Statement re ESS

Compass Group PLC
10 October 2005

                               Compass Group PLC
                                  Announcement

Following press speculation surrounding the involvement of Compass Group PLC,
and its subsidiary Eurest Support Services (ESS), regarding contract procurement
at the United Nations, the Group would like to clarify the situation:

Compass Group PLC takes any questions about business operations seriously. ESS
is one of a number of suppliers to the United Nations that has been co-operating
with all the relevant authorities in a wide-ranging investigation into the UN's
contracting procedures.

The Group is a signatory to the UN Global Compact and its business practices are
governed by a strict, zero tolerance based Code of Ethics that applies to all
employees without exception.

In 2004 revenues from our contracts with the United Nations were less than half
of one percent of Group revenues.




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