Directorate Change - Appointment of Chairman

Directorate Change - Appointment of Chairman 

Further to the announcement on 7 February 2013 that Sir Roy Gardner intended to step down as Chairman of Compass Group PLC at the next Annual General Meeting, Compass Group today announces the appointment of Paul Walsh as a Non-Executive Director of the Company from 1 January 2014. He will become Non-Executive Chairman at the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting on 6 February 2014. 

Paul’s executive career has been with Diageo PLC, where he has been Chief Executive since 2000. Prior to that position, he held a number of senior executive roles, at Diageo in the UK and North America. Paul is currently a Non-Executive Director of FedEx Corporation, Unilever PLC and Avanti Communications Group PLC. He has previously been a member of the boards of Centrica PLC, General Mills, Inc. and Ceridian Corporation.

Commenting on the prospective appointment, Sir Ian Robinson, Senior Independent Director of Compass, said: “I’m pleased to welcome Paul to the Board. His experience leading one of the UK’s largest international companies through a period of significant global expansion makes him an excellent choice, and we look forward to his valuable contribution to the business. On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Sir Roy for his stewardship of Compass over the last seven and a half years, which have seen considerable returns to shareholders. I wish him every success for the future.” 

Paul Walsh said: “I’m delighted to have this exciting opportunity at such a world class company. I look forward to working with Richard Cousins and my new colleagues on the Board and to making a significant contribution to the business.” 

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