Community, Author at iSportConnect

Sportradar To Offer Postponed European Championship As Part Of Simulated Reality Product Range

The official European Championship tournament may have been postponed until next summer, but Sportradar, a global provider of sports content and intelligence, is playing out the competition in full via its AI-driven Simulated Reality product.

Kicking off with Turkey vs. Italy at 8.00pm BST on Friday 12 June, as per the original competition schedule, Sportradar is offering Simulated Reality matches for all 51 games of the tournament including the final on Sunday 12 July.

Simulated Reality is completely AI-driven and algorithm based. Drawing on Sportradar’s comprehensive football database, the AI engine creates a huge number of different game situations, outcomes, and gameplays to generate an unpredictable outcome for football fans.

Simulated Reality has already successfully completed the seasons of all major European football leagues, with results mirroring real-life outcomes. Completed seasons include the top leagues in Germany, England, Italy, and Spain, with other leagues still in progress.

To mark the start of the Europe’s leading international football tournament within Simulated Reality, Sportradar is introducing two new features designed to enhance fan engagement.

Live video replays – The matches will now include a short, live video replay of significant moments within a game. Fans will be able to watch goals being scored, shots on target, own goals and penalties being scored or missed.
Automatically generated match reports – After each match customers will be automatically served a match reports which provides a summary of the game play alongside in-depth match statistics and analysis.

These new features are in addition to the 50+ selection of pre-match and live betting markets available for each match.

Werner Becher, Managing Director, US Betting at Sportradar said: “In the short time that Simulated Reality has been on the market, it has established itself as an authentic and credible alternative to traditional sports betting covering a range of sports including football, cricket and tennis. Now more than ever it is important that we closely listen to customer feedback so that we can continually improve and enhance our product range.

“The new features we’ve introduced at this time create further opportunities for our customers to engage with football fans and create a unique way to enjoy top level tournament football this summer.”

KitKat Teams Up With BLAST Ahead Of DoTa 2 Tournament

BLAST has announced a partnership agreement with KitKat that will see the Nestlé chocolate brand sponsor BLAST Bounty Hunt – the leading esports company’s online DoTa 2 tournament.

The agreement will give the global chocolate manufacturer a number of branding and content activation opportunities during BLAST’s online Dota 2 tournament which takes place from tomorrow (Tuesday, 9 June). The deal also includes sponsorship of in-broadcast feature ‘Captain’s Kick Back’, which will see team captains talk about their life in and outside of esports.

Leo Matlock, Commercial Director for BLAST, said: “We’re thrilled to add a brand as reputable and well-known as KitKat to our family of partners ahead of BLAST’s first DoTa 2 tournament. KitKat is a global brand and we are proud that they have chosen BLAST to further develop their burgeoning esports strategy with a bespoke partnership that maximises our far-reaching and innovative tournament approach.”

Georg Fischer, KitKat Marketing Manager Europe, Middle East & North Africa says “KitKat has always been about a smile in the break and getting a fresh perspective which is also very relevant in gaming and the highly competitive esports environment. We made our first steps in esports earlier this year and were overwhelmed by the positive feedback from fans, teams and partners alike. This confirmed the strong fit between KitKat and the community, and we look forward to a great collaboration with BLAST to bring meaningful, fun content and surprises to the DoTa 2 Bounty Hunt!”

Last month BLAST Bounty Hunt launched the new online DoTa 2 tournament which will feature the best teams from across Europe and the world. The tournament will be held across five consecutive days in June (9th-13th), where teams will compete for a prize pool of $150,000.

A dynamic prize pool and an interactive fan prediction game are two innovative new features that will be introduced in BLAST Bounty Hunt. These features have been created and brought to the fans by BLAST in collaboration with the competing teams.

Teams involved include OG Esports, Team Secret, Nigma, NIP, Alliance and Team Liquid playing BO3s until the Championship Final BO5. Teams will seed each other and play in double elimination brackets to reach the final two. Seeds 3-6 will playoff with the winners moving on to play seeds 1-2 for a place in the final.

Eurosport Announces Two Major Appointments To Production And Digital Teams

Eurosport has announced the appointment of Scott Young to the role of Senior Vice President, Production and Content. With over 30 years in the media industry, Young is expertly placed to help deliver Eurosport’s next phase of growth, bringing an enviable track record in live sports, major event production and on-screen innovation.

