The Sodexo UK and Ireland chief executive, Debbie White, has called for the UK government to appoint an ‘inspector of ethics and transparency’ to regulate public-private outsourcing.

The news came as part of Sodexo’s public service pledge, which the company calls ‘an ethical manifesto for its contracts and conduct, for citizens and community’ intended to achieve ‘a fairer and better society.’

Sodexo also announced that it will be committing to independent client satisfaction reviews, unannounced audits and transparency with its revenues.

This drive for ethical outsourcing management and delivery has been welcomed by the National Outsourcing Association (NOA). The NOA has been working with both the private and the public sector on raising ethical standards within the outsourcing industry.

Sodexo is one of the most prominent private suppliers to the coalition government, supporting the public sector in matters of justice, defence, healthcare and education. The company employs over 17,000 individuals who are currently working on government contracts.

The pledge comes shortly after the UK government announced its own drive for transparency on the part of private companies that procure public sector contracts. The coalition made similar claims in 2010, but fell well short of their transparency aims.

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