FMJ Facilities Management magazine providing industry-specific intelligence to FM and property professionals
Sodexo Live! has appointed Steven Cova as its new Divisional Operations Director for Sports & Stadia.
Cova brings over 20 years of operational and commercial experience in senior leadership roles across some of the UK’s most iconic sporting and entertainment venues.
Throughout his career, Cova has consistently delivered growth and innovation, mobilising new stadia, driving digital transformation, and pioneering sustainability initiatives. His track record includes overseeing multi-site operations with revenues exceeding £135 million, delivering successive years of sales and profit margin growth, and building high-performing teams recognised for service excellence.
Commenting on the appointment, Claire Morris, CEO Sodexo Live! UK & Ireland said: “Steven’s extensive experience and proven ability to drive operational excellence and innovation will be instrumental as we look to accelerate the growth of our sports and stadia business. We look forward to Steven helping us unlock new opportunities, strengthen our partnerships, and deliver even greater value to our clients and guests.”
Sodexo Live! supports some of the UK’s most iconic music, cultural and sporting events, plus conference centres and airport lounges, by delivering world class hospitality and food services. In the UK Sodexo Live! is the culinary partner to Brighton & Hove Albion FC, Ascot Racecourse, Newcastle United FC, Emirates Old Trafford, Nottingham Forest FC to name but a few.
According to the 2026 UK Facilities Management Market Research Report by askporter, facilities management professionals want clear, verifiable evidence of work being delivered, with teams that can communicate progress in real time. This requires technology that is affordable, intuitive, and quick to adopt.
Yet the report found that:
Over three quarters of FM professionals (76 per cent) experience operational inefficiencies caused by siloed software which results in a lack of real-time visibility.
Communications challenges lead to maintenance issues, with 73 per cent of teams being forced into reactive problem-solving on a weekly basis.
A worrying level of compliance gaps, with 44 per cent of admitting that half or less of their compliance tasks are tracked and automated within their systems.
Closing this gap requires the establishment of transparent and consistent communications using affordable software that gives FM teams the ability to track, evidence and improve their services.
This webinar provides a valuable overview of the main findings of the report by askporter followed by a panel discussion by FM thought leaders on practical, strategic solutions that can help close this communications gap.
To register for the webinar taking place 29 January 2026 at 11:00am click here.
