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Crescent Point Energy

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FY2013 Annual Report · Crescent Point Energy
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Our formula for growth

Annual Report 2013

Contents
Strategic report

01  Compass Group PLC
02   Our regions
04   Our sectors
06   Chairman’s statement
08   Our Board
10   Market perspective
12   Business model
14   Our strategy
20   Acting responsibly
30 
32   Regional reviews
38    Our formula for identifying 

 Chief Executive’s statement

and managing risk

40    Finance Director’s statement

50,000+

Client locations

Corporate governance

Financial statements

Shareholder information

45 

46 

55 

 Index to corporate 
governance
 Governance and Directors’ 
Report
  Directors’ Remuneration 
Report

 Index to financial statements

71 
72  Directors’ responsibilities
73  Auditor’s report
 Consolidated  
75 
financial statements

139  Index to shareholder 

information

140   Shareholder information
142    Notice of Annual  

General Meeting

132   Parent Company  

financial statements

50

Countries 

500,000+

Great people delivering  
great service

4bn+

Meals served a year 

See this Report and our full Corporate 
Responsibility Report online at  
www.compass-group.com/ar13

Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Strategic report  1

Compass Group PLC
We deliver great food  
and support services to 
millions of people around  
the world every day. We  
have a clear and consistent 
formula in place to drive 
sustainable growth.

Revenue

13

12

11

Underlying operating margin

Underlying basic earnings per share

£17,557m

£16,905m

£15,833m

13

12

11

7.1%

6.9%

6.9%

13

12

11

47.7p

42.6p

39.0p

Underlying operating profit
13

£1,265m

Reported profit before tax
£721m
13

Dividends per ordinary share
13

24.0p

12

11

£1,178m

£1,091m

12

11

£789m

£958m

12

11

21.3p

19.3p

2  Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Strategic report

Our regions

With differing opportunities 
and challenges in each 
geographic region, the 
Group’s management 
structure brings an incisive 
focus to each area. 

With around 90% of revenue generated  
outside the UK, Compass is a truly 
international business with operations  
in around 50 countries. The business is 
managed in three regions, with each 
comprising countries that are at similar 
stages of development and display similar 
market dynamics.

North America
£8,150m 47%

Revenue 
(2012: £7,517m)

% of Group revenue 
(2012: 44%)

North America is the core growth engine for the Group. 
We have a market leading business there, which delivers 
excellent levels of growth and steady margin expansion. 
Having first established the business in 1994, we are  
now the 11th largest private sector employer in the USA 
and serve around six million meals a day. 

Find out more on page 32

See page 41 for relevant financial definitions.

  
Our regions

Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Strategic report  3

Europe & Japan
£6,039m 34%

Fast Growing & Emerging
£3,368m  19%

Revenue 
(2012: £6,243m)

% of Group revenue 
(2012: 37%)

Revenue 
(2012: £3,145m)

% of Group revenue 
(2012: 19%)

Our Europe & Japan region covers 23 countries. Despite 
difficult economic conditions in Europe, our teams  
there are doing an excellent job in mitigating the impact 
and we see good medium term growth opportunities 
across the region. We continue to see steady progress  
in our business in Japan. 

The Fast Growing & Emerging region offers excellent 
growth potential and is likely to become a larger part of  
the Group as we expand our presence in these markets. 
Revenue has doubled and profits quadrupled since 2006 
and we are making significant investment in management 
and infrastructure to support our growth.

Find out more on page 34

Find out more on page 36

See page 41 for relevant financial definitions.

  
  
4  Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Strategic report

 Our sectors

Our sectorised 
approach is a key 
differentiator. In 
recognition that each 
sector has specific 
requirements, we 
assign specialists  
to drive tailor made 
solutions and 
operating efficiency. 

For consumers, this 
means quicker access 
to sector focused best 
practices and market 
leading innovations 
that are delivered  
by our teams, from 
award winning  
chefs to service 
practice experts. 

Business  
& Industry

Education

We provide a choice of quality, nutritious 
and well balanced food for employees 
during their working day. In addition, where 
clients seek broader service offerings, the 
Compass Service Framework enables us  
to deliver a range of support services to the 
highest standard, at the best value, on an 
international scale.

From kindergarten to college, we provide 
fun, nutritious dining solutions that help 
support academic achievement at  
the highest levels. Our simple set of 
commitments – Eat, Learn, Live – helps  
us to educate young people about how  
to have a happy, safe and healthy lifestyle 
while contributing to a sustainable world. 

Major sector brands

Major sector brands

 41%Group revenue 

(2012: 42%)

 16%Group revenue 

(2012: 16%)

 Our sectors

Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Strategic report  5

Healthcare 
& Seniors

We are specialists in helping hospitals in  
the public and private sectors on their 
journey of managing efficiency and 
enhancing quality across a range of 
services. With a significant presence in  
the growing senior living market, we also 
provide services to residential homes and 
home meal delivery services.

Sports 
& Leisure

Operating at some of the world’s most 
prestigious sporting and leisure venues, 
exhibition centres, visitor attractions and 
major events, we have an enviable 
reputation for providing outstanding 
hospitality and true service excellence.

Defence, Offshore  
& Remote

Through our established health and  
safety culture, we are a market leader  
in providing food and support services  
to major companies in the oil and gas  
and mining and construction industries, 
operating in some of the most demanding 
environments in the world. For our defence 
sector clients, we are a partner who  
meets the challenges of running efficient 
operations outside areas of conflict.

Major sector brands

Major sector brands

Major sector brands

 20%Group revenue 

(2012: 19%)

 10%Group revenue 

(2012: 10%)

 13%Group revenue 

(2012: 13%)

6  Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Strategic report

Chairman’s statement

Our formula 
for success

Thanks to the dedication of our 
people, we have grown stronger  
as a company, delivering consistent 
results and creating substantial 
value for our shareholders.

30

1 year 11.8%

2 years

3 years

37.1%

43.8%

Position in FTSE 100 Index as at  
30 September 2013 (2012: 32)

Compass share price performance  
vs FTSE 100 Index over the last 3 years

Share price

Compass Group share price performance vs the FTSE 100 Index

2012 

2013

950

900

850

800

750

700

650

600

 S  

O 

N 

D 

J 

F 

M 

A 

M 

J 

J 

A  

S

FTSE (rebased) 

Compass

FTSE 100 has been rebased to the Compass Group share price on 
28 September 2012 (683.50p) 

Our values 
Openness, trust  
and integrity
Passion for quality
Win through teamwork
Can do safely
Responsibility

 
 
 
 
Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Strategic report  7

I am delighted to report, in what is my last Chairman’s statement  
for Compass, another successful year in which we have grown revenue 
and operating profit, delivering a margin of over 7% for the first time. 
This is a remarkable achievement and I am immensely proud of the 
hard work and commitment shown by my colleagues around  
the Group.

Since I joined Compass in 2005, we have faced some extraordinary 
challenges. We first rebuilt the foundations of the business on a 
stronger and more sustainable footing, putting the creation of 
shareholder value as our priority. We implemented new governance 
processes and took positive action to rebuild our reputation. We exited 
non-core businesses and countries to bring a greater focus and 
discipline to our growth. Our management team, led by Group Chief 
Executive Richard Cousins, put in place a consistent, and now proven, 
strategy with food at our core allied to a growing support services 
business, recognising the attractive structural growth opportunities  
of each. Our business model is robust. The Management and 
Performance (MAP) framework introduced process and efficiency and 
continues to be a key element of our success. Over the years, we have 
faced significant economic challenges but, thanks in large part to the 
dedication of our people, we have grown stronger as a company, 
delivering consistent results and creating substantial value for our 
Shareholders. As I prepare to hand over the Chairmanship to my 
successor, Paul Walsh, I am confident that I am leaving the business  
in very good shape.

Commitment to corporate responsibility
Corporate responsibility underpins our business, driving our decisions 
and enabling us to achieve our strategic goals in a responsible and 
sustainable way. The Board is fully committed to the integration of 
corporate responsibility across the Group and a focus on broader  
social and environmental issues to benefit the communities in which  
we operate. Our teams around the Group work hard to continuously 
enhance the positive contribution we make. We focus on the 
responsible use of resources, the health and wellbeing of our 
consumers and on creating opportunities for greater engagement  
with local communities. 

Since we started our corporate responsibility journey in 2007, we  
have seen continued improvement in our performance. Details of  
our progress can be found on pages 20 to 25.

Shareholder returns
I am proud of the significant value we have created for our 
Shareholders. Since 2005, Compass has delivered a total return  
of 455% to our Shareholders, well above the 66% for the FTSE 100  
as a whole.

We remain committed to a progressive dividend policy and this year  
the Board is proposing a final dividend of 16.0 pence for payment on  
24 February 2014. This brings our total dividend for 2013 to 24.0 pence,  
a year on year increase of 12.7%.

In addition to this, the confidence we have in our future performance 
and our current investment requirements mean we are able to drive 
greater efficiency into the balance sheet with a further share buyback  
of £500 million, which we expect to complete in the 2014 calendar year. 
Separately, the current £400 million share buyback programme remains 
on track to complete before the 2013 calendar year end. 

Leadership
During the year, James Crosby stepped down from the Board and  
Sir Ian Robinson was appointed both Senior Independent Director  
and Chairman of the Remuneration Committee. Sir Ian has been a  
Non-Executive Director of Compass since December 2006 and has 
brought a wealth of experience to the Board. 

I am also delighted to welcome Paul Walsh to the Group as my 
successor. Paul will join as a Non-Executive Director from 1 January 
2014 and will become Non-Executive Chairman at the conclusion  
of the Annual General Meeting on 6 February 2014.

Paul has had an extensive career, most recently as Chief Executive 
Officer of Diageo plc. His experience leading one of the UK’s largest 
international companies through a period of significant global expansion 
makes him an excellent addition to our Board and I wish him every 
success in his role as Chairman of Compass.

Our Board is supported by the Group’s Executive Board, led by our 
Group Chief Executive Richard Cousins and by strong leadership teams 
across our geographies. We have worked hard to put in place effective 
succession and development programmes and the continued strong 
results we have achieved are testament to these efforts. 

Our people
Over the years I have spent as Chairman of Compass, it has been my 
privilege to meet many of our people across the world. I have been 
consistently impressed by the quality and commitment of our teams. 
Our people are a key element of our formula for success and, on behalf 
of the Board, I would like to thank them for their continued dedication 
and add my personal thanks for what we have achieved together. 

Summary and outlook
Compass has had a good year, delivering solid organic revenue growth 
and a 20 basis point increase in the Group operating margin, which  
is now over 7% for the first time. North America and Fast Growing  
& Emerging, which account for two thirds of Group revenue, have 
grown strongly and our operating margin in North America has 
remained above 8%. Looking ahead to next year, the pipeline of  
new contracts is encouraging and we expect to see further good 
performances in these regions. We anticipate economic conditions  
in Europe & Japan will remain challenging. However, the actions we  
are taking give us confidence in another year of delivery.

We remain very positive about the opportunities to grow the business 
and we are well placed to capitalise on the significant structural growth 
potential in both food and support services globally. We also expect to 
deliver further cost efficiencies which will help to support future growth 
and enable us to make further progress in the operating margin. As a 
result, we remain confident in our ability to continue to create significant 
value for our Shareholders.

Sir Roy Gardner 
Chairman 
27 November 2013

8  Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Strategic report

Our Board

  1

  2

  4

  3

  5

1  Sir Roy Gardner 
Chairman (Age 68)

2  Richard Cousins
Group Chief Executive (Age 54)

3  Dominic Blakemore
Group Finance Director (Age 44)

Appointment Joined as Non-Executive Director  
in October 2005. Appointed Chairman in July 2006.

Appointment Appointed Group Chief Executive  
in May 2006.

Committee membership Nomination (Chairman), 
Corporate Responsibility. 

Committee membership Corporate Responsibility, 
Executive Board, General Business and Nomination.

Skills and previous experience Sir Roy was 
formerly Chief Executive of Centrica plc, Chairman  
of Plymouth Argyle Football Club, Manchester United 
plc and Connaught plc and a Director of British Gas 
plc, GEC-Marconi Ltd, GEC plc and Laporte plc.  
He was also Chairman of the British Olympics 
Appeal Committee for the Beijing Games 2008.

Current external appointments Senior Advisor  
to Credit Suisse, Non-Executive Director of Willis 
Group Holdings plc, Chairman of Mainstream 
Renewable Power Limited, Chairman of the Advisory 
Board of the Energy Futures Lab of Imperial College 
London, President of Carers UK, Chairman of the 
Apprenticeship Ambassadors Network and 
Chairman of EnServe Group Limited. Director of 
Mastpoint Ltd, R.A.G. Associates Limited, Ayot 
Nominees Limited, Companion of the Institute of 
Management and Advisor to Antin Infrastructure 
Partners. Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society 
and Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.

Skills and previous experience Richard spent  
six years as Chief Executive Officer of BPB plc, 
having previously held a number of positions with 
that company. His earlier career was with Cadbury 
Schweppes plc and BTR plc. He is also a former 
Non-Executive Director of P & O plc and HBOS plc.

Current external appointments Non-Executive 
Director of Reckitt Benckiser Group plc and Member 
of the Advisory Board of Lancaster University 
Business School.

4  Gary Green 
Group Chief Operating Officer,  
North America (Age 56)

Appointment Appointed to the Board in April 2007.  
Gary became Group Chief Operating Officer,  
North America in April 2012.

Committee membership Executive Board and 
General Business.

Skills and previous experience Gary is a 
Chartered Accountant and in 2001 received an 
honorary doctorate from Johnson & Wales University 
in the USA. Gary joined the Group in 1986 in a  
senior finance role in the UK and became a UK 
Director in 1992. He relocated to the USA in 1994  
as Chief Finance Officer of the Group’s North 
American business and in 1999 became Chief 
Executive Officer. 

Current external appointments None.

Appointment Joined the Board in February 2012 
and was appointed as Group Finance Director in 
April 2012.

Committee membership Corporate 
Responsibility, Disclosure, Executive Board and 
General Business.

Skills and previous experience Former Chief 
Financial Officer of Iglo Foods Group Limited, which 
Dominic joined from Cadbury Plc, where he was 
European Finance & Strategy Director, having 
previously held senior finance roles as Corporate 
Finance Director and Group Financial Controller. 
Prior to joining Cadbury Plc, Dominic was a Director 
at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.

Current external appointments Non-Executive 
Director of Shire plc (effective 1 January 2014).

5  Andrew Martin
Group Chief Operating Officer,  
Europe & Japan (Age 53)

Appointment Appointed as Group Finance Director 
in March 2004 and became Group Chief Operating 
Officer, Europe & Japan in April 2012.

Committee membership Executive Board and 
General Business.

Skills and previous experience Associate of the 
Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and 
Wales and an Associate of the Chartered Institute of 
Taxation. Andrew was formerly Finance Director of 
First Choice Holidays PLC. He also previously held 
senior financial positions with Forte Plc and Granada 
Group PLC and was a partner with Arthur Andersen.

Current external appointments Non-Executive 
Director of easyJet plc.

Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Strategic report  9

  6

  9

  7

  8

10

6  John Bason 
Non-Executive Director (Age 56)

7  Susan Murray
Non-Executive Director (Age 56)

8  Don Robert
Non-Executive Director (Age 54)

Appointment Appointed to the Board in May 2009.

Committee membership Audit, Corporate 
Responsibility, Nomination and Remuneration.

Skills and previous experience Don was  
formerly Chairman of the Consumer Data Industry 
Association and previously held positions with  
First American Corporation, Credco, Inc. and  
US Bancorp.

Current external appointments Chief Executive 
Officer of Experian plc. He is also a Trustee of the 
Education and Employers Taskforce.

Appointment Appointed to the Board in June 2011.

Committee membership Audit (Chairman), 
Corporate Responsibility, Nomination and 
Remuneration.

Skills and previous experience Member of  
the Institute of Chartered Accountants. John was 
previously Finance Director of Bunzl plc. 

Current external appointments Finance Director 
of Associated British Foods plc, Trustee of Voluntary 
Service Overseas and Deputy Chairman of the 
charity FareShare.

9  Sir Ian Robinson
Senior Independent Non-Executive 
Director (Age 71)

Appointment Appointed to the Board in  
December 2006.

Committee membership Remuneration 
(Chairman), Audit, Corporate Responsibility  
and Nomination.

Skills and previous experience Sir Ian is a former 
Chairman of Ladbrokes plc, Hilton Group plc and 
Amey plc, and a former Chief Executive of Scottish 
Power plc. He is a former Non-Executive Director of 
ASDA plc, RMC plc, Scottish & Newcastle plc and 
Siemens Holdings plc. 

Current external appointments Member  
of the Takeover Panel and Fellow of the Royal 
Academy of Engineers. 

Appointment Appointed to the Board in  
October 2007.

Committee membership Corporate Responsibility 
(Chairman), Audit, Nomination and Remuneration.

Skills and previous experience Susan is  
a former Non-Executive Director of Aberdeen Asset 
Management PLC, SSL International PLC and Wm 
Morrison Supermarkets PLC, and former Chief 
Executive of Littlewoods Stores Limited. She is also 
former Worldwide President and Chief Executive of 
The Pierre Smirnoff Company, part of Diageo plc, 
and a former Council Member of the Advertising 
Standards Authority.

Current external appointments Non-Executive 
Chairman of Farrow & Ball and a Non-Executive 
Director of Pernod Ricard S.A., Enterprise Inns Plc 
and Imperial Tobacco PLC. Fellow of the Royal 
Society of Arts.

10  Mark White
General Counsel and Company Secretary 
(Age 53)

Appointment Joined the Group as General 
Counsel and Company Secretary in June 2007.

Committee membership Corporate Responsibility 
and Executive Board. Secretary to Audit, General 
Business, Nomination and Remuneration. Mark  
is also a Trustee of the Compass Pension Plan and 
the Compass Retirement Income Savings Plan. 

Skills and previous experience Mark is a Solicitor.  
He was previously Group Company Secretary and 
General Counsel of Wolseley plc and Company 
Secretary of Enterprise Oil plc and Rotork plc.

Current external appointments Member of the 
Upper Tribunal, Tax and Chancery Chamber.

10  Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Strategic report

Market perspective

Our view

The growth potential in the outsourced food and support services 
markets is a key driver. Our global reach, local and sector knowledge 
and world class service capability allow us to help clients achieve 
greater efficiency whilst ensuring the highest quality of service. 

Our view

Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Strategic report  11

£400bn+

Combined size of addressable food and  
support services markets

<50%

Proportion of food service market 
currently outsourced

Outsourcing penetration rates for addressable food and support services markets

Food service 
1  Outsourced
2  Self operated

Support services
1  Outsourced
2  Self operated

1

2

2

1

Compass provides outsourced food and support services. The 
estimated size of the food service market is around £200 billion and 
currently less than 50% is outsourced. The support services market is 
much larger and equally under penetrated. Both are highly fragmented 
markets offering significant growth opportunities. For example, 
international companies like us are believed to comprise less than  
20% of the total food service market and much less in the support 
services arena. 

As an international business with high standards of health and safety 
and service excellence, we are winning more and more business with 
organisations that are choosing to take advantage of the quality and 
cost benefits we can bring to them, whilst allowing them to fully focus 
on running their own operations. The majority of our new business is 
derived from first time outsourcing and small, regional players, with only 
a small proportion coming from other large competitors. With over 80% 
of the food service market either self operated or outsourced to these 
small, regional service providers, this is an attractive feature of our 
business and the potential for growth is significant. 

In the Fast Growing & Emerging region, the strong economic growth 
and the resultant emergence of a new middle class offer exciting 
opportunities for Compass to grow as both local and international 
organisations look to established partners to meet their food and 
support service needs. We estimate that the total food service market 
in this region is just under £60 billion and less than 30% is outsourced. 
An exciting opportunity, but one we will approach in a measured way. 
We are therefore investing in management and processes to support 
sustainable and disciplined growth.

We see opportunities for growth across all the sectors in which we 
operate, most significantly in Healthcare & Seniors and Education, 
which have a combined global market value of about £95 billion.  
The relatively low outsourced penetration rates in these sectors are 
particularly attractive and we believe that, as economic conditions 
continue to put pressure on the public and private sectors, the benefits 
of outsourcing will become ever more apparent. Our largest sector, 
Business & Industry, is the most outsourced but continues to grow  
and provides excellent potential globally. 

Numbers relating to market size and penetration rates are based 
on management estimates and a range of external data.

12  Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Strategic report

Business model

Our formula for growth

Everyone in Compass is committed to consistently delivering 
superior service in the most efficient way, for the shared benefit  
of our customers, shareholders and employees. 

a

O r g
Provid

n i c   r evenue growth 
e  

In

n

o

v

a

t

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Our 
people

C
o
m

p
e

t

i

t

i

v

e

a

d

P

r

e

p

are

v

a

ntage

s
e
i
c
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S ource

  O p erating effi cie

 
 
 
Our formula for growth

Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Strategic report  13

4.3%

Organic revenue growth 
(2012: 5.4%)

7.1%

Underlying operating margin 
(2012: 6.9%)

 12.7%

Dividend per share growth  
(2012: 10.4%)

Our virtuous circle 

Organic revenue growth

Operating efficiencies

Our core focus is on organic growth. We have a strong sales  
culture across the Group and we work hard to satisfy and retain  
our customers. Our geographic spread and the dynamic markets  
we operate in mean there are plenty of opportunities to continue  
to grow organically. 

As we grow, we can take advantage of our scale in processes such  
as procurement and in operational synergies. The relentless focus on 
efficiencies that our Management and Performance (MAP) framework 
drives enables us to deliver margin improvement as well as to reinvest in 
our business and in the exciting opportunities across our three regions. 

  Find out more on page 16

  Find out more on page 19

Competitive advantage

Our people

This, in turn, improves competitiveness, helping us to achieve our  
goal of being the lowest cost, most efficient provider of quality food  
and support services; which brings us back to the beginning of the 
circle, helping us to drive further organic growth (see our KPIs on  
pages 14 and 15). 

Our people are at the heart of delivering excellent service to our 
customers and achieving our objectives. We want the best people,  
who share our values, to join Compass, develop themselves and their 
careers with us and contribute to and share in our success. 

  Find out more on page 26

  Find out more on page 29

How we deliver

Innovate

  See Our CR commitments and progress on pages 22 to 25

Source

Innovation is integral to our business. We are constantly striving  
to improve what we do, from more efficient and sustainable ways  
of sourcing to maintaining and enhancing best practice standards.  
This gives our clients and consumers greater choice and the highest 
level of service. 

We source from a range of local, national and international growers  
and distributors. The people we buy from undergo a robust quality 
assurance process to ensure that the ingredients we use are of the 
highest quality. We can trace our products through each stage of the 
supply chain, giving us detailed information on their provenance. 

Prepare

Provide

Health and safety is our number one operational priority and we are 
committed to the highest standards of food hygiene and safe working 
practices. When food arrives at one of our more than 50,000 locations, 
it is prepared by our highly trained and qualified employees. 

Millions of people around the world rely on us every day to provide their 
breakfasts, lunches and dinners, as well as keeping their environments 
clean and secure. Our delivery model in both food and support services 
is based on self performance, meaning that wherever possible, it is our 
people looking after our clients’ people. 

  
  
  
  
14  Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Strategic report

Our strategy

Our formula for delivery
Disciplined growth + Operating efficiencies 

Our core focus is on delivering 
sustainable shareholder value 
from the provision of food service 
to the growing outsourced market. 
In addition to this, we continue to 
build a strong capability in support 
and multi services. Our principal 
aim is to grow organically and with 
discipline. We supplement this 
growth with small infill acquisitions 
where they deliver new expertise 
or help to build scale in our  
existing geographies. 

Focus 
on food

Food is our core business and from where 
we derive three quarters of our annual 
revenue. From kindergarten to university, 
at your workplace, helping you celebrate 
special occasions and sporting triumphs 
as well as looking after you when you’re ill, 
Compass is there to provide high quality, 
nutritious and well balanced meals to 
meet your needs. Our teams of award 
winning chefs, nutritional and health  
and safety experts allow our clients to 
focus on their own business needs by 
outsourcing this responsibility to us,  
and our size and experience allow us  
to help them save money. The structural 
opportunity in the outsourced market  
is a key growth driver (see page 10). 

Growing  
support and  
multi services

Support and multi services (where we 
provide food and a range of support 
services) are also an important part of  
our business. Our strategy differs by 
country and by sector where attitudes  
to support services vary significantly. We 
are therefore increasing our capabilities  
in an incremental and low risk way on a 
country by country basis. The concept  
of multi services is most developed in  
the Defence, Offshore & Remote sector 
where we have provided these services 
for nearly 20 years. We also see exciting 
opportunities in Healthcare & Seniors, 
Business & Industry and Education.  
Our focus is on soft support services  
such as cleaning, reception and some 
building maintenance. 

= Sustainable shareholder value

How we  
drive organic 
growth

MAP 1: Client sales and marketing 
We are investing more and more in our sales teams, driving innovation and quality through 
process and training. Even in countries where we have faced economic challenges, such  
as in Europe, we have achieved strong new business growth. Our Strategic Alliance Group, 
which focuses on retaining existing clients, is being rolled out across the Group and is gaining 
real traction. MAP 1 is fundamental to our business and we have an exciting pipeline of 
opportunities ahead. 

MAP 2: Consumer sales and marketing

We continuously strive for innovation in our consumer offers and invest in training to drive service excellence. A significant contributor 

to like for like volume, a key constituent of organic growth, is the number of people at a client’s site. This reflects macro economic 

conditions and, in particular, employment levels. Whilst we have no influence on the macro economy, we work hard to attract and 

satisfy our customer base with strong consumer propositions, intelligent marketing, retail skills and attractive pricing.

How we 
deliver 
efficiencies

MAP 3: Cost of food 
Food makes up around one third of our costs. In addition to the benefits of our purchasing 
scale, we are able to manage the cost of food by careful menu management and through 
rationalising the number of products we buy and the suppliers we buy from. This has helped 
us to mitigate some food price inflation. 

MAP 4: In unit costs

MAP 5: Above unit overheads

In unit costs are made up predominantly of labour. We focus on 

Having reduced costs considerably when MAP was first  

getting the right people in the right place at the right time. By using 

introduced by creating a simpler organisational model with fewer 

labour scheduling techniques and improving productivity, we are 

layers of management and less bureaucracy, we now strive to 

able to deliver the right level of service in the most efficient way.

leverage those gains by maintaining costs at a constant level whilst 

still growing revenue. 

Key 
performance 
indicators

 4.3%

 7.1%

Organic revenue growth 
(2012: 5.4%)

Underlying operating margin 
(2012: 6.9%)

Disciplined growth + Operating efficiencies 

= Sustainable shareholder value

Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Strategic report  15

Geographic spread, 
fast growing and 
emerging markets

Organic growth, 
supplemented by 
infill acquisitions

Our international presence across about 
50 countries gives us a good geographical 
mix and diversifies our revenue sources.  
It also allows us to serve multinational 
businesses, ensuring consistency of 
quality, service and standards across  
their organisations. Our presence in fast 
growing and emerging markets has grown 
significantly and we expect this region to 
become a larger part of the Group over 
time. Demographics and underpenetrated 
outsourcing markets (see page 10), we 
believe, will support continued and 
sustainable growth. 

The main engine of growth is organic. 
Allied to this, we have a disciplined 
acquisition strategy and will make small  
to medium sized infill acquisitions in food 
or support services where they add either  
capability or scale in our existing markets. 
People are essential to what we do and 
we have an excellent track record of 
retaining management teams from 
acquired companies. Acquisitions need  
to make financial, as well as strategic, 
sense and we expect to achieve returns  
in excess of our cost of capital by the end 
of year two of ownership. 

Ongoing drive  
for efficiencies

The drive for efficiencies has become a 
culture of the business and one that we 
believe will be a constant in the ongoing 
ethos of Compass. Over the last seven 
years, we have increased the Group 
margin by 270 basis points through the 
application of our MAP framework.  
These efficiencies enable us both to 
progress the margin and to reinvest  
in the significant growth opportunities 
around the Group. In addition, the strong 
cash flow this generates supports our 
progressive dividend policy and the 
significant shareholder value we expect  
to continue to deliver. 

MAP 2: Consumer sales and marketing
We continuously strive for innovation in our consumer offers and invest in training to drive service excellence. A significant contributor 
to like for like volume, a key constituent of organic growth, is the number of people at a client’s site. This reflects macro economic 
conditions and, in particular, employment levels. Whilst we have no influence on the macro economy, we work hard to attract and 
satisfy our customer base with strong consumer propositions, intelligent marketing, retail skills and attractive pricing.

MAP 4: In unit costs
In unit costs are made up predominantly of labour. We focus on 
getting the right people in the right place at the right time. By using 
labour scheduling techniques and improving productivity, we are 
able to deliver the right level of service in the most efficient way.

MAP 5: Above unit overheads
Having reduced costs considerably when MAP was first  
introduced by creating a simpler organisational model with fewer 
layers of management and less bureaucracy, we now strive to 
leverage those gains by maintaining costs at a constant level whilst 
still growing revenue. 

£834m

Underlying free cash flow 
(2012: £760m)

 19.1%

47.7p

Return on capital employed 
(2012: 18.2%)

Underlying basic earnings per share 
(2012: 42.6p)

MAP 1: Client sales and marketing 

We are investing more and more in our sales teams, driving innovation and quality through 

process and training. Even in countries where we have faced economic challenges, such  

as in Europe, we have achieved strong new business growth. Our Strategic Alliance Group, 

which focuses on retaining existing clients, is being rolled out across the Group and is gaining 

real traction. MAP 1 is fundamental to our business and we have an exciting pipeline of 

opportunities ahead. 

MAP 3: Cost of food 

Food makes up around one third of our costs. In addition to the benefits of our purchasing 

scale, we are able to manage the cost of food by careful menu management and through 

rationalising the number of products we buy and the suppliers we buy from. This has helped 

us to mitigate some food price inflation. 

16  Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Strategic report

Organic revenue growth + Operating efficiencies + Competitive advantage + Our people

Organic  
revenue growth

Organic revenue is the foundation of our strategy 
 to deliver sustainable growth. It is generated from 
 winning new contracts, retaining existing  
clients and increasing consumer participation  
and spend in our restaurants. 

Winning new business is a clear strength for Compass and, as the trend to 
 outsourcing accelerates around the world, we see exciting opportunities in all of 
 our regions and sectors. Through the Strategic Alliance Group (SAG), our best 
 practice retention model originally developed in the US, our retention rate remains 
high, and we continue to provide clients and consumers with award winning innovation 
and service. We will maintain our focus on disciplined and intelligent growth.

Retention of contracts is critical to the overall health of our business and the  
SAG model continues to be rolled out around the world. It is a semi-independent 
 team that is dedicated solely to retention. They take a pre-emptive approach;  
firstly, by interviewing clients to determine how we can improve our quality and 
 service and, secondly, by proactively renegotiating contracts. Being a standalone 
 team gives them the independence to receive honest feedback from clients  
and their operational experience means that they are trusted by our managers. 
 Where we’ve adopted this model, we’ve seen consistent improvement and we’re 
 confident that its ongoing adoption will result in a better underlying retention rate  
for the Group overall. For example, since the implementation of SAG,  
our Japanese business has seen its retention rate improve to 96% in 2013.

Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Strategic report  17

18  Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Strategic report

Organic revenue growth + Operating efficiencies + Competitive advantage + Our people

Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Strategic report  19

Operating 
efficiencies

Our success relies on us delivering the  
highest standards of quality and  
performance, whilst constantly driving  
to be the most efficient provider. 

