New Board Appointment

Compass Group PLC
14 January 2004


       Compass Group PLC Announces New International Concessions Division
                             and Board Appointment

14 January 2004

Compass Group today announces the appointment of Andrew Lynch as Chief Executive
Officer of its newly created international concessions division, Select Service
Partner (SSP). This move brings together Compass Group's concession operations
and the development of the Group's brand portfolio, which includes Ritazza,
Upper Crust and Harry Ramsden's, into one division.

Andrew Lynch moves into the role following seven successful years as Compass
Group Finance Director. He continues as an executive member of the Compass Group
PLC board.

The Group is also pleased to announce the appointment of Andrew Martin as its
new Group Finance Director and executive member of the Compass Group PLC board
as of Monday, 15th March 2004.

Andrew Martin rejoins Compass from First Choice Holidays PLC where he has been
Group Finance Director for the past two and a half years. Prior to this Andrew
spent six years with Compass and Granada in a number of senior financial
management positions in contract catering and hotels.

Michael J Bailey, Group Chief Executive, said:
'We are delighted Andrew Lynch is to head up our international concessions
division, and that we have appointed a Finance Director with the experience of
Andrew Martin to step into his shoes.'

'Compass Group remains focussed on organic growth. Retail expertise is one of
our key differentiators and the creation of this new division will enable us to
build on our market leading position.'

Andrew Lynch, CEO, Select Service Partner, said:
'Developing sector specialisation and building strong brands is a core part of
the Group's strategy. This move will enable us to improve the effectiveness and
efficiency of our concessions operations through dedicated management and ensure
the development of our unique brand portfolio is closely aligned to operations.
Sharing best practice is an important factor in Compass Group's success and this
move will facilitate the transfer of retail skills into the contract environment
where brands give us an increasingly important competitive advantage.'

(continued)


Enquiries:

Compass Group PLC [phone]
Michael J Bailey, Group Chief Executive
Sarah Ellis, Director Investor Relations


Brunswick Group Ltd [phone]
Timothy Grey / Pamela Small



Note to Editors

Select Service Partner
SSP will have responsibility for the following company-owned brands: Caffe
Ritazza, Upper Crust, amigo, Harry Ramsden's, Millie's and Moto; as well as for
the following third party brands: M&S Simply Food, Burger King, Krispy Kreme,
Pizza Hut and Sbarro.

Andrew Lynch
Andrew Lynch, age 47, is Group Finance Director of Compass Group PLC. He was
Finance Director of Travellers Fare Limited between 1989 and 1994 and Finance
Director of Compass Group's UK division between 1994 and 1997. He has held his
current appointment since 1997. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered
Accountants and a non-executive director of Dixons Group plc. His earlier career
included various positions with KPMG and Prudential Corporation plc.

Andrew Martin
Andrew Martin, age 43, joined the Board of First Choice Holidays PLC as Group
Finance Director on 17 September 2001. He was previously a partner with Arthur
Andersen and held senior financial positions with Forte plc and Granada Group
plc before becoming Finance Director of the Restaurants & Services Division of
Granada Group plc and, subsequently, Finance Director of the Hotels Division of
Compass Group PLC. He is an Associate of the Institute of Chartered Accountants
and an Associate of the Institute of Tax.

Compass Group
Compass Group is the world's largest foodservice company with annual revenues in
excess of £11 billion. Compass Group has over 400,000 employees working in more
than 90 countries around the world.
For more information, visit www.compass-group.com




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