Facilities management giant awarded £264m prison contract

The UK & Ireland division of French facilities management company Sodexo has been awarded a £264m contract to manage HMP Lowdham Grange in Nottinghamshire.

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) selected the firm following a competitive tender process, with the ten-year contract set to begin in February 2023.

Sodexo will be responsible for nearly 900 male prisoners and 500 staff at the category B prison.

The company currently manages prisons in England and Scotland, including HMP Addiewell, HMP Forest Bank and HMP Northumberland, which house male prisoners, as well as HMP & YOI Bronzefield, which holds female prisoners, and HMP Peterborough, the only dual purpose-built prison in the UK.

The MoJ has the option to extend Sodexo’s contract at Lowdham Grange for a further two single-year terms.

Paul Anstey, CEO, government, Sodexo UK & Ireland, said: “We are delighted to have won the HMP Lowdham Grange contract. Sodexo has a significant track record of managing prisons in the UK, and we will transfer this expertise and experience to this new contract.

“We look forward to working with our new colleagues at the prison to build on what has already been achieved, while introducing new initiatives and innovations. Our vision is to provide a secure and safe environment which reduces re-offending through education, builds new skills and offers respect, equality and inclusion.”