We generate savings through adopting a more systematic approach to our  
supply chain and better managing our labour and above unit overheads.  
We control our food costs by leveraging our scale and retaining discipline in our  
supplier and product base. We improve our labour productivity through better 
scheduling and planning, making us a more competitive business. As a result,  
we’re able to reinvest in the Group and drive organic revenue growth,  
as well as delivering good levels of margin progression. 

Ensuring that the necessary supplies reach our 50,000+ locations means that logistics 
is a significant part of our cost base. Reducing the amount of food miles within our 
business makes sense from both a commercial and environmental perspective. It not 
only reduces complexity and cost, but it also ensures that our business has a more 
positive impact on the environment. Across the Group, we are successfully 
implementing improved logistics models to reduce the amount of deliveries required  
to each location on a daily basis, as well as consolidating volume with single providers. 
For example, through reducing the number of delivery companies we use, our 
businesses in Spain and the Netherlands have generated a combined reduction  
of over 1.5 million litres of diesel and 4,500 tonnes of CO2 emissions during the year.  
In the UK, our Green and Simple initiative has cut over 300,000 deliveries from  
our supply route per year, equivalent to nearly 6 million kilometres, winning us the 
Footprint Award for Environmentally Friendly Logistics in 2013.

20  Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Strategic report

Acting responsibly

Our responsibilities

The Group’s strategy determines our corporate responsibility (CR) 
approach and progressively we are improving the business operating 
model to reflect more sustainable practices. CR is well established 
within our overall strategy of sustained growth whilst providing the 
highest quality of service to our customers.

 119,874

Total GHG Emissions 
Tonnes CO2e: Scope 1 & 2 
(2012: 123,630)

 7.3

GHG Intensity Ratio 
Tonnes CO2e/£m revenue: Scope 1 & 2 
(2012: 7.8)

 6%reduction

GHG Intensity 
(2013 vs 2012)

Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil

Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Strategic report  21

Find out more... 
We include detailed performance statistics and targets, case studies, activities  
and our global policies on our CR site at www.compass-group.com/cr13  
or view a summary on pages 22 to 25 of this Report.

Our environmental performance
We have calculated our GHG emissions for  
10 baseline countries since 2008. In 2010,  
we added a further 10 countries to the  
reporting (in total representing 93% of Group 
revenue). Compared to 2012, emissions for  
the 10 baseline countries decreased by 2%,  
and including the additional countries by 3%.

 Baseline countries

 Additional countries (since 2010)

 GHG intensity

y
t
i
t
n
a
u
Q
G
H
G

)
s
0
0
0

(
)

e
2
O
C

t
(

140

120

100

80

60

40

20

0

7.9

7.8

7.7

7.6

7.5

7.4

7.3

7.2

7.1

y
t
i
s
n
e
t
n

I

G
H
G

)

e
u
n
e
v
e
r

m
£
/
e
2
O
C

t
(

08

09

10

11

12

13

Adopting responsible practices across our global operations, with 
particular focus on four core areas (Our People, Wellbeing, Responsible 
Sourcing and the Environment), places CR at the heart of our business 
practices and consumer proposition. 

Our aim is to continuously improve the positive contribution we make 
through the delivery of our services by the responsible use of resources, 
the health and wellbeing of our consumers and employees, and the 
opportunities that we create in local communities. As a result, Compass 
is more cost efficient with a strong corporate reputation, which benefits 
all our stakeholders.

We operate in around 50 geographically diverse markets, each with 
different CR opportunities and challenges. To promote positive change 
in our performance across these markets, we are progressively 
embedding CR practices throughout the Group using our Small Steps, 
Big Difference framework, which clearly defines the steps we wish our 
businesses to implement along their CR journey. 

Our progress
Over the past year, we have made good progress against our CR 
commitments with additional focus on: supply chain assurance; 
reporting on environmental performance and employee diversity;  
and human rights. 

Supply chain assurance
The security and assurance of our supply chain is important to  
us. Over the past year, we have refreshed our global supply chain 
standards to place greater emphasis on the visibility and assurance  
of our supply base, as well as improve product traceability. The 
refreshed standards are being progressively rolled out across all  
the markets in which we operate. 

Performance reporting
During 2013, we enhanced the scope of our environmental 
performance and employee diversity reporting to meet the new  
UK mandatory reporting requirements.

Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions
This year’s GHG emissions data has been calculated using the 2013  
set of conversion factors provided by the UK Government. Subsequent 
years’ emissions reporting will be based on the annually revised set of 
factors. Based on these conversion factors, the Group’s total GHG 
emissions for its operations as at 30 September 2013 were: 

Employee diversity 
Our people are instrumental to our success; we respect and value the 
individuality and diversity that every employee brings to the business. 
We base our relationship with our employees on respect for the  
dignity of the individual and seek to create a positive, open working 
environment wherever we operate. As at 30 September 2013, 225,728 
of our global workforce of 506,699 employees were male and 280,971 
female. Of these, 723 were senior managers (541 male, 182 female), 
which include members of our global leadership team and individuals 
who are statutory directors of the corporate entities whose financial 
information is included in the Group’s 2013 consolidated accounts in 
this Annual Report. In terms of the Company’s Board of Directors, there 
were nine Directors, eight of whom were male and one female. Prior to 
any appointment to the Board, the Nomination Committee gives due 
regard to diversity and gender with a view to appointing the best placed 
individual for the role (see pages 8 and 9 to view biographies of the 
members of the Board). 

Human rights 
Our employee policies are set locally to comply with local law within an 
overall Group framework. Our Code of Ethics sets out clear standards 
of behaviour that we expect all of our people to demonstrate and 
adhere to. The Code of Ethics, which is part of our Code of Business 
Conduct, underpins our social, ethical and environmental commitments 
and sends a clear message to our stakeholders of our commitment to 
responsible business practice. The ten principles of the United Nations 
(UN) Global Compact, to which we are a signatory, underpin our own 
Code of Ethics. This UN initiative encourages companies to make 
human rights, labour standards, environmental responsibility and 
anti-corruption part of their business agenda. Our annual Communication 
on Progress can be viewed at www.unglobalcompact.org.

We also consider the concerns of wider communities where we 
operate, including national and local interests, using our expertise to 
help contribute to the wellbeing of communities. Compass supports the 
rights of all people as set out in the UN Universal Declaration of Human 
Rights, and gives careful consideration before doing any business in 
countries that do not adhere to the UN Declaration. 

2012-2013 CR performance and targets
Our Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) relate to the business strategy 
and measure the sustainable development of our business. See pages 
22 to 25 to view our performance against 2012-2013 targets.

GHG Emissions by Scope Unit
Scope 1 
Scope 2 
Scope 1 & 2 Intensity

Tonnes CO2e
Tonnes CO2e
Tonnes CO2e/£m revenue 7.3

Quantity
109,094
10,780

 
 
 
 
22  Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Strategic report

Our CR commitments and progress

Basis for consolidation:
 • Top 20 countries represent 93% of total Group revenue
 • All KPIs relate to performance across our top 20 countries unless 

highlighted with * which relate to our global performance

Innovate

Wellbeing 

Source

Key Performance Indicator

Improvement in the total number of operating sites 
providing Balanced Choices (or equivalent healthy eating 
programme) to their consumers

NEW % of operating sites offering nutritional advice to 
consumers

NEW % of countries operating a sugar, salt and fat 
reduction programme

Target achieved

 Target remains  
work in progress

2012-2013  
Target

Report % improvement

2012-2013 
Performance

Supply chain assurance 
and ethical sourcing

Improvement in the number of countries implementing  
the Compass Supplier Assurance Standard

100% implementation by 
September 2013

We have made good progress with all of our top 20 countries having 

implemented the Standard.

NEW % of countries adopting our global Supply Chain 
Standards

NEW % of countries with programmes in place to support:

•	 sustainable fish/seafood
•	 Fairtrade products
•	 locally sourced products

NEW % of contracted approved suppliers who have 
signed the Compass Code of Business Conduct*

NEW % of expenditure on tea, coffee, sugar and bananas 
from ethical or Fairtrade sources

Prepare

Energy efficiency

Reduction in total GHG emissions (Scope 1 & 2; energy 
and vehicle fuel)

20% reduction by 2017  
(against 2008 baseline) 

Report total GHG emissions – 
metric tonnes

2012-2013 

Review

2012-2017  

KPI Targets

We are making good progress with the provision of healthy eating 

100% of operating sites providing Balanced Choices  

programmes to our consumers. We display calorie and Guideline Daily 

or similar healthy eating programmes to their customers  

Amount labelling which helps our consumers make informed choices towards 

by 2015

maintaining a healthy, balanced diet. We are the only food service company 

to have signed up to all four pledges of the UK Government’s Responsibility 

Deal, and we are in the process of implementing improved consumer 

signposting on allergens, ahead of the new EU labelling regulations in 2014.

We have refreshed our global Supply Chain Standards to provide greater 

100% implementation by September 2015

emphasis on supplier assurance and product traceability. The new standards 

are being progressively rolled out across all markets.

% of countries with programmes in place to support:

In 2012, we started to collate data from countries on our new supply chain 

KPIs. This data will form our baseline against which we will report our 

progress in the 2014 Annual Report.

•	 sustainable fish/seafood

•	 Fairtrade products

•	 locally sourced products

100% of contracted approved suppliers to sign the 

Compass Code of Business Conduct by December 2014

Report % of expenditure on tea, coffee, sugar and bananas 

from ethical or Fairtrade sources

The trend across our operations is positive with improvements being 

20% reduction by 2017 (against 2008 baseline) 

achieved against the 2008 baseline. 

We have calculated our Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions since 2008 and this 

Report total direct GHG emissions – metric tonnes

year, we enhanced the scope of our environmental performance reporting  

to meet the new mandatory reporting requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

Compass Group’s disclosure in accordance with this legislation, is stated in 

the table below:

GHG Emissions by Scope  Unit

Scope 1 

Scope 2 

Tonnes CO2e

Tonnes CO2e

Quantity

109,094

10,780

Scope 1 & 2 Intensity

Tonnes CO2e/£m revenue

7.3

GHG intensity has decreased by 6% since 2012, showing that our emissions 

are reducing whilst our revenue continues to increase.

GHG emissions for 2013 covered 93% of consolidated Group revenue and 

we are seeking continuous improvement in data entry and completeness  

in future years.

Water consumption

Reduction in water consumption by our corporate  
offices

20% reduction by 2017  
(against 2008 baseline)

NEW % of spend on concentrated chemicals as a % of 
total chemicals purchased

General waste reporting % improvement in recycling of waste from Compass 

offices by 2017

25% improvement in recycling 
of waste from Compass offices 
by 2017 (against 2011 baseline) 

NEW % of sites where cooking oil is recovered and recycled

We continue to invest in water efficiency equipment and practices in our 

20% reduction by 2017 (against 2008 baseline)

offices; however, we have seen a slow-down in our reported progress due  

to the restating of 2012 data for Canada and the UK.

In addition, we are using web-based training programmes to improve the 

by 2015

environmental awareness of our colleagues around the world.

25% increase in spend on concentrated chemicals  

In 2013, we improved the accuracy of data reported by our countries, 

25% improvement in recycling of waste from Compass 

including the composition of our waste by collaborating with our contractors 

offices by 2017 (against 2011 baseline) 

and clients. This enables us to track progress on the proportion of waste 

being recycled.

Report % of sites where cooking oil is recovered  

and recycled

Food waste

Implement Trim Trax (or equivalent food waste reduction 
programmes)

100% implementation by 
September 2013

This year, we have successfully extended the implementation of our food 

100% implementation of food waste reduction programmes 

waste reduction programmes, with all of our top 20 countries reporting. 

across our top 30 countries by September 2015

  
 
Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Strategic report  23

Find out more... 
Go to www.compass-group.com/cr13  
to learn more about our Key Performance Indicators

Target achieved

 Target remains  

work in progress

Key Performance Indicator

2012-2013  

Target

2012-2013 

Performance

2012-2013 
Review

Improvement in the total number of operating sites 

Report % improvement

providing Balanced Choices (or equivalent healthy eating 

programme) to their consumers

NEW % of operating sites offering nutritional advice to 

consumers

NEW % of countries operating a sugar, salt and fat 

reduction programme

We are making good progress with the provision of healthy eating 
programmes to our consumers. We display calorie and Guideline Daily 
Amount labelling which helps our consumers make informed choices towards 
maintaining a healthy, balanced diet. We are the only food service company 
to have signed up to all four pledges of the UK Government’s Responsibility 
Deal, and we are in the process of implementing improved consumer 
signposting on allergens, ahead of the new EU labelling regulations in 2014.

2012-2017  
KPI Targets

100% of operating sites providing Balanced Choices  
or similar healthy eating programmes to their customers  
by 2015

We have made good progress with all of our top 20 countries having 
implemented the Standard.

We have refreshed our global Supply Chain Standards to provide greater 
emphasis on supplier assurance and product traceability. The new standards 
are being progressively rolled out across all markets.

100% implementation by September 2015

% of countries with programmes in place to support:

In 2012, we started to collate data from countries on our new supply chain 
KPIs. This data will form our baseline against which we will report our 
progress in the 2014 Annual Report.

•	 sustainable fish/seafood
•	 Fairtrade products
•	 locally sourced products

The trend across our operations is positive with improvements being 
achieved against the 2008 baseline. 

We have calculated our Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions since 2008 and this 
year, we enhanced the scope of our environmental performance reporting  
to meet the new mandatory reporting requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

Compass Group’s disclosure in accordance with this legislation, is stated in 
the table below:

GHG Emissions by Scope  Unit
Scope 1 
Scope 2 
Scope 1 & 2 Intensity

Tonnes CO2e
Tonnes CO2e
Tonnes CO2e/£m revenue

Quantity
109,094
10,780
7.3

GHG intensity has decreased by 6% since 2012, showing that our emissions 
are reducing whilst our revenue continues to increase.

GHG emissions for 2013 covered 93% of consolidated Group revenue and 
we are seeking continuous improvement in data entry and completeness  
in future years.

We continue to invest in water efficiency equipment and practices in our 
offices; however, we have seen a slow-down in our reported progress due  
to the restating of 2012 data for Canada and the UK.

In addition, we are using web-based training programmes to improve the 
environmental awareness of our colleagues around the world.

100% of contracted approved suppliers to sign the 
Compass Code of Business Conduct by December 2014

Report % of expenditure on tea, coffee, sugar and bananas 
from ethical or Fairtrade sources

20% reduction by 2017 (against 2008 baseline) 

Report total direct GHG emissions – metric tonnes

20% reduction by 2017 (against 2008 baseline)

25% increase in spend on concentrated chemicals  
by 2015

Innovate

Wellbeing 

Source

Prepare

Supply chain assurance 

Improvement in the number of countries implementing  

100% implementation by 

and ethical sourcing

the Compass Supplier Assurance Standard

September 2013

NEW % of countries adopting our global Supply Chain 

Standards

NEW % of countries with programmes in place to support:

•	 sustainable fish/seafood

•	 Fairtrade products

•	 locally sourced products

NEW % of contracted approved suppliers who have 

signed the Compass Code of Business Conduct*

NEW % of expenditure on tea, coffee, sugar and bananas 

from ethical or Fairtrade sources

Energy efficiency

Reduction in total GHG emissions (Scope 1 & 2; energy 

20% reduction by 2017  

and vehicle fuel)

(against 2008 baseline) 

Report total GHG emissions – 

metric tonnes

Water consumption

Reduction in water consumption by our corporate  

offices

20% reduction by 2017  

(against 2008 baseline)

NEW % of spend on concentrated chemicals as a % of 

total chemicals purchased

General waste reporting % improvement in recycling of waste from Compass 

25% improvement in recycling 

offices by 2017

of waste from Compass offices 

by 2017 (against 2011 baseline) 

NEW % of sites where cooking oil is recovered and recycled

In 2013, we improved the accuracy of data reported by our countries, 
including the composition of our waste by collaborating with our contractors 
and clients. This enables us to track progress on the proportion of waste 
being recycled.

25% improvement in recycling of waste from Compass 
offices by 2017 (against 2011 baseline) 

Report % of sites where cooking oil is recovered  
and recycled

Food waste

Implement Trim Trax (or equivalent food waste reduction 

100% implementation by 

programmes)

September 2013

This year, we have successfully extended the implementation of our food 
waste reduction programmes, with all of our top 20 countries reporting. 

100% implementation of food waste reduction programmes 
across our top 30 countries by September 2015

  
 
24  Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Strategic report

Our CR commitments and progress 

Basis for consolidation:
 • Top 20 countries represent 93% of total Group revenue
 • All KPIs relate to our performance across the top 20 countries  
unless highlighted with * which relate to our global performance

Provide

Key Performance Indicator

Target achieved

 Target remains  
work in progress

2012-2013  
Target

2012-2013 
Performance

Food safety 

Improve our global Food Safety Incident Rate (FSIR)*

% improvement

Compared to the 2008 baseline, we have improved our food safety performance  

Report % improvement (against 2008 baseline)

on a global basis by 40% through strong site compliance with our global Food  

Occupational health  
and safety

Improve our global Lost Time Injury Rate (LTIR)*

% improvement

Compared to the 2008 baseline, we achieved further improvement in our global 

Report % improvement (against 2008 baseline)

% of employees surveyed (our global Your Voice survey)  
who believe the Company places a high priority on  
health & safety*

Report % improvement

Employee retention

Measure employee retention rates for all employees:

% total employee retention 

•	 total employees
•	 management
•	 site management

% management retention 

% site management retention 

Diversity

% of women holding global leadership team positions*

Report % improvement

22.4% of our global leadership team positions are held by women (2012: 22%, 

Report % increase

NEW % of female representation in the global workforce*

Report % representation

NEW % of employees surveyed (global Your Voice survey) 
who believe the Company embraces diversity*

Report % improvement

Business ethics

Measure total number of concerns reported by employees 
globally, via Speak Up*

Measure and report concerns

Employee engagement

2013 Global Your Voice survey*:

% participation rate

We conduct a global Your Voice employee survey every two years. 46 countries 

We will conduct the next Your Voice survey  

•	 Improvement in participation rating
•	 Improvement in engagement rating

% engagement rate

2012-2017  

KPI Targets

•	 total employees

•	 management

•	 site management

2012-2013 

Review

Safety Standards.

employee retention.

2011: 20.8%). 

Health and Safety performance by 38%. We remain committed to implementing 

programmes to improve our safety leadership and culture throughout the business. 

We are pleased that so many of our employees (80% of employees surveyed) 

believe that health and safety is our number one priority (2011: 79%).

Sadly, we had one on-site fatality during the year.

Report % improvement (next survey 2015)

This year, we have improved the accuracy and scope of reporting to include data 

Report % improvement (against 2012 baseline)  

relating to management and site management employee retention, as well as total 

of employee retention:

During 2013, we enhanced the scope of our employee diversity reporting to cover 

the global workforce

all employees to meet the new requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

We are pleased that so many of our employees (76% of employees surveyed) 

believe that the Company embraces diversity.

Report % of female representation in  

Report % improvement (next survey 2015)

All our countries have access to the independently operated Speak Up 

Measure and report concerns with 100%  

whistleblowing programme, which enables employees to report material  

follow up

concerns for review and follow up. There is a clear escalation process in place  

to consider each concern raised. Where appropriate, a full investigation and 

remedial actions are taken.

took part in the 2013 survey and we received feedback from more front line 

in 2015

employees than ever before.

We are pleased to have improved our employee engagement performance  

since our previous survey and in 2013, we achieved an engagement rate of 66%  

(2011: 65%).

Interested to know more? 
Find out more about our CR activities around the world, 
together with global policies and performance statistics  
on our CR website at www.compass-group.com/cr13

 
 
Provide

Key Performance Indicator

Food safety 

Improve our global Food Safety Incident Rate (FSIR)*

% improvement

Occupational health  

Improve our global Lost Time Injury Rate (LTIR)*

% improvement

and safety

% of employees surveyed (our global Your Voice survey)  

Report % improvement

who believe the Company places a high priority on  

health & safety*

Employee retention

Measure employee retention rates for all employees:

% total employee retention 

•	 total employees

•	 management

•	 site management

% management retention 

% site management retention 

Diversity

% of women holding global leadership team positions*

Report % improvement

NEW % of female representation in the global workforce*

Report % representation

NEW % of employees surveyed (global Your Voice survey) 

Report % improvement

who believe the Company embraces diversity*

Business ethics

Measure total number of concerns reported by employees 

Measure and report concerns

globally, via Speak Up*

Employee engagement

2013 Global Your Voice survey*:

% participation rate

•	 Improvement in participation rating

•	 Improvement in engagement rating

% engagement rate

Target achieved

 Target remains  

work in progress

2012-2013  

Target

2012-2013 

Performance

2012-2013 
Review

Compared to the 2008 baseline, we have improved our food safety performance  
on a global basis by 40% through strong site compliance with our global Food  
Safety Standards.

Compared to the 2008 baseline, we achieved further improvement in our global 
Health and Safety performance by 38%. We remain committed to implementing 
programmes to improve our safety leadership and culture throughout the business. 

We are pleased that so many of our employees (80% of employees surveyed) 
believe that health and safety is our number one priority (2011: 79%).

Sadly, we had one on-site fatality during the year.

This year, we have improved the accuracy and scope of reporting to include data 
relating to management and site management employee retention, as well as total 
employee retention.

22.4% of our global leadership team positions are held by women (2012: 22%, 
2011: 20.8%). 

During 2013, we enhanced the scope of our employee diversity reporting to cover 
all employees to meet the new requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

We are pleased that so many of our employees (76% of employees surveyed) 
believe that the Company embraces diversity.

All our countries have access to the independently operated Speak Up 
whistleblowing programme, which enables employees to report material  
concerns for review and follow up. There is a clear escalation process in place  
to consider each concern raised. Where appropriate, a full investigation and 
remedial actions are taken.

We conduct a global Your Voice employee survey every two years. 46 countries 
took part in the 2013 survey and we received feedback from more front line 
employees than ever before.

We are pleased to have improved our employee engagement performance  
since our previous survey and in 2013, we achieved an engagement rate of 66%  
(2011: 65%).

Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Strategic report  25

2012-2017  
KPI Targets

Report % improvement (against 2008 baseline)

Report % improvement (against 2008 baseline)

Report % improvement (next survey 2015)

Report % improvement (against 2012 baseline)  
of employee retention:

•	 total employees
•	 management
•	 site management

Report % increase

Report % of female representation in  
the global workforce

Report % improvement (next survey 2015)

Measure and report concerns with 100%  
follow up

We will conduct the next Your Voice survey  
in 2015

Safety first

Our people

Environment

Wellbeing

Responsible sourcing

 
 
26  Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Strategic report

Organic revenue growth + Operating efficiencies + Competitive advantage + Our people

Competitive 
advantage

We are ranked number one or two in most of our  
key markets and we share best practice across the 
Group to ensure we maintain this position. 

We deliver value through innovating to find new and exciting ideas, sourcing high 
quality products, preparing delicious dishes and providing great service to our  
clients. By doing this in the most efficient way, we’re able to stay competitive and 
accelerate growth in the global marketplace. The increase in organic revenue  
growth and operating efficiencies means we can invest in the business  
to support future performance, completing the virtuous circle. 

Health and safety is our number one operational priority and a clear differentiator  
for our business. A strong safety culture is important to our clients and is critical  
to the wellbeing of our colleagues and consumers. We operate a global  
Health, Safety and Environmental (HSE) Management System supported by policies, 
 standards and metrics. This system underpins consistent operating standards 
 across all of the diverse markets in which we operate. The Corporate Responsibility 
Committee of the Board reviews the HSE policies annually, supported by the global 
HSE forum, which brings together our technical specialists from around the Group. 
The forum is responsible for defining policies, setting standards, measuring 
 compliance and sharing best practice. As a result of our dedicated focus on  
health and safety, our global Lost Time Injury Rate has improved  
by 38% compared to the 2008 baseline.

Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Strategic report  27

28  Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Strategic report

Organic revenue growth + Operating efficiencies + Competitive advantage + Our people

Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Strategic report  29

Our people

At the heart of our business are our people;  
they are our most valuable asset. Having well 
trained, motivated and productive employees is an 
 essential component of our success, both in terms 
 of service delivery and cost management. 

We are committed to investing in our people, making sure we attract, retain, develop  
and engage them in a consistent way around the world. We value the diversity of our  
employees and strongly believe that the more they reflect the diversity of our clients 
 and consumers, the better equipped we are to deliver great service.

Training and development programmes are important both for our employees to fulfil 
their potential and to help our business achieve its goals. We believe in nurturing  
talent, providing experience and formal qualifications to create managers and  
leaders of the future. In addition to the development programmes we run at a global 
and local level within Compass, we also work with local communities to share our 
knowledge and provide training. For example, our chefs in Kazakhstan have been 
working closely with local colleges since 2009 to organise training sessions on food 
safety and culinary skills. In recognition of this work to support students, Compass  
was nominated for the Best Partner Award at the IV International Forum ‘Vocational 
Training and Business: Dialogue of Partners’. In South Africa, we have partnered  
with the Department of Education in Mpumalanga to support school performance  
and enhance local students’ future employment opportunities.

30  Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Strategic report

Chief Executive’s statement

Delivering growth

Reported revenue has grown by 3.9% in the year to 30 September 
2013, or 4.5% on a constant currency basis. After adjusting for the 
impact of acquisitions and disposals, organic growth has remained 
strong at 4.3% for the period. 

During the year, we delivered new business growth of 8.8%, driven  
by a good performance in MAP 1 (client sales and marketing) in  
North America and Fast Growing & Emerging. Our retention rate also 
remained high at 94%, despite the cumulative effect of our planned exit 
of certain uneconomic contracts and business closures in Europe. 

Like for like revenue growth of 1.8% reflects modest price increases  
and slightly negative like for like volume. Like for like volume continues 
to be broadly flat in North America, modestly positive in Fast Growing  
& Emerging and negative in Europe & Japan. We have retained our 
focus on increasing consumer participation and spend through MAP 2 
(consumer sales and marketing) initiatives, developing innovative  
and exciting consumer propositions, and improving our people’s 
retailing skills. 

Underlying operating profit increased by 7.8% in the year on a constant 
currency basis, with the underlying operating profit margin increasing  
by 20 basis points to 7.1%. We have continued to generate efficiencies 
through embedding the MAP framework deeper into the business. We 
have maintained our focus on MAP 3 (cost of food) initiatives such as 
menu planning and supplier rationalisation, as well as MAP 4 (labour 
and in unit costs) and MAP 5 (above unit costs). These efficiencies are, 
in part, being reinvested in exciting growth opportunities around the 
world, for example, in management teams and systems in emerging 
markets, and helping us to manage the difficult economic conditions in 
Europe. They are also enabling us to deliver further improvement in the 
operating profit margin. 

We have taken a goodwill impairment charge of £377 million in relation 
to our business in the UK. The goodwill principally relates to historic 
transactions. The impairment charge was primarily driven by an 
increase in the discount rate as a result of increases in UK gilt rates. 

Strategy
Focus on food
Food remains our core business. The structural opportunity in the 
outsourced food service market, estimated at £200 billion, is a key 
growth driver. With only around 50% of the market currently 
outsourced, it represents a significant opportunity. We believe the 
benefits of outsourcing will become ever more apparent as economic 
conditions and legislative changes put increasing pressure on 
organisations’ budgets. Sectors such as Healthcare & Seniors and 
Education are significantly underpenetrated and Business & Industry, 
whilst more highly penetrated, is still attractive due to its scale, growth 
and the fragmented nature of the market. As one of the largest 
providers in all of our sectors, we are well placed to benefit from  
these trends.

Our sustainable business  
model, built on organic revenue 
growth, operating efficiencies, 
competitive advantage and our 
people, is an established formula 
for growth that enables us to 
deliver value for our stakeholders.

Delivering growth

Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Strategic report  31

Growing support and multi services
Support and multi services are also an important part of our business 
and we continue to win new contracts and expand the range of 
services we supply to our existing clients. Our largest sector in this 
market is Defence, Offshore & Remote, although we also see some 
opportunities in Business & Industry, Healthcare & Seniors and 
Education. This is a complex market and there are significant 
differences in client buying behaviour across countries, sectors and  
sub sectors. Our approach is therefore low risk and incremental, with 
strategies developed on a country by country basis. 

Geographic spread and emerging markets
The Group has evolved significantly over the last 10 years from a 
predominantly European based business with just over £11 billion of 
revenue to the £17.6 billion global business today. Over time, we expect 
the split of revenue to continue to evolve.

North America (47% of Group revenue) will remain the principal growth 
engine for the Group. We have a market leading business, which 
delivers high levels of growth and steady margin expansion. The 
outsourcing culture is vibrant and the addressable market is significant. 
We are well positioned, with a good client base in all of our core 
sectors, and a strong management team. 

The fundamentals of our businesses in Europe & Japan (34% of  
Group revenue) are solid; however, we expect economic conditions 
there to remain challenging in the short term. We continue to take 
measures to reduce cost and make our operations more competitive 
for the future, building a better business on the good foundations  
in place. We still see many opportunities to drive growth in revenue  
and margin.

Fast Growing & Emerging (19% of Group revenue) is an increasingly 
important part of our business. We have a strong presence in key 
markets such as Australia, Brazil and Turkey, and we are growing 
rapidly in India and China. With the potential they offer, we are investing 
in their growth. As the trend to outsourcing increases, we would hope 
to see high levels of growth maintained well into the future.

Organic growth, supplemented by infill acquisitions
Through the application of MAP 1 and MAP 2, quality and sustainable 
organic growth remains our priority but we will look to make infill 
acquisitions where they deliver value. We seek out small to medium 
sized infill acquisitions in food and support services in our existing 
geographies, bringing on board quality businesses and strong 
management teams. In 2013, we have invested around £104 million in 
such acquisitions. We continue to target financial returns ahead of our 
cost of capital by the end of the second year. 

Ongoing drive for efficiencies
We believe that we are only part of the way through the journey to  
drive further productivity in our cost of food (MAP 3) and our in unit costs 
(MAP 4), as well as being able to leverage the overhead base by controlling 
our above unit costs (MAP 5). During 2013, we have continued to 
improve our discipline around supplier and product rationalisation, 
recipe standardisation and labour scheduling, as well as rolling out 
‘lean’ management techniques. The ongoing generation of efficiencies 
helps underpin our expectation of further margin progression. 

Uses of cash and balance sheet priorities
The Group’s cash flow generation remains excellent and it will  
continue to be a key part of the business model. It enables us to reward 
Shareholders in parallel with reinvesting for growth and making infill 
acquisitions. In addition, we are committed to growing the dividend 
broadly in line with constant currency earnings and maintaining a cash 
cover of two times. An efficient balance sheet remains a priority and we 
continue to target strong investment grade credit ratings, which imply  
a net debt to EBITDA ratio of around 1 to 1.2 times. In light of this, we 
have announced a further share buyback programme of £500 million 
for the 2014 calendar year. This will follow the current £400 million share 
buyback, which we expect to complete by the end of the 2013 
calendar year.

Summary and outlook
Compass has had a good year, delivering solid organic revenue growth 
and a 20 basis point increase in the Group operating margin, which  
is now over 7% for the first time. North America and Fast Growing  
& Emerging, which account for two thirds of Group revenue, have 
grown strongly and our operating margin in North America has 
remained above 8%. Looking ahead to next year, the pipeline of  
new contracts is encouraging and we expect to see further good 
performances in these regions. We anticipate economic conditions  
in Europe & Japan will remain challenging. However, the actions we  
are taking give us confidence in another year of delivery.