Young will be responsible for developing a unique and integrated content offering across broadcast and digital, realising opportunities presented by Eurosport’s enhanced digital products and broader technology transformation. In an exciting period set to see the safe return of live sport, Young will lead the production and operations for all Eurosport’s flagship events including the Olympic Games, cycling Grand Tours, tennis Grand Slams and winter sports World Championship and World Cup events.

Young takes up the role in September 2020. He will be based in London and Paris and report to Andrew Georgiou, President, Eurosport and Global Sports Rights & Sports Marketing Solutions.

Andrew Georgiou, President, Eurosport and Global Sports Rights & Sports Marketing Solutions, said: “Scott is one of the most talented and progressive leaders in sports production and it’s hugely exciting to welcome him to the Discovery family. He joins at a pivotal time for our business as we prepare to realise the opportunities delivered by the transformation of Eurosport’s global technology infrastructure, one of Discovery’s most significant capital investments. This will revolutionise how we deliver sport to fans, using cloud and remote technology within a unified production ecosystem for broadcast and digital to create and distribute world-class content from anywhere in the world.

“When you consider a project as complex as the Olympic Games, where Discovery serves fans in 50 markets, localised and in 19 languages, across its full range of free-to-air, pay-tv and digital platforms, it is clear this will be a game-changer for the scale and flexibility of our business.

“Given Scott’s extensive experience and success at delivering major production projects and leading world-class teams, I have no doubt Discovery’s already award-winning sport production and content offering will go from strength to strength and engage even more fans around the world.”

Scott Young, Senior Vice President, Production and Content, said: “Eurosport is one of the world’s most respected and highly regarded sports producers. I am impressed at how Eurosport’s production and on-screen experience has evolved under Discovery’s leadership. While its record-breaking Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018 production and award winning Eurosport cube made waves through the industry, it is clear that the company hasn’t stood still and the production infrastructure it has created is ground breaking. I look forward to getting started.”

Young joins from Sky Sports, where he has been Head of F1 for the channel’s award-winning Formula 1 coverage since January 2018. Before moving to Europe, he spent five years as the Head of Television and Content at V8 Supercars (Australian touring car category) and more than a decade at Network Ten in Australia as the Head of Sport Production.

In his role at Ten, Young led the production of the network’s portfolio of sports rights, including premium categories of motorsport spanning Formula 1, MotoGP, the World Rally Championship, Indy Car and World Superbikes. Within a great number of achievements across the period, Young was Executive Producer for the Network Ten’s 2007 Rugby World Cup coverage, leading a team of more than 100 in France for the tournament, and lead the production of the world feed for the UCI Road World Championships’ first event in the Southern Hemisphere in September 2010. Beyond sport, he has produced and created a diverse range of productions across numerous genres viewed by audiences around the world.

Eurosport has also expanded its digital leadership team with the appointment of experienced digital media expert Amar Melwani (pictured) in the newly created role of VP, Distribution Partnerships and Rights Strategy where he will link up to Discovery’s global direct-to-consumer operation.

The addition of Melwani’s experience in leading digital teams, as well as his sports rights expertise, highlights the acceleration of the roll out of Eurosport’s direct-to-consumer strategy. This will see Eurosport engage its customers more deeply with enhanced experiences, driven by world-class products and localised sports content.

Eurosport’s digital products already serve sports fans in more than 50 markets in Europe with localised live and on-demand premium sports programming through OTT streaming on the Eurosport App and Eurosport.com, forming an unparalleled direct-to-consumer sports ecosystem.

Melwani’s appointment will see him further develop Eurosport’s future digital sports rights strategy, ensuring customers are provided with the widest multi-sport offering of world-class programming, however they choose to access it, to drive the continued growth and expansion of Eurosport’s direct-to-consumer business.

He will also leverage his business development experience to establish and manage third-party distribution partnerships for Eurosport’s digital subscription offerings, working with device manufacturers, operating system platforms and other strategic distibutors to make it even easier for customers to access Eurosport’s digital content on any screen.

Melwani joins from The Walt Disney Company where he managed partnerships, product marketing and analytics for the new global OTT platform, Disney+. He previously led rights acquisitions, content distribution and the direct-to-consumer business for Disney-owned ESPN across EMEA, and prior to this, managed the distribution of Sky’s international direct-to-consumer service.

