Purchase of Own Securities

Compass Group PLC
04 July 2003



                               Compass Group PLC

                    Purchase of own shares for cancellation



Compass Group PLC announces that on 4th July 2003 it purchased for cancellation
600,000 ordinary shares at the price of 337.08 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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