We remain very positive about the opportunities to grow the business 
and we are well placed to capitalise on the significant structural growth 
potential in both food and support services globally. We also expect to 
deliver further cost efficiencies which will help to support future growth 
and enable us to make further progress in the operating margin. As a 
result, we remain confident in our ability to continue to create significant 
value for our Shareholders.

Richard Cousins 
Group Chief Executive 
27 November 2013

32  Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Strategic report

Regional review

North America

£8,150m  8.0% £657m  8.1%

Revenue 
(2012: £7,517m)

Organic revenue growth 
(2012: 8.3%)

Operating profit 
(2012: £598m)

Operating margin 
(2012: 8.0%)

Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Strategic report  33

We have had another excellent 
year with revenue growing 
organically by 8% to £8.2 billion 
and an operating margin of 8.1%.

Group revenue
47%
(2012: 44%)

Revenue by sector 
1  30%  Business & Industry
2  24%  Education
3  29%  Healthcare & Seniors
4  13%  Sports & Leisure
5  4% 

 Defence, Offshore  
& Remote

5

4

3

1

2

Organic revenue growth of 8.0% has been driven by strong new 
business wins in all sectors, including a contribution of just over  
2% from the Ascension Health and Texas A&M contracts, and a 
consistently high retention rate. Like for like volume has remained 
broadly flat. 

Operating profit increased by £53 million on a constant currency basis 
to £657 million (2012: £604 million). Continued progress on efficiencies 
and leveraging of the overhead base have delivered nearly 10% 
operating profit growth and a 10 basis points improvement in the 
margin to 8.1%. 

In the Business & Industry sector, we have delivered good levels of net 
new business. New contract wins include food contracts with LinkedIn 
Corporation, AEGON USA and Sun Life Financial Inc. 

Organic revenue growth in the Healthcare & Seniors sector has been 
excellent. In addition to Ascension Health, we have won new contracts 
with Butterfield Trail Village, a retirement living campus in Arkansas, and 
Waterbury Hospital in Connecticut. The acquisitions completed in the 
first half of the year also continue to enhance our coverage and service 
to clients.

Good organic revenue growth in the Education sector has been driven 
by new business wins, including food contracts with the Massachusetts 
Institute of Technology, The Johns Hopkins University and Ryerson 
University in Canada, which has more than 30,000 students. New 
support service contracts include the Henry County School District  
and Tarleton State University. 

Our Sports & Leisure business has delivered double digit organic 
revenue growth through good net new business and high attendance 
levels at sporting events. New contract wins include the Portland Trail 
Blazers basketball team and the University of Wisconsin. 

The ESS business, which provides food and support services in Alaska, 
Canada and the Gulf of Mexico, delivered solid organic revenue growth. 
New contracts include a multi service contract with Rowan Companies, 
the global offshore drilling services company, serving over 32,000 
meals per month. 

34  Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Strategic report

Regional review

Europe & Japan

£6,039m  (3.0)% £420m  7.0%

Revenue 
(2012: £6,243m)

Organic revenue growth 
(2012: (0.7)%)

Operating profit 
(2012: £397m)

Operating margin 
(2012: 6.4%)

Despite the ongoing difficult 
economic environment, we  
have made good progress with  
a 60 basis points increase in the 
operating margin.

Group revenue
34%
(2012: 37%)

Revenue by sector 
1  56%  Business & Industry
2  12%  Education
3  15%  Healthcare & Seniors
4  10%  Sports & Leisure
5  7% 

 Defence, Offshore  
& Remote

5

3

4

2

1

Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Strategic report  35

Economic conditions in many parts of Europe remained difficult 
throughout the year, although the trends have been in line with our 
expectations. Overall, revenue in Europe & Japan totalled £6.0 billion 
(2012: £6.2 billion), an organic decline of 3.0%.

We continue to win and retain good quality business across the  
region, although our rate of retention has been slightly reduced by the 
cumulative effect of our planned exit of certain uneconomic contracts 
and business closures. Important contract wins include a multi service 
contract with Hannover Re Group, one of the leading reinsurance 
groups in the world, in Germany, and in the UK, we have retained 
contracts with National Grid, the Jockey Club and Henley Royal 
Regatta. In Japan, we have won new food contracts with Yahoo  
Japan Corporation and real estate services company NREG Toshiba 
Building Co. Ltd. 

As expected, like for like volume has declined by around 3.0%, with 
differing trends across the region. In north and east Europe, like for like 
volume was broadly flat overall. In France, volume trends have become 
more difficult through the year and they remain slightly negative in the 
UK, Germany and Japan. In southern Europe, like for like volume trends 
have been strongly negative all year. 

As a result of these like for like volume declines, operating profit has 
been impacted by around £60 million in the year. This has been 
mitigated, however, by the actions we announced in September 2012, 
which have delivered around £70 million of benefit, in line with 
expectations. Also in line with our announcement last year, we have 
recorded a charge of £59 million in 2013 relating to the ongoing 
improvement in the operating efficiency of our labour base in Europe. 

In the UK, we have continued to make steady progress, growing the 
margin by 80 basis points and operating profit by £10 million in the last 
two years. In 2013, it delivered in line with budget and there are no 
changes to our expectations for the foreseeable future. However, the 
significant increase in UK gilt rates over the last year has increased our 
cost of capital and the discount rates we use in the goodwill impairment 
calculation. We have therefore taken a non-cash impairment charge of 
£377 million to the goodwill associated with our UK business, which 
principally relates to historic transactions. This will reduce our UK 
goodwill from approximately £1.8 billion to £1.4 billion.

On an underlying basis we have delivered an increase in operating profit 
of £25 million, or 6.3% on a constant currency basis, to £420 million 
(2012: £395 million). This equates to 60 basis points of operating margin 
progression, increasing the margin to 7.0% for the first time.

36  Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Strategic report

Regional review

Fast Growing & Emerging

£3,368m  10.2% £242m  7.2%

Revenue 
(2012: £3,145m)

Organic revenue growth 
(2012: 11.8%)

Operating profit 
(2012: £235m)

Operating margin 
(2012: 7.5%)

Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Strategic report  37

Strong new business wins and  
like for like revenue performance 
have delivered over 10% organic 
revenue growth to £3.4 billion.

Group revenue
19%
(2012: 19%)

Revenue by sector 
1  39%  Business & Industry
2  5%  Education
3  7%  Healthcare & Seniors
4  3%  Sports & Leisure
5  46%   Defence, Offshore  
& Remote

5

1

2

4

3

Overall, operating profit increased by £16 million on a constant currency 
basis to £242 million (2012: £226 million). We continue to see many 
exciting opportunities in this region and are committed to investing in 
management and infrastructure to support quality growth. This year, we 
have rolled out a new regional management structure and exited some 
non-core contracts. The cost of this investment is in part being funded 
through efficiencies but, in the short term, it has had some impact on 
the operating margin, which was 7.2%, 30 basis points below last year. 

Australia has performed well, with organic revenue growth driven by 
new business wins and like for like volume growth in the Remote sector. 
Contract wins include a multi service contract with Saracen Gold Mines 
Pty Ltd in Western Australia and one of the largest ever senior living 
food service contracts in Australia with BlueCross, serving 26 facilities 
and over 1,500 residents. We expect the slight slowdown we saw 
towards the end of the year to continue into 2014, although good 
growth opportunities remain in all sectors. 

In Brazil, an acceleration in new business wins has enabled us to deliver 
another year of strong revenue growth, despite a moderate slowdown 
in like for like volume, and the pipeline remains excellent. Examples of 
recent contract wins include Allianz Seguros, the Brazilian unit of the 
financial services company, and the mining company Samarco 
Mineração S.A. A continued focus on cost efficiencies has delivered 
margin progression and the business is in an excellent position to drive 
future progress. Elsewhere in South America, we have won a contract 
with Tetra Pak in Argentina and retained our multi service contract with 
Chevron in Colombia.

A strong performance in organic revenue in Turkey was driven by new 
business wins and like for like revenue growth. New contracts include 
the food provision for confectionery company Perfetti Van Melle and 
automotive group Park Teknik Elektrik. At Yılport Gemport, a subsidary 
company of Yılport Holding, the port facility, we have cross sold 
cleaning and security services in addition to the food contract we 
already operated. 

We have again delivered double digit organic growth in both India and 
China, with strong new business wins in both countries. In India, we 
have won a food contract with Continental Hospital in Hyderabad to 
serve patients, staff and visitors, and in Hong Kong with the South 
China Morning Post. 

38  Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Strategic report

Our formula for identifying and managing risk

The Board continues to take a proactive approach to recognising and 
mitigating risk with the aim of protecting its employees and customers 
and safeguarding the interests of the Company and its Shareholders  
in the constantly changing environment in which we operate.

As set out in the Corporate Governance section on pages 46 to 70,  
the Group has policies and procedures in place to ensure that risks  
are properly identified, evaluated and managed at the appropriate  
level within the business.

The identification of risks and opportunities, the development of action 
plans to manage the risks and exploit the opportunities, and the 
continual monitoring of progress against agreed Key Performance 
Indicators (KPIs) are integral parts of the business process, and core 
activities throughout the Group.

Our process for identifying and managing risks is set out in detail on 
page 51 of the Corporate Governance section.

The table below sets out the principal risks and uncertainties facing  
the business at the date of this Report. These do not comprise all of the 
risks that the Group may face and are not listed in any order of priority. 
Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to management 
or deemed to be less material at the date of this Report may also have 
an adverse effect on the Group.

The Group faces a number of operational risks on an ongoing basis 
such as litigation and financial (including liquidity and credit) risk, each 
of which was disclosed in previous years’ Annual Reports which can be 
found on our website at www.compass-group.com. We recognise that 
these risks remain important to the business and they are kept under 
review. However, we have focused our disclosures on those risks that 
are considered to be currently more significant to the Group. 

Health, safety and environment

Risk: Health and safety 
Mitigation: There is potential for accidents in the 
workplace. Health and safety is our number one 
operational priority. All management meetings 
throughout the Group feature a health and safety 
update as their first agenda item. Furthermore, 
health and safety improvement KPIs have been 
included in the bonus plans for each of the 
business’ management teams effective from  
1 October 2012 onwards.

Clients and consumers

Risk: Food safety 
Mitigation: Compass feeds millions of consumers 
around the world every day, therefore setting the 
highest standards for food hygiene and food safety 
is paramount. The Group has appropriate policies, 
procedures and standards in place to ensure full 
compliance with legal obligations and industry 
standards. The safety and quality of our global 
supply chain continue to be assured through 
compliance against a robust set of standards. We 
have recently upgraded these standards and the 
audit programme that underpins them to improve 
supply chain visibility and product integrity.

Risk: Environment 
Mitigation: Every day, everywhere, we look to 
make a positive contribution to the world in which 
we live and reduce our impact on the environment. 
We are committed to reducing direct emissions 
from our operations by 2017 and taking action 
through partnerships with clients to reduce the 
consumption of energy, water and waste in our 
operations. Our Corporate Responsibility statement 
on pages 20 to 25 describes our approach in  
more detail. 

Risk: Client retention
Mitigation: We have strategies which strengthen 
our long term relationships with our clients based on 
quality and value. Our business model is structured 
so that we are not reliant on one particular sector, 
geography or group of clients. 

Risk: Service delivery and compliance  
with contract terms and conditions 
Mitigation: The Group’s operating companies 
contract with a large number of clients. Processes 
are in place to ensure that the services delivered to 
clients are of an appropriate standard and comply 
with the appropriate contract terms and conditions.

Risk: Changes in client demand  
and consumer preferences
Mitigation: We strive to meet client and consumer 
demand for quality, choice and value by developing 
innovative and nutritious food offers which suit the 
lifestyle, tastes and spending power of our customers 
in today’s challenging economic environment. 

Risk: Consolidation of food  
and support services 
Mitigation: We have developed a range of support 
services to complement our existing food offer. 
These services are underpinned by the Compass 
Service Framework, our standard operating 
platform for support services, which gives us the 
ability to deliver to a consistent world class standard 
globally and differentiates us from our competitors.

Risk: Bidding risk 
Mitigation: Each year, the Group’s operating 
companies bid selectively for large numbers of 
contracts and a more limited number of concession 
opportunities. A rigorous tender process is in place 
which includes a critical assessment of contracts to 
identify potential risks (including social and ethical 
risks) and rewards, prior to approval at an 
appropriate level in the organisation.

People

Risk: Recruitment 
Mitigation: Failure to attract and recruit people 
with the right skills at all levels could limit the 
success of the Group. The Group faces resourcing 
challenges in some of its businesses due to a lack of 
industry experience and appropriately qualified 
people, and the seasonal nature of some of our 
business. However, the Group aims to mitigate this 
risk by efficient, time critical resource management, 
mobilisation of existing, experienced employees 
within the organisation and through its training and 
development programmes to meet its strategic aims.

Risk: People retention and motivation
Mitigation: Retaining and motivating the best 
people with the right skills is key to the long term 
success of the Group. The Group has established 
training, development, performance management 
and reward programmes to develop, retain and 
motivate our best people. 

The Group has a well established employee 
engagement initiative, Your Voice, which helps us  
to monitor, understand and respond to our 
employees’ needs.

Risk: Succession planning
Mitigation: Succession planning is one of the  
key roles of the Board, to identify and develop 
employees’ potential and to ensure that immediate 
and future resource is available for the Group to 
achieve its strategic and operational objectives. 

The Nomination Committee is responsible for 
making recommendations to the Board as a whole 
in respect of Board succession. Details can be 
found on page 48.

Economic environment

Risk: Economy
Mitigation: Almost half of our business, the 
Healthcare & Seniors, Education and Defence, 
Offshore & Remote sectors, is less susceptible to 
economic downturns. Revenue in the remaining 
51%, the Business & Industry and Sports & Leisure 
sectors, is more susceptible to economic conditions 
and employment levels. However, with the variable 
and flexible nature of our cost base, it is generally 
possible to contain the impact of like for like  
volume declines.

Risk: Food cost inflation
Mitigation: As part of our MAP framework,  
we seek to manage food price inflation through: 
cost indexation in our contracts, giving us the 
contractual right to review pricing with our clients; 
menu management to substitute ingredients in 
response to any forecast shortages and cost 
increases; and continuing to drive greater purchasing 
efficiencies through supplier rationalisation and 
compliance as well as understanding and reviewing 
market and global trends.

Risk: Labour cost inflation
Mitigation: Our objective is always to deliver  
the right level of service in the most efficient  
way. As part of our MAP framework, we have been 
deploying tools and processes to optimise labour 
productivity and labour flexibility, and exercise better 
control over other labour costs such as absenteeism, 
overtime and third party agency spend; and to 
improve our management of salary and benefit 
costs and control labour cost inflation.

 
Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Strategic report  39

Eurozone

Risk: Operating performance
Mitigation: Recent conditions in the eurozone 
indicate that growth rates and consumer  
demand will remain under pressure for some time. 
Approximately 15% of our revenue is generated  
by clients located in the eurozone. Although the 
majority of the Group’s revenue is generated outside 
of this region, a prolonged recessionary environment 
in the eurozone may adversely impact Group 
revenue and operating profit. The Company 
continues to monitor closely its operations within 
the eurozone and has in place both a cost reduction 
plan and an efficiency programme in this region to 
offset the adverse impact on profitability and to 
ensure that it is prepared to meet the ongoing 
challenges presented by the current environment.

Regulatory, political and competitive environment

Risk: Regulation
Mitigation: Changes to laws or regulations could 
adversely affect our performance. We engage with 
governments and non-governmental organisations 
directly or through appropriate trade associations to 
ensure that our views are represented. Regulation 
risk is also considered as part of our annual 
business planning process.

Risk: Asset impairment
Mitigation: Given the continued recessionary 
environment in the eurozone, there is pressure  
on the carrying value of our assets in this region, 
including goodwill and receivables, with an 
increased risk of impairment. During our regular 
operational reviews, we diligently consider the 
assumptions underlying the carrying value of  
our assets, assess their recoverability and ensure 
that they are appropriately stated. The Group  
also performs goodwill impairment testing in all 
countries, at least annually, to ensure that the 
respective carrying values are adequately supported.

Risk: Political stability
Mitigation: We are a global business operating  
in countries and regions with diverse economic  
and political conditions. Our operations and 
earnings may be adversely affected by political  
or economic instability. The Group remains vigilant 
to future changes presented by emerging markets 
or fledgling administrations. We engage with 
governments and non-governmental organisations 
to ensure the views of our stakeholders are 
represented and we try to anticipate and contribute 
to important changes in public policy.

Risk: Competition
Mitigation: We operate in a competitive 
marketplace. The level of concentration and 
outsource penetration varies by country and by 
sector. Some markets are relatively concentrated 
with two or three key players, others are highly 
fragmented and offer significant opportunities  
for consolidation and penetration into the self-
operated market. Aggressive pricing from our 
competitors could cause a reduction in our 
revenues and margins. We aim to minimise this  
by continuing to promote our differentiated 
propositions by focusing on our points of strength 
such as flexibility in our cost base, quality and value 
of service as well as continuing to innovate in the 
variety and quality of our services to clients.

Acquisitions and investments

Risk: Acquisition and investment risk
Mitigation: Capital investments and potential 
acquisitions are subject to appropriate levels of due 
diligence and approval. Post acquisition integration 
and performance is closely managed and subject  
to regular review.

Risk: Joint ventures
Mitigation: In some countries we operate through 
joint ventures which, if not managed effectively, 
could cause damage to the Group’s reputation. 
Procedures are in place to ensure that joint venture 
partners bring skills, experience and resources that 
complement and add to those provided from within 
the Group. 

Fraud and compliance risk

Reputation risk

Pensions risk

Mitigation: Ineffective compliance management 
could have an adverse effect on the Group’s 
reputation and could result in significant financial 
penalties being levied or a criminal action being 
brought against the Company or its Directors. The 
Group’s zero tolerance based Codes of Business 
Conduct and Ethics govern all aspects of our 
relationship with our stakeholders. All alleged 
breaches of the Codes are investigated. The 
Group’s procedures include regular operating 
reviews, underpinned by a continual focus on 
ensuring the effectiveness of internal controls.

Mitigation: Our brands are amongst the most 
successful and best established in our industry. 
They represent a key element of the Group’s overall 
marketing and positioning. In the event that our 
brands or reputation are damaged this could 
adversely impact the Group’s performance. The 
Group’s zero tolerance based Codes of Business 
Conduct and Ethics are designed to safeguard the 
Company’s assets, brands and reputation.

Mitigation: There are inherent funding risks 
associated with the provision of final salary 
pensions. Whilst we continue to operate some 
defined benefit schemes both in the UK and 
overseas, other than where required by local 
regulation or statute, these schemes are closed  
to new entrants. Further information is set out in 
note 23 of the consolidated financial statements  
on pages 114 to 118.

Tax risk

Information Technology / Cyber risk

Mitigation: As a Group, we seek to plan and 
manage our tax affairs efficiently in the jurisdictions 
in which we operate. In doing so, we act in 
compliance with the relevant laws and disclosure 
requirements. In an increasingly complex 
international tax environment, a degree of 
uncertainty is inevitable. However, we exercise  
our judgement and seek appropriate professional 
advice when calculating our tax liabilities and 
forecasting the recoverability of deferred tax assets. 
The effective rate of tax may be influenced by a 
number of factors, including changes in laws and 
accounting standards, which could increase the 
rate and the Group actively monitors these factors 
to identify the potential impact.

Mitigation: The digital world creates many risks  
for a global business including technology failures, 
loss of confidential data and damage to brand 
reputation. We seek to assess and manage the 
maturity of our enterprise risk and security 
infrastructure and our ability to effectively defend 
against current and future cyber risks by using 
analysis tools and experienced professionals to 
evaluate and mitigate potential impacts. The Group 
relies on a variety of IT systems in order to manage 
and deliver services and communicate with our 
customers, suppliers and employees. We are 
focused on the need to maximise the effectiveness 
of our information systems and technology as a 
business enabler and to reduce both cost and 
exposure as a result. 

40  Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Strategic report

Finance Director’s statement

Delivering returns

Financial summary

Continuing operations
Revenue
Constant currency
Reported
Organic growth
Total operating profit
Constant currency
Underlying
Reported
Operating margin
Constant currency
Underlying
Reported
Profit before tax
Underlying
Reported
Basic earnings per share
Constant currency
Underlying
Reported
Free cash flow
Underlying
Reported

Total Group including  
discontinued operations
Basic earnings per share
Full year dividend per ordinary share

Segmental performance

2013

2012

Increase/
(Decrease)

£17,557m £16,805m
£17,557m £16,905m
5.4%

4.3%

£1,265m
£1,265m
£802m

£1,173m
£1,178m
£856m

7.1%
7.1%
4.5%

6.9%
6.9%
5.0%

£1,188m
£721m

£1,093m
£789m

47.7p
47.7p
23.3p

42.4p
42.6p
32.1p

£834m
£762m

£760m
£709m

4.5%
3.9%
–

7.8%
7.4%
(6.3)%

20bps
20bps
(50)bps

8.7%
(8.6)%

12.5%
12.0%
(27.4)%

9.7%
7.5%

23.5p
24.0p

32.1p
 21.3p

(26.8)%
12.7%

Revenue

Revenue growth

2013
£m

2012

£m Reported

Constant
currency

Organic

Continuing operations
North America
Europe & Japan
Fast Growing & Emerging
Total

8,150
6,039 
3,368
17,557

7,517
6,243 
3,145
16,905

8.4%
(3.3)%
7.1%
3.9%

7.3%
(2.5)%
11.6%
4.5%

8.0%
(3.0)%
10.2%
4.3%

Total operating profit

Operating margin

2013
£m

2012
£m

2013
%

2012
%

8.1%
7.0%
7.2%
–
7.1%

8.0%
6.4%
7.5%
–
6.9%

Continuing operations
North America
Europe & Japan
Fast Growing & Emerging
Unallocated overheads
Excluding associates
Associates

Underlying
Amortisation of intangibles arising  

on acquisitions

Acquisition transaction costs
Adjustment to contingent  

consideration on acquisition

European exceptional
Goodwill impairment
Total

657
420
242
(64)
1,255
10

1,265

(25)
(3)

1
(59)
(377)
802

598
397
235
(60)
1,170
8

1,178

(18)
(9)

–
(295)
–
856

2013 has been another year of 
consistent performance with 
organic revenue growth of over 
4% and an operating margin  
of over 7% for the first time.

 
 
Delivering returns

Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Strategic report  41

Revenue
Overall, organic revenue growth for the year was 4.3%, comprising new 
business of 8.8%, a retention rate of 93.7% and like for like growth of 
1.8%. Acquisitions less disposals contributed a further 0.2% to deliver 
4.5% constant currency revenue growth. There was a 0.6% negative 
impact from currency translation resulting in reported revenue growth  
of 3.9%.

Finance costs 
The underlying net finance cost was £77 million (2012: £85 million), 
including an £11 million (2012: £15 million) charge relating to the pension 
deficit. The decrease largely reflects the short term inefficiency we 
incurred last year from early refinancing as we raised $1 billion of new 
debt in the US Private Placement market in September 2011, ahead of 
the £614 million of debt repayments in May 2012.

Operating profit
Underlying operating profit from continuing operations was £1,265 million 
(2012: £1,178 million), an increase of 7.4%. On a constant currency 
basis, underlying operating profit increased by £92 million, an increase 
of 7.8%. A total of £89 million has been delivered from organic growth 
and £3 million from acquisitions less disposals. This includes £6 million 
incremental profit from acquisitions made in the prior year, £5 million 
from acquisitions made in the year, less £8 million in respect of 
disposed businesses. 

Operating profit, after the European exceptional cost of £59 million 
(2012: £295 million), goodwill impairment of £377 million (2012: £nil), 
amortisation of intangibles arising on acquisition of £25 million  
(2012: £18 million), acquisition transaction costs of £3 million  
(2012: £9 million) and adjustment to contingent consideration  
on acquisition of £1 million credit (2012: £nil), was £802 million  
(2012: £856 million).

European exceptional
In 2012, we announced a series of actions to improve the operational 
efficiency of our businesses in Europe and address the very challenging 
conditions in southern Europe. We took a £295 million exceptional  
cost of which £100 million was cash and £195 million predominantly 
non-cash. In 2013 we have continued with these action plans and, as 
announced last year, we have recorded a charge to continue to improve 
the operational efficiency of our labour base in Europe. This amounted 
to £59 million.

Goodwill impairment
We have taken a goodwill impairment charge of £377 million in relation 
to our business in the UK. The goodwill principally relates to the 
Granada transaction in 2001. The impairment charge was primarily 
driven by an increase in the discount rate as a result of increases in UK 
gilt rates. 

For 2014, we expect an underlying net finance cost of around  
£85 million. This includes the costs of funding the new £500 million 
share buyback and equates to an effective interest rate of around  
4% on gross debt.

Other gains and losses
Other gains and losses include a £3 million cost (2012: £6 million  
cost) relating to hedge accounting ineffectiveness, a £nil cost  
(2012: £1 million credit) impact of revaluing investments and  
non-controlling interest put options and a £1 million loss on the  
disposal of the US Corrections business which took place in 2012 
(2012: £23 million gain).

Profit before tax
Profit before tax from continuing operations was £721 million  
(2012: £789 million). On an underlying basis, profit before tax  
from continuing operations increased by 8.7% to £1,188 million  
(2012: £1,093 million).

Income tax expense
Income tax expense from continuing operations was £287 million  
(2012: £178 million).

On an underlying basis, after removing the impact of the European 
exceptional cost (benefit of £16 million), an adjustment to the 
exceptional recognition of tax losses in the prior year (expense of 
£2 million), and the tax effect of other non-underlying items (benefit of 
£8 million), the tax charge on continuing operations was £309 million 
(2012: £284 million), equivalent to an effective tax rate of 26%  
(2012: 26%). We expect the tax rate to continue to average out  
around this level in the short to medium term.

1   Constant currency restates the prior year results to 2013’s average exchange rates.
2   Total operating profit includes share of profit of associates.
3   Underlying operating profit and margin excludes European exceptional cost, goodwill 
impairment, amortisation of intangibles arising on acquisition, acquisition transaction 
costs and adjustment to contingent consideration on acquisition.

4   Operating margin is based on revenue and operating profit excluding share of profit  

of associates.

5   Underlying net finance cost excludes hedge accounting ineffectiveness and the 
change in the fair value of investments and non-controlling interest put options.

6   Underlying profit before tax excludes European exceptional cost, goodwill 

impairment, amortisation of intangibles arising on acquisition, acquisition transaction 
costs, adjustment to contingent consideration on acquisition, hedge accounting  
 ineffectiveness and the change in fair value of investments and non-controlling 
interest put options.

7   Underlying basic earnings per share excludes European exceptional cost, goodwill 

impairment, amortisation of intangibles arising on acquisition, acquisition transaction 
costs, adjustment to contingent consideration on acquisition, hedge accounting 
ineffectiveness, the change in fair value of investments and non-controlling interest 
put options, the tax attributable to these and exceptional recognition of tax losses.
8   Underlying cash flow adjusts for the £72 million of European exceptional cash costs 
(2012: £31 million one off cash outflow in respect of non-recurring historic tax issues 
and £20 million of European exceptional cash costs).

9   Organic revenue growth is calculated by adjusting for acquisitions (excluding current 

year acquisitions and including a full year in respect of prior year acquisitions), 
disposals (excluded from both periods) and exchange rate movements (translating 
the prior year at current year exchange rates) and compares the current year results 
against the prior year.

42  Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Strategic report

Finance Director’s statement

Basic earnings per share 
Basic earnings per share, including discontinued operations, were  
23.5 pence (2012: 32.1 pence). 

On an underlying basis, excluding discontinued operations, the  
basic earnings per share from continuing operations were 47.7 pence 
(2012: 42.6 pence). After adjusting for currency movements, basic 
earnings per share increased by 12.5%.

Reported
Discontinued operations
Other adjustments
Underlying
Currency
Constant currency

Attributable profit

Basic earnings per share

2013 
£m

429
(3)
445
871
–
871

2012 
£m

605
–
198
803
(4)
799

2013
pence

2012 
pence

Change
%

23.5
(0.2)
24.4
47.7
–
47.7

32.1
–
10.5
42.6
(0.2)
42.4

(26.8)%
–
–
12.0%
–
12.5%

Dividends
It is proposed that a final dividend of 16.0 pence per share will be paid 
on 24 February 2014 to Shareholders on the register on 24 January 
2014. This will result in a total dividend for the year of 24.0 pence per 
share (2012: 21.3 pence per share), a year on year increase of 12.7%. 
The dividend is covered over two times on both an underlying earnings 
basis and free cash basis. We remain committed to growing the 
dividend in line with constant currency earnings and maintaining this 
level of cover. 

Free cash flow
Free cash flow from continuing operations totalled £762 million  
(2012: £709 million). During the year, we incurred a £72 million outflow  
in respect of the European exceptional. Adjusting for this, free cash  
flow would have been £834 million.

Gross capital expenditure of £469 million (2012: £394 million), including 
amounts purchased by finance lease of £2 million (2012: £4 million), is 
equivalent to 2.7% of revenues (2012: 2.3% of revenues). The increase 
from 2012 is due to the investment in a number of projects, including 
the Texas A&M contract. We will continue to invest in projects where we 
see good returns. Over half of our capital expenditure is put into new 
business and retention, and where we do that, we deliver returns of 
over 20% post-tax. 

Excluding pensions and provisions, trade working capital has reduced by 
£102 million (2012: decrease of £64 million) as a result of good progress 
on collection of overdue debt, taking trade receivable days down to 44. 
Looking forward, annual trade working capital movements are expected 
to be broadly neutral over time. 

The cash outflow of £54 million (2012: £54 million) on post-employment 
benefit obligations largely reflects payments agreed with Trustees to 
reduce deficits on defined benefit pension schemes. These regular 
deficit repayments are expected to continue going forward. 

The cash tax rate for the year was 22% (2012: 21%), based on 
underlying profit before tax for the continuing operations. The rate was 
lower than the short to medium term expected level in the mid 20s, in 
the main due to the receipt of one or two large refunds during the year.

The net interest outflow for the year was £65 million (2012: £82 million). 
The 2012 outflow included £9 million as part of the non-recurring 
historic tax settlement.

Free cash flow from discontinued operations was £nil (2012: outflow  
of £43 million).

Acquisition payments
Spend on acquisitions in the year, net of cash acquired, totalled  
£104 million (2012: £221 million). This includes £80 million of infill 
acquisitions, £3 million on acquisition transaction costs and £21 million  
of deferred consideration relating to prior year acquisitions.

Disposals
The Group received £8 million in respect of the disposal of some small 
non-core businesses (2012: £58 million in respect of the disposal of the 
US Corrections business). £1 million was paid in the year in respect of 
businesses disposed of or discontinued in prior years (2012: £3 million) 
and £nil tax was paid (2012: £21 million) on profits from sale of 
subsidiary companies and associated undertakings.

Purchase of own shares
During the year, the Group concluded the £500 million share buyback 
programme announced in November 2011 and began the £400 million 
share buyback programme announced in November 2012. Up to  
30 September 2013, £446 million had been spent and the programme 
remains on track to complete by the end of the calendar year.

Proceeds from issue of share capital
The Group received cash of £9 million in the year (2012: £30 million) 
from the issue of shares following the exercise of employee  
share options.

Return on capital employed 
Return on capital employed was 19.1% (2012: 18.2%) based on 
underlying operations, net of tax at the effective underlying rate of  
26% (2012: 26%), and excluding the Group’s non-controlling partners’  
share of total operating profit. The average capital employed used is 
£4,878 million (2012: £4,774 million), which is based on the 12 month 
average balance sheet, adjusting for the post-employment benefit 
obligations, net of associated deferred tax, impaired goodwill, 
amortised intangibles arising on acquisition and the Group’s non-
controlling partners’ share of net assets.