Paul Rehrig, General Manager, Eurosport Digital, said: “As we continue to drive our direct-to-consumer strategy forward, we are excited to welcome Amar and will greatly benefit from his experience developing world-class OTT services and building distribution and commercial businesses within sports media. Even during this challenging period, Eurosport isn’t standing still. We are hard at work enhancing all aspects of Eurosport’s digital products – from content to product to underlying technology – all to better serve our customers.

Amar Melwani, VP Distribution Partnerships and Rights Strategy, said: “The scale and depth of Eurosport’s sport portfolio, combined with a unique level of country-by-country localisation across Europe, is unrivalled anywhere and provides an outstanding foundation for delivering best-in-class direct-to-consumer offerings to customers and partners. I look forward to working closely with the Eurosport leadership team on a digital-first approach that drives further growth throughout our business.”

Melwani is based in London and reports to Paul Rehrig, General Manager, Eurosport Digital.

Industry Leaders Come Together To Discuss Future Of Women’s Sport

French Football Federation Secretary General Laura Georges, Sports Innovation Lab CEO Angela Ruggiero and Google’s Head of Global Sports & Entertainment Marketing Partnerships, Content & Media Kate Johnson came together to discuss the future of women’s sport on Thursday, in the latest episode of Talking Sport – powered by Eleven Sports and World Football Summit.

The webinar was moderated by Co-founder of The Offside Rule Lynsey Hooper and titled ‘From World Cup glory to COVID-19: The future for women’s sport’. Some key take-outs from the session as follows:

Laura Georges, on female athletes being more available to sponsors:

“If you talk about Olympique Lyonnais, the best women’s team in the world, what makes the difference is that the president there is really giving a lot of support to the women’s team. Also, some brands decided that ‘ok, we cannot afford to have the men, but we’ll decide to work with the women’s team’. What they’ve found as brands by collaborating with Olympique Lyonnais and their girls is that the girls are available. They say ‘this is what we like, we are close to the players’. The players have the right image and are close to the fans. They take the time after the games and it’s really showing that ‘if we want to support the women’s game then we receive a lot back’. But, it’s also the decision of the leaders who say ‘ok, this is what I expect of you, you are a brand and you want to work with us, but you need to step up your game and really give the best of your knowledge and competence to put the women’s game forward’.”

Kate Johnson, on making more content available to fans:

“There’s going to be a call on players to be more accessible, there’s going to be a call on making sure that content and behind the scenes content is going to have to evolve. I think federations are going to have to open up the aperture on what they are willing to let fans into from a behind the scenes perspective and even from a broadcast and a commercial perspective, making sure that what used to be so protected from a commercial rights perspective, where content is concerned… We’ve got to change the game and make sure that content is more accessible to fans and also more accessible to brands because I think that’s where the value comes. For brands to continue to lean in from an investment perspective, there has to be increased value in terms of how they’re able to connect with their audiences too. I think there is an opportunity for women to actually be innovative and lead that charge.”

Angela Ruggiero, CEO of Sports Innovation Lab, on women’s sport’s greater flexibility:

“The biggest advantage that women’s sports has today is that we’re not beholden to the typical way of doing business. We don’t have long-term rights, we don’t have the same long-term contracts. We have the opportunity to lean in and to create more branded content… What if 90% of the league is just branded content around the athletes because we know fluid fans, which is what we talk about at Sports Innovation Lab every day, these new-age fans want to do things differently […] What can we do in the time of COVID-19 to think differently? To lean in to fluid fans, which do things very differently. They’re open to change, empowered to choose and constantly evolving. That’s the three pillars of the fluid fan. That’s what I want this conversation to be about. It’s about how do we rethink the model rather than go ‘please don’t cut us, it’s the right thing to do’. Yes, of course it’s the right thing to do. Let’s get that out of the way. How do we do things differently? That’s the conversations I get fired up about because women have the nimbleness that the men do not. And that is an advantage we should lean in to.”

Next week’s episode of Talking Sport will focus on investment opportunities and challenges during Covid-19 and beyond. For full details and to register click here.

