Purchase of Own Securities

Compass Group PLC
10 February 2003

                               Compass Group PLC

                    Purchase of own shares for cancellation



Compass Group PLC announces that on 10 February 2003 it purchased for
cancellation 850,000 ordinary shares at the price of 295.78 pence per share from
Hoare Govett's affiliate, ABN AMRO Equities (UK) Limited.



Enquiries

Cathi Lawrence           Compass Group PLC     01932 573 000



Jeremy Thompson     ABN AMRO Equities (UK) Ltd     020 7678 8000


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