Pensions 
The Group has continued to review and monitor its pension obligations 
throughout the year working closely with the Trustees and members of 
schemes around the Group to ensure proper and prudent assumptions 
are used and adequate provision and contributions are made. 

The Group’s total pension fund deficit at 30 September 2013 was  
£208 million (2012: £361 million), largely due to increased asset returns 
and a one off contribution of £72 million to the UK scheme during  
the year.

The total pensions charge for defined contribution schemes in the year 
was £80 million (2012: £77 million) and £32 million (2012: £32 million) for 
defined benefit schemes. Included in the defined benefit scheme costs 
was a £11 million charge to net finance cost (2012: £15 million).

Related party transactions
Details of transactions with related parties are set out in note 33 of  
the consolidated financial statements. These transactions have not  
had, and are not expected to have, a material effect on the financial 
performance or position of the Group.

Financial position
The ratio of net debt to market capitalisation of £15,334 million as at  
30 September 2013 was 8% (2012: 8%).

At the end of the year, net debt was £1,193 million (2012: £973 million).

Liquidity risk
The Group finances its borrowings from a number of sources including 
the bank, the public and the private placement markets. The Group  
has developed long term relationships with a number of financial 
counterparties with the balance sheet strength and credit quality  
to provide credit facilities as required. The Group seeks to avoid  
a concentration of debt maturities in any one period to spread its 
refinancing risk. The maturity profile of the Group’s principal borrowings 
at 30 September 2013 shows that the average period to maturity is  
5.5 years.

Financing – maturity profile of principal borrowings
as at 30 September 2013 (£m)

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

£ Bonds

€ Bonds

US$ Private Placement

£ Private Placement

Bank

1  Based on borrowings and facilities in place as at 30 September 2013, maturing 

in the financial year ending 30 September.

2  The average life of the Group's principal borrowings as at 30 September 2013 

is 5.5 years (2012: 6.1 years).

The Group’s undrawn committed bank facilities at 30 September 2013 
were £700 million (2012: £700 million).

Financial management
The Group continues to manage its interest rate and foreign currency 
exposure in accordance with the policies set out below. The Group’s 
financial instruments comprise cash, borrowings, receivables and 
payables that are used to finance the Group’s operations. The Group 
also uses derivatives, principally interest rate swaps, forward currency 
contracts and cross currency swaps, to manage interest rate and 
currency risks arising from the Group’s operations. The Group does  
not trade in financial instruments. The Group’s treasury policies are 
designed to mitigate the impact of fluctuations in interest rates and 
exchange rates and to manage the Group’s financial risks. The Board 
approves any changes to the policies.

Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Strategic report  43

Foreign currency risk
The Group’s policy is to match as far as possible its principal projected 
cash flows by currency to actual or effective borrowings in the same 
currency. As currency cash flows are generated, they are used to 
service and repay debt in the same currency. Where necessary, to 
implement this policy, forward currency contracts and cross currency 
swaps are taken out which, when applied to the actual currency 
liabilities, convert these to the required currency.

The borrowings in each currency can give rise to foreign exchange 
differences on translation into Sterling. Where the borrowings are either 
less than, or equate to, the net investment in overseas operations, these 
exchange rate movements are treated as movements on reserves and 
recorded in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income 
rather than in the income statement.

Non-Sterling earnings streams are translated at the average rate of 
exchange for the year. Fluctuations in exchange rates have given and 
will continue to give rise to translation differences. The Group is only 
partially protected from the impact of such differences through the 
matching of cash flows to currency borrowings.

Interest rate risk
As set out above, the Group has effective borrowings in a number of 
currencies and its policy is to ensure that, in the short term, it is not 
materially exposed to fluctuations in interest rates in its principal 
currencies. The Group implements this policy either by borrowing fixed 
rate debt or by using interest rate swaps so that the interest rates on at 
least 80% of the Group’s projected debt are fixed for one year, reducing 
to 60% fixed for the second year and 40% fixed for the third year.

Group tax policy
As a Group, we are committed to creating long term shareholder value 
through the responsible, sustainable and efficient delivery of our key 
business objectives. This will enable us to grow the business and make 
significant investments into the Group and its operations.

We therefore adopt an approach to tax that supports this strategy  
and also balances the various interests of our stakeholders including 
Shareholders, governments, employees and the communities in which 
we operate. Our aim is to pursue a principled and sustainable tax 
strategy that has strong commercial merit and is aligned with our 
business strategy. We believe this will enhance shareholder value  
whilst protecting Compass’ reputation.

In doing so, we act in compliance with the relevant local and 
international laws and disclosure requirements, and we conduct an 
open and transparent relationship with the relevant tax authorities  
that fully complies with the Group’s Code of Business Conduct and 
Code of Ethics. 

In an increasingly complex international environment, a degree of tax 
risk and uncertainty is however inevitable. We manage and control 
these risks in a proactive manner and in doing so exercise our 
judgement and seek appropriate advice from reputable professional 
firms. Tax risks are assessed as part of the Group’s formal governance 
process and are reviewed by the Board and the Audit Committee on  
a regular basis.

44  Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Strategic report

Finance Director’s statement

Risks and uncertainties
The Board takes a proactive approach to risk management with  
the aim of protecting its employees and customers and safeguarding 
the interests of the Group and its Shareholders.

The principal risks and uncertainties facing the business and the 
activities the Group undertakes to mitigate these are set out on  
pages 38 and 39.

Shareholder return
The market price of the Group’s ordinary shares at the close of  
the financial year was 850.00 pence per share (2012: 683.50 pence  
per share).

Going concern
The Group’s business activities, together with the factors likely to affect 
its future development, performance and position are set out in the 
Strategic Report, as is the financial position of the Group, its cash  
flows, liquidity position, and borrowing facilities. In addition, note 20 of 
the consolidated financial statements includes the Group’s objectives, 
policies and processes for managing its capital, its financial risk 
management objectives, details of its financial instruments and hedging 
activities and its exposures to credit risk and liquidity risk.

The Group has considerable financial resources together with longer 
term contracts with a number of clients and suppliers across different 
geographic areas and industries. As a consequence, the Directors 
believe that the Group is well placed to manage its business risks 
successfully despite the current uncertain economic outlook.

After making enquiries, the Directors have a reasonable expectation 
that the Group has adequate resources to continue in operational 
existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason, they continue to 
adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements.

Dominic Blakemore 
Group Finance Director 
27 November 2013

The Strategic Report, as set out on pages 1 to 44, has been approved 
by the Board.

On behalf of the Board

Mark J White 
General Counsel and Company Secretary 
27 November 2013

Corporate 
governance

Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Corporate governance  45

Corporate governance

46  Governance and Directors’ Report
55  Directors’ Remuneration Report

C
o
r
p
o
r
a
t
e

g
o
v
e
r
n
a
n
c
e

 
46  Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Corporate governance

Governance and Directors’ Report

Corporate Governance Report 
The Directors present their Annual Report and the audited  
consolidated accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries for the  
year ended 30 September 2013. This Corporate Governance Report 
and other statutory disclosures set out on pages 46 to 54 make  
up the Directors’ Report.

UK Corporate Governance Code compliance
Responsibility for good governance lies with the Board. The Board is 
accountable to Shareholders and is committed to the highest standards 
of corporate governance as set out in the UK Corporate Governance 
Code (the Code). The Code can be found on the Financial Reporting 
Council website at www.frc.org.uk. This Corporate Governance Report, 
together with the Directors’ Remuneration Report set out on pages 55 
to 70, describes how the Board has applied the main principles of good 
governance set out in the Code during the year under review. 

Compliance statement
It is the Board’s view that for the year ended 30 September 2013 the 
Company has been fully compliant with all of the principles set out in 
the Code. The Company’s Auditor, Deloitte LLP, is required to review 
whether the above statement reflects the Company’s compliance with 
the provisions of the Code specified for its review by the Listing Rules  
of the UK Listing Authority and to report if it does not reflect such 
compliance. No such report has been made.

How we govern the Company
Our governance structure comprises the functions shown below, 
supported by the Group’s standards, policies and controls, which  
are described over the following pages in more detail. 

ChAIRMAN

BOARD

AUDIT 
COMMITTEE

REMUNERATION 
COMMITTEE

NOMINATION  
COMMITTEE

CORPORATE 
RESPONSIBILITy 
COMMITTEE

DISCLOSURE 
COMMITTEE

ExECUTIvE 
BOARD

GENERAL 
BUSINESS 
COMMITTEE

The Board
Composition
As at 30 September 2013, and as at the date of this Report, the Board 
of Directors was made up of nine members, comprising the Chairman, 
four Executive Directors and four Non-Executive Directors. James 
Crosby stepped down as a Non-Executive Director on 9 April 2013.  
On 20 June 2013 it was announced that, following Sir Roy Gardner’s 
retirement after the Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 6 February  
2014, Paul Walsh will join the Board as a Non-Executive Director on  
1 January 2014 and succeed Sir Roy as Chairman at the conclusion  
of the AGM. 

All of the Non-Executive Directors are considered by the Board to be 
independent of management and free of any relationship which could 
materially interfere with the exercise of their independent judgement. 
The Board considers that each of the Non-Executive Directors brings 
their own senior level of experience, gained in each of their own fields, 
mainly in international operations.

Biographical details of the Directors currently in office are shown  
on pages 8 and 9. The Company’s policy relating to the terms  
of appointment and the remuneration of both Executive and Non-
Executive Directors is detailed in the Directors’ Remuneration Report  
which is on pages 55 to 70.

The Board meets regularly during the year as well as on an ad hoc  
basis, as required by business need. The Board met eight times during 
the year and Director attendance for each meeting is shown in the  
table on page 47. Each Director also attends the AGM to answer 
Shareholder questions.

Responsibilities
The Board manages the business of the Company and may, subject  
to the Articles of Association and applicable legislation, borrow money, 
guarantee, indemnify, mortgage or charge the business, property and 
assets (present and future) and issue debentures and other securities 
and give security, whether outright or as a collateral security, for any 
debt, liability or obligation of the Company or of any third party. The 
Board has a formal schedule of matters reserved for its decision, 
although its primary role is to provide entrepreneurial leadership and  
to review the overall strategic development of the Group as a whole.  
In addition, the Board sets the Group’s values and standards and 
ensures that it acts ethically and that its obligations to its Shareholders 
are understood and met. The Board may delegate any of its powers  
to any committee consisting of one or more Directors. 

The Board has delegated day to day operational decisions to the 
Executive Board referred to on page 48. 

The Board has established a procedure for Directors, if deemed 
necessary, to take independent professional advice at the Company’s 
expense in the furtherance of their duties. Every Director also has 
access to the General Counsel and Company Secretary, who is 
charged with ensuring that Board procedures are followed and  
that good corporate governance and compliance are implemented 
throughout the Group. Together with the Group Chief Executive and  
the General Counsel and Company Secretary, the Chairman ensures 
that the Board is kept properly informed and is consulted on all issues 
reserved to it. Board papers and other information are distributed at 
times to allow Directors to be properly briefed in advance of meetings. 
In accordance with the Company’s Articles of Association, Directors 
have been granted an indemnity issued by the Company to the extent 
permitted by law in respect of liabilities incurred as a result of their 
office. The indemnity would not provide any coverage where a Director 
is proved to have acted fraudulently or dishonestly. The Company has 
also arranged appropriate insurance cover in respect of legal action 
against its Directors and Officers.

The roles of Chairman and Group Chief Executive are separate and 
clearly defined with the division of responsibilities set out in writing  
and agreed by the Board. 

Director effectiveness and training
In accordance with best practice, the Chairman addresses the 
developmental needs of the Board as a whole, with a view to further 
developing its effectiveness as a team, and ensures that each Director 
refreshes and updates his or her individual skills, knowledge  
and expertise. 

Meetings between the Non-Executive Directors, both with and without 
the presence of the Group Chief Executive, are scheduled in the 
Board’s annual programme. Board meetings are also held at Group 
business locations to help all Board members to gain a deeper 
understanding of the business. This also provides senior managers 
from across the Group with the opportunity to present to the Board  
as well as to meet the Directors on more informal occasions.

Succession planning is a matter for the whole Board, rather than for a 
committee. The Company’s Articles of Association provide that one third 
of the Directors retire by rotation each year and that each Director will 
seek re-election at the AGM every three years. however, in accordance 
with the Code, all Directors submit themselves for annual re-election by 
Shareholders. New Directors may be appointed by the Board, but are 
subject to election by Shareholders at the first opportunity after their 
appointment as is the case with Paul Walsh who will seek election at the 
AGM on 6 February 2014. The Articles of Association limit the number  
of Directors to not less than two and not more than 20 save where 
Shareholders decide otherwise. Non-Executive Directors are normally 
appointed for an initial term of three years which is reviewed and may be 

Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Corporate governance  47

extended for a further three years. It is Board policy that Non-Executive 
Director appointments should last for no more than nine years.

A formal, comprehensive and tailored induction is given to all Non-
Executive Directors following their appointment, including visits to key 
locations within the Group and meetings with members of the Executive 
Board and other key senior executives. The induction also covers a 
review of the Group’s governance policies, structures and business, 
including details of the risks and operating issues facing the Group. 

Sir Ian Robinson is the Company’s Senior Independent Director having 
succeeded James Crosby in this role from 10 April 2013. his role 
includes providing a sounding board for the Chairman and acting as  
an intermediary for the Non-Executive Directors, where necessary.  
The Board believes that Sir Ian continues to have the appropriate 
experience, knowledge and independence to continue in this role. 

The Chairman ensures that the Board maintains an appropriate dialogue 
with Shareholders. Although the Non-Executive Directors are not formally 
required to meet the Shareholders of the Company, their attendance  
at presentations of the interim and annual results is encouraged.

Board effectiveness
A performance evaluation of the Board and of its committees is carried 
out annually to ensure that they continue to be effective and that each 
of the Directors demonstrates commitment to his or her respective role 
and has sufficient time to meet his or her commitment to the Company.

This year, in compliance with the Code, the performance evaluation  
was conducted by external facilitators Alison Crowther-Smith  
and David Mensley of EquityCommunications Limited. Neither  
Ms Crowther-Smith nor Mr Mensley has any connection to the 
Company and they are completely independent.

The performance evaluation process was undertaken in the late  
spring of 2013. having agreed an itinerary of matters for discussion, 
EquityCommunications Limited undertook a series of one-on-one 
interviews with the Chairman, each member of the Board and the 
General Counsel and Company Secretary. Each interview lasted at 
least an hour and covered an agenda which included questions about 
Board administration, strategy and operations, Board composition, 
succession planning and the Board committee structure. Interviewees 
were also encouraged to raise any other matters they felt relevant to  
a Board evaluation process. A report on the outcome of the evaluation 
exercise was prepared by EquityCommunications Limited and was 
presented to the Board at its July 2013 meeting.

In particular, EquityCommunications Limited commented on the 
efficacy of Board administration, some changes to the focus on Group 
strategy, the recruitment of a further Non-Executive Director and the 
visibility afforded by having all Non-Executive Directors serve on all 
Board committees. The report was positive about the performance  
of both the Board and its main committees, highlighting strengths such  
as controls, governance, a focus on strategy and risk identification and 
mitigation. As a result of the recommendations made in the report, the 
Board has agreed to enhance its approach to strategy planning and to 
continue to focus on succession planning, both at Board level and in 
key businesses in the Group. 

having conducted its evaluation, it is the view of the Board that each  
of the Non-Executive Directors brings considerable management 
expertise and an independent perspective to the Board’s deliberations 
and they are considered to be independent of management and free 
from any relationship or circumstance that could affect, or appear to 
affect, the exercise of their independent judgement. Overall the Board 
considered the performance of each Director to be effective and 
concluded that both the Board and its committees continue to provide 
effective leadership and exert the required levels of governance and 
control. The Board will continue to review its procedures, 
effectiveness and development in the year ahead. 

Conflicts of interest
As part of their ongoing development, the Executive Directors may 
seek one external non-executive role on a non-competitor board, for 
which they may retain the remuneration in respect of the appointment. 
In order to avoid any conflict of interest, all appointments are subject to 
the Board’s approval and the Board monitors the extent of Directors’ 
other interests to ensure that its effectiveness is not compromised.

Each Director has a duty under the Companies Act 2006 (CA 2006)  
to avoid a situation in which he or she has or can have a direct or 
indirect interest that conflicts or possibly may conflict with the interests 
of the Company. This duty is in addition to the obligation that he or 
she owes to the Company to disclose to the Board any transaction or 
arrangement under consideration by the Company. The Company’s 
Articles of Association authorise the Directors to approve such 
situations and to include other provisions to allow conflicts of interest  
to be dealt with. The Board follows an established procedure when 
deciding whether to authorise an actual or potential conflict of interest. 
Only independent Directors (i.e. those who have no interest in the 
matter under consideration) will be able to take the relevant decision, 
and in taking the decision the Directors must act in good faith and  
in a way they consider will be most likely to promote the Company’s 
success. Furthermore, the Directors may, if appropriate, impose limits 
or conditions when granting authorisation. 

Any authorities are reviewed at least every 15 months. The Board 
considered and authorised each Director’s reported actual and 
potential conflicts of interest at its July 2013 Board meeting.

Committees of the Board
The Board has established a number of committees to assist in  
the discharge of its duties and the formal Terms of Reference for  
the principal committees, approved by the Board and complying  
with the Code, are available from the General Counsel and Company 
Secretary and can also be found on the Company’s website at  
www.compass-group.com. Their Terms of Reference are reviewed 
annually and updated where necessary. Membership and details  
of the principal committees are shown on pages 48 and 49.  
The General Counsel and Company Secretary acts as Secretary  
to all Board committees.

Meetings attendance
The following table shows the attendance of Directors at meetings  
of the Board, Audit, Corporate Responsibility (CR), Nomination and 
Remuneration Committees during the year ended 30 September 2013:

Name

John Bason
Dominic Blakemore
Richard Cousins
James Crosby1
Sir Roy Gardner
Gary Green
Andrew Martin
Susan Murray
Don Robert
Sir Ian Robinson

1  James Crosby stepped down from the Board on 9 April 2013.

Board

8 of 8
8 of 8
8 of 8
4 of 4
8 of 8
8 of 8
8 of 8
8 of 8
8 of 8
8 of 8

Audit
Committee

CR
Committee

Nomination
Committee

Remuneration
Committee

3 of 3
–
–
1 of 1
–
–
–
3 of 3
3 of 3
3 of 3

3 of 3
3 of 3
3 of 3
1 of 1
2 of 3
–
–
3 of 3
3 of 3
3 of 3

2 of 2
–
2 of 2
1 of 1
2 of 2
–
–
2 of 2
2 of 2
2 of 2

4 of 4
–
–
1 of 1
–
–
–
4 of 4
4 of 4
4 of 4

Corporate governance48  Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Corporate governance

Governance and Directors’ Report

The table shows the number of meetings attended out of the number  
of meetings which each Director was eligible to attend. Directors who 
are not members of individual Board committees have also been invited 
to attend one or more meetings of those committees during the year.

There was one occasion where a Director was unable to attend  
a meeting as a result of a long standing commitment. 

Nomination Committee
The Nomination Committee’s key objective is to ensure that the Board 
comprises individuals with the necessary skills, knowledge and 
experience to ensure that it is effective in discharging its responsibilities.

The Nomination Committee comprises Sir Roy Gardner (Chairman), 
Richard Cousins and all of the Non-Executive Directors in office at the 
date of this Report. James Crosby was a member of the Nomination 
Committee until 9 April 2013.

The Nomination Committee meets on an as needed basis. The 
Committee met twice during the year and members’ attendance  
is set out in the table on page 47.

The Nomination Committee reviews the structure, size and composition 
of the Board and its committees and makes recommendations with 
regard to any changes considered necessary in the identification and 
nomination of new Directors, the reappointment of existing Directors 
and appointment of members to the Board’s committees. It also 
assesses the roles of the existing Directors in office to ensure that  
there continues to be a balanced Board in terms of skills, knowledge, 
experience and diversity. The Nomination Committee reviews the senior 
leadership needs of the Group to enable it to compete effectively in  
the marketplace. The Nomination Committee also advises the Board  
on succession planning for Executive Director appointments although 
the Board itself is responsible for succession generally.

The Company adopts a formal, rigorous and transparent procedure  
for the appointment of new Directors and Senior Executives with due 
regard to diversity and gender. Prior to making an appointment, the 
Nomination Committee will evaluate the balance of skills, knowledge, 
independence, experience and diversity on the Board and, in the light  
of this evaluation, will prepare a description of the role and capabilities 
required, with a view to appointing the best placed individual for the role. 

In identifying suitable candidates, the Nomination Committee:

 • uses open advertising or the services of external advisors to facilitate 

the search

 • considers candidates from different genders and a wide range of 

backgrounds

 • considers candidates on merit and against objective criteria ensuring 
that appointees have sufficient time to devote to the position, in light 
of other significant commitments

During the year the Nomination Committee retained Egon Zehnder 
International as recruitment consultants in respect of the search for a 
suitable candidate for the Chairmanship. Egon Zehnder International is 
an independent executive search firm which has no other connection 
with the Company. Paul Walsh was identified by the Nomination 
Committee as part of the external search process conducted by Egon 
Zehnder International and was subsequently recommended to the 
Board for appointment on the basis that he met the criteria required, 
including having sufficient time to discharge the requirements of the 
role. During the year the Nomination Committee also considered (and 
recommended to the Board) the reappointments of Susan Murray and 
Sir Ian Robinson, each for a further term, and the appointment of Sir Ian 
as Senior Independent Director following James Crosby’s retirement. 

In the year ahead, the Nomination Committee will continue to assess 
the Board’s composition and how it may be enhanced and will consider 
diversity (gender and experience) and geographic representation and 
use independent consultants as appropriate to ensure a broad search 
for suitable candidates.

Remuneration Committee
The Remuneration Committee is responsible for making 
recommendations on remuneration policy for the Chairman, Executive 
Directors and senior management to the Board. 

The Remuneration Committee comprises Sir Ian Robinson (Chairman) 
and all of the other Non-Executive Directors in office at the date of this 
Report. James Crosby was Chairman of the Remuneration Committee 
until his retirement on 9 April 2013. The Remuneration Committee met 
four times during the year and Directors’ attendance can be found in 
the table on page 47.

The Directors’ Remuneration Report is set out on pages 55 to 70 and 
details the Remuneration Committee’s activities during the year and the 
policy on remuneration. The Chairman of the Remuneration Committee 
attends the AGM to respond to any Shareholder questions that might 
be raised on the Remuneration Committee’s activities.

General Business Committee
The General Business Committee comprises all of the Executive 
Directors and meets as required to conduct the Company’s business 
within clearly defined limits delegated by the Board and subject to those 
matters reserved to the Board.

Corporate Responsibility Committee
The Corporate Responsibility Committee’s primary responsibilities 
include health, safety and environmental practices, ethical business 
conduct, the promotion of employee engagement and diversity and 
community investment. 

The Corporate Responsibility Committee comprises Susan Murray 
(Chairman), Sir Roy Gardner, Dominic Blakemore, Richard Cousins, 
Mark White (General Counsel and Company Secretary), Jane Kingston 
(Group human Resources Director) and all of the Non-Executive 
Directors in office at the date of this Report. The Corporate Responsibility 
Committee met three times during the year and the Director members’ 
attendance is shown in the table on page 47. Our Corporate Responsibility 
Report 2013 is available at www.compass-group.com/cr13 as well as 
on pages 20 to 25 of this Report.

Disclosure Committee
The Disclosure Committee ensures accuracy and timeliness of public 
announcements of the Company and monitors the Company’s 
obligations under the Listing Rules and Disclosure and Transparency 
Rules of the UK Listing Authority.

Meetings are held as required. At the date of this Report the Disclosure 
Committee comprises Dominic Blakemore, Mark White, the head of 
Financial Reporting and Control and the Director of Corporate Affairs. 

Executive Board
The Executive Board is the key management committee for the  
Group and comprises the Executive Directors of the Company,  
Andrew Furlong (Regional Managing Director, Central Asia, Middle East, 
Africa & Turkey), Philippe Op de Beeck (Regional Managing Director, 
Asia Pacific), Mark White and Jane Kingston. 

The Executive Board meets regularly and is responsible for developing 
the Group’s strategy and capital expenditure and investment budgets 
and reporting on these areas to the Board for approval, implementing 
Group policy, monitoring financial, operational and customer quality of 
service performance, health and safety, purchasing and supply chain 
issues, succession planning and day to day management of the Group. 

Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Corporate governance  49

Audit Committee
Objectives
The Audit Committee’s key objectives are the provision of effective 
governance over the appropriateness of the Group’s financial reporting, 
including the adequacy of related disclosures, the performance of both 
the internal and external audit function, and the management of the 
Group’s systems of internal control, business risks and related 
compliance activities. The Audit Committee’s Terms of Reference  
can be found at www.compass-group.com.

Composition
The Audit Committee comprises all of the Non-Executive Directors in 
office at the date of this Report. Members of the Audit Committee are 
appointed by the Board following recommendations by the Nomination 
Committee and the Audit Committee’s membership is reviewed by the 
Nomination Committee and as part of the annual Board performance 
evaluation. James Crosby was a member of the Audit Committee until  
9 April 2013.

Each member of the Audit Committee brings relevant senior level 
financial experience. The expertise and experience of the members  
of the Audit Committee are summarised on pages 8 and 9. The Board 
considers that each member of the Audit Committee is independent 
within the definition set out in the Code. The Audit Committee’s 
Chairman, John Bason, is considered by the Board to have significant, 
recent and relevant financial experience as Finance Director of 
Associated British Foods plc. 

All members of the Audit Committee receive an appropriate induction, 
which includes an overview of the business, its financial dynamics and 
risks. Audit Committee members are expected to have an understanding 
of the principles of, and recent developments in, financial reporting, 
including the applicable accounting standards and statements of 
recommended practice, key aspects of the Company’s policies, 
financing, internal control mechanisms, and matters that require the  
use of judgement in the presentation of accounts and key figures as 
well as the role of internal and external auditors. Members of the Audit 
Committee undertake ongoing training as required.

Audit Committee meetings
The Audit Committee meets regularly throughout the year and its 
agenda is linked to events in the Company’s financial calendar. Each 
member of the Audit Committee may require reports on matters of 
interest in addition to the regular items. The Audit Committee met three 
times during the year and Members’ attendance at the meetings is set 
out in the table on page 47.

The Audit Committee invites Sir Roy Gardner (Chairman), Richard 
Cousins (Group Chief Executive), Dominic Blakemore (Group Finance 
Director), Sarah Sergeant (head of Financial Reporting and Control)  
and Trevor Gelnar (Director of Group Internal Audit), together with senior 
representatives of the external Auditor, to attend each meeting although, 
from time to time, it reserves time for discussions without invitees being 
present. Other senior management are invited to present such reports 
as are required for the Audit Committee to discharge its duties.

The Chairman of the Audit Committee attends the AGM to respond to 
any Shareholder questions that might be raised on its activities. The 
remuneration of the members of the Audit Committee and the policy 
with regard to the remuneration of the Non-Executive Directors are set 
out on pages 64 and 69. 

Activities during the year
During the year, the Audit Committee reviewed and evaluated: 

 • the appropriateness of the interim and annual financial statements 

(including the announcements thereof to the London Stock 
Exchange) with both management and the external Auditor, including
 – at the Board’s request, whether the Annual Report and Accounts, 

taken as a whole, is fair, balanced and understandable and 
provides the information necessary for Shareholders to assess  
the Company’s performance, business model and strategy

 – the clarity of disclosures and compliance with financial reporting 

standards and relevant financial and governance reporting 
requirements

 – discussing the critical accounting policies and use of 

assumptions and estimates, as noted in section B of the 
accounting policies on page 81, and concluding that the 
estimates, judgements and assumptions used were reasonable 
based on the information available and had been used 
appropriately in applying the Company’s accounting policies

 • the material areas in which significant judgements have been 

applied
 – the consideration of any goodwill impairment assessments  

and how these were addressed. The judgement largely relates  
to the assumptions underlying the calculation of the value in use 
of the cash generating units (CGUs) being tested for impairment, 
primarily the achievement of the three year business plan for the 
CGUs and the macroeconomic assumptions (such as discount 
rates) underpinning the valuation process. The Committee 
receives reports from management outlining the basis for the 
assumptions used. Business plans are approved by the Board.  
In addition, the external Auditor provides detailed written 
reporting to the Audit Committee in this area. During the year  
the Committee reviewed the impairment assessment of the  
UK business carried out by management and concluded that  
an impairment charge of £377 million should be booked 
 – the level of provisioning for contingent and other liabilities 
(including tax) where management, accounting and legal 
judgements are important. The Committee discusses with 
management the key judgements made, including relevant legal 
advice. The external Auditor also reports on all material provisions 
to the Committee 

 • the Group’s internal audit function and approval of the internal audit 

plan and risk controls

 • the scope and effectiveness of the external audit process and 

timing of any audit tender

 • the retendering process for the external Auditor referred to on page 50
 • the objectivity, terms and fees of the external Auditor
 • the policy on non-audit services provided by the external Auditor 
 • litigation and contingent liabilities
 • the operation of the Group’s Speak Up whistleblowing policy
 • tax matters, including provisioning for potential current tax liabilities 

and the level of deferred tax asset recognition as well as 
compliance with statutory tax reporting obligations 

External audit
The Audit Committee is responsible for the development, 
implementation and monitoring of the Company’s policy on external 
audit. The Audit Committee reserves oversight responsibility for 
monitoring the Auditor’s independence, objectivity and compliance 
with ethical, professional and regulatory requirements. The Audit 
Committee recommends the appointment, reappointment and 
removal of the Company’s external Auditor, and considers the risks 
associated with its withdrawal from the market in its risk evaluation 
and planning. The Audit Committee also reviews the terms, areas  
of responsibility and scope of the audit as set out in the external 
Auditor’s engagement letter; the overall work plan for the forthcoming 
year, together with the associated fee proposal and cost effectiveness 
of the audit; any major issues which arise during the course of the 
audit and their resolution; key accounting and audit judgements; the 
level of errors identified during the audit; the recommendations made 
to management by the Auditor and management’s response; and the 
Auditor’s overall performance. The Audit Committee also ensures that 
key partners within the external Auditor are rotated from time to time in 
accordance with applicable UK rules. The Audit Committee monitors 
the extent of non-audit work which the external Auditor can perform, 
to ensure that the provision of those non-audit services that can be 
undertaken by the external Auditor falls within the agreed policy and 
does not impair their objectivity or independence. In this respect the 
Audit Committee has agreed that, unless there is no other competent 

Corporate governance50  Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Corporate governance

Governance and Directors’ Report

and available provider, the external Auditor should be excluded from 
providing the Company with general consultancy and all other non-
audit and non-tax related services. Engagements for non-audit services 
that are not prohibited are subject to formal approval by the Audit 
Committee based on the level of fees involved. Non-audit services  
that are pre-approved are either routine in nature with a fee that is  
not significant in the context of the audit or are audit related services.

Within the constraints of applicable UK rules, the external Auditor 
undertakes some due diligence reviews and provides assistance on  
tax matters, given its in-depth knowledge of the Group’s business, 
although assistance on these matters is also obtained from other firms. 
The provision of non-audit services within such constraints and the 
agreed policy is assessed on a case by case basis so that the best 
placed advisor is retained. Principal non-audit services approved by the 
Audit Committee during the year ended 30 September 2013 comprised 
the provision of assistance on tax matters, IT consultancy services and 
due diligence advice in respect of potential acquisitions. 