World-Class On-Track Digital Experience For Sydney Racing Fans

Sydney’s Rosehill Gardens and Royal Randwick racecourses will lead the world in digital racing information and on-course raceday experiences for customers, sponsors and business partners under a major new project.

With Australian Turf Club Members and patrons preparing to return on track in coming months, the project provides dynamic up-to-the-minute wagering, racing, tipping and real-time race information for on-course punters on racedays.

The new multi-million dollar technology will feature integrated television systems across both racecourses as well as innovative digital cube displays.

It will include high-impact content to engage and entertain customers at Australian Turf Club racedays and events.

The project is part of a 10-year partnership between the Australian Turf Club and major venue technology experts PMY Group (PMY).

This world-class project includes:

LED systems stretching 150m along the Rosehill Gardens and Royal Randwick home straights
Winning Post LED displays
Dynamic LED boards inside the Royal Randwick Theatre Of The Horse
High Impact LED Cubes at Royal Randwick
Enhanced IPTV and digital stream technology

Australian Turf Club Chief Executive Jamie Barkley said: “Punters and racing fans at the track will receive the most up-to-date information in a dynamic and unrivalled experience, better than anything you may see at home.

“We are delighted to launch this technology at the home of the Longines Golden Slipper at Rosehill Gardens, and as we prepare to unveil more of the project at Royal Randwick.

“Punters will get the latest odds, market movers, late mail tips and real-time racing data without moving from their seats or vantage points trackside.

“We also look forward to our premium partners and raceday sponsors joining with the many creative options and content opportunities this technology will bring across the racecourses all throughout a day at the track.’’

PMY Managing Director Paul Yeomans said: “We are excited to partner with the ATC to deliver what we expect to be a game changer in raceday experience and entertainment.

“The multimedia and operational experience being delivered is the first in a number of technology initiatives we are set to roll out together, and it has been an absolute pleasure to support Jamie Barkley and his team as they continue to deliver on their vision to enhance the oncourse atmosphere for members and patrons.”

The first phase of the project will go live at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday 30 May before a second stage at Royal Randwick in July, 2020.

It features active collaboration with Australian Turf Club commercial partners who can provide new and fully immersive experiences.

The project is also aimed at attracting new brands to the ATC’s partnership portfolio.

Goodform: Fan Positivity For Sport Behind Closed Doors Has Grown

Fan Positivity For Sport Behind Closed Doors Has Grown & Fears Over Re-Attendance Can Be Quelled

Before COVID-19, the sporting world was characterised by a globalised and cyclical sporting calendar, with broadcast, commercial and matchday the three core financial pillars of its existence. While relentless, this calendar is also fragile, and the Pandemic has thrown it into disarray. With sports returning, the terrain has changed, and robust research is required to understand how. In the second part of our fan insights trilogy, we analyse sports fan perspectives to offer insights and guidance on how they expect sport to adapt, to understand how the sporting world will thrive again.

Fans are open to watching sport behind closed doors, but they want it to be accessible

Sofas will replace stands, and TV remotes will replace tickets, as many sports rights holders focus on getting sport up and running behind closed doors for unfinished seasons and beyond. A global spotlight is on the Bundesliga and UFC, who have pioneered the format, with the Premier League, Formula One, Royal Ascot and the PGA following close behind, and other including Premiership Rugby and ECB in the planning stages. Despite the lack of crowds, 71% of fans will not be deterred from watching sport behind closed doors on TV or online, helped by many having now seen it in action. Competitiveness, uncertainty of outcome and feats of sporting excellence are other elements that make sport, sport, and these remain very much alive behind-closed doors.

Growing openness to behind closed doors fixtures comes at a time when the format is also in its infancy. Virtual crowds and pre-recorded crowd noises (trialled by the Bundesliga) are all efforts to close the gap to sport as we knew it. However, sports rights holders should not just look at how to replace the atmosphere created by crowds, as this is likely to be unachievable, but also at how the at-home viewer experience can be enhanced. Wide-ranging commentary and punditry choices, referee mics and 5G automated score updates are just some potential avenues. However, what is imperative to sports fans first and foremost, is access.

