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Damien Verdier was appointed President Strategic Planning and Control Food and Management Services Continental Europe in September 2003. In this capacity he is a member of the Group Operational Committee. In Continental Europe Sodexho generates €3.8 billion in revenues and has more than 81 000 employees.
Damien got his first taste of Sodexho during his senior internship. He developed an interest in its businesses and was attracted to its corporate culture and accountability policy and in 1979 he joined Sodexho as District Manager Food and Management Services in Nantes. He quickly acquired greater responsibilities becoming Development Manager for the Business & Industry segment in Brittany in 1983 and two years later at 28 Regional Director.
In 1991 he was named Director Business & Industry Operations France and in 1993 Director of the Business & Industry division. In a difficult business environment he set up a quality enhancement and cost-cutting plan that significantly improved profitability. He also pioneered the sub-segmentation process introducing specialized teams and products tailored to the specific needs of clients inter-company restaurants institutions and large accounts.
Damien was promoted Managing Director France in 1998. Applying the same sub-segmentation approach he made strong inroads in the Education and Healthcare markets by setting up an operational organization focused on close-to-the-customer service. At the same time he centralized corporate functions and created a Shared Services Center. Under his leadership Sodexho achieved stronger organic growth and regained its leadership position in France.
In 2003 Sodexho responded to his request to work more outside France and named him President Strategic Planning and Control Continental Europe with the mission of helping European countries implement key Group initiatives. Damien's objective is to implement strategic guidelines in the field measure the results of these actions and define corrective measures always insisting on "the need for teamwork to attain sustainable development goals."
Committed to improving the food services industry’s image and promoting Sodexho Damien is also involved in several trade organizations. President of France's National Contract Catering Association (SNRC) since 2001 he is also President of the European committee of the Services Industry Association within MEDEF the French employers' federation and Vice President of the European Federation of Contract Catering Organizations (FERCO).
Born in 1957 Damien is married and has four children. He enjoys gardening and playing golf with his family. He spends his vacations either in Brittany which he came to love as a student or traveling "so that the children can discover the world."
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