During the year, the Audit Committee reviewed Deloitte LLP’s fees, 
effectiveness and whether the agreed audit plan had been fulfilled  
and the reasons for any variation from the plan. The review included a 
formal evaluation together with the use of questionnaires completed by 
finance teams around the Group. The Audit Committee also considered 
its robustness and the degree to which Deloitte LLP was able to  
assess key accounting and audit judgements and the content of the 
management letter issued by the external Auditor. The Audit Committee 
concluded that both the audit and the audit process were effective. 

Deloitte LLP also audits significant subsidiaries of the Group.

The total fees paid to Deloitte LLP in the year ended 30 September 
2013 were £7.8 million (2012: £6.8 million) of which £3.5 million  
(2012: £2.4 million) related to non-audit work. Further disclosure of the 
non-audit fees paid during the year ended 30 September 2013 can be 
found in note 2 to the consolidated financial statements on page 90.

To ensure objectivity, key members of the audit team rotate off the 
Company’s audit. To safeguard the independence of the Company’s 
external Auditor and the integrity of the audit process, the recruitment  
of senior employees from the Company’s Auditor is not permitted for  
a period of at least two years after they cease to be involved in the 
provision of services to the Company.

Appointment of Auditor
Deloitte LLP has expressed its willingness to continue as Auditor  
of the Company. Separate Resolutions proposing its reappointment 
and determination of its remuneration will be proposed at the AGM  
to be held on 6 February 2014. 

Deloitte LLP was appointed as Auditor to the Company on its 
incorporation, and is subject to annual reappointment by Shareholders. 
Whilst the Company has kept under review the relationship and 
effectiveness of the external Auditor, no formal tender of the audit 
process has been carried out since Deloitte LLP’s appointment. The 
Audit Committee is mindful of the requirements under the Code that  
the Audit should be put out to tender every 10 years and, as confirmed 
in last year’s Annual Report, it is the Audit Committee’s intention  
to retender the audit during the year ending 30 September 2014.  
During the year, the Audit Committee reviewed and approved the 
proposed retender process, which commenced during the year ended 
30 September 2013. At the date of this Report extensive due diligence 
had been undertaken and a further timetable and step plan to achieve 
the completion of the retender exercise by 30 September 2014 had 
been agreed.

Disclosure of relevant audit information
The Directors confirm that, so far as they are each aware, there is no 
relevant audit information of which Deloitte LLP is unaware and each 
Director has taken all the steps that ought to have been taken as a 
Director to be aware of any relevant audit information and to establish 
that Deloitte LLP is aware of that information. 

Our standards
The Company remains committed to the highest standards of business 
conduct and expects all of its employees to act accordingly. The 
Group’s Speak Up policy (an extension of the Code of Ethics now 
incorporated within the Group’s Code of Business Conduct which  
was launched in 40 languages during 2011 and is available on the 
Company’s website) sets out arrangements for the receipt, in 
confidence, of complaints on accounting, risk issues, internal controls, 
auditing issues and related matters which would, as appropriate,  
be reported to the Audit Committee, and Speak Up is a standard review 
item on all internal work programmes. Copies of the Codes of Business 
Conduct and Ethics are available on the Company’s website at  
www.compass-group.com. The Audit Committee also receives regular 
updates on bribery and fraud trends and activity in the business, if  
any, at least twice each year with individual updates being given to  
the Committee, as needed, in more serious cases of alleged bribery, 
fraud or related activities. The Group’s anti-fraud policies are a subset  
of the Code of Business Conduct which does not tolerate any activity 
involving fraud, dishonesty or deception. These policies, for which the 
Audit Committee retains overall responsibility, set out how allegations  
of fraud or bribery are dealt with, such as by the local human resources 
or finance team, and the frequency of local reporting that feeds into  
the regular updates, which are presented to the Audit Committee. 
Reporting of these matters to the Audit Committee is managed and 
overseen by internal audit. The Speak Up policy operates when the 
complaint is received through the whistleblowing channel and that 
policy will redirect the alleged fraud or bribery for investigation at the 
most appropriate level of the organisation which may, for example,  
be by a member of the local human resources team or, on occasion, 
the Audit Committee itself.

Each year the Audit Committee critically reviews its own performance 
and considers where improvements can be made.

Internal audit
The Committee reviews the effectiveness of the Group’s internal audit 
function and its relationship with the external Auditor, including internal 
audit resources, plans and performance as well as the degree to which 
the function is free of management restrictions. Throughout the year, 
the Audit Committee reviewed the internal audit function’s plans and its 
achievements against those plans. The Audit Committee considered 
the results of the audits undertaken by the internal audit function and 
considered the adequacy of management’s response to matters raised, 
including the time taken to resolve any such matters.

Internal control
The Audit Committee also reviews the integrity of material financial 
statements made by the Company. The Audit Committee monitors  
and reviews the effectiveness of the Group’s internal control systems, 
accounting policies and practices and compliance controls as well as 
the Company’s statements on internal control before they are agreed  
by the Board for each year’s Annual Report. The Board retains overall 
responsibility for internal control and the identification and management 
of business risk. The internal audit function is involved in the assessment 
of the quality of risk management and internal control and helps to 
promote and further develop effective risk management within the 
business. Certain internal audit assignments (such as those requiring 
specialist expertise) continue to be outsourced by the Director of Group 
Internal Audit to KPMG LLP as appropriate. The Audit Committee 
reviews internal audit reports and considers the effectiveness of  
the function.

In a Group where local management have considerable autonomy to 
run and develop their businesses, a well designed system of internal 
control is necessary to safeguard Shareholders’ investments and the 
Company’s assets. The Directors acknowledge that they have overall 
responsibility for the Group’s systems of internal control and for 
reviewing the effectiveness of those controls. In accordance with the 
guidance set out in the Turnbull Report, ‘Internal Control: Guidance for 
Directors on the Combined Code’, and in the Code itself, an ongoing 

Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Corporate governance  51

process has been established for identifying, managing and evaluating 
the risks faced by the Group. This process has been in place for the  
full financial year and up to the date on which the financial statements 
were approved.

The systems are designed to manage rather than eliminate the  
risk of failure to achieve the Group’s strategic objectives, safeguard  
the Group’s assets against material loss, fairly report the Group’s 
performance and position and to ensure compliance with relevant 
legislation, regulation and best practice including that related to social, 
environmental and ethical matters. The systems provide reasonable, 
but not absolute, assurance against material misstatement or loss. 
Such systems are reviewed by the Board to deal with changing 
circumstances.

A summary of the key financial risks inherent in the Group’s business  
is given on pages 38 and 39. Risk assessment and evaluation are an 
integral part of the annual planning cycle. Each business documents 
the strategic objectives and the effectiveness of the Group’s systems  
of internal control. As part of the review, each significant business and 
function has been required to identify and document each substantial 
risk, together with the mitigating actions implemented to manage, 
monitor and report to management on the effectiveness of these 
controls. Senior managers are also required to sign biannual 
confirmations of compliance with key procedures and to report any 
breakdowns in, or exceptions to, these procedures. Summarised 
results have been presented to senior management (including to the 
Executive Board) and to the Board. These processes have been in 
place throughout the financial year ended 30 September 2013 and  
have continued to the date of this Report. The Board has reviewed  
the effectiveness of the Group’s system of internal control for the year 
under review and a summary of the principal control structures and 
processes in place across the Group is set out in this Report.

Control environment 
Whilst the Board has overall responsibility for the Group’s system of 
internal control and for reviewing its effectiveness, it has delegated 
responsibility for the operation of the internal control and risk 
management programme to the Executive Board. The detailed review 
of internal control has been delegated to the Audit Committee. The 
management of each business is responsible for internal control and 
risk management within its own business and for ensuring compliance 
with the Group’s policies and procedures. Each business has 
appointed a risk champion whose primary role in such capacity is  
to ensure compliance by local management with the Group’s risk 
management and internal control programme. The internal and the 
external independent auditors have reviewed the overall approach 
adopted by the Group towards its risk management activities so as  
to reinforce these internal control requirements.

Control procedures 
The Board reviews its strategic plans and objectives on an annual basis 
and approves Group budgets and strategies in light of these. Control  
is exercised at Group, regional and business level through the Group’s 
Management and Performance (MAP) framework and monthly 
monitoring of performance by comparison with budgets, forecasts and 
cash targets, and by regular visits to Group businesses by the Group 
Chief Executive and the Group Finance Director.

comments on the control environment within their operations. The 
Group Finance Director summarises these submissions for the Audit 
Committee and the Chairman of the Audit Committee reports to the 
Board on any matters that have arisen from the Audit Committee’s 
review of the way in which risk management and internal control 
processes have been applied. 

The Board has formal procedures in place for approval of client 
contracts, capital investment and acquisition projects, with clearly 
designated levels of authority, supported by post investment review 
processes for selected acquisitions and major capital expenditure.  
The Board considers social, environmental and ethical matters  
in relation to the Group’s business and assesses these when  
reviewing the risks faced by the Group; further information regarding 
environmental and ethical matters is available on pages 20 to 25. The 
Board is conscious of the effect such matters may have on the short 
and long term value of the Company. The external Auditor of the 
Company and the Director of Group Internal Audit attend Audit 
Committee meetings and receive its papers. The Report of the Audit 
Committee is set out on pages 49 and 50 and the Audit Committee 
members meet regularly with the Director of Group Internal Audit and 
the external Auditor without the presence of executive management.

There were no changes to the Company’s internal control over 
financial reporting that occurred during the year ended 30 September 
2013 that have affected materially, or are reasonably likely to affect 
materially, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Communicating with Shareholders
The Company places considerable importance on communication  
with its Shareholders, including its private Shareholders. The Group 
Chief Executive and the Group Finance Director are closely involved in 
investor relations and a Senior Executive has day-to-day responsibility 
for such matters. The views of the Company’s major Shareholders are 
reported to the Board by the Group Chief Executive and the Group 
Finance Director as well as by the Chairman (who remains in contact 
with the 10 largest Shareholders) and are discussed at its meetings. 

There is regular dialogue with institutional Shareholders and this has 
been extended to include private Shareholders through the AGM  
and meetings with the United Kingdom Shareholders’ Association. 
Contact with institutional Shareholders (and with financial analysts, 
brokers and the media) is controlled by written guidelines to ensure 
the protection of share price sensitive information that has not already 
been made generally available to the Company’s Shareholders. 
Contact is also maintained, when appropriate, with Shareholders  
to discuss overall remuneration plans and policies. 

The primary method of communication with Shareholders is by 
electronic means, helping to make the Company more environmentally 
friendly by reducing waste and pollution associated with the printing 
and posting of its Annual Report. The Annual Report and Accounts  
is available to all Shareholders and can be accessed via the 
Company’s website at www.compass-group.com. The Group’s 
annual and interim results are also published on the Company’s 
website, together with all other announcements and documents 
issued to the market, such as trading updates, interim management 
statements, interviews and presentations by the Group Chief 
Executive and Group Finance Director.

This is underpinned by a formal major risk assessment process which  
is an integral part of the annual business cycle. Each of the Group’s 
businesses is required to identify and document major risks facing their 
business and appropriate mitigating activities and controls, and monitor 
and report to management on the effectiveness of these controls on a 
biannual basis. These reports, together with reports on internal control 
and departures, if any, from established Group procedures prepared  
by both the internal and external auditors, are reviewed by the Group 
Finance Director and the Audit Committee. Group companies also 
submit biannual risk and internal control assurance letters to the Group 
Finance Director on internal control and risk management issues, with 

The Notice of AGM is circulated to all Shareholders at least 20 working 
days prior to such meeting and it is Company policy not to combine 
resolutions to be proposed at general meetings. All Shareholders are 
invited to the Company’s AGM at which they have the opportunity to 
put questions to the Board and it is standard practice to have the 
Chairmen of the Audit, Corporate Responsibility, Nomination and 
Remuneration Committees available to answer questions. The results  
of proxy voting for and against each resolution, as well as abstentions, 
are announced to the London Stock Exchange and are published on 
the Company’s website shortly after the meeting. Further Shareholder 
information is available on pages 139 to 148.

Corporate governance52  Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Corporate governance

Governance and Directors’ Report

Other statutory disclosures 
Directors
Particulars of the Directors in office at the date of this Report are  
listed on pages 8 and 9. In accordance with the Code, each Director 
will retire and submit himself or herself for re-election at the AGM on  
6 February 2014. 

On 9 April 2013, James Crosby stepped down from the Board and 
ceased to be both the Senior Independent Director and the Chairman 
of the Remuneration Committee. On 10 April 2013 Sir Ian Robinson 
succeeded James Crosby as the Senior Independent Director and 
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee.

At the Company’s AGM on 7 February 2013 it was announced that Sir 
Roy Gardner intended to step down as Chairman at the conclusion of 
the following AGM. On 20 June 2013 it was announced that Paul Walsh 
would be appointed as a Non-Executive Director from 1 January 2014. 
he will become Non-Executive Chairman at the conclusion of the AGM 
on 6 February 2014 and will seek election as a Director of the Company 
at that meeting.

Results and dividends
In the year ended 30 September 2013, the Group delivered an increase 
of 8.7% in Group underlying profit before tax from £1,093 million to 
£1,188 million and a decrease of 8.6% in Group reported profit before 
tax from £789 million to £721 million. An analysis of revenue and 
operating profit is set out in note 1 to the consolidated financial 
statements on pages 86 and 87. 

The 2013 interim dividend of 8.0 pence per share (2012: 7.2 pence)  
was paid to Shareholders on 29 July 2013. The Directors recommend  
a final dividend of 16.0 pence per share (2012: 14.1 pence) making a 
total dividend for the year of 24.0 pence per ordinary share, an increase 
of 12.7% on the 21.3 pence paid in respect of last year. Payment of the 
recommended final dividend, if approved at the AGM to be held on  
6 February 2014, will be made on 24 February 2014 to Shareholders 
registered at the close of business on 24 January 2014. The shares  
will be quoted ex-dividend from 22 January 2014.

During the year, the Trustees of each of the employee benefit trusts 
which operate in connection with the Company’s share plans waived 
their rights to receive dividends on any shares held by them. Details  
of the Trusts can be found on page 53 of this Report. The amount  
of dividends waived during the year ended 30 September 2013 was 
£39,643 (2012: £42,055). 

A dividend reinvestment plan is available to eligible Shareholders. 
Details can be found on page 140. 

Share capital
General
At the date of this Report, 1,796,445,173 ordinary shares of 10 pence 
each have been issued, are fully paid up and are quoted on the London 
Stock Exchange. In addition, the Company sponsors a Level I American 
Depositary Receipt programme with BNy Mellon, under which the 
Company’s shares are traded on the over the counter market in the 
form of American Depositary shares.

During the year ended 30 September 2013, 3,419,777 options were 
exercised and 1,788,086 awards released pursuant to the Company’s 
share option schemes and long term incentive plans, resulting in the 
allotment of 5,207,863 new ordinary shares. A further 155,588 new 
ordinary shares have been allotted under these schemes since the end 
of the financial year to the date of this Report. 

There are no restrictions on the transfer of ordinary shares in the capital 
of the Company other than certain restrictions which may from time to 
time be imposed by law, for example, insider trading law. In accordance 
with the Listing Rules of the Financial Conduct Authority, certain 
employees are required to seek the approval of the Company to deal  
in its shares.

The Company is not aware of any agreements between Shareholders 
that may result in restrictions on the transfer of securities and/or  
voting rights.

The Company’s Articles of Association may only be amended by 
special resolution at a general meeting of Shareholders.

The Company is not aware of any significant agreements to which  
it is party that take effect, alter or terminate upon a change of control  
of the Company following a takeover.

More detailed information relating to the rights and obligations  
attaching to the Company’s ordinary shares, in addition to those 
conferred by law, are set out in the Company’s Articles of Association, 
which are available on the Company’s website as well as on pages  
24 and 25 of the Annual Report for the year ended 30 September 2007. 
The 2007 Annual Report is available on the Company’s website at 
www.compass-group.com.

To view our Annual Report and our Code of Business Conduct go  
to www.compass-group.com.

Repurchase of shares
On 21 November 2012, the Company announced its intention to 
commence a £400 million share repurchase programme, to be 
executed over the 12 month period to the end of 2013 and the 
Company anticipates that this programme will be completed by the  
end of December 2013. During the year ended 30 September 2013, 
56,735,966 ordinary shares were purchased and subsequently 
cancelled for a consideration of £449 million (including expenses) 
(representing 3.06% of the ordinary shares in issue on 1 October 2012); 
20,821,996 ordinary shares in respect of the completion of the  
£500 million programme announced on 23 November 2011 and 
35,914,000 ordinary shares under the aforementioned £400 million 
programme. From 1 October 2013 to the date of this Report a further 
7,668,410 shares of 10 pence each of the Company (representing 
0.43% of the ordinary shares in issue on 1 October 2013) were 
purchased and subsequently cancelled for a consideration of  
£68 million (including expenses). 

On 27 November 2013, the Company announced its intention to 
commence a further £500 million share repurchase programme,  
to be executed over the 12 month period to the end of 2014.

At the AGM a special resolution will be proposed to renew the  
Directors’ limited authority to repurchase ordinary shares in the market, 
last granted at the AGM in 2013. The Directors consider it desirable for 
these general authorisations to be available in order to maintain an 
efficient capital structure whilst at the same time retaining the flexibility 
to fund infill acquisitions. 

The authority sets the minimum and maximum prices which may be 
paid and it will be limited to a maximum of 10% of the Company’s 
issued ordinary share capital calculated at the latest practicable date 
prior to the publication of the Notice of AGM. Any purchases of ordinary 
shares will be by means of market purchases through the London 
Stock Exchange and any shares purchased may be cancelled or 
placed into treasury in accordance with the Companies (Acquisition  
of Own Shares) (Treasury Shares) Regulations 2003. The Company 
currently has no shares in treasury. 

Issue of shares
At the AGM, the Directors will ask Shareholders to renew the authority 
last granted to them at the AGM held in 2013 to allot equity shares 
representing approximately one third of the issued ordinary shares 
calculated at the latest practicable date prior to the publication of the 
Notice of AGM (the section 551 authority) and, in accordance with the 
Association of British Insurers (ABI) Allotment Guidelines, the Directors 
again propose to extend this by a further one third of the Company’s 
issued ordinary share capital provided that such amount shall only be 
used in connection with a rights issue. If approved, the authority will 
expire no later than 15 months from the date on which the resolution  

Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Corporate governance  53

is passed, or at the conclusion of the AGM to be held in 2015, 
whichever is the sooner.

The limited power granted to the Directors at last year’s AGM to allot 
equity shares for cash other than pro rata to existing Shareholders 
expires no later than 6 May 2015. Subject to the terms of the section 
551 authority, the Directors recommend that this authority should be 
renewed. If granted, this authority will give the Directors the ability (until 
the AGM to be held in 2015) to issue ordinary shares for cash, other 
than pro rata to existing Shareholders, in connection with a rights issue 
or up to a limit of 5% of the issued ordinary share capital calculated at 
the latest practicable date prior to the publication of the Notice of AGM. 
In line with best practice, the Company has not issued more than 7.5% 
of its issued ordinary share capital on a non prorated basis over the last 
three years. The Directors have no present intention to issue ordinary 
shares, other than pursuant to the Company’s employee share 
schemes, and this authority will maintain the Company’s flexibility in 
relation to future share issues, including any issues to finance business 
opportunities, should appropriate circumstances arise.

Details of issues of new shares made during the year, together with 
details of options granted over unissued capital, are set out in note 24  
to the consolidated financial statements on pages 119 and 120.

Substantial shareholdings
The following major shareholdings have been notified to the Company 
as at 30 September 2013 and the date of this Report. 

% of 
issued
capital1

% of 
Compass 
Group PLC’s
voting rights

Blackrock, Inc.
Massachusetts Financial Services Company

9.99
5.00

9.99
5.00

1  At the date of disclosure.

Since the disclosure date, the Shareholder’s interest in the Company 
may have changed. 

The number of shares held by the Directors as at 30 September 2013 
can be found on page 69 of the Directors’ Remuneration Report. 

Employee share trusts
The Compass Group Employee Share Trust (ESOP) and The Compass 
Group Employee Trust Number 2 (CGET) were established on  
13 January 1992 and 12 April 2001 respectively in connection with  
the Company’s share option plans. The Compass Group Long Term 
Incentive Plan Trust (LTIPT) was established on 5 April 2001 in 
connection with the Company’s long term incentive plans. Details  
of all incentive plans are set out in the Directors’ Remuneration Report 
on pages 55 to 70. The Trustees of the ESOP, LTIPT and CGET hold 
144,413 (2012: 180,266), 17,209 (2012: 17,209) and nil (2012: nil) ordinary 
shares of the Company respectively.

The Compass Group Executive Option Share Trust and the Compass 
Group Executive Share Trust were established on 15 and 22 February 
2010 respectively in relation to the operation of share incentive plans  
in Australia. No ordinary shares are held by these Trusts as at  
30 September 2013 (2012: nil).

Awards under employee share schemes
Details of awards made during the year and held by Executive Directors 
as at 30 September 2013 are set out in the Directors’ Remuneration 
Report on pages 55 to 70.

Details of employee share schemes and grants made during the year 
ended 30 September 2013 to, and extant awards held by, employees 
are disclosed in note 24 to the consolidated financial statements on 
pages 119 and 120.

Employee policies and involvement
The Group places particular importance on the involvement of its 
employees, keeping them regularly informed through informal bulletins 
and other in-house publications, meetings and the Company’s internal 
websites, on matters affecting them as employees and on the issues 
affecting their performance. Since 1996 those Group businesses  
in the European Economic Area (EEA) have been represented on  
the Compass European Council (CEC) which provides a forum for 
exchanging information and engaging in consultation on the Group’s 
performance and plans, and relevant transnational issues. The 
Group’s CEC Agreement terminated in December 2012. The 
Company is in the process of negotiating a new CEC Agreement 
through a Special Negotiating Body, comprising employee 
representatives from each of the countries in which the Group 
operates within the EEA.

Permanent UK employees are usually invited to join the Company’s 
defined contribution scheme, Compass Retirement Income Savings 
Plan (CRISP), or the Company’s stakeholder pension arrangement. 
CRISP has a corporate trustee. The Chairman, Tony Allen, is 
independent but will retire on 30 November 2013 and will be  
succeeded by Nigel Palmer, a current employee of the Group.  
The other four Trustee Directors are UK-based employees of the  
Group, one of whom has been nominated by CRISP members.  
As at the date of this Report, two further member-nominated  
positions are vacant. 

Those UK employees who transfer from the public sector under the 
Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 
2006 are eligible to join the Compass Group Pension Plan (the Plan),  
a defined benefit pension arrangement which is otherwise closed to 
new entrants. The Plan also has a corporate Trustee. The Chairman, 
Peter Morriss to 11 October 2013 and Phillip Whittome from  
11 October 2013, is independent. There are a further five Trustee 
Directors who are either UK-based employees or former employees  
of the Group, three of whom have been nominated by Plan members. 

The Company became subject to the automatic enrolment regulations 
for its workforce in the UK on 1 November 2012, but deferred its  
staging date for automatic enrolment of eligible employees to 2 
January 2013 as permitted by the regulations. Both the Plan and 
CRISP are compliant arrangements under these regulations and have 
been registered as such. Employees who were not already in one  
of these registered compliant arrangements were automatically 
enrolled into the National Employment Savings Trust (NEST). 28,510 
employees were automatically enrolled on 2 January 2013. Part  
of the UK business had a staging date of 1 April 2013 and automatic 
enrolment was deferred until 10 June 2013 when a further 1,149 
employees, who were not already enrolled, were automatically 
enrolled in NEST. Permanent employees outside of the UK are usually 
offered membership of local pension arrangements if and where they  
exist or limited global arrangements where it is appropriate to have 
Company sponsored arrangements. 

Employees are offered a range of benefits, such as private medical 
cover, depending on the local environment. Priority is given to the 
training of employees and the development of their skills is of prime 
importance. Employment of disabled people is considered on merit 
with regard only to the ability of any applicant to carry out the role. 
Arrangements to enable disabled people to carry out the duties 
required will be made if it is reasonable to do so. An employee 
becoming disabled would, where appropriate, be offered retraining.  
The Group continues to operate on a decentralised basis. This 
provides the maximum encouragement for the development of 
entrepreneurial flair, balanced by a rigorous control framework 
exercised by a small head office team. Local management teams  
are responsible for maintaining high standards of health and safety 
and for ensuring that there is appropriate employee involvement in 
decision making.

Corporate governance 
54  Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Corporate governance

Governance and Directors’ Report

Employee diversity and human rights
Our Code of Ethics was developed in consultation with the CEC  
and the Institute of Business Ethics and sets out clear standards of 
behaviour that we expect all of our people to demonstrate and adhere 
to. The Code of Ethics, which is part of our Code of Business Conduct, 
underpins our social, ethical and environmental commitments and 
sends a clear message to our stakeholders of our commitment to 
responsible business practice. The ten principles of the United Nations 
(UN) Global Compact, to which we are a signatory, underpin our own 
Code of Ethics. This UN initiative encourages companies to make 
human rights, labour standards, environmental responsibility and 
anti-corruption part of their business agenda.

For the year ended 30 September 2013 there were 506,699 people 
employed by the Group (average number of employees including 
Directors and part-time employees) of whom 280,971 were female  
and 225,728 were male. A breakdown of employee diversity, as 
required by the CA 2006, showing the number of persons who were 
Directors of the Company and senior managers at the end of the year 
ended 30 September 2013 can be viewed on page 21 of the Corporate 
Responsibility section of the Strategic Report and forms part of the 
Directors’ Report disclosures.

Our people are instrumental to our success; we respect and value  
the individuality and diversity that every employee brings to the Group. 
We base our relationship with our employees on respect for the dignity 
of the individual and fair treatment for all. Our employee policies are  
set locally to comply with local law within an overall Group framework 
and we monitor our employee satisfaction and engagement through a 
number of Key Performance Indicators, details of which can be found 
on pages 22 to 25. 

We also consider the concerns of wider communities where we 
operate, including national and local interests, utilising our relevant 
expertise to help contribute to the wellbeing of communities which  
are appropriate to our business objectives. Furthermore, the Group 
supports the rights of all people as set out in the UN Universal 
Declaration of human Rights and carefully considers before doing  
any business in countries that do not adhere to the UN Declaration.

Greenhouse gas emissions reporting
The Company is required to state the annual quantity of emissions in 
tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent from activities for which the Group 
is responsible, including the combustion of fuel and the operation of any 
facility. Details of our emissions during the year ended 30 September 
2013 and the actions which the Group is taking to reduce them are set 
out within the Corporate Responsibility section of the Strategic Report 
on pages 20 to 25 and form part of the Directors’ Report disclosures. 
Further details can also be found in our online Corporate Responsibility 
Report at www.compass-group.com/cr13. 

Donations and political expenditure
The Group’s charitable donations in 2013 totalled £6.7 million  
(2012: £6.2 million). Charitable objectives support the Company’s 
corporate responsibility strategy and have primarily focused  
on improving the environment, education, health and wellbeing, 
community engagement and responsible business practice.  
Donations have included employee involvement through fundraising 
and financial support.

Since 2004, Shareholders have passed an annual resolution, on a 
precautionary basis, to approve donations to EU political organisations 
and to incur EU political expenditure (as such terms were defined under 
the then relevant legislation) not exceeding £125,000 per annum. The 
Board has consistently confirmed that it operates a policy of not giving 
any cash contribution to any political party in the ordinary meaning of 
those words and that it has no intention of changing that policy. 

No material amount of corporate funds or paid employee time has been 
utilised during the year for political activities and, in accordance with the 
Company’s Code of Business Conduct, Compass Group employees 
must not engage in any form of lobbying or have contact with political 
representatives, government employees or public interest groups 
unless they are doing so legitimately and adhering to internal control 
processes. Further information regarding the Code of Business 
Conduct can be found on page 50 of this Annual Report and on the 
Company’s website at www.compass-group.com.

The Directors propose to renew the authority granted at the AGM  
in 2013 for the Group to make political donations and incur political 
expenditure (as such terms are defined in sections 362 to 365 of the  
CA 2006) until the Company’s next AGM, which they might otherwise 
be prohibited from making or incurring under the terms of the CA 2006 
and which would not amount to ‘donations’ in the ordinary sense of the 
word. It is proposed to reduce the limit of such authority from £125,000  
to £100,000.

CREST
The Company’s ordinary shares and Sterling Eurobonds are in CREST, 
the settlement system for stocks and shares.

Shareholder services
Details of services provided to Shareholders can be found in the 
Shareholder Information section on pages 139 to 141 and on the 
Company’s website.

AGM
The Notice of Meeting setting out the Resolutions to be proposed at  
the AGM to be held on 6 February 2014, together with explanatory 
notes, is set out on pages 142 to 147 of this Annual Report and is also 
available on the Company’s website at www.compass-group.com.  
The Directors consider that each of the Resolutions is in the best 
interests of the Company and the Shareholders as a whole and 
recommend that Shareholders vote in favour of all of the Resolutions. 

On behalf of the Board

Mark J White 
General Counsel and Company Secretary 
27 November 2013

Compass Group PLC 
Registered in England and Wales No. 4083914

Directors’ Remuneration Report

Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Corporate governance  55

Annual statement

Introduction
On behalf of your Board, I am pleased to present our Directors’ 
Remuneration Report for the year ended 30 September 2013. 
Shareholders will be invited to approve both our Remuneration Policy 
for the year ending 30 September 2014 and beyond (which will be a 
binding vote) and the Annual Report on Remuneration for the year 
ended 30 September 2013 (which will be a non-binding advisory vote), 
which together comprise the Directors’ Remuneration Report, at the 
Company’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 6 February 2014. 

The two sections of the Report cover the following matters:

 • the Company’s intended Executive Remuneration Strategy and  

Policy from 6 February 2014 until 30 September 2014 and beyond, 
including each of the components of Directors’ remuneration  
(the Policy Report) 

 • how the Policy has been implemented in the year ended  
30 September 2013 (the Annual Remuneration Report)

This Directors’ Remuneration Report has been prepared on behalf  
of the Board by the Remuneration Committee (the Committee) in 
accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006  
and the Large and Medium-sized Companies and Groups (Accounts 
and Reports) (Amendment) Regulations 2013 (Regulations). Save for the 
total shareholder return graph, Group Chief Executive’s remuneration 
history and remuneration percentage change tables, spend on pay 
table, statement of Shareholder voting and details of advice provided  
to the Committee, the information set out on pages 55 to 70 of this 
Directors’ Remuneration Report represents the auditable disclosures 
referred to in the Auditor’s report on pages 73 and 74 as specified by 
the UK Listing Authority and the Regulations.

The Committee
The Board sets the Company’s Remuneration Policy and the  
Committee is responsible, within the authority delegated by the Board, 
for determining specific remuneration packages and the terms and 
conditions of employment for the members of the Executive Board, 
which comprises the Executive Directors and other Senior Executives. 
The Committee ensures that the members of the Executive Board  
are provided with the appropriate incentives to enhance the Group’s 
performance and to reward them for their personal contribution  
to the success of the business. The Committee reviews the 
remuneration arrangements for Group employees whose salaries 
exceed a specified level and administers the Company’s share incentive 
plans. The Committee also determines the Chairman’s remuneration, 
although the Board itself determines the level of fees paid to the 
Non-Executive Directors. No Directors are involved in determining  
their own remuneration.

The Committee maintains an active dialogue with Shareholder 
representatives and its full Terms of Reference are set out on the 
Company’s website at www.compass-group.com.