74% of our Sports Fan Panel think it’s imperative that sport behind closed doors is available to watch as widely as possible. The Premier League has moved in the right direction, relocating 4 fixtures to the BBC for the first time ever, and also 4 to Amazon Prime, which will be free-to-air. With the Championship and potentially League One to resume, EFL’s iFollow, and also Formula One’s F1 TV, spearhead the rise of OTT platforms for sport, and a movement towards increased global accessibility – albeit usually behind a paywall. Other sports rights holders should review their digital offering, with it presenting opportunities to understand audience data in a more comprehensive way, and to engage fans in a highly personalised manner.

Fans are more anxious to attend live sport and need to feel safe before returning

With reliance on sources of revenue weighted differently on a sport to sport basis, getting live sport on the screen may be the overriding priority for some, but not for others. Many sports organisations will be very keen to get bottoms on seats to get revenue streams flowing again once lockdown ceases. However, a fan-led focus will need to be adopted to realise this. Sports should aim to remedy reattendance anxiety, which has increased by 27% in the month since our April 2020 survey, as fans’ knowledge of COVID-19 transmission improves. Growing anxiety also explains why the number of fans planning to reattend events as soon as they can has decreased by 19%, just in the past month.

Despite this, 41% of fans are still positive about supporting their beloved teams as soon as lockdown lifts – and the rest can doubtless be won over. With fan anxieties a roadblock to reattendance, clubs and event organisers can facilitate fans’ return to stadium gates, by tackling specific fears highlighted in research. Global survey data shows that regular disinfection is most important to sports fans when visiting public spaces, while adherence to social distancing measures and provision of hand sanitizer are also desired: return to stadium plans should incorporate these. Measures such as these will also need to be visible to fans as lockdown begins to lift, to quell fear of the unknown. As agreed by our Industry panel last month, strategising should begin now.

Sports that are quick to resume can tap into new audiences on a global scale

Excluding the Bundesliga, individual and non-contact sports will experience a quicker and/or smoother return to the screen. Mixed martial arts, snooker and horse-racing evidence this, with all three leading sports staging a comeback in recent weeks, albeit in a trimmed format. This will give them access to part of lost broadcast revenue at an earlier stage, while also avoiding the organisational headache of returning teams to training and eventually matchday. Sports that cross the fan viewership line first can even grow their audiences at this time, underlined by 56% of sports fans being more likely to watch sports that they wouldn’t normally watch as it makes a staggered return.

Having pivoted swiftly, Formula E and Formula One have been able to tap into this thirst for live sport like few other sports – throughout lockdown. Formula E’s Race at Home Challenge and Formula One’s Virtual Grand Prix highlight recognition of a growing esports market. Tapping into it will help bridge a new generation into the sport and unlock a revenue stream that can withstand all weathers, unlike broadcast, commercial and matchday. The buzz caused by Extreme E at what is dubbed a ‘crisis point’ for sport highlights its potential for growth, and that of the motorsport industry in general, particularly as crowds are not a core component of the sport for the at-home motorsport viewer.

Lets discuss…

The Sports Fan Panel represent over 50 sports and are a highly engaged audience that endeavour to shape decisions within sport. If you would like to explore the benefits of tapping into the Sports Fan Panel for your organisation, and view infographics such as the one below, then please click here.

Goodform: Fan Positivity For Sport Behind Closed Doors Has Grown

Fan Positivity For Sport Behind Closed Doors Has Grown & Fears Over Re-Attendance Can Be Quelled

Fans are open to watching sport behind closed doors, but they want it to be accessible

Fans are more anxious to attend live sport and need to feel safe before returning

Sports that are quick to resume can tap into new audiences on a global scale

Lets discuss…

ANNOUNCEMENT: LaLiga, EVOS ESPORTS, Betway, KFC Among Speakers For iSportconnect Esports eMasterclasses

iSportconnect is delighted to reveal the first confirmed speakers for our opening group of Esports eMasterclasses, commencing from 9th June, 2020.

The first session is ‘Esports 101: An Industry Overview’ in partnership with NiceCactus on 9th June at 3pm BST. This session will delve into the relationships between Publishers, Leagues, Teams & Fans, the Growth of Esports and the predictions for the next 5 years, alongside much more.

