Transaction in Own Shares

Compass Group PLC
18 January 2007



18th January 2007

                               Compass Group PLC



                    Purchase of own shares for cancellation



Compass Group PLC announces that on 18 January 2007 it purchased for
cancellation 700,000 ordinary shares at a price of 311.6132 pence per share
through Merrill Lynch International.





Following the purchase and upon cancellation of these shares, the number of
ordinary shares of Compass Group PLC in issue with voting rights will be
2,046,942,533.





Enquiries:

Justin Besley              Compass Group PLC          01932 573 000




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