Purchase of Own Securities

Compass Group PLC
25 July 2003

                               Compass Group PLC

                    Purchase of own shares for cancellation


Compass Group PLC announces that on 25th July 2003 it purchased for cancellation
1,000,000 ordinary shares at the price of 342.90 pence per share from Hoare
Govett's affiliate, ABN AMRO Equities (UK) Limited.


Enquiries

Justin Besley           Compass Group PLC              01932 573 000

Jeremy Thompson         ABN AMRO Equities (UK) Ltd     020 7678 8000


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