Speakers:

Allan Phang, Head of Marketing & PR, EVOS Esports

Ian Smith, Commissioner, Esports Integrity Commission

Gregory Bolle, Chief Revenue Officer, Nicecactus

To sign up for this eMasterclass please follow this link or use the banner at the bottom of the page

https://event.webinarjam.com/register/67/ml42yaz9

The second eMasterclass titled ‘How Not To Fail: Brands in Esports’ in partnership with Kairos Sports will take place on the 16th of June at 3pm BST. With more and more blue-chip brands entering the Esports space, how can Brands ensure they have a strong entry to market, and how can they be authentic in their approach? Join us to discuss this and much more.

Speakers:

Adam Savinson, Head of Esports Betway Group,

Josh Benge, Brand Engagement Lead, KFC

Drew Townley, CEO, Kairos Esports

To sign up for this eMasterclass please follow this link: https://event.webinarjam.com/register/68/6v9kqf0m

Our third eMasterclass ‘Innovation Throughout Covid-19: How Esports Has Grown Up’ on 23rd June at 3pm BST will explore how has the increased visibility over the period helped to grow the industry, how the industry can capitalise on this increase exposure to further monetise, how things will have changed post Covid-19, and more.

Speakers:

Leo Matlock, Commercial Director, BLAST Premier

Alfredo Bermejo ,Digital Strategy Director, LaLiga

To sign up for this eMasterclass please follow this link: https://event.webinarjam.com/register/69/xykq1al9

Member Insights: What Measures Are NGBs Taking To Ensure Their Long-Term Stability After Covid-19?

Phil Andrews, CEO of USA Weightlifting, evaluates how national governing bodies have had to adjust following the difficulties caused by Covid-19 and the subsequent postponement of many major events throughout 2020.

The postponement of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games has had a big impact on national governing bodies (NGBs) large and small across the globe.

Covid-19 has placed an immense strain on the finances, resources, and staff at organisations, and has left many athletes questioning how they will survive the next 12 months. The situation is no different at USA Weightlifting (USAW) and we have had to work collaboratively to ensure that our long-term future is secured.

Many NGBs have been working together to help share the burden of the pandemic, with issues around revenue, expenses, and athlete welfare prevalent for all. This collaborative approach has helped to promote best practice across different organisations, with USAW partnering with USA Cycling, USA Triathlon, and the Canadian Weightlifting Federation. It’s clear that we are all in this together and any support that we can provide one another is invaluable.

With many competitions postponed this year, 2021 is likely to be one of the most expensive years in the history of sport. NGBs will have the same issues post-pandemic, but without the support and leeway given in 2020. They will still have the same income streams, but spending will be double in many cases, particularly in relation to the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

At USAW, we are very fortunate that many of our members are still able to compete in some capacity from their own homes or garages, especially at an elite level. It’s led to us moving some competitions to virtual events where athletes are able to stay active and compete against one another to remain competitive.

That’s not to say we haven’t been hit hard financially by the cancellation of certain events, as well as the many coaching courses that we run throughout the country, but in some cases we have seen the emergence of virtual activities that we would not have envisaged pre-Covid-19.

Online camps and competitions that we had initially planned to role out a few years from now have been fast-tracked and could lead to a reduction in costs in the long run, potentially providing a welcome boost.

Another difficulty for all NGBs is maintaining consistent communication with the elite pool of athletes, particularly those that had qualified for Tokyo 2020. The Olympic and Paralympic Games is the pinnacle for many athletes, and the uncertainties around the event can have a negative effect on their mental health and wellbeing.

It’s vital that these athletes are given the necessary support to enable them to stay motivated and not be worried about external factors such as the financial implications of a postponed Games.

Clearly this is a very difficult time for everyone, but elite athletes are in a unique position where they’ve gone from regular competitions around the globe to individual training programmes with no guaranteed live sport in sight.

The situation is ever-changing and there is no easy answer to how NGBs will cope moving forward. One thing that we can all agree on is that the return of live sport – in whatever capacity that may be – will provide a welcome boost for all.

Sodexo: Our Hidden Heroes Supporting With Covid-19 Testing Centres

Our Sports & Leisure team, led by divisional managing director, Steve Hawkins and account director, Anthony Boyton has joined forces with our Healthcare and Government & Agencies businesses’ segments to help set up and mobilise Covid-19 testing centres across the region. By working together our teams have managed to set up each centre to be fully mobilised within two to three days.

Wembley

As a strategic partner to the Department for Health and Social Care, Sodexo has been working with Boots and Deloitte to set up the drive-through testing centres for NHS and other key workers.