Perspective
In retrospect and looking ahead, the Company’s Remuneration Policy 
has been and will continue to be uncomplicated, performance related 
and retention focused.

Our objective is to ensure that there is stability in our Remuneration 
Policy and that it is aligned with the business strategy. Our policy has 
remained fundamentally unchanged since last year and it is envisaged 
that the remuneration elements for Executive Directors for the year 
ending 30 September 2014 will be very similar to those in place for  
the financial year ended 30 September 2013. 

The Company has delivered another strong financial performance  
this year driven by the Executive Directors and the senior 
management team against the backdrop of a challenging economic 
environment in some of the Group’s geographies. The delivery of  
an underlying operating margin of over 7% for the first time reflects 
management’s focus on growing revenue in a sustainable and 
profitable manner, mirrored in the use of revenue and profit as key 
measures in our annual bonus plan. This strong financial performance 
of the Group is reflected in the variable pay awarded to the Executive 
Directors, none of whom received any increase in their base pay 
during the year, recognising the tough economic environment. 

Cash flow generation is critical to the success of our business in terms 
of both returns to Shareholders and investments for growth and 
consequently is included as a performance measure in both our long 
and short term incentive plans. We have been able to reward both 
Shareholders and our Executive Directors for the excellent 
performance in this area during the last 12 months. We were delighted 
at Shareholders’ strong endorsement of the inclusion of Return on 
Capital Employed (ROCE) in The Compass Group PLC Long Term 
Incentive Plan 2010 (LTIP) as this has brought more alignment in our 
incentive plans on the reinvestment of cash to help the business grow 
and for infill acquisitions. In addition, the inclusion of health, Safety 
and Environment (hSE) measures in our annual bonus plan for all our 
leadership team globally has highlighted the importance of this key 
business metric. 

Overall, we believe that our policy is structured so that the Executive 
Directors are fairly rewarded, with the aim to keep reward at or around 
median, in line with appropriate benchmarks for the markets in which 
Compass operates. This approach to remuneration has served 
Shareholders well, as whilst we have been able to attract, retain and 
motivate the best people in a competitive marketplace, at the same 
time we have delivered a total return to our Shareholders of 455% 
since 2005, well above the 66% for the FTSE 100 as a whole.

Corporate governance56  Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Corporate governance

Directors’ Remuneration Report

Membership of the Committee
The Committee consists entirely of independent Non-Executive 
Directors, as defined in the UK Corporate Governance Code  
(the Code). On 9 April 2013 James Crosby stepped down from the 
Board and ceased to be the Chairman of the Committee. On 10 April 
2013 Sir Ian Robinson succeeded James Crosby as Chairman of the 
Committee. During the year the Committee comprised the following 
Non-Executive Directors:

John Bason  
James Crosby (Chairman, Senior Independent Director to 9 April 2013) 
Susan Murray 
Don Robert  
Sir Ian Robinson (Chairman, Senior Independent Director from  
10 April 2013) 

Biographical details of the current members of the Committee are set 
out on pages 8 and 9. The General Counsel and Company Secretary 
acts as the Secretary to the Committee. The Committee met on four 
occasions during the year and attendance details are shown in the 
table on page 47.

Details of advisors to the Committee can be found on page 70.

Engagement
The voting outcome at the 7 February 2013 AGM in respect of the 
Directors’ Remuneration Report for the year ended 30 September  
2012 is set out on page 70 and reflected very strong individual and 
institutional Shareholder support of the Company’s Remuneration  
Policy and its implementation. 

The Committee will continue to be mindful of the concerns of 
Shareholders and other stakeholders, and welcomes Shareholder 
feedback on any issue related to Executive remuneration. 

In conclusion, we believe that our Remuneration Policy continues  
to be aligned with our strategic goal of delivering Shareholder value. 

Sir Ian Robinson  
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee 
27 November 2013

Summary of activity during the year
The key activities of the Committee during the year ended  
30 September 2013 were:

 • annual review of remuneration philosophy
 • annual review of the Company’s remuneration practice to ensure  
that the overall remuneration structure continues to promote the 
Company’s business strategy

 • determination of the remuneration packages for the Executive 
Directors and the current Chairman as well as for the incoming 
Chairman

 • determination of the extent to which the performance measures for 
the long term incentive and bonus plans were achieved (including  
the treatment of the exceptional costs of the European restructuring 
programme) as well as the agreement of the changed performance 
criteria for the LTIP, following consultation with and approval by 
Shareholders 

Each year the Committee reviews the ongoing remuneration philosophy 
and trends for all employees across the Group. The current Chairman’s 
pay and benefits and the Executive Directors’ reward packages were 
reviewed. In addition, the fees of the incoming Chairman were also 
carefully considered and determined. The performance targets of the 
Company’s bonus and share incentive plans were considered and,  
as a consequence, the personal performance element of the annual 
bonus was removed for the year ended 30 September 2013 and a new 
hSE improvement target put in place, representing 5% of the bonus 
opportunity. Further details are given in the Policy Report on pages 57 
to 64. Shareholder approval was sought and obtained at the AGM on  
7 February 2013 to amend the performance targets under the LTIP. 
Details of the mechanics of the LTIP and the amended performance 
targets are given in the Policy Report on pages 59 and 60 and are in 
line with the proposals noted in last year’s Report. The Committee also 
considered the headroom available in issued share capital before the 
making of equity incentive awards, approved the vesting of awards, 
considered the extent to which the Directors had complied with the 
Company’s share ownership guidelines (as set out on page 69), 
reviewed and discussed developments in best practice and engaged 
with Shareholder representatives and advisory bodies (including 
consultation on the format of this Directors’ Remuneration Report).

The proportion of time spent by the Committee on key items during  
the year ended 30 September 2013 is summarised in the charts below:

Agenda activity

Agenda activity by items

2

1

1  67%  Regular items

2  33% Other items

6

3

5

4

1

2

1   Determination of the remuneration 
packages for Executive Directors  
and Chairman

2   Review and operation of the Group’s 

equity incentive plans

3   Review of Group wide remuneration 
philosophy validation and audit of 
Directors’ share ownership 
guidelines’ compliance

4   Determination of remuneration 

packages for the incoming Chairman 
and other senior executives below 
the Board

5   Consideration of new BIS 

remuneration regulations and  
review and approval of Directors’ 
Remuneration Report

6   Any other business

Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Corporate governance  57

Remuneration policy

Remuneration policy and components
The Committee reviews the Company’s remuneration philosophy and 
structure each year to ensure that the remuneration framework remains 
effective in supporting the Company’s strategic objectives, is in line  
with best practice and fairly rewards individuals for the contribution  
that they make to the business, having regard to the size and 
complexity of the Group’s operations and the need to motivate and 
attract employees of the highest calibre. Shareholders are regularly 
consulted on the Remuneration Policy and in respect of prospective 
changes. Extensive engagement was carried out during the financial 
year ended 30 September 2013 in relation to the amendment  
of the LTIP performance targets. The views of the Group’s top  
20 Shareholders were sought together with those of the Association  
of British Insurers (ABI), Institutional Shareholder Services and the 
National Association of Pension Funds. The collective views of these 
bodies were taken into account, specifically in respect of the weightings 
of each of the targets, as part of the Committee’s determination of the 
revised performance targets, which were approved at the AGM held  
on 7 February 2013.

The policy on remuneration of Directors (the Policy) is set out on pages 
57 to 64. A separate Resolution will be put to Shareholders at the AGM 
to approve the Policy which, if approved, will take effect from the date  
of the AGM on 6 February 2014 and will apply until Shareholders next 
consider and vote on the Policy. 

The Committee intends that the base salary and total remuneration of 
Executive Directors should be in line with the market. Remuneration is 
benchmarked against rewards available for equivalent roles in a suitable 
comparator group with the aim of paying neither significantly above nor 

below the median for each element of remuneration at par target 
performance levels. The Committee also considers general pay  
and employment conditions of all employees within the Group  
and is sensitive to these, to prevailing market and economic 
conditions and to governance trends when assessing the level of 
salaries and remuneration packages of Executive Directors and 
other members of the Executive Board. No consultation in respect  
of remuneration took place with employees during the year, as the 
Group has employees in around 50 different jurisdictions rendering 
such a consultation impracticable. however, there were no increases 
to base salary for the Executive Directors and other members of the 
Executive Board (save for a promotional increase for one member  
of the Executive Board) during the year ended 30 September 2013.

The total remuneration package links corporate and individual 
performance with an appropriate balance between short and long 
term elements, and fixed and variable components. The Policy is 
designed to incentivise Executives to meet the Company’s key 
objectives, such that a significant portion of total remuneration is 
performance related, based on a mixture of internal targets linked  
to the Company’s key business drivers (which can be measured, 
understood and accepted by both Executives and Shareholders) 
and appropriate external comparator groups.

The Committee considers that the targets set for the different 
components of performance related remuneration are both 
appropriate and sufficiently demanding in the context of the 
business environment and the challenges with which the Group  
is faced as well as complying with the provisions of the Code.

Component parts of the remuneration package
The key components of Executive Directors’ remuneration for the period from 6 February 2014 to 30 September 2014 and beyond (the Policy 
Period), as well as for the year ended 30 September 2013, are summarised below: 

Component

Reason

Mechanics

Base Salary

The provision of a 
competitive core 
package of base 
salary and other 
benefits enables the 
Company to attract 
and retain skilled, 
high calibre 
executives to  
deliver its strategy.

Base salaries are reviewed annually, appropriately benchmarked and reflect the role, job size and 
responsibility as well as the performance and effectiveness of the individual.

The Group Chief Executive’s base salary is reviewed annually by the Committee with any 
increase taking effect on 1 July of each year. Other Executive Directors’ base salaries are subject 
to an annual review with any increases taking effect on 1 January of each year.

Pay awards for Senior Executives take account of prevailing market and economic conditions, 
governance trends and the approach to employee pay throughout the organisation. For example, 
in the year ended 30 September 2013, there were limited or no increases in the average UK-wide 
pay review, outside of those set by collective bargaining arrangements, and none of the 
Executive Directors received an increase in base salary. 

The annual review of base pay reflecting such benchmarks and roles will determine the 
maximum amount that would be paid in base pay during the Policy Period. Any significant 
increase, such as where an Executive Director is relatively new in a role, there are changes in 
responsibilities or significant variances to the market exist, will be appropriately explained.

The annual base salaries of the Executive Directors for the year ended 30 September 2013 were:

Director

Dominic Blakemore
Richard Cousins
Gary Green
Andrew Martin

Base Salary

Effective Date

Increase

£480,000
£965,500
US$1,170,080
£650,000

1 January 2013
1 July 2013
1 January 2013
1 January 2013

Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil

Benefits

Benefits are offered  
to Executive Directors 
as part of a competitive 
remuneration package.

These comprise healthcare insurance for Executive Directors and their dependents, limited 
financial advice, life assurance and car benefit. The cost of the benefits provided changes in 
accordance with market conditions and will, therefore, determine the maximum amount that 
would be paid in the form of benefits during the Policy Period.

Corporate governance58  Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Corporate governance

Directors’ Remuneration Report

Component

Reason

Mechanics

Annual 
Bonus

The annual bonus 
rewards superior 
performance. It is 
earned by the 
achievement of one 
year performance 
targets set by the 
Committee at the 
start of each financial 
year and is delivered 
in cash. 

The annual bonus is 
the primary form of 
short term cash 
based incentive 
which is intended to 
be part of the Policy 
for the Policy Period, 
as was the case for 
the year ended 30 
September 2013. 

The target or par award for the Policy Period is intended to remain the same as for the year ended 
30 September 2013, being 75% of base salary, with a further maximum of 75% of base salary 
available for enhanced performance.

As was the case for the year ended 30 September 2013, the Committee agreed that, for the year 
ending 30 September 2014 and beyond, the bonus measures be comprised of: Underlying Profit 
Before Interest and Tax (PBIT); Organic Revenue Growth (ORG); Adjusted Free Cash Flow (Adjusted 
FCF) or 12 Month Average Working Capital Balance (MAWC); and health, Safety and Environment 
Improvement (hSE).

The 15% Personal Target element of the bonus, which applied for the year ended 30 September 
2012, was replaced by the hSE target for the year ended 30 September 2013, which represented 
5% of the total bonus opportunity. The remaining 95% of the total bonus opportunity for the  
year ended 30 September 2013 related to financial performance. The hSE target is set as an 
improvement percentage over a one year period, equally weighted across lost time injury rates  
and food safety incident rates. Each target must be achieved in full to receive that element of bonus. 
hSE for the Company’s North American business is measured through PBIT. This structure, and 
specifically the measure and targets relating to PBIT, is used for the wider Leadership Team across 
the Group.

The bonus measures and percentages applying to each financial measure vary, depending upon a 
Director’s area of responsibility, and are shown in the table below. The PBIT and ORG targets are 
subject to adjustments for acquisitions and disposals, and bonus measures dependent on Adjusted 
FCF are subject to the caveat that Adjusted FCF should not be affected by Board approved capital 
expenditure or other special or irregular timing differences. 

A supplementary financial underpin also applies such that the amount payable pursuant to the 
achievement of the non-PBIT measures may not exceed the on-target payment unless the threshold 
Group PBIT measure has been achieved.

PBIT and ORG are two of our Key Performance Indicators and have a direct impact on Shareholder 
value. The use of Adjusted FCF and MAWC more closely aligns remuneration metrics with the 
Group’s trading results and Adjusted FCF is a key measure of performance in reported results, 
including the ability to pay dividends. In setting the actual level of targets each year, the Committee 
has regard to investors’ expectations, budgets and longer term business plans. 

In the case of intended fraud or misconduct by a participant which contributes to an error in financial 
information, the Company will be entitled to claw back the value of any amount paid under the  
annual bonus. 

The Committee is satisfied that the performance targets continue to be sufficiently stretching and 
promote the Company’s business strategy and Shareholder value.

Details of the specific targets applying to each element of the bonus for the year ended 30 September 
2013 and achieved performance are shown in the Annual Remuneration Report on page 66 and 
form part of the Policy.

The Committee has set the targets for the annual bonus plan for the year ended 30 September 2014 
but has chosen not to disclose the details in this Report as it is the opinion of the Committee that it 
may be seriously prejudicial to the interests of the Company to do so, and our major competitors do 
not disclose their targets or projected forecasts. however, the specific targets and the extent to 
which the targets have been met will be disclosed in next year’s Report.

The annual bonus elements for Executive Directors for the year ending 30 September 2014 are:

Measure

PBIT

Adjusted FCF

MAWC

ORG

hSE

Total

Dominic 
Blakemore

55%1

15%

–

25%4

5%

100%

Richard 
Cousins

55%1

15%

–

25%4

5%

100%

Gary 
Green

60%2

–

15%3

25%5

–

100%

Andrew 
Martin

55%2

–

15%3

25%5

5%

100%

1  PBIT on a Group-wide basis.
2   PBIT split between Group PBIT and PBIT for region of responsibility (Mr Green: 5% Group / 55% Regional; Mr Martin: 5% Group / 50% Regional).
3  MAWC for region of responsibility. 
4  ORG on a Group-wide basis. 
5  ORG for region of responsibility.

Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Corporate governance  59

Component

Reason

Mechanics

Long Term 
Incentive 
Plan (LTIP)

The LTIP aligns  
the interests of 
Executive Directors 
and Shareholders 
through building  
a long term 
shareholding in  
the Company. 

The generation of 
cash is fundamental 
to the ongoing 
success of the Group 
and the use of 
Adjusted FCF as an 
LTIP performance 
measure directly 
aligns to this. In 
parallel, ROCE 
supports the strategic 
focus on growth and 
margins through 
ensuring that cash  
is reinvested to 
generate appropriate 
returns. The third 
performance 
measure of TSR 
provides direct 
alignment between 
the interests of 
Executive Directors 
and Shareholders.

The LTIP is the 
primary form of equity 
based incentive 
which is intended to 
be part of the Policy 
for the Policy Period, 
as was the case for  
the year ended  
30 September 2013. 

Under the LTIP, Executive Directors and Senior Executives may receive a conditional Award of 
ordinary shares in the capital of the Company which may vest after a single three year performance 
period, based on the achievement of stretching performance conditions. 

Awards of up to 200% of base salary are made by reference to the share price at the date of Award. 
Awards may be settled in shares or cash, if required (for example, because of securities laws), 
subject to the discretion of the Committee, determined at any time up to their release. 

At the AGM on 7 February 2013, following extensive consultation, Shareholders approved the 
amendment to the LTIP performance targets set out in last year’s Report and Awards made  
since that date under the LTIP have been based on Adjusted FCF, improvement in Return on  
Capital Employed (ROCE) and Total Shareholder Return (TSR), each measure applying to one  
third of an Award. 

Adjusted FCF is measured over a single three year performance period commencing on 1 October 
in the first year of the performance period and includes capital expenditure, net interest and tax 
spend but excludes discontinued activities, acquisition spend, disposal proceeds, dividends and 
unusual or irregular timing differences. ROCE improvement aims to measure the underlying 
economic performance of the Company and is measured over the same three year performance 
period. ROCE is calculated using the underlying operating profit, net of tax at the underlying rate  
for the year, and after profit relating to non-controlling interests. The capital employed figure 
excludes the post-employment benefit asset/liability, net of deferred tax, impaired goodwill, 
amortised intangibles arising on acquisitions and the net assets relating to non-controlling interests.

The precise Adjusted FCF and ROCE improvement targets for each Award are linked to the  
Group’s wider business targets and are set by the Committee at the time of award based on Group 
projections and market expectations. Details of the targets for the years ended 30 September 2013 
and ending 30 September 2014 are shown on page 67 and a similar approach is intended to be 
taken in respect of subsequent years and will be reported in next year’s Annual Report. 

vesting under that element of each Award based on Adjusted FCF and ROCE will be on a  
straight-line basis on achievement of threshold and maximum performance, with 50% vesting  
on achievement of on-target performance. If performance does not reach the threshold level, 
vesting for that element of an Award will be nil. 

TSR is measured over the same period relative to the companies comprising the TSR comparator 
group at the start of the period (the constituent members of the FTSE 100, excluding financial 
services participants). TSR is the aggregate of share price growth and dividends paid (assuming 
reinvestment of those dividends in the Company’s shares during the three year performance period) 
and an averaging period of three months is used. 

The element of an Award based on TSR will vest in full for top quartile performance achievement 
and 25% of that element of the Award will vest if performance is at the median. Awards will vest on  
a straight-line basis between median and top quartile performance achievement. No shares will be 
released for this element of an Award if the Company’s TSR performance is below the median.

For Awards made prior to 7 February 2013, 50% of any Award was based on Adjusted FCF over the 
three year performance period and 50% on the Company’s TSR over the same period relative to the 
companies comprising the TSR comparator group at the start of the period. 

Corporate governance60  Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Corporate governance

Directors’ Remuneration Report

Component

Reason

Mechanics

Long Term 
Incentive 
Plan (LTIP)
continued

Calculations of the achievement of the targets are independently performed and are approved  
by the Committee. At the end of the performance period, in order to ensure continued alignment 
between Executive Directors’ and Shareholders’ interests, in determining final vesting under the 
LTIP, the Committee reviews the underlying financial performance of the Group and retains its 
discretion to adjust vesting if it considers that performance is unsatisfactory.

If a participant retires during the period up to vesting, any unvested LTIP Award will continue until the 
normal vesting date and will be satisfied, subject to achievement of the performance conditions. If a 
participant ceases to be an employee for any other reason (other than death), unvested Awards will 
normally lapse unless the Committee determines otherwise in its absolute discretion, in which case 
it can permit Awards to continue and be satisfied, subject to the achievement of the performance 
conditions. In both these circumstances, any shares vesting will be prorated based on the period  
of service unless otherwise determined by the Committee. The Committee’s policy with regard to 
the exercise of discretion is set out on pages 63 and 64. 

In the event of a change of control, any unvested Awards will vest immediately, subject to satisfaction 
of performance conditions and reduction on a time apportioned basis. Similar treatment applies in 
the event of the death of a participant.

In the case of intended fraud or misconduct by a participant which contributes to an error in financial 
information that materially affects the Company’s share value, the Company will be entitled to claw 
back the value of any shares released or the payment of cash equivalents under the LTIP. 

Benefits under the LTIP are not pensionable.

Details of all extant LTIPs held by Executive Directors are shown on page 68 of the Report. 

Pension  
or Cash 
Allowance

Rewards sustained 
contribution and 
encourages retention.

Incoming Executive Directors are invited to participate in the Company’s money purchase pension 
arrangement or to take a fixed salary supplement (calculated as a percentage of base salary, which 
is excluded from any bonus calculation), in lieu of pension entitlement.

The Group’s policy is not to offer defined benefit arrangements to new employees at any level (save 
where required by applicable legislation). 

At 30 September 2013 there were no Executive Directors actively participating in any Compass 
Group defined benefit pension arrangements and none of the Executive Directors was accruing 
additional entitlement to benefit under any arrangements that existed prior to their appointment  
as Executive Directors.

Dominic Blakemore, Richard Cousins and Gary Green each receive a salary supplement equal to 
35% of their base salaries in lieu of pension. As reported in 2006, Andrew Martin has, since 6 April 
2006, received a salary supplement equal to 35% of his base salary and has waived all rights to his 
final salary pension, money purchase pension and unfunded unapproved pension relating to his 
employment prior to that date.

The Executive Directors’ Remuneration Policy differs from that of other members of the Executive Board solely in respect of quantum of the 
various components and remuneration. Members of the wider management team receive each of the components of remuneration awarded  
to the Executive Directors save that the equity element is awarded pursuant to a share option scheme (in the year ended 30 September  
2013) rather than under the LTIP, although the LTIP is intended to be used for Awards made to the management team for the year ending  
30 September 2014 and beyond. The wider employee population of the Group will receive remuneration that is considered to be appropriate  
in relation to their geographic location, level of responsibility and performance.

Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Corporate governance  61

Share ownership guidelines
In order that their interests are linked with those of Shareholders, 
Directors are expected to build up and maintain a personal 
shareholding in the Company. 

Under the guidelines, the Group Chief Executive is required to  
hold a personal shareholding equal to the value of twice his base 
salary. Other Executive Directors are required to hold a personal 
shareholding equal to the value of one and a half times their base 
salary, and members of the Executive Board equal to the value of  
their base salary. Non-Executive Directors are required to hold a 
personal shareholding equal to the value of their base fee. 

For Executive Directors, the guideline shareholding may be  
achieved by retaining shares received as a result of participating  
in the Company’s share plans. The guidance specifically excludes  
the need to make a personal investment should Awards not vest. 
Non-Executive Directors are expected to purchase shares equating  
to a minimum value of one third of their net of tax fee each year until 
the guideline is met. The required level of shareholding is expected  
to be achieved within a four year period, commencing on 1 October 
2010 or on date of appointment, if later.

If the guideline is not met within this timeframe, then the Committee 
will discuss with the Director a plan to ensure that the guideline  
is met over an acceptable timeframe. The granting of future LTIP  
Awards to an Executive Director will be conditional upon reaching  
the appropriate threshold in the required timeframe.

Details of the interests of Directors in shares and equity incentives  
are set out on page 69 together with the extent to which each of the 
Directors has complied with the guidelines as at 30 September 2013. 

Closed incentive plans 
The LTIP described in the table on pages 59 and 60 is the primary  
form of equity incentive for Executive Directors. Some share incentive 
Awards remain extant which were awarded to Executive Directors prior 
to 2010 under the Compass Group Long Term Incentive Plan (the 
former LTIP). Under the former LTIP, Executives received a conditional 
Award of shares of up to an annual maximum of 200% of base salary 
which would vest after a single three year performance period, subject 
to the achievement of stretching performance conditions. 50% of any 
Award made under the former LTIP was based on Adjusted FCF and 
50% on the Company’s TSR. Further details of the former LTIP may  
be found in the 2010 Annual Report. Details of the number of existing 
Awards held by Executive Directors under the former LTIP are included 
in the table on page 68.

Dilution limits
All of the Company’s equity based incentive plans incorporate the 
current ABI Guidelines on headroom which provide that overall dilution 
under all plans should not exceed 10% over a 10 year period in relation 
to the Company’s issued share capital (or reissue of treasury shares), 
with a further limitation of 5% in any 10 year period for Executive plans.

The Committee regularly monitors the position and prior to the making 
of any Award considers the effect of potential vesting of options or 
share Awards to ensure that the Company remains within these limits. 
Any Awards which are required to be satisfied by market purchased 
shares are excluded from such calculations. No treasury shares were 
held or utilised in the year ended 30 September 2013.

As at 30 September 2013, the Company’s headroom position,  
which remains within current ABI Guidelines, was as shown in the 
charts below:

10% in 10 years

5% in 10 years

3

4

2

1

1

3

2

1  4.69% headroom
2  2.39% Discretionary options
3  0.86% LTIP
4  2.06% All-employee

1  1.75%  headroom
2  2.39% Discretionary options
3  0.86% LTIP

Corporate governance62  Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Corporate governance

Directors’ Remuneration Report

Illustrations of the application of our remuneration policy
The value and composition of the Executive Directors’ remuneration packages for the year ending 30 September 2014 at below threshold, 
threshold (par or target) and maximum scenarios under the Policy are set out in the charts below. 

The graphs show an estimate of the remuneration that could be received by Executive Directors under the Policy set out in this Report. Each bar 
gives an indication of the minimum amount of remuneration payable, remuneration payable at target performance and remuneration payable at 
maximum performance to each Director under the Policy.

Each of the bars is broken down to show how the total under each scenario is made up of fixed elements of remuneration, the annual bonus and 
the LTIP.

Richard Cousins

Illustration of package

Maximum

Target

28%

43%

Dominic Blakemore

Illustration of package

31%

41%

Total £4.7m

Maximum

23%

34%

Total £3.1m

Target

32%

47%

34%

34%

Total £2.1m

25%

28%

Total £1.4m

Minimum

100%

Total £1.3m

Minimum

100%

Total £0.7m

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

3.5

4.0

4.5

5.0

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

Gary Green

Illustration of package

Maximum

Target

32%

48%

Andrew Martin

Illustration of package

34%

34%

Total £3.3m

Maximum

25%

27%

Total £2.2m

Target

32%

48%

34%

34%

Total £2.9m

25%

27%

Total £1.9m

Minimum

100%

Total £1.1m

Minimum

100%

Total £0.9m

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

3.5

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

3.5

   Fixed elements of remuneration 

 Annual bonus 

 Long Term Incentive Plan 

Notes:
The scenarios in the above graphs are defined as follows:

Fixed elements of remuneration

Minimum

Target performance

Maximum performance

 • Base salary as at 30 September 2013
 • Estimated value of benefits provided under the remuneration policy
 • Cash supplement in lieu of pension of 35% of base salary
 • Note that Gary Green’s fixed elements of pay are converted into GBP with an exchange rate of $1.5652/£1

Annual bonus
(payout as a % maximum opportunity)

Long Term Incentive Plan
(vesting as a % maximum opportunity)

0%

0%

50%

54%1

100%

100%

1   Based on Adjusted FCF and ROCE performance measures vesting at 50% of maximum and the TSR measure paying out at 62.5% of maximum (midway between threshold and 

maximum payout).

 
Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Corporate governance  63

Provision

Detailed terms

Termination 
Payment

Restrictive 
Covenants

 • Payment in lieu of notice equal to:

 – 12 months’ base salary
 – Pension supplement
–  10% of base salary in respect  

of benefits

All of the above would be paid in monthly 
instalments, subject to an obligation on  
the part of the Director to mitigate his loss  
such that payments will either reduce, or  
cease completely, in the event that the 
Director gains new employment/
remuneration

 • During employment and for 12 months  

after leaving

The historic policy on the payment of bonus on termination, which 
was in place prior to June 2008, was the provision of a payment,  
at par or target, of bonus in respect of the notice period, where the 
Company exercised its right to make a payment in lieu of notice. 
Messrs Cousins, Green and Martin’s service contracts are based  
on this historic policy. After careful consideration, the Committee 
concluded that it would not be in Shareholders’ interests to migrate 
such contracts onto the policy in place since June 2008. Dominic 
Blakemore’s service contract fully complies with the policy in effect 
from June 2008. All Executive Directors’ service contracts impose a 
clear obligation to mitigate such payment should departing Executive 
Directors take on new employment or receive alternative 
remuneration.

The Committee believes the obligation to mitigate adequately 
addresses the issue. 

All of the Executive Directors’ service contracts were entered into 
before 27 June 2012 and have not been modified or renewed on or 
after that date. As such, remuneration payments or payments for loss 
of office that are required to be made under them are not required to 
be (but are) consistent with the Policy. 

Details of the rights of leavers under the LTIP are shown on page 60. 
Whilst unvested Awards will normally lapse, the Committee may in its 
absolute discretion allow for Awards to continue until the normal 
vesting date and be satisfied, subject to achievement of the attendant 
performance conditions. In such circumstances, Awards vesting will 
normally be prorated on a time apportioned basis, unless the 
Committee determines otherwise. 

Approach to recruitment remuneration 
The Committee will apply the same remuneration policy during the 
Policy Period as that which applies to existing Executive Directors  
when considering the recruitment of a new Executive Director in 
respect of all elements of remuneration, that is: salary, benefits, pension 
and short term and long term incentives. Whilst it is envisaged that the 
maximum level of variable remuneration which may be granted would 
be within plan rules and identical to the maximum opportunity for 
existing Executive Directors of 150% and 200% of base salary in 
respect of the bonus and LTIP opportunity per annum respectively, in 
unusual circumstances, an arrangement may be established specifically 
to facilitate recruitment of a particular individual, albeit that any such 
arrangement would be made within the context of minimising the cost 
to the Company. The policy for the recruitment of Executive Directors 
during the Policy Period includes the opportunity to provide a level  
of compensation for forfeiture of bonus entitlements and/or unvested 
long term incentive awards from an existing employer, if any, and the 
additional provision of benefits in kind, pensions and other allowances, 
such as relocation, education and tax equalisation, as may be required 
in order to achieve a successful recruitment. 

The policy on the recruitment of new Non-Executive Directors during 
the Policy Period would be to apply the same remuneration elements  
as for the existing Non-Executive Directors. It is not intended that 
variable pay, day rates or benefits in kind be offered, although in 
exceptional circumstances such remuneration may be required  
in currently unforeseen circumstances. 

The Committee will include in future Annual Reports details of the 
implementation of the Policy as utilised during the Policy Period in 
respect of any such recruitment to the Board.

Executive Directors’ service agreements
It is the Company’s policy that Executive Directors have rolling  
service contracts.

The current Executive Directors’ service contracts contain the key terms 
shown in the table below:

Service contract key terms by provision

Provision

Detailed terms

Remuneration

 • Base salary, pension and benefits
 • Company car or cash allowance
 • Private health insurance for Director and 

dependents
 • Life assurance
 • Financial planning advice 
 • 25 days’ paid annual leave
 • Participation in annual bonus plan, subject  

to plan rules

 • Participation in LTIP, subject to plan rules

Change of Control

 • No special contractual provisions apply  

Notice Period

in the event of a change of control

 • 12 months’ notice from the Company 
 • 6 months’ notice from the Director  
(12 months’ from Richard Cousins)

Corporate governance64  Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Corporate governance

Directors’ Remuneration Report

Non-Executive Directors’ remuneration
The fees for the Non-Executive Directors are reviewed and determined 
by the Board each year to reflect appropriate market conditions. 
Following a benchmarking exercise carried out during the year, the 
current level of fees was determined to be appropriate for the year 
ended 30 September 2013 and no increase was effected during the 
year under review. 

