2026 Workplace Leaders Top 50: Sonia Mangat

The Workplace Leaders Top 50 list has been announced and with the celebration event taking place at London's Hurlingham Club this summer, we sat down with 2026 winner Sonia Mangat, Head of Responsible Sourcing at Sodexo.

How did you get into the workplace and FM industry?

I actually fell into the industry. Looking back, that decision introduced me to a sector that is far more dynamic and influential than many people realise, with opportunities to make a real difference through supplier engagement, sustainability and social impact.

What does it mean to you to be recognised as a Workplace Leaders Top 50?

It's a real honour to be recognised among so many talented professionals. It’s great to see sustainability and social impact recognised as important aspects of workplace leadership.

What is your favourite part of being in the workplace industry?

The variety. No two days are the same, and the industry brings together people from a huge range of backgrounds, specialisms and perspectives. I particularly enjoy working on initiatives that create value beyond the immediate business outcome, whether that's supporting suppliers, driving sustainability improvements, or creating social impact.

Tell us an interesting fact that no one knows about you?

During lockdown, I decided to learn something completely different and ended up gaining a sommelier qualification.

If you weren’t working in the workplace or FM industry, what would you be doing?

I'd probably still be working in sustainability. The sector might be different, but the opportunity to drive positive environmental and social outcomes is what interests me most.  

What does it take to be a workplace leader?

It takes collaboration, a willingness to learn and the ability to bring people together around a common goal. For me, workplace leadership is about creating positive impact while delivering on business priorities.

To read more about the Workplace Leaders Top 50, see here: https://www.theworkplaceevent.com/workplace-leaders-top-50