Purchase of Own Securities

Compass Group PLC
04 March 2003


4 March 2003


                               Compass Group PLC

                    Purchase of own shares for cancellation


Compass Group PLC announces that on 4 March 2003 it purchased for cancellation
700,000 ordinary shares at a price of 277.964 pence per share through Merrill
Lynch International.


Enquiries:

Cathi Lawrence
Compass Group PLC
01932 573 0000


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