Disposal

Compass Group PLC
14 March 2001

                                                               
                     Compass Group PLC ('Compass Group')


The Board of Compass Group is pleased to announce the sale of the Cumberland
Hotel to Grand Hotels (Cumberland) Acquisition Company Limited, a company
formed and financed by the Principal Finance Group of Nomura International
plc, for a consideration in cash of £150 million.

The  Cumberland Hotel is an 895 room, four star hotel located  to  the  north
east of Hyde Park, at the corner of Oxford Street and Park Lane in London.


Enquiries

Compass Group PLC                                    01932 573 000
Andrew Lynch

Hudson Sandler                                       020 7796 4133
Nick Lyon / Wendy Baker