The fees for the year ending 30 September 2014 (as was the case for 
the year ended 30 September 2013) comprise a base fee of £81,000 
per annum which includes membership of the Audit, Corporate 
Responsibility, Nomination and Remuneration Committees. Subject  
to a cap on the maximum amount of fees payable to any Non-Executive 
Director of £125,000 per annum, an additional fee of £22,000 per 
annum is payable where a Non-Executive Director acts as Chairman  
of either the Audit or Remuneration Committee and £12,000 is  
payable to the Chairman of the Corporate Responsibility Committee.  
An additional fee of £27,000 per annum is also payable for the  
Director nominated as Senior Independent Director. Non-Executive 
Directors are not eligible for pension scheme membership, bonus or 
incentive arrangements.

Non-Executive Directors have letters of engagement setting out their 
duties and the time commitment expected. They are appointed for an 
initial period of three years, after which the appointment is renewable  
at three year intervals by mutual consent. In accordance with the Code, 
all Directors offer themselves for annual re-election by Shareholders. 
Details of Non-Executive Directors’ appointments, which are terminable 
without compensation, are set out in the table below:

Non-Executive Director

Original date of 
appointment

Letter of 
engagement

Total length of 
service as at 
30 Sep 2013 

John Bason

21 Jun 2011

10 May 2011

Susan Murray

11 Oct 2007

Don Robert

8 May 2009

Sir Ian Robinson

 1 Dec 2006

11 Oct 2007 
(rev. 16 Mar 2010)
(rev. 8 May 2013) 
8 May 2009
(rev. 8 May 2012)
1 Dec 2006 
(rev. 21 Sep 2009)
(rev. 14 Nov 2012)

2 years,
3 months
6 years

4 years, 
5 months 
6 years, 
10 months

Any such discretion in respect of leavers would only be applied by  
the Committee to ‘good leavers’ where it considers that continued 
participation is justified, for example, by reference to past performance 
to the date of leaving. The clawback provisions would continue to apply 
in the event that such discretion was exercised. 

Service contracts outline the components of remuneration paid to  
the individual but do not prescribe how remuneration levels may be 
adjusted from year to year.

The Senior Executives who are members of the Executive Board, and 
who are referred to in note 3 of the consolidated financial statements  
on page 91, have similar service contracts. 

The Executive Directors have served on the Board for the periods 
shown below and have service agreements dated as follows:

Dominic Blakemore
Richard Cousins
Gary Green
Andrew Martin

Date of contract

12 December 2011 
22 November 2007
27 November 2007
27 November 2007

Length of Board 
service as at 
30 Sep 2013

1 year, 7 months
7 years, 5 months
6 years, 9 months
9 years, 6 months

Chairman
The fee for the Chairman is reviewed annually by the Committee in June 
with any increase taking effect on 1 July. Following consideration by the 
Committee during the year ended 30 September 2013, the Chairman’s 
fee of £432,806 per annum was determined to be appropriate at the 
time of review and no increase was effected. 

The Chairman, Sir Roy Gardner, has a letter of engagement dated  
15 September 2005 which he received on appointment on 1 October 
2005. he was initially engaged for a period of three years, which was 
renewed for a further three years until 1 July 2012 (revised letter of 
engagement dated 8 May 2009). Following the end of his second  
term, it was mutually agreed that his term of office be extended on  
an annual basis going forward. his appointment is terminable without 
compensation on six months’ notice from either side. The Chairman  
is not eligible for pension scheme membership, bonus or incentive 
arrangements. he is entitled to the provision of life and medical 
insurance for himself and his spouse, financial planning assistance and 
car benefit. Sir Roy Gardner will retire following the AGM on 6 February 
2014 and, in accordance with his engagement letter, he will not receive 
any compensation for loss of office.

Paul Walsh, who will succeed Sir Roy Gardner as Chairman on  
6 February 2014, has a letter of engagement dated 19 June 2013  
for a period of three years from 1 January 2014. Mr Walsh will join  
the Board as a Non-Executive Director on 1 January 2014 and will 
become Chairman at the conclusion of the AGM. he will receive  
a fee of £81,000 per annum initially, increasing to £475,000 per annum  
on his appointment as Chairman on 6 February 2014. In addition, 
£50,000 plus vAT per annum will be paid in lieu of the provision  
by the Company of a car and chauffeur for use on Company business.  
he is not entitled to any benefits in kind and is not eligible for pension 
scheme membership, bonus or incentive arrangements. Mr Walsh’s 
appointment is terminable without compensation on six months’  
notice from either side. 

Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Corporate governance  65

Annual Remuneration Report

Percentage change in remuneration of  
Group Chief Executive 
In the financial year ended 30 September 2013 Mr Cousins received 
2.2% salary, 0.25% taxable benefits and 17.7% bonus more than  
the equivalent amounts for the year ended 30 September 2012. The 
average percentage changes for all full-time equivalent employees 
based in the UK were 1.6%, 4.4% and (29.9)% respectively. The UK 
employee workforce was chosen as a suitable comparator group  
as Mr Cousins is based in the UK (albeit with a global role and 
responsibilities) and pay changes across the Group vary widely 
depending on local market conditions. 

Relative importance of spend on pay
The following table sets out the amounts paid in share buybacks, 
dividends and total employee costs for the years ended  
30 September 2012 and 2013.

Dispersals

Share buybacks
Dividends paid
Total employee costs

2013 
£m 

446
404
8,131

2012 
£m

Change 
%

361
378
7,810

23.5
6.9
4.1

1   54.4 million shares were repurchased during the year ended 30 September 2012 

under the £500 million buyback announced on 23 November 2011 and 56.3 million  
shares were repurchased during the year ended 30 September 2013 in completion  
of the £500 million buyback and under the £400 million buyback announced on  
21 November 2012.

2   The total dividend during the year ended 30 September 2012 was £378 million 
based on a share capital in issue on that date of 1,855 million ordinary shares.  
The total dividend paid during the year ended 30 September 2013 was £404 million 
based on a share capital in issue on that date of 1,804 million ordinary shares.  
The full year dividend per ordinary share for the year ended 30 September 2013 
increased by 12.7%.

3   Total employee costs for continuing and discontinued operations, includes wages 
and salaries, social security costs, share-based payments and pension costs for  
all employees, including Directors. The average number of employees, including 
Directors and part-time employees in continuing and discontinued operations was 
508,714 (2012) and 506,699 (2013).

Remuneration in detail for the year ended  
30 September 2013
Total Shareholder Return (TSR)
The performance graph below shows the Company’s TSR performance 
against the performance of the FTSE 100 over the five year period to  
30 September 2013. The FTSE 100 Index has been chosen as a broad 
equity market index of which the Company has been a constituent 
member throughout the period.

Total return indices – Compass vs FTSE 100
(September)

300

250

200

150

100

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

——  Compass  ——  FTSE 100

Pay for performance 
The Committee believes that the current Executive Director 
remuneration policy and the supporting reward structure provide  
a clear alignment with the strategic objectives and performance  
of the Company. To maintain this relationship, the Committee  
constantly reviews the business priorities and the environment in  
which the Company operates. The table below shows Richard Cousins’ 
total remuneration over the last five years and his achieved annual 
variable and long term incentive pay awards as a percentage of the  
plan maxima.

Single figure 
of total
 remuneration
£000 

Annual variable 
element: Award 
payout against 
maximum 
opportunity
%

LTIP vesting 
rates against
maximum
opportunity
 %

5,532
4,8671
4,410
5,614
5,268

84.5
71.8
75
96
85

98.05
100
100
100
100

Richard Cousins

2013
2012
2011
2010
2009

1   LTIP indicative vesting amount of £2.451 million was disclosed in the 2012 Annual 
Report. Actual gain of £2.507 million included in the amount shown in the table.

Corporate governance66  Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Corporate governance

Directors’ Remuneration Report

Directors’ single total figure of remuneration
The table below sets out in a single figure the total amount of remuneration, including each element, received by each of the Executive Directors 
for the year ended 30 September 2013. 

Single Total Figure Table

Director

2013

2012

2013

2012

2013

2012

20136

Base Salary3
£000

Taxable Benefits4
£000

Bonus5
£000

Dominic Blakemore1
Richard Cousins
Gary Green2
Andrew Martin

480
966
748
650

283
945
734
612

16
44
45
47

9
44
45
43

608
1,224
1,116
878

Total by component

2,844

2,574

152

141

3,826

305
1,040
922
710

2,977

–
2,960
1,708
1,332

LTIP5
£000

20127

–
2,451
1,884
1,470

Pension8
£000

2013

2012

2013

168
338
262
228

996

99
331
257
214

901

1,272
5,532
3,879
3,135

Total 
£000

2012

696
4,811
3,842
3,049

6,000

5,805

13,818 12,398

1  Dominic Blakemore was appointed as a Director on 27 February 2012 and the amounts shown for 2012 are prorated remuneration amounts.
2  Gary Green’s salary of US$1.170 million and his other emoluments are given in Sterling using an exchange rate of US$1.5652/£1 (2012: US$1.5826/£1).
3   There were no increases to base salary for the Executive Directors and other members of the Executive Board (save for a promotional increase for one non-Director member  

of the Executive Board) during the year ended 30 September 2013.

4  Taxable benefits comprise healthcare insurance, limited financial advice, life assurance and car benefit.
5  Details of the performance measures and weighting as well as achieved results for the bonus and LTIP components are shown below.
6   LTIP 2013: Amount shown is the vesting value as at 27 November 2013 (the date of vesting) of LTIPs that have become receivable as a result of the achievement of conditions 

relating to performance in the three years ended 30 September 2013, calculated in accordance with the Regulations.

7   LTIP 2012: Amount shown is indicative vesting value on 13 November 2012. The value subsequently received by Messrs Cousins, Green and Martin, based on the closing share 

price on the day prior to release was £2,507,303, £1,927,457 and £1,504,373 respectively, equating to a total additional combined sum received of £222,717. 

8  Pension: A supplement of 35% of base salary is paid in monthly instalments in lieu of pension participation.

Non-Executive Directors receive fees only, which are shown on page 
69, together with the Chairman’s fees and benefits. 

The resultant percentages against each of the bonus measures 
achieved by each Executive Director are shown below:

The aggregate total amount of remuneration received by all Directors 
during the year ended 30 September 2013 is shown below: 

Executive Directors
Chairman and Non-Executive Directors

Total

2013

2012

13,818
940

12,398
979 

14,758

13,377

2012-2013 Bonus
Performance measure outcomes
The financial targets for the bonus for the year ended 30 September 
2013, and the extent to which they were achieved, were as set out 
below. The achievement of targets is calculated on a straight-line  
basis between Minimum and Par (target) and between Par (target)  
and Maximum. As was the case for previous years, the measurement  
of the achievement of the Adjusted FCF and PBIT results is based  
on the underlying outcome achieved in the financial year, so that 
charges, such as those related to the European exceptional and 
goodwill impairment, are excluded.

Financial Measures

Minimum

Par (target)

Maximum

Achieved

PBIT
Adjusted FCF
Revenue Growth

£1,227m £1,253m £1,278m £1,273m
£834m
+4.3%

£680m
+4%

£666m
+3%

£694m
+5%

Dominic 
Blakemore

Richard 
Cousins

Gary 
Green

Andrew 
Martin

% of 
performance 
target 
achieved 

% of 
performance 
target 
achieved 

% of 
performance 
target 
achieved 

% of 
performance 
target 
achieved 

54/60
15/15
–
13/20
2.5/5
–
84.5/100

54/60
15/15
–
13/20
2.5/5
–
84.5/100

49.5/50
–
15/15
15/15
–
20/20
99.5/100

64.5/65
–
15/15
5.5/15
5/5
–
90/100

Measure

PBIT 
Adjusted FCF
MAWC
ORG
hSE
Margin
Total

Bonus payout
The outcome of the annual bonus for the year ended 30 September 
2013 was due to the strong underlying financial performance aligned 
with the delivery of the Group’s long term strategy. The table below 
shows the resulting payout to each Executive Director in such capacity.

Dominic Blakemore
Richard Cousins
Gary Green
Andrew Martin

2012-2013 bonus
 payment (as % 
of base salary)

126.75%
126.75%
149.25%
135.00%

value of 
bonus 

£608,400
£1,223,771
$1,746,344
£877,500

hSE Improvement

2012-2013
Target

2012-2013
achieved

Target
achieved

Lost Time Injury Rate
Food Safety Incident Rate

6.75
0.39

6.17
0.42

yes
No

No discretion was applied by the Committee in respect of Directors’ 
bonuses for the year under review. The rules of the current annual 
bonus plan do not include any deferment of payment of any element  
of the same.

Definition of measure

Weighting

Level of performance

Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Corporate governance  67

The table below shows the targets against which performance will  
be measured to determine the vesting of the grant of Awards for the 
year ending 30 September 2014 and forms part of the Policy detailed  
in the Policy Report on pages 57 to 64. Such Awards are proposed to 
be made after the release of the preliminary results for the year ended  
30 September 2013.

Targets for awards proposed to be made in the year ending  
30 September 2014

Adjusted FCF and ROCE targets

vesting % 
of each 
component

0%
50%
100%

Adjusted
FCF

£2,423m
£2,551m
£2,679m

ROCE

18.4%
19.2%
20.1%

Level of performance

Threshold
Par (target)
Maximum

TSR target

vesting % 
of each 
component

0%
25%
100%

Below Median
Median
Upper Quartile

The vesting of the shares under each performance condition is 
independent. Therefore, the total vesting amount is based on the 
relevant percentage achievement for each performance measure. 

Awards vest on a straight-line basis between threshold and maximum.  
If performance under a component does not reach the threshold level, 
vesting for that component will be nil. At the end of the performance 
period, the Committee will review the underlying financial performance 
of the Company and retain its discretion to adjust vesting if it considers 
that financial performance is unsatisfactory.

The Committee will review annually whether the measures and targets 
described above remain appropriate and challenging. Calculations of 
the achievement of the targets will be independently performed and 
approved by the Committee. The Committee will retain discretion to 
adjust for material events which occur during the performance period 
and will make full and clear disclosure of any such adjustments in the 
Directors’ Remuneration Report, together with details of the achieved 
Adjusted FCF, ROCE and TSR performance, as determined by the 
above definitions, at the end of the performance period.

Long Term Incentive Plan performance
As the Adjusted FCF performance measure was achieved in full at the 
end of the three year performance period, but the TSR ranking was at 
21st place in the comparator group, the LTIP awards made during the 
2010-2011 financial year vested at 98.05%. Shares will be delivered to 
individuals following the release of the preliminary results for the year 
ended 30 September 2013. In this context, the European exceptional 
charge, that was announced in the year ending 30 September 2012, 
was made well after the Award of the 2010-2011 LTIP and has in fact 
produced significant returns for Shareholders, as referred to on page 7. 
Nevertheless, the Committee noted that the outcome of the Adjusted 
FCF element of the Award was not impacted by this charge and 
therefore it was not necessary to exercise any discretion with respect  
to the vesting of the Award.

Long term incentive awards 
Following approval by Shareholders of new performance conditions 
and their weightings for the LTIP at the AGM held on 7 February 2013, 
Executives received a conditional Award of shares which may vest after 
a three year performance period which will end on 30 September 2015, 
based on the achievement of stretching performance conditions, details 
of which may be found in the table below.

Director

Dominic Blakemore
Richard Cousins
Gary Green
Andrew Martin

LTIP Award 
(as a % 
of base salary)

Face value
of Award1
£000

150%
200%
150%
150%

718
1,926
1,106
972

1   Face value of Award as at the date of grant on 12 February 2013 based on the market 

price of a share of 775.00 pence on that day.

The table below sets out the performance measures for the Awards:

Adjusted FCF Adjusted FCF includes capital expenditure, 
net interest and net tax spend but excludes discontinued 
activities, acquisition spend, disposal proceeds, and unusual 
or irregular timing differences. 

ROCE improvement The definition aims to measure  
the underlying economic performance of the Company.  
ROCE is calculated using the underlying operating profit,  
net of tax at the underlying rate for the year, and after profit 
relating to non-controlling interests. The capital employed 
figure excludes the post-employment benefit asset/liability, 
net of deferred tax, impaired goodwill, amortised intangibles 
arising on acquisitions and the net assets relating to 
non-controlling interests. 

TSR Performance compared to that of constituent members 
of the FTSE 100 (excluding financial services participants).  
TSR is the aggregate of share price growth and dividends 
paid (assuming reinvestment of those dividends in the 
Company’s shares during the three year performance period).

¹⁄³

¹⁄³

¹⁄³

In setting the performance targets, the Committee considers internal 
budgets and the Group’s strategic plan, market expectations and 
general economic conditions. The table below shows the targets 
against which performance has been measured to determine the 
vesting of the grant of Awards for the year ended 30 September 2013 
and forms part of the Policy detailed in the Policy Report on pages 57  
to 64. 

Targets for the year ended 30 September 2013

Adjusted FCF and ROCE targets

Adjusted
FCF

£2,246m
£2,364m
£2,482m

ROCE

17.9%
18.7%
19.6%

Level of performance

Threshold
Par (target)
Maximum

TSR target

Level of performance

Below Median
Median
Upper Quartile

vesting % 
of each 
component

0%
50%
100%

vesting % 
of each 
component

0%
25%
100%

Corporate governance68  Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Corporate governance

Directors’ Remuneration Report

2010-2011 LTIP performance period ended 30 September 2013 and vested 27 November 2013

Name

Richard Cousins
Gary Green
Andrew Martin

Performance conditions

TSR % vested
 on maturity1

96.1%
96.1%
96.1%

Adjusted FCF 
% vested
on maturity2

100%
100%
100%

Number of 
shares awarded

Number of 
shares vested

321,678
185,630
144,754

315,405
182,010
141,931

value of shares 
on vesting date 
£000

2,960
1,708
1,332

1  TSR ranking was 21st in its comparator group.
2   Adjusted FCF for the performance period ended September 2013 was maximum £2,290 million (minimum £2,181 million) and was adjusted to reflect certain tax and 

pension payments, together with capital investment in the Australian Defence, Offshore & Remote business.

The table below sets out the percentage of each LTIP Award made to Executive Directors within the last five years which has vested and the 
percentage of each extant Award, had it vested on 30 September 2013:

year of award

Maturity date

Performance conditions

TSR % vested on maturity or
indicative vesting percentage

Adjusted FCF % 
vested on maturity

2008–2009
2009–2010
2010–2011
2011–2012
2012–2013

1 Oct 2011
1 Oct 2012
1 Oct 2013
1 Oct 2014
1 Oct 2015

TSR/Adjusted FCF
TSR/Adjusted FCF
TSR/Adjusted FCF
TSR/Adjusted FCF
TSR/Adjusted FCF

100%
100%
96.1%
100% (after 24 months)
92.9% (after 12 months)

100%
100%
100%
n/a
n/a

Adjusted FCF targets for each of the last three years are shown in note 25 on page 121 of the consolidated financial statements.

Extant equity incentive awards held by Executive Directors
Details of all existing equity incentive Awards as at the date of this Report, including the Awards conditionally made under the long term incentive 
plans to the Executive Directors in office during the year ended 30 September 2013, are shown in the table below. None of the Executive Directors 
hold any extant Award under any previously operated share option scheme:

LTIP

Director

Dominic Blakemore

Total

Richard Cousins

Total

Gary Green

Total

Andrew Martin 

Total

As at 
30 Sep 2012: 
number of 
shares

114,832
–
 114,832 

 350,182
 321,678
343,720 
–
1,015,580

269,198
185,630
 194,516
–
649,344

210,108
144,754 
156,186
–
511,048

Awarded 
during
 the year: 
number of 
shares

–
92,664
92,664 

–
 –
 –
248,517
248,517

–
–
–
142,728
142,728

–
–
–
125,481
125,481

Released 
during 
the year: 
number of 
shares

–
–
–

350,182
–
–
–
350,182

269,198
–
–
–
269,198

210,108
–
–
–
210,108

Lapsed during 
the year: 
number of 
shares

As at 
30 Sep 2013: 
number of 
shares

Market price 
at date of 
award: 
pence

Date of 
award

Maturity 
date

 –
 –
–

– 
 –
 –
–
–

–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–

114,832
92,664
207,496

– 
 321,678
343,720
248,517 
913,915

– 
 185,630
 194,516
142,728
522,874

–
144,754
156,186
125,481
426,421

624.50 17 May 2012
12 Feb 2013
775.00

1 Oct 2014
1 Oct 2015

440.00
1 Dec 2009
548.00 25 Nov 2010
25 Nov 2011
551.00
12 Feb 2013
 775.00

1 Oct 2012
1 Oct 2013
1 Oct 2014
1 Oct 2015

440.00
1 Dec 2009
548.00 25 Nov 2010
25 Nov 2011
551.00
12 Feb 2013
 775.00

1 Oct 2012
1 Oct 2013
1 Oct 2014
1 Oct 2015

1 Dec 2009
440.00
548.00 25 Nov 2010
25 Nov 2011
551.00
12 Feb 2013
 775.00

1 Oct 2012
1 Oct 2013
1 Oct 2014
1 Oct 2015

Notes: 
50% of each Award granted prior to 7 February 2013 is based on a three year Adjusted FCF target, and 50% is based on growth in the Company’s TSR relative to the 
FTSE 100, excluding its financial services constituents. 

One third of each Award granted from 7 February 2013 is based on a three year Adjusted FCF target, one third on a ROCE improvement target and one third on growth 
in the Company’s TSR relative to the FTSE 100, excluding its financial services constituents. 

Aggregate gross gains realised by Messrs Cousins, Green and Martin were £5,943,282 in the year ended 30 September 2013. The share price at the time of release  
of their Awards was 716.50 pence per share.

The market price on 27 November 2013, the date of vesting of the Award made on 25 November 2010, was 938.50 pence.

All Awards were granted for nil consideration. 

The highest mid-market price of the Company’s ordinary shares during the year ended 30 September 2013 was 910.50 pence and the lowest was 671.50 pence. The year end price 
was 850.00 pence.

Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Corporate governance  69

Pensions
At 30 September 2013, there were no Executive Directors actively 
participating in any Compass Group defined benefit pension 
arrangements or accruing additional entitlement under any 
arrangements prior to their appointment. 

All Executive Directors received a salary supplement equal to 35%  
of their base salary in lieu of pension during the year as shown in the 
single total figure table on page 66.

Exit payments
No Executive Directors left the Company during the year ended  
30 September 2013 and therefore no payments for compensation for 
loss of office were paid to, or receivable by, any Director (30 September 
2012: nil). No payments (other than regular pension benefits which were 
commenced in previous years) were made during the year ended  
30 September 2013 to any past Director of the Company.

External appointments
Executive Directors may take up one non-executive directorship  
outside of the Group subject to the Board’s approval, provided that 
such appointment is not likely to lead to a conflict of interest. It is 
recognised that non-executive duties can broaden experience and 
knowledge which can benefit the Company. Richard Cousins and 
Andrew Martin received fees of £96,625 and £55,000 during the year  
in respect of their Directorships of Reckitt Benckiser Group plc and 
easyJet plc respectively, which they were permitted to retain.

Non-Executive Directors’ remuneration
Details of amounts received by Sir Roy Gardner during the year ended 
30 September 2013 are shown below.

Chairman

Sir Roy Gardner

Fees
£000

433

Benefits1
£000

61

2013
£000

494

2012
£000

496

1   Benefits include healthcare insurance, limited financial advice, life assurance and 

car benefit.

Details of the fees paid to each of the Non-Executive Directors for the 
year ended 30 September 2013 are set out below:

Non-Executive Director

John Bason
James Crosby1
Susan Murray
Don Robert
Sir Ian Robinson2 

Total

2013
£000

103
66
93
81
103

446

2012 
£000

103
125
93
81
81

483

1  James Crosby stepped down from the Board on 9 April 2013.
2   Sir Ian Robinson became the Senior Independent Director and Remuneration 

Committee Chairman from 10 April 2013.

Share ownership guidelines and Directors’ interests in shares
In order that their interests are linked with those of Shareholders, Directors are expected to build up and maintain a personal shareholding in the 
Company as set out in the share ownership guidelines as described on page 61 of the Policy.

The Committee reviewed and noted that the guidelines were satisfied by all Directors during the year. The interests of the Directors in office during 
the year ended 30 September 2013 in shares and share incentives are shown in the table below. 

John Bason
Dominic Blakemore
Richard Cousins
James Crosby3
Sir Roy Gardner
Gary Green
Andrew Martin
Susan Murray
Don Robert
Sir Ian Robinson

Beneficial

Conditional

Shares held 
as at 30 Sep 
2013

Shares held 
as at 30 Sep 
2012

LTIP holdings 
as at 30 Sep 
2013

LTIP holdings 
as at 30 Sep 
2012

Shareholding 
required1

Compliance 
with 
Shareholding 
guidelines2

8,454
–
1,527,922
34,000
192,678
619,198
650,000
13,000
30,000
15,000

5,688
–
1,359,403
34,000
194,778
606,856
888,845
13,000
30,000
15,000

n/a
207,496
913,915
n/a
n/a
522,874
426,421
n/a
n/a
n/a

n/a
114,832
1,015,580
n/a
n/a
649,344
511,048
n/a
n/a
n/a

1 x
1.5 x
2 x
1 x
1 x
1.5 x
1.5 x
1 x
1 x
1 x

√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√

1  As a multiple of base salary or fee. 
2  Requirement to achieve by 1 October 2014, or within four years of appointment, if later. 
3  Interests for James Crosby shown as at 9 April 2013.
Interests shown include the interests of connected persons.

There were no changes in Directors’ interests between 30 September 2013 and 27 November 2013.

Corporate governance70  Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Corporate governance

Directors’ Remuneration Report

Shareholder vote on 2012 Directors’  
Remuneration Report
The table below shows the voting outcome at the 7 February 2013 
AGM for the 2012 Directors’ Remuneration Report.

Number of 
votes ‘For’ & 
‘Discretionary’

% of 
votes 
cast

Number 
of votes 
‘Against’

% of 
votes 
cast

Total 
number of
votes cast

Number 
of votes 
‘Withheld’1

1,236,666,804 93.17% 90,666,039 6.83% 1,327,332,843 25,632,363

1  A vote withheld is not a vote in law.

93.17% of the votes cast were for the approval of the Directors’ 
Remuneration Report, with 6.83% against (with 1.93% of the total 
number of votes cast abstaining). A vote withheld is not a vote in law. 
Extensive consultation with shareholder bodies and a number of large 
institutional investors was conducted during the year in connection 
with the changes made to the performance measures under the  
LTIP, as detailed in the Policy Report on page 59. The Committee 
welcomed the endorsement shown by Shareholders for the Directors’ 
Remuneration Report and took steps, wherever practicable, to 
understand Shareholders’ concerns when withholding their support.

At the AGM on 6 February 2014, Shareholders will be invited to vote  
on the Policy contained in the Policy Report and the Directors’ 
Remuneration Report. 

On behalf of the Board

Sir Ian Robinson  
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee 
27 November 2013

Remuneration of other senior executives  
and management
A number of Senior Executives and the Executive Directors comprise 
the Executive Board. These key management roles influence  
the ability of the Group to meet its strategic targets. The Committee  
has regard to the remuneration level and structure of this group  
whose total remuneration including salary and other short term 
benefits, target (or par) bonus and the expected value of long term 
incentives is summarised in note 3 on page 91 of the consolidated 
financial statements.

Remuneration advice
The Chairman and the Group Chief Executive, together with Jane 
Kingston (Group human Resources Director) and harriet Kemp 
(Director of Group Reward & People Processes), are normally invited  
to attend each Committee meeting and provide advice and guidance  
to the Committee (other than in respect of their own remuneration)  
for which they are not paid a fee in addition to their salaries from the 
Company under their service contracts. Details of the members of the 
Committee who served during the year ended 30 September 2013  
are set out on page 56.

The Committee also has access to detailed external information and 
research on market data and trends from independent consultants. 
During the year, the Company retained PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP 
(PWC) to advise on compensation related matters, including 
undertaking a benchmarking exercise in respect of the roles of the 
Chairman and Group Chief Executive, for which they received total  
fees of £40,650 (fees are based on hours spent). 

Alithos Limited (Alithos) provided information for the testing of the  
TSR performance conditions for the Company’s LTIP Awards, for  
which they received fixed fees of £24,000. They also provided the  
TSR performance graph for the Directors’ Remuneration Report,  
for which they received a fixed fee of £500.

Alithos was appointed by the Company in 2002 and PWC was 
appointed in 2007 (renewed in 2011). Both appointments were made 
with the approval of the Committee following a selection exercise. 
Alithos did not provide any other advice or services to the Company 
during the year. PWC provided services globally which comprised 
pension, expatriate, internal audit, merger and acquisition, due 
diligence, tax and other consultancy advice. The Committee is  
satisfied that the advice it received during the year was objective  
and independent, based on the experience of its members generally, 
including Susan Murray who currently sits on the remuneration 
committees of two other quoted companies, including one as Chair  
of the committee.

 
Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Financial statements  71

Financial statements

Consolidated financial statements

72  Directors’ responsibilities
73 
Independent auditor’s report
75  Consolidated income statement
75  Analysis of operating profit
 Consolidated statement of 
76 
comprehensive income
 Consolidated statement of  
changes in equity

77 

79  Consolidated balance sheet
80  Consolidated cash flow statement
 Reconciliation of free cash  
80 
flow from continuing operations

81  Accounting policies

 Notes to the consolidated  
financial statements 
86  Segmental reporting 
90  Operating costs
91  Employees 
92 

 Financing income, costs and related 
(gains)/losses 
 Disposal of US Corrections business

93 
93  Tax
95  Discontinued operations
 Earnings per share
96 
98  Dividends
98 
 Goodwill 
100   Other intangible assets 
101   Property, plant and equipment 
102   Interests in associates 
102   Other investments
103   Joint ventures
103   Trade and other receivables
105   Inventories

Parent Company financial statements

132  Directors’ responsibilities
133  Parent Company balance sheet
134   Parent Company accounting policies

Notes to the Parent Company  
financial statements
135  Profit and loss account disclosures
135  Investments in subsidiary undertakings
135  Debtors
136  Creditors 
137  Provisions for liabilities and charges
137   Maturity of financial liabilities, other 

creditors and derivative financial 
instruments

137  Derivative financial instruments
137  Share capital
138  Capital and reserves
138  Contingent liabilities

105   Cash and cash equivalents
105   Short and long term borrowings
107   Derivative financial instruments
113   Trade and other payables
113   Provisions
114   Post-employment benefit obligations
119   Called up share capital
120   Share-based payments
125   Business combinations
126   Reconciliation of operating profit to cash 

generated by operations

126   Cash flow from discontinued operations
127   Reconciliation of net cash flow to 

movement in net debt

128   Contingent liabilities
129   Capital commitments
129   Operating lease and concessions 

commitments

129   Related party transactions
129   Post balance sheet events
130   Exchange rates
131   Details of principal subsidiary 

companies

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72  Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Financial statements

Consolidated financial statements

Directors’ responsibilities
The Annual Report and Accounts complies with the Disclosure and 
Transparency Rules (DTR) of the United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct 
Authority and the UK Corporate Governance Code in respect of the 
requirements to produce an annual financial report.

The Annual Report and Accounts is the responsibility of, and has been 
approved by, the Directors.

