AGM Statement

Compass Group PLC
15 February 2002



15th February 2002


                            Compass Group PLC
                        Chairman's AGM Statement

Compass Group holds its AGM today at the QEII Centre, London (3pm) at which
meeting, Francis Mackay Chairman of Compass Group PLC, will say:

'I am pleased to report that trading in the first four months of the current
year has been in line with expectations, which gives us confidence in our
ability to achieve sales growth in our target range of 6% to 9%.  That focus
on organic growth will continue to be our primary objective.

'In the first four months of this year, the Group has been awarded many
exceptional contracts throughout its business divisions such as:

*  In our Remote Site business: where we announced a 10 year contract between
   ChevronTexaco and Eurest Site Services which we estimate at an annual sales
   value of $200m pa.   This is the largest contract ever awarded in our
   industry.

*  In Sports & Events: where Letheby & Christopher have been awarded a 3 year
   contract by Octagon Motor Sports at Silverstone worth £5m pa and a 5 year
   contract with Arena Leisure for six racecourses worth £5m pa. Compass Group
   is also the official caterer for the current Winter Olympics in Salt Lake
   City.

*  In our Education foodservice business: the Group announces today that
   Chartwells School Dining Services has been awarded a $17m annual turnover
   contract with Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools in North Carolina, USA.
   In the UK, Scolarest has been awarded three major education contracts with
   total annual revenues of £32m, at London City University, University of
   North London and London Borough of Richmond; and

*  In France: the Group recently confirmed the award of three prestigious
   contacts to provide foodservice for Eurotunnel, Mutuelles du Mans and the
   European Parliament in Strasborg, with total revenues of over £14m.

'In January of this year we completed the acquisition of Seiyo Foods, a public
company in Japan.  It is No.3 in the foodservice market in Japan and gives us a
platform for further growth in this market, which is worth some £21 billion per
annum.

'In summary, our focus is on organic growth.  We do anticipate further infill
acquisitions  over the next 18 months, all of which will be met from debt
facilities.  Compass Group is in a strong position to take advantage of the
growth potential in the markets in which it operates.  We expect to demonstrate
strong performance this year and believe we are well placed for future,
continuing growth.'

                                  ENDS

Enquiries:
Timothy Grey,                 Brunswick                        020 7404 5959


Note:

Compass Group is the world's largest foodservice company employing over
300,000 people in over 90 countries and with annual revenues in excess of
£9bn. Compass Group provides foodservice for clients including major
employers, educational establishments, hospitals, leisure venues, retail
locations and at major airports and stations throughout USA, Europe, and
developing markets in Asia and South America. It operates through sector-
specific subsidiaries such as Eurest, the world's largest specialist in
providing foodservice to business and industry clients, and Select Service
Partner, the European market leader in foodservice at airport restaurants and
rail stations. Further information on the Group can be found at www.compass-
group.com




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