Freshfields Investigation

Compass Group PLC
01 February 2006


           Compass Group PLC: Conclusion of Freshfields Investigation

1 February 2006

Compass Group PLC announces that the investigation undertaken by Freshfields,
assisted by Ernst & Young, into the relationships between its subsidiary, Eurest
Support Services (ESS), IHC Services (IHC) and the United Nations (UN) has now
concluded.

The investigation has been overseen by Steve Lucas, the Chairman of Compass
Group's Audit Committee, and has lasted 3 months, involving an extensive and
highly detailed review of documents and emails and intensive interviews with
relevant individuals. The key findings and recommendations of this investigation
have been presented to the Compass Group PLC board and are as follows:

   •The investigation has established serious irregularities in connection
    with contracts awarded to ESS by the UN.

   •There were issues in relation to the behaviour of a few individuals
    within ESS.

   •The considerable work undertaken by Freshfields and Ernst & Young gives
    no reason to believe that these issues extend beyond these individuals to
    other parts of ESS or to the wider Compass Group of companies.

   •Compass Group does not own, and has never owned, any shares in IHC.

The Board has taken the following actions arising from this investigation:

   •Action has been taken in respect of those individuals accountable within
    ESS, including dismissals where appropriate.

   •The senior management of ESS has been completely restructured and now
    reports to Andrew Martin, Group Finance Director.

   •Compass Group has reviewed, with Ernst & Young, the systems and controls
    within ESS in the light of the issues raised by this investigation and is
    implementing changes including reducing the level of autonomy within the
    business and increasing central controls.

IHC's relationship with the UN and ESS is part of wider and on-going
investigations into UN procurement activity being conducted by the Office of the
United States Attorney for the Southern District Court of New York, the United
States Congress and the UN itself, and with which Compass Group is fully
cooperating. As these matters are the subject of criminal investigation in the
United States, it would be inappropriate at this time for the Group to make any
further comment.

Steve Lucas, Chairman of the Audit Committee of Compass Group, said:

'This has been a highly regrettable episode for Compass Group. However, we have
now concluded a very thorough investigation and taken appropriate and decisive
action. We have no reason to believe that the issues identified extend to any
other part of the Group. The Board is determined that Compass Group should meet
the highest ethical and governance standards and is taking all necessary steps
to ensure that this is the case.'


Enquiries:

Compass Group PLC
Shareholders/Analysts     Andrew Martin          01932 573000
Media                     Paul Kelly             01932 573000







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