sign of our company's health."
Attached resumes:
Francois-Xavier Bellon, Philippe Lauthier, Dick Macedonia and Debbie White.
BIOGRAPHY
Francois-Xavier Bellon
Chief Executive, Sodexho United Kingdom and Ireland
A graduate of the European Business School, Francois-Xavier Bellon began his
career in the services industry, first as an agency manager for Adia France and
then as Regional Director, Catalonia for Ecco in Spain, where he quadrupled
sales in just two years.
In 1995, he joined Sodexho France, where he successively held operational and
sales positions. In 1997, he was appointed Healthcare Business Development
Manager for the greater Paris region.
In 1999, he became Managing Director of Sodexho Mexico in the Food and
Management Services business. After redefining the growth strategy, he
implemented the action plans needed to turn the subsidiary around and restore
its growth momentum. In fiscal year 2002/2003, the company reported its first
operating profit in several years.
Building on the successful turnaround of the Mexican subsidiary, Francois-Xavier
Bellon has been appointed Chief Executive of the Food and Management Services
business in the United Kingdom and Ireland. He has also been appointed a member
of the Sodexho Alliance Operational Committee.
Francois-Xavier Bellon, 38, is married and has four children. He has been a
member of the Board of Sodexho Alliance since 1989.
BIOGRAPHY
Philippe Lauthier
Senior Vice President, Purchasing - Sodexho Alliance
With a post-graduate degree from the Universite de Marseille and a Master's
Degree in Economic Science, Philippe Lauthier has spent his career at food
retailing companies renowned for their performance, such as Auchan (1981-1989),
Promodes (1989-1999) and Carrefour (1999 until now). At each one, his managerial
responsibilities covered global sourcing, quality control and product
traceability, as well as supply chain optimization.
After gaining international experience as Managing Director of the Promodes
Central Purchasing Agency from 1994 to 1999, he successfully developed the
synergies resulting from the Carrefour-Promodes-Comptoirs Modernes merger in
France (1999-2003).
Mr. Lauthier has been appointed Sodexho Alliance Senior Vice President,
Purchasing, and a member of the Sodexho Alliance Executive Committee.
Philippe Lauthier, 45, is married and has three children.
BIOGRAPHY
Richard Macedonia
President and Chief Operating Officer
Sodexho, Inc.
Richard "Dick" Macedonia is the President and Chief Operating Officer of
Sodexho, Inc., the leading provider of food and facilities management services
in North America, responsible for overseeing all operating divisions, and more
than 6,000 clients. Mr. Macedonia is also a member of the Sodexho Alliance
Executive Committee.
Before being named COO, Mr. Macedonia most recently was the president for
Sodexho's Health Care Services Division, managing sales in excess of $3.2
billion annually, and providing on-site department management services to over
1,400 health care facilities and systems in the US.
Mr. Macedonia began his career with the company in 1968 as a unit manager in the
Campus Services Division, and joined Health Care Services in 1975. He has held
positions throughout the divisions including district manager, vice president of
marketing and sales, and vice president of business development.
Mr. Macedonia is a graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Indiana, PA.
He is a corporate member of both the Health Insights Foundation and the Hospital
Research and Development Institute.
Mr. Macedonia has been married for 36 years and has four daughters. He enjoys
golf and international travel.
BIOGRAPHY
Debbie White
Chief Financial Officer
Sodexho United Kingdom and Ireland
A graduate of Cambridge University and a Chartered Accountant, Debbie White
first worked for Arthur Andersen and then, from 1987 to 1999, she held various
senior financial roles within AstraZeneca PLC. In 2000, she joined
PriceWaterhouseCoopers as a director and became an associate partner when IBM
purchased PWC Consulting in 2002.
Her international financial and budget control experience acquired in
prestigious companies will provide additional strength in enabling Sodexho
United Kingdom and Ireland to restore its profitability to Group levels.
Ms. White has been appointed Chief Financial Officer of Sodexho United Kingdom
and Ireland and will serve on the subsidiary's Executive Committee.
Debbie White, 41, is married and has three children.
About Sodexho Alliance
Founded in Marseille in 1966 by Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Pierre
Bellon, Sodexho Alliance is the world's leading provider of food and management
services. With more than 308,000 employees on 23,900 sites in 76 countries,
Sodexho Alliance reported consolidated sales of 11.7 billion euros for the
fiscal year that ended on August 31, 2003. The Sodexho Alliance share has been
listed since 1983 on the Euronext Paris Bourse, where its market value totals
3.9 billion euros. The Sodexho Alliance share has been listed since April 3,
2002, on the New York Stock Exchange.
Media Relations: Jerome Chambin
Tel: +33 130 85 74 18
Fax: +33 130 85 52 32
E-mail: jerome.chambin@sodexhoalliance.com
Investor Relations: Jean-Jacques Vironda
Tel: +33 130 85 29 39
Fax +33 130 85 51 81
E-mail: jeanjacques.vironda@sodexhoalliance.com