Sodexo is currently involved in 10 Covid-19 testing centres across the UK and Ireland region. The centres are providing vital testing on an appointment-only basis for self-isolating NHS and key workers, or symptomatic members of their family. Individual NHS Trusts are selecting and contacting their workers to arrange appointments.

Sodexo’s involvement in the testing centres includes:

Infrastructure build
Estates management
Security and traffic management
Cleaning
Resourcing and Testing – in partnership with Boots and other agencies
Supply Chain
Waste management

Sodexo’s team at each test centre includes many colleagues from sites which have closed and who are being redeployed to help support the nationwide Covid-19 effort.

At one of the first testing centres to be opened at IKEA Wembley, our Sports & Leisure business took the lead with support from its Peyton & Byrne teams in London, and the Sodexo Universities team at Richmond University Kensington Campus.

Rubia and Carlos

Two cleaners Carlos and Rubina (pictured right) from the University joined the team at the centre to help keep the cafeterias, offices, and collection booths clean and sanitised. Speaking about redeploying to a virus testing centre, Carlos said: “The process of redeploying was very smooth. I’ve met lots of new people and have faced new challenges.”

Rubina commented: “We know that our service plays an important role in preventing the spread of the virus.”

Working at the newly established Covid-19 testing centre is a complete change from their usual roles on the University campus. Carlos added: “This is different to the work I’m used to – because of the risk of contamination. Initially I had no idea what we would accomplish, and when I found out I was very happy to be able to be part of it.”

Rubina’s advice for others who are being redeployed is to “go into it with an open mind and with the desire to make a difference.”

Andrew Barber only joined Sodexo in January 2020, as hospitality manager at the Signet Library in Edinburgh, so when the venue closed due to the pandemic Andrew welcomed the redeployment opportunity to help at Glasgow Airport’s testing centre.

Andrew Barder

Andrew (in the image above) said: “It’s been great to get out and do something worthwhile for the greater cause, learning new things, meeting colleagues from venues across Scotland and being part of the wider Sodexo group.I’m supporting the Glasgow Airport testing centre within the Information and Labelling Hub, dealing with the spreadsheets we’re getting sent through from the government on who has to be tested each day, checking all of their personal details are correct when they arrive and assigning them with different barcodes which then go on to their test samples so it can then be correlated when their results come back from the lab.”

In addition to the many valued colleagues who are being redeployed to help at the testing centres our health and safety teams are also giving up their time to help provide valuable training as each centre opens.

Again, our sports & leisure led in all aspects of the health and safety (HSEQ) elements required for each centre. Emma Semmens, Laura Steel and Alan McCormick set up the systems and processes and internal governance required for each site and worked closely with our supply management team to ensure correct PPE was available at each site.

Michal Bak

Above: Redeployed employee Michal Bak

As sites were mobilised our HSEQ teams from our various businesses have stepped in to provide on-site teams with an overview of the health and safety compliance required and to ensure the teams had the right equipment, training, and set-up to carry out their roles – including PPE, cleaning products and procedures, traffic management and signage. This included Joanna Powaga, Christian Reynolds and Andrea Mitchell, all from our Government & Agencies Integrator team who worked over the Easter weekend to help with the opening of two of the testing centres.

On average Sodexo has between 30 and 50 people working at each centre every day and to date over 250,000 items of PPE and cleaning materials have been supplied to the testing centre teams.

Sean Haley, regional chair, Sodexo UK & Ireland said: I am immensely proud of how our teams and the wider industry have come together to share our expertise and work in partnership with the NHS to fight the threat posed by Covid-19. It has never been more apparent that our business lives and breathes its values.

Children from the local communities where the testing centres are located are helping to boost spirits of NHS workers who are arriving to be tested by decorating the entrances with thank you messages and pictures of rainbows.

thank yous

Jason Harvey (pictured above), Sodexo’s catering services director for Blackburn Rovers has redeployed to support the Covid-19 testing centre at Manchester Airport, he said: “As our key workers arrive at and leave the testing centres they can see walls covered in messages saying thank you to them and pictures of rainbows which children have drawn, which our staff help stick up. We’ve also contacted Royal Mail who, for the whole of Greater Manchester, have agreed to collect all kids’ posters, laminate them and deliver them to the Manchester Airport site.”