Transaction in Own Shares

Compass Group PLC
17 March 2008

17th March 2008

                               Compass Group PLC


                    Purchase of own shares for cancellation


Compass Group PLC announces that on 17 March 2008 it purchased for cancellation
1,250,000 ordinary shares at a price of 305.433129 pence per share through
Merrill Lynch International.




Enquiries:

Justin Besley              Compass Group PLC        01932 573 000






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