Sodexo UK & Ireland has announced that Lynsey O’Keefe, CEO Corporate Services and Energy & Resources and Rayna Miller, Employee Communications and Change Director have been recognised in the 2025 Women to Watch in Hospitality, Travel, Leisure and Retail Index produced by WiHTL & Diversity in Retail in partnership with The MBS Group.
WiHTL & Diversity in Retail is the only collaboration community devoted to increasing inclusion in the hospitality, travel, leisure and retail sectors. The 2025 Women to Watch index features over 100 women who demonstrate visionary leadership, commercial and operational excellence, and a dedication to raising the bar for women across the industry.
Lynsey O’Keefe, joined Sodexo UK & Ireland in August 2024 as CEO of its Corporate Services and Energy & Resources business. Lynsey is a people and customer focused leader, with extensive experience across food services, workplace, and facilities management in a range of sectors. As a senior leader, Lynsey champions and celebrates inclusion at all levels within the organisation and has spoken at a variety of events on the issues around its importance and relevance.
Rayna Miller joined the company at the beginning of 2021 as Employee Communications and Change Director. Rayna is an compassionate and inspiring leader. Under Rayna’s leadership her team have won a number of external awards for the delivery of initiatives that positively impact on the employee experience for Sodexo’s UK & Ireland’s 30,000 employees.
Jean Renton, COO Sodexo UK & Ireland and executive sponsor of Sodexo’s gender equity workstream said: “At Sodexo we recognise that each individual’s unique background, experience and abilities are at the heart of our vibrant workforce and truly reflect the communities we serve. Lynsey’s and Rayna’s inclusion in this well-respected index is something they should take pride in. We thank them for all they do to help us create a workplace which is welcoming and inclusive to all.”
Sodexo recently published its Social Impact Pledge 2030 outlining its mission for the next five years to positively impact in four areas, its people, the planet, places and its partners. Its new people commitment builds on its strategy to create equitable workplaces where everyone feels they belong, and which inspires them to act with purpose and thrive in their own way.
Tea Colaianni, Founder and Chair, WiHTL & Diversity in Retail said “It’s really exciting to launch our 2025 Women to Watch in Hospitality, Travel, Leisure and Retail Index in partnership with The MBS Group. It is important that we continue to acknowledge and celebrate the many truly inspirational examples of women blazing a trail in their field. They are a huge inspiration for all the women coming after them who will join, progress and lead our industry in the future. Congratulations to all of the brilliant women role models featured in the 2025 Index.”
Elliott Goldstein, Managing Partner, The MBS Group said “The 2025 Women to Watch in Hospitality, Travel, Leisure and Retail index is a vital resource, showcasing leaders who are making a significant impact in their organisations and industries, and inspiring generations of leaders yet to come. Now, more than ever, we need positive role models so we are therefore particularly delighted to highlight this year’s ‘Women to Watch’”.
