Compass Group Announces Executive Appointments.

CHARLOTTE, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 23, 1999--

Francis Mackay Named Executive Chairman of

Compass Group PLC, Michael Bailey Named Chief Executive of Compass

Group PLC, Gary Green Named Chief Executive of Compass Group, North

American Division

Michael Bailey, Chief Executive Officer of Compass Group, North American Division will become Chief Executive of Compass Group PLC on July 1.

Gary Green, Chief Financial Officer of the North American Division, will succeed Bailey as Chief Executive Officer of the North American Division.

Bailey is succeeding Francis Mackay as Chief Executive of Compass Group PLC. Mackay will become Executive Chairman of Compass Group PLC on July 1. John Thomson will retire as Chairman at the Annual General Meeting next February, and will continue until then as a non-executive director.

Green has been Chief Financial Officer of Compass Group, North American Division since 1994. He joined Compass Group in 1986 and has worked in senior operations and finance roles in both the UK and USA, including managing director of the business and industry sector in the UK. He is a fellow of the Hotel and Catering International Management Association.

"It's personally rewarding to see the success of our strategy developed over these past five years, as we come away with a year of record sales and business growth," Green said. "This has to be the most exciting time for Compass Group in North America. Looking ahead, we are in a position to continue our strong growth pace and segment further into new areas such as military and airports. We are very proud of the people we have brought together here at Compass Group."

Green will become a member of the Compass Group Executive Board.

Green's successor as CFO of the North American Division is expected to be announced shortly.

Bailey joined Compass Group in 1993 and since 1994 has been Chief Executive of the North American Division. He and Green were instrumental in developing the strategy that allowed the business to nearly triple sales and profits since 1994. "I am really looking forward to my new role and the challenges it will bring," Bailey said. "Compass Group is a hugely successful business; we have great people, superb brands and excellent market positions on which to build."

Mackay thanked Thomson for his part in the development of the Group. "I am delighted that we were able to fill these important positions from within the Group and in doing so have added yet more strength to the team," Mackay said.

"With the planned retirement of John Thomson, the Board has been considering strengthening of both the Board and the top management team to help us achieve the long-term growth strategy of the Group," Mackay said. "My new role as Chairman will be to develop further the role of the Board to provide the vision, strategic direction and framework for the Group - and to work with Michael Bailey and his top team as he drives the business forward."

Compass Group, North American Division reported more than $2.3 billion in annual revenue in 1998 and employs more than 58,000 people.

For additional information contact Cheryl Webster, Director of Communications, for Compass Group, North American Division at 704.329.4018 or at [e-mail].