Compass Chairman to Step Down

Compass Group PLC Chairman Sir Roy Gardner will retire at the conclusion of the Company's Annual General Meeting in February 2014. The company is appointing an independent search consultancy to commence a search for a successor.

"It has been a privilege to serve as Compass' chairman and to have been part of the strong growth and returns delivered for shareholders," Gardner says. "After more than six years as chairman and with the company strongly placed for the future, I considered it an appropriate time to advise the Board of my intention to step down."

"On behalf of the board, I would like to thank Roy for the significant contribution he has made to the company during his chairmanship," says CEO Richard Cousins. "He has overseen a period of huge change in the Company and the delivery of a significant increase in shareholder value. We wish him every success in the future."

Gardner joined Compass as a non-executive director in October 2005 and he was appointed chairman the following July.