Chairman's AGM Statement

Compass Group PLC
23 February 2000

                                                                              
                                                                              
                               COMPASS GROUP PLC
                           CHAIRMAN'S AGM STATEMENT
                                       
                                       
At the Annual General Meeting today (3pm), the Chairman of Compass Group PLC,
Francis Mackay, will say:

'I am pleased to report that trading in the first four months of the current
year has been in line with our expectations.

'The Group continues to generate significant organic growth in each of its
business divisions.  Contract retention is strong and recent contract gains
include:

  *    the single sourcing to Eurest for all foodservice in Germany by
       Metallgesellschaft - the first ever national catering contract in      
       Germany.  Eurest will work at 27 sites and provide foodservice for     
       20,000 customers.  This initially doubles the size of Eurest's contract
       with Metallgesellschaft to a total turnover of  almost £7m per annum;

  *    the award of a national contract in the USA for Eurest, in combination
       with Canteen Vending, for Gateway.  The contract is for foodservice and
       vending at over 10 sites, with total annual turnover in excess of £4m;

  *    the appointment of Bateman to provide foodservice at the Southend
       Hospital NHS trust (annual turnover in excess of £1.5m);

  *    the award of a 20 year contract at the prestigious Gerbeaud Cafe in
       Budapest;

  *    the appointment for foodservice at the new site for Volkswagen in
       Brussels, with annual turnover in excess of £1.6m;

  *    the extension of the previously announced Microsoft contract in North
       America to include foodservice at their San Jose facility and          
       conference centre, adding in excess of £6m sales to the contract over  
       its initial 5 year period.'


'The Group is in a strong position to maintain its progress in all its
divisions.'


Enquiries:
     
     Andrew Lynch,
     Group Finance Director, Compass Group             [phone]
          
     Cathi Lawrence
     Corporate Communications Director, Compass Group  [phone]
          
     Nick Lyon, Hudson Sandler                         [phone]