New offer from Sodexo is set to improve student living

Universities are living through challenging times. There is increased competition to attract the best students against a backdrop of increasing fees and a growing expectation of service delivery. Student accommodation is one area which is experiencing a significant change with students seeking more than just a room. Over the last 15 years Sodexo has been moving more and more into providing a comprehensive facilities management service into student accommodation for both universities and private developers and has now focused on this market with the launch of a new service offer specifically for student accommodation providers, known as Student Living by Sodexo. The new offer, which has an operational structure tailored to the specific needs of the sector, was developed following extensive research into the various client groups combined with a market evaluation and meetings with potential clients and sector experts. Sodexo also analysed the results of its biennial University Lifestyle Survey which has captured students changing opinions and attitudes towards certain aspects of their student accommodation since 2004. Jane Bristow, managing director of Sodexo’s education business says; “Student Living by Sodexo embodies a number of significant benefits. With this new service offer we can provide an extensive portfolio of services from marketing, bookings, lettings and finance management, student services such as pastoral care and helpdesk through to facilities management including preventative and reactive maintenance, waste management, to commercial, catering and retail services. “At Sodexo we even have our own health and fitness offer which we can tailor to any location, so we can now truly offer a one-stop shop for student accommodation allowing our clients to focus on their core objectives safe in the knowledge their students living experience is in capable hands.” The Sodexo teams on site are supported by a significant group of specialists in HR, training, marketing and finance. Safegard, Sodexo’s internal health and safety division provides expertise in ensuring the safe and secure living for residents with Sodexo’s FM business providing the technical delivery in buildings maintenance. James Boyle, managing director of Infrastructure Investments Ltd said: “Sodexo has been a breath of fresh air, within days of taking over the entire FM provisions on our behalf, we were aware we were tapping into a wealth of expertise, back-up and know how.” By combining the diverse talents of their teams, Sodexo can offer a range of innovative solutions in people services, business services and buildings services. With over 3,500 beds currently under management at some 25 university campuses and a pipeline of a further 2,000 plus, Sodexo is already a significant force in the student accommodation market. With the launch of Student Living by Sodexo, it aspires to be the market leader, with every one of its contracts tailored to meet the needs of individual client partners, adding value to the student living experience.