We confirm that to the best of our knowledge:

 • the Annual Report and Accounts, taken as a whole, is fair, balanced 
and understandable and provides the information necessary for 
Shareholders to assess the Company’s performance, business 
model and strategy

 • the consolidated financial statements have been prepared in 
accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards
 • the financial statements give a true and fair view of the assets, 

liabilities, financial position and profit or loss of the Company and  
the undertakings included in the consolidation taken as a whole 

 • the Annual Report and Accounts includes a review of the 

development and performance of the business and the position of 
the Company and the undertakings included in the consolidation 
taken as a whole, together with a description of the principal risks 
and uncertainties that they face

On behalf of the Board

Mark J White 
General Counsel and Company Secretary 
27 November 2013

The Directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report 
and the consolidated financial statements. The Directors are 
required to prepare consolidated financial statements for the 
Group in accordance with International Financial Reporting 
Standards (IFRS). Company law requires the Directors to 
prepare such financial statements in accordance with IFRS,  
the Companies Act 2006 and Article 4 of the International 
Accounting Standard (IAS) Regulation.

IAS 1 requires that financial statements present fairly for  
each financial year the Group’s financial position, financial 
performance and cash flows. This requires the faithful 
representation of the effects of transactions, other events and 
conditions in accordance with the definitions and recognition 
criteria for assets, liabilities, income and expenses set out  
in the International Accounting Standards Board’s ‘Framework 
for the Preparation and Presentation of Financial Statements’.  
In virtually all circumstances, a fair presentation will be achieved 
by compliance with all applicable IFRS. Directors are also 
required to:

 • properly select and apply accounting policies
 • present information, including accounting policies, in a 

manner that provides relevant, reliable, comparable and 
understandable information

 • provide additional disclosures when compliance with the 

specific requirements in IFRS is insufficient to enable users  
to understand the impact of particular transactions, other 
events and conditions on the entity’s financial position and 
financial performance

The Directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting 
records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any  
time the financial position of the Company, for safeguarding  
the assets, for taking reasonable steps for the prevention  
and detection of fraud and other irregularities and for the 
preparation of a Directors’ Report and Directors’ Remuneration 
Report which comply with the requirements of the Companies 
Act 2006. The Directors, having prepared the financial 
statements, have permitted the Auditor to take whatever  
steps and undertake whatever inspections it considers to  
be appropriate for the purpose of enabling it to give its  
audit opinion.

The Directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity 
of the Compass Group PLC website. 

Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation 
and dissemination of financial statements may differ from 
legislation in other jurisdictions.

 
Independent auditor’s report to the members of Compass Group PLC

Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Financial statements  73

Opinion on financial statements of Compass Group PLC
In our opinion:

 • the financial statements give a true and fair view of the state of the 
Group’s and of the Parent Company’s affairs as at 30 September 
2013 and of the Group’s profit for the year then ended;

 • the Group financial statements have been properly prepared in 

accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) 
as adopted by the European Union; 

 • the Parent Company financial statements have been properly 

prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted 
Accounting Practice; and

 • the financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the 
requirements of the Companies Act 2006 and, as regards the Group 
financial statements, Article 4 of the IAS Regulation.

The financial statements comprise the consolidated income statement, 
the consolidated statement of comprehensive income, the consolidated 
and Parent Company balance sheets, the consolidated cash flow 
statement, the consolidated statement of changes in equity, the 
accounting policies and the related notes 1 to 36. The financial 
reporting framework that has been applied in the preparation of the 
Group financial statements is applicable law and IFRSs as adopted by 
the European Union. The financial reporting framework that has been 
applied in the preparation of the Parent Company financial statements 
is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United 
Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

Going concern
As required by the Listing Rules we have reviewed the Directors’ 
statement on page 44 that the Group is a going concern.  
We confirm that:

 • we have not identified material uncertainties related to events or 

conditions that may cast significant doubt on the Group’s ability to 
continue as a going concern which we believe would need to be 
disclosed in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European 
Union; and

 • we have concluded that the Directors’ use of the going concern  
basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements  
is appropriate.

however, because not all future events or conditions can be predicted, 
this statement is not a guarantee as to the Group’s ability to continue  
as a going concern.

Our assessment of risks of material misstatement
The assessed risks of material misstatement described below are those 
that had the greatest effect on our audit strategy, the allocation of 
resources in the audit, and directing the efforts of the engagement team:

 • revenue recognition, including the judgement around cut-off of 
revenue recognition in accordance with contractual terms on 
multi-year contracts, which impacted reported results;

 • the assessment of the carrying value of goodwill and intangible 

assets, particularly in respect of the Group’s interests in the UK; and

 • the Group’s exposure to significant tax risks and the level of 

provisions recognised, given the estimation uncertainty in respect  
of settlements with tax authorities around the world.

Our audit procedures relating to these matters were designed in the 
context of our audit of the financial statements as a whole, and not to 
express an opinion on individual accounts or disclosures. Our opinion 
on the financial statements is not modified with respect to any of the 
risks described above, and we do not express an opinion on these 
individual matters.

Our application of materiality
We determined planning materiality for the Group to be £54 million 
which is approximately 5% of pre-tax profit from continuing operations 
before exceptional items, and below 2% of equity. We use pre-tax 
profit from continuing operations before exceptional items to exclude 
the effect of volatility (for example, the European exceptional and 
goodwill impairment) from our determination.

We agreed with the Audit Committee that we would report to them  
all audit differences in excess of £1 million, as well as differences 
below that threshold that, in our view warranted reporting on 
qualitative grounds.

An overview of the scope of our audit
Our Group audit scope focused primarily on the audit work at  
23 countries. Each of these 23 countries was subject to a full audit. 
These 23 countries represent the principal business units within  
the Group’s three reportable segments and account for 88% of the 
Group’s revenues, 87% of pre-tax profit from continuing operations 
before exceptional items and 89% of net assets. They were also 
selected to provide an appropriate basis for undertaking audit work to 
address the risks of material misstatement identified above. Statutory 
audits were performed at a further 20 countries, which represent a 
further 5% of the Group’s total revenues, 6% of profit before tax and 
1% of net assets. Where possible, the timing of statutory audits is 
aligned to the full scope timetable, however the performance and 
outcome from these audits does not impact our overall opinion  
on the Group financial statements. Our audit work at the 23 principal 
countries and the statutory audits were executed at levels of 
materiality applicable to each individual entity which were lower  
than Group materiality.

The Group audit team has designed and implemented a rotational 
country visit programme so that the Senior Statutory Auditor or 
another senior member of the Group audit team, visits key countries. 
Those countries covered 75% of Group revenue. Each year this 
programme of visits includes the three most significant countries 
which comprise 59% of Group revenue. For the remaining countries 
where group audit work is performed but no visit is carried out, the 
Senior Statutory Auditor has discussed and challenged the key areas 
of judgement with the lead partner in the current year. We held 
regional briefings, attended by the component auditor from each of 
the 23 principal countries discussed above, at which we discussed 
developments in the Group relevant to our audit, including risk 
assessment and audit procedures to respond to significant risks.

The way in which we scoped our response to the risks identified 
above was as follows:

 • we evaluated the controls over revenue recognition, including the 
timing of revenue recognition and the accounting for contractual 
terms and one-off items, performed substantive testing, analytical 
procedures and assessed whether the revenue recognition policies 
adopted complied with IFRSs;

 • we challenged management’s assumptions used in the impairment 
model for goodwill and intangible assets, described in note 10 to the 
financial statements, including specifically the cash flow projections, 
the discount rate, perpetuity rates applied to those cash flows, and 
the sensitivities used, particularly in respect of the Group’s interests 
in the UK; and

 • we considered the appropriateness of management’s assumptions 
and estimates in relation to the level of provisions recognised and 
the allocation of tax charge between continuing and discontinuing 
operations, and performed substantive testing on significant tax 
exposures, including sales tax and social taxes.

The Audit Committee’s consideration of these risks is set out on  
page 49.

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74  Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Financial statements

Independent auditor’s report to the members of Compass Group PLC

Opinion on other matters prescribed by the  
Companies Act 2006
In our opinion:

 • the part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited has 
been properly prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 
2006; and

 • the information given in the Strategic Report and the Directors’ 

Report for the financial year for which the financial statements are 
prepared is consistent with the financial statements.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception
Adequacy of explanations received and accounting records
Under the Companies Act 2006 we are required to report to you if,  
in our opinion:

 • we have not received all the information and explanations we require 

for our audit; or

 • adequate accounting records have not been kept by the Parent 

Company, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received 
from branches not visited by us; or

 • the Parent Company financial statements are not in agreement  

with the accounting records and returns.

We have nothing to report in respect of these matters.

Directors’ remuneration
Under the Companies Act 2006 we are also required to report if in our 
opinion certain disclosures of Directors’ remuneration have not been 
made or the part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited  
is not in agreement with the accounting records and returns. Under  
the Listing Rules we are required to review certain elements of the 
Directors’ Remuneration Report. We have nothing to report arising  
from these matters or our review.

Corporate governance statement
Under the Listing Rules we are also required to review the part  
of the Corporate Governance Statement relating to the Company’s 
compliance with nine provisions of the UK Corporate Governance 
Code. We have nothing to report arising from our review.

Our duty to read other information in the Annual Report 
Under the ISAs (UK and Ireland), we are required to report to you if,  
in our opinion, information in the Annual Report is:

 • materially inconsistent with the information in the audited financial 

Respective responsibilities of directors and auditor
As explained more fully in the Directors’ Responsibilities Statement, 
the Directors are responsible for the preparation of the financial 
statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view. 
Our responsibility is to audit and express an opinion on the financial 
statements in accordance with applicable law and International 
Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland). Those standards require  
us to comply with the Auditing Practices Board’s Ethical Standards  
for Auditors.

This report is made solely to the Company’s members, as a body,  
in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. 
Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the 
Company’s members those matters we are required to state to  
them in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest 
extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility  
to anyone other than the Company and the Company’s members  
as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we 
have formed.

Scope of the audit of the financial statements
An audit involves obtaining evidence about the amounts and 
disclosures in the financial statements sufficient to give reasonable 
assurance that the financial statements are free from material 
misstatement, whether caused by fraud or error. This includes an 
assessment of: whether the accounting policies are appropriate to  
the Group’s and the Parent Company’s circumstances and have been 
consistently applied and adequately disclosed; the reasonableness  
of significant accounting estimates made by the Directors; and the 
overall presentation of the financial statements. In addition, we read  
all the financial and non-financial information in the Annual Report to 
identify material inconsistencies with the audited financial statements 
and to identify any information that is apparently materially incorrect 
based on, or materially inconsistent with, the knowledge acquired by 
us in the course of performing the audit. If we become aware of any 
apparent material misstatements or inconsistencies we consider the 
implications for our report.

statements; or

Graham Richardson (Senior Statutory Auditor)

 • apparently materially incorrect based on, or materially inconsistent 

with, our knowledge of the Group acquired in the course of 
performing our audit; or
 • is otherwise misleading.

In particular, we are required to consider whether we have identified  
any inconsistencies between our knowledge acquired during the audit 
and the Directors’ Statement that they consider the Annual Report  
is fair, balanced and understandable and whether the Annual Report 
appropriately discloses those matters that we communicated to the 
Audit Committee which we consider should have been disclosed.  
We confirm that we have not identified any such inconsistencies or 
misleading statements. 

for and on behalf of Deloitte LLP,  
Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditor 
London, UK 
27 November 2013

Consolidated income statement

for the year ended 30 September 2013

Continuing operations
Revenue
Operating costs before goodwill impairment
Goodwill impairment

Operating profit
Share of profit of associates

Total operating profit
(Loss)/gain on disposal of the US Corrections business
Finance income
Finance costs
hedge accounting ineffectiveness
Change in the fair value of investments and non-controlling 

interest put options

Profit before tax
Income tax expense
Profit for the year from continuing operations

Discontinued operations
Profit for the year from discontinued operations

Continuing and discontinued operations
Profit for the year

Attributable to
Equity shareholders of the Company
Non-controlling interests
Profit for the year

Basic earnings per share (pence)
From continuing operations
From discontinued operations
From continuing and discontinued operations

Diluted earnings per share (pence)
From continuing operations
From discontinued operations
From continuing and discontinued operations

Notes

1

2

10

1

1, 13

1

5

4

4

4

4

6

7

8

8

8

8

8

8

1   Exceptional items include European exceptional and goodwill impairment.

Analysis of operating profit

for the year ended 30 September 2013

Continuing operations
Underlying operating profit before share  

of profit of associates
Share of profit of associates
Underlying operating profit1
Amortisation of intangibles arising on acquisition
Acquisition transaction costs
Adjustment to contingent consideration on acquisition
Operating profit after costs relating to acquisitions  

and disposals before exceptional items 

European exceptional
Goodwill impairment
Total operating profit 

Notes

2

2, 10

Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Financial statements  75

Before 
exceptional 
items
2013
£m

Exceptional
items1
2013
£m

Before 
exceptional 
items
2012
£m

Exceptional
items1
2012
£m

Total
2013
£m

17,557
(16,329)
–

1,228
10

1,238
(1)
8
(85)
(3)

–

1,157
(303)
854

–
(59)
(377)

(436)
–

(436)
–
–
–
–

–

(436)
16
(420)

17,557
(16,388)
(377)

16,905
(15,762)
–

792
10

802
(1)
8
(85)
(3)

–

721
(287)
434

1,143
8

1,151
23
9
(94)
(6)

1

1,084
(250)
834

–
(295)
–

(295)
–

(295)
–
–
–
–

–

(295)
72
(223)

Total
2012
£m

16,905
(16,057)
–

848
8

856
23
9
(94)
(6)

1

789
(178)
611

3

–

3

–

–

–

857

(420)

849
8
857

(420)
–
(420)

437

429
8
437

23.3p
0.2p
23.5p

23.2p
0.2p
23.4p

834

(223)

611

828
6
834

(223)
–
(223)

605
6
611

32.1p
–
32.1p

31.9p
–
31.9p

Total
2013
 £m

Total
2012
 £m

1,255
10
1,265
(25)
(3)
1

1,238
(59)
(377)
802

1,170
8
1,178
(18)
(9)
–

1,151
(295)
–
856

1   Underlying operating profit excludes European exceptional and goodwill impairment, amortisation of intangibles arising on acquisition, acquisition transaction costs 

and adjustment to contingent consideration on acquisition.

Consolidated financial statements 
76  Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Financial statements

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income

for the year ended 30 September 2013

Profit for the year
Other comprehensive income
Items that are not reclassified subsequently to profit or loss
Actuarial gains/(losses) on post-retirement employee benefits
Tax on items relating to the components of other comprehensive income

Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss
Currency translation differences

Total other comprehensive income/(loss) for the year
Total comprehensive income for the year

Attributable to
Equity Shareholders of the Company
Non-controlling interests
Total comprehensive income for the year

Notes

23

6

2013 
£m

437

39
(9)
30

(80)
(80)
(50)
387

379
8
387

2012 
£m

611

(115)
27
(88)

(90)
(90)
(178)
433

427
6
433

Consolidated statement of changes in equity

for the year ended 30 September 2013

Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Financial statements  77

Attributable to equity Shareholders of the Company

Share 
capital 
£m

 Share 
premium
 account
 £m 

Capital 
redemption
 reserve 
£m 

Own
 shares 
£m

Other 
reserves 
£m

Retained 
earnings 
£m

Non- 
controlling
 interests 
£m

At 1 October 2012

186

386

49

(1)

4,445

(1,834)

10

Profit for the year
Other comprehensive income
Currency translation differences
Actuarial (losses)/gains on post-retirement 

employee benefits

Tax on items relating to the components  

of other comprehensive income
Total other comprehensive income

Total comprehensive income for the year

Issue of shares (for cash)
Fair value of share-based payments 
Tax on items taken directly to equity (note 6)
Share buyback1
Release of LTIP award settled by issue  

of new shares

Acquisition of non-controlling interest
Other changes

Dividends paid to Compass Shareholders  

(note 9)

Dividends paid to non-controlling interests
At 30 September 2013

–

–

–

–
–

–

–
–
–
(6)

–
–
–
180

–
–
180

–

–

–

–
–

–

9
–
–
–

5
–
–
400

–
–
400

–

–

–

–
–

–

–
–
–
6

–
–
–
55

–
–
55

–

–

–

–
–

–

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
(1)

–
–
(1)

–

429

(80)

–

2
(78)

(78)

–
11
–
–

(5)
–
1
4,374

–
–
4,374

–

39

(11)
28

457

–
–
6
(446)

–
–
(5)
(1,822)

(404)
–
(2,226)

8

–

–

–
–

8

–
–
–
–

–
–
(3)
15

–
(6)
9

Total 
£m

3,241

437

(80)

39

(9)
(50)

387

9
11
6
(446)

–
–
(7)
3,201

(404)
(6)
2,791

Other reserves

At 1 October 2012

Other comprehensive income
Currency translation differences
Tax on items relating to the components of other  

comprehensive income

Total other comprehensive income
Total comprehensive income for the year

Fair value of share-based payments
Release of LTIP award settled by issue of new shares
Other changes
At 30 September 2013

1 Including stamp duty and brokers’ commission.

Share-based
 payment 
reserve 
£m

Merger 
reserve
 £m 

Revaluation 
reserve 
£m

Translation 
reserve 
£m 

Total other 
reserves 
£m

156

4,170

–

–
–
–

11
(5)
–
162

–

–
–
–

–
–
–
4,170

7

–

–
–
–

–
–
–
7

112

4,445

(80)

2
(78)
(78)

–
–
1
35

(80)

2
(78)
(78)

11
(5)
1
4,374

Own shares held by the Group represent 161,622 shares in Compass Group PLC (2012: 197,475 shares). 144,413 shares are held by the 
Compass Group Employee Share Trust (ESOP) and 17,209 shares by the Compass Group Long Term Incentive Plan Trust (LTIPT). These shares 
are listed on a recognised stock exchange and their market value at 30 September 2013 was £1.4 million (2012: £1.3 million). The nominal value 
held at 30 September 2013 was £16,162 (2012: £19,748).

ESOP and LTIPT are discretionary trusts for the benefit of employees and the shares held are used to satisfy some of the Group’s liabilities to 
employees for share options, share bonus and long term incentive plans. All of the shares held by the ESOP and LTIPT are required to be made 
available in this way.

The merger reserve arose in 2000 following the demerger from Granada Compass plc. 

Consolidated financial statements78  Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Financial statements

Consolidated statement of changes in equity

for the year ended 30 September 2013

At 1 October 2011

Profit for the year
Other comprehensive income
Currency translation differences
Actuarial gains/(losses) on post-retirement 

employee benefits

Tax on items relating to the components  

of other comprehensive income
Total other comprehensive income
Total comprehensive income for the year

Issue of shares (for cash)
Fair value of share-based payments 
Tax on items taken directly to equity (note 6)
Share buyback1
Release of LTIP award settled by issue  

of new shares

Acquisition of non-controlling interest
Other changes

Dividends paid to Compass Shareholders  

(note 9)

Dividends paid to non-controlling interests
At 30 September 2012

Attributable to equity Shareholders of the Company

 Share
 premium
 account
 £m

Capital
redemption
 reserve
£m

Own
 shares
£m

Other
reserves
£m

Retained
earnings
£m

Non-
controlling
 interests
£m

353

44

(1)

4,529

(1,620)

–

–

–

–
–
–

29
–
–
–

4
–
–
386

–
–
386

–

–

–

–
–
–

–
–
–
5

–
–
–
49

–
–
49

–

–

–

–
–
–

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
(1)

–
–
(1)

–

605

(90)

–

(1)
(91)
(91)

–
11
–
–

(4)
–
–
4,445

–
–
4,445

–

(115)

28
(87)
518

–
–
7
(356)

–
(2)
(3)
(1,456)

(378)
–
(1,834)

8

6

–

–

–
–
6

–
–
–
–

–
2
–
16

–
(6)
10

Share
capital
£m

190

–

–

–

–
–
–

1
–
–
(5)

–
–
–
186

–
–
186

Total 
£m

3,503

611

(90)

(115)

27
(178)
433

30
11
7
(356)

–
–
(3)
3,625

(378)
(6)
3,241

Other reserves

At 1 October 2011

Other comprehensive income
Currency translation differences
Tax on items relating to the components of other  

comprehensive income

Total other comprehensive income
Total comprehensive income for the year

Fair value of share-based payments
Release of LTIP award settled by issue of new shares
At 30 September 2012

1 Including stamp duty and brokers’ commission.

Share-based
 payment
reserve
£m

Merger
reserve
 £m 

Revaluation 
reserve
£m

Translation
reserve
£m

Total other
reserves
£m

149

4,170

–

–
–
–

11
(4)
156

–

–
–
–

–
–
4,170

7

–

–
–
–

–
–
7

203

4,529

(90)

(1)
(91)
(91)

–
–
112

(90)

(1)
(91)
(91)

11
(4)
4,445

Consolidated balance sheet

as at 30 September 2013

Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Financial statements  79

Non-current assets
Goodwill
Other intangible assets
Property, plant and equipment
Interests in associates
Other investments
Trade and other receivables
Deferred tax assets*
Derivative financial instruments**
Non-current assets

Current assets
Inventories
Trade and other receivables
Tax recoverable*
Cash and cash equivalents**
Derivative financial instruments**
Current assets

Total assets

Current liabilities
Short term borrowings**
Derivative financial instruments**
Provisions
Current tax liabilities*
Trade and other payables
Current liabilities

Non-current liabilities
Long term borrowings**
Derivative financial instruments**
Post-employment benefit obligations
Provisions
Deferred tax liabilities*
Trade and other payables
Non-current liabilities

Total liabilities

Net assets

Equity
Share capital
Share premium account
Capital redemption reserve
Less: Own shares
Other reserves
Retained earnings
Total equity Shareholders’ funds

Non-controlling interests

Total equity

* Component of current and deferred taxes. ** Component of net debt.

Approved by the Board of Directors on 27 November 2013 and signed on their behalf by

Richard J Cousins, Director 
Dominic Blakemore, Director

Notes

2013
£m

2012 
£m

10

11

12

13

14

16

6

20

17

16

18

20

19

20

22

21

19

20

23

22

6

21

24

3,620
886
714
84
41
83
265
63
5,756

255
2,072
32
1,006
7
3,372

9,128

(104)
(3)
(189)
(162)
(3,054)
(3,512)

(2,161)
(1)
(208)
(342)
(38)
(75)
(2,825)

4,037
804
652
82
46
90
296
87
6,094

261
2,114
31
728
2
3,136

9,230

(77)
(3)
(246)
(147)
(3,010)
(3,483)

(1,708)
(2)
(361)
(357)
(40)
(38)
(2,506)

(6,337)

(5,989)

2,791

3,241

180
400
55
(1)
4,374
(2,226)
2,782

9

186
386
49
(1)
4,445
(1,834)
3,231

10

2,791

3,241

Consolidated financial statements2013 
£m

2012 
£m

80  Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Financial statements

Consolidated cash flow statement

for the year ended 30 September 2013

Cash flow from operating activities
Cash generated from operations
One-off employer contributions to post-employment benefit obligations
Interest paid
Premium paid on options
Interest element of finance lease rentals
Tax received
Tax paid
Net cash from/(used in) operating activities of continuing operations
Net cash from/(used in) operating activities of discontinued operations
Net cash from/(used in) operating activities

Cash flow from investing activities
Purchase of subsidiary companies and investments in associated undertakings1
Proceeds from sale of subsidiary companies and associated undertakings – discontinued activities1
Proceeds from sale of subsidiary companies and associated undertakings – continuing activities1
Tax on profits from sale of subsidiary companies and associated undertakings
Purchase of intangible assets
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment/intangible assets
Purchase of other investments
Proceeds from sale of other investments
Dividends received from associated undertakings
Interest received
Net cash from/(used in) investing activities by continuing operations
Net cash from/(used in) investing activities by discontinued operations
Net cash from/(used in) investing activities

Cash flow from financing activities
Proceeds from issue of ordinary share capital
Purchase of own shares2
Net increase/(decrease) in borrowings
Repayment of obligations under finance leases
Equity dividends paid
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests
Net cash from/(used in) in financing activities

Cash and cash equivalents
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year
Currency translation losses on cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year

Notes

27

28

26

7

11

12

14 

14

13

28

29

29

9

29

29

29

29

1,485
(72)
(71)
–
(2)
24
(257)
1,107
–
1,107

(104)
(1)
8
–
(191)
(276)
33
–
9
6
8
(508)
–
(508)

9
(446)
554
(9)
(404)
(6)
(302)

297
728
(19)
1,006 

1  Net of cash acquired or disposed and payments received or made under warranties and indemnities.
2  Includes stamp duty and brokers’ commission.

Reconciliation of free cash flow from continuing operations

for the year ended 30 September 2013

Net cash from operating activities of continuing operations
One-off employer contributions to post-employment benefit obligations
Purchase of intangible assets
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment/intangible assets
Purchase of other investments
Proceeds from sale of other investments
Dividends received from associated undertakings
Interest received
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests
Free cash flow from continuing operations
Add back: Impact of non-recurring tax issues
Add back: Cash restructuring costs in the year
Underlying free cash flow

 2013 
£m

1,107
72
(191)
(276)
33
–
9
6
8
(6)
762
–
72
834

1,393
–
(87)
(2)
(2)
24
(259)
1,067
(19)
1,048

(221)
(3)
58
(21)
(154)
(240)
28
(3)
–
8
9
(539)
(24)
(563)

30
(356)
(133)
(10)
(378)
(6)
(853)

(368)
1,110
(14)
728

 2012 
£m

1,067
–
(154)
(240)
28
(3)
–
8
9
(6)
709
31
20
760

Accounting policies

for the year ended 30 September 2013

Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Financial statements  81

Introduction
The significant accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the 
Group’s financial statements are set out below.

IFRS 12 ‘Disclosure of interests in other entities’ requires enhanced 
disclosures of the nature, risks and financial effects associated with 
the Group’s interests in subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures.

A  Accounting convention and basis of preparation
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with 
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and International 
Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee (IFRIC) interpretations  
as adopted by the European Union that are effective for the year  
ended 30 September 2013. They have been prepared under the 
historical cost convention as modified by the revaluation of certain 
financial instruments.

The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern  
basis. This is discussed in the Finance Director’s statement on  
page 44.

There have been only minor improvements to existing International 
Financial Reporting Standards and interpretations that are effective  
for the first time in the current financial year which have been adopted 
by the Group with no impact on its consolidated results or financial 
position. In the current financial year, the Group has adopted 
Amendment to IAS 1 ‘Presentation of financial statements – presentation 
of items of Other Comprehensive Income’ and Amendments to IAS 12 
‘Income taxes: Deferred tax – recovery of underlying assets’.

Accounting standards, amendments and interpretations  
to existing standards that are not yet effective
Certain new standards, amendments and interpretations of existing 
standards have been published that, once they have been endorsed  
by the European Union, will be mandatory for the Group’s accounting 
period beginning on 1 October 2013 or for later periods. The Group has 
not yet adopted these pronouncements and does not currently believe 
that the adoption of these standards, amendments or interpretations 
would have a material effect on the consolidated results or financial 
position of the Group unless stated otherwise.

IFRS 9 ‘Financial instruments’ (not yet endorsed by the European  
Union) removes the multiple classification and measurement models  
for financial assets required by IAS 39 and introduces a model that  
has only two classification categories: amortised cost and fair value. 
Classification is driven by the business model for managing the  
financial assets and the contractual cash flow characteristics of those 
assets. The accounting and presentation for financial liabilities and  
for derecognising financial instruments is relocated from IAS 39  
without any significant changes. The Group is currently assessing  
the impact this standard would have on its consolidated results and 
financial position.

IFRS 10 ‘Consolidated financial statements’ replaces the guidance  
of control and consolidation in IAS 27 ‘Consolidated and separate 
financial statements’ and SIC 12 ‘Consolidation – special purpose 
entities’. The core principle that a consolidated entity presents a  
parent and its subsidiaries as if they were a single entity remains 
unchanged, as do the mechanics of consolidation. 

IFRS 11 ‘Joint arrangements’ requires joint arrangements to be 
accounted for as a joint operation or as a joint venture depending  
upon the rights and obligations of each party to the arrangement. 
Proportionate consolidation for joint ventures will be eliminated  
and equity accounting will be compulsory. It is anticipated that the 
application of the standard (which is expected to be effective for the 
Group in the year ending 30 September 2015) will result in a decrease 
to Group revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities but will have no 
impact on the Group’s net profit or net assets. Details of the Group’s 
joint venture arrangements are set out in note 15. 

IFRS 13 ‘Fair value measurement’ explains how to measure fair value 
and aims to enhance fair value disclosures. The standard does not 
change the measurement of fair value but codifies it in one place. 

Amendments to IAS 19 ‘Employee benefits’ changes a number of 
disclosure requirements for post-employment arrangements and 
restricts the options currently available on how to account for defined 
benefit pension plans. The most significant change that will impact the 
Group is that the amendment requires expected returns on pension 
plan assets, currently calculated based on management’s expectation 
of expected returns, to be replaced by a credit on the pension plan 
assets calculated at the liability discount rate. The Group does not 
expect that this change will have a material impact on either finance 
costs or the Group’s net assets. These amendments will be effective 
for the Group in the year ending 30 September 2014.

IAS 27 (revised) ‘Separate financial statements’

IAS 28 (revised) ‘Associates and joint ventures’

Amendments to IAS 32 ‘Financial instruments’ 

Amendments to IAS 36 ‘Impairment of assets’

Amendments to IAS 39 ‘Financial instruments: Recognition  
and measurement – Novation of derivatives and continuation  
of hedge accounting’

Amendments to IFRS 7 ‘Offsetting financial assets and liabilities’

Improvements to IFRS 2009-2011 Cycle 

B  Critical accounting policies and use of assumptions 
and estimates
The preparation of the consolidated financial statements requires 
management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that 
affect the application of policies and reported amounts of assets and 
liabilities, income and expenses. These estimates and assumptions 
are based on historical experience and other factors that are believed 
to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ 
from these estimates. The estimates and assumptions that have a 
significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying value 
of assets and liabilities in the next financial year are discussed below.

Income taxes
The Group is subject to income taxes in numerous jurisdictions. 
Significant judgement is required in determining the worldwide 
provision for income taxes as there are many transactions and 
calculations for which the ultimate tax determination is uncertain 
during the ordinary course of business. The Group recognises 
liabilities based on estimates of whether additional taxes will be due. 
Where the final tax outcome of these matters is different from the 
amounts that were initially recorded, such differences will impact  
the results for the year and the respective income tax and deferred  
tax provisions in the year in which such determination is made.

Goodwill
The Group tests annually whether goodwill has suffered any 
impairment in accordance with the accounting policy set out in 
section M. The recoverable amounts of cash generating units  
(CGU) have been determined based on value in use calculations.  

Consolidated financial statements82  Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Financial statements

Accounting policies

for the year ended 30 September 2013

These calculations require the use of estimates and assumptions 
consistent with the most up to date budgets and plans that have been 
formally approved by management. The key assumptions used for the 
value in use calculations are set out in note 10 to the financial statements.

Post-employment benefits
Defined benefit schemes are reappraised annually by independent 
actuaries based on actuarial assumptions. Significant judgement  
is required in determining these actuarial assumptions. The principal 
assumptions used are described in note 23 to the financial statements.

C  Basis of consolidation
The consolidated financial statements consist of the financial 
statements of the Company, entities controlled by the Company  
(its subsidiaries) and the Group’s share of interests in joint ventures and 
associates made up to 30 September each year.

D  Subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures
Subsidiaries
Subsidiaries are entities over which the Group has the power to govern 
the financial and operating policies. The existence and effect of potential 
voting rights that are currently exercisable or convertible are considered 
when assessing control.

Associates
Associates are undertakings that are not subsidiaries or joint ventures 
over which the Group has significant influence and can participate  
in financial and operating policy decisions. Investments in associated 
undertakings are accounted for using the equity method. The 
consolidated income statement includes the Group’s share of the profit 
after tax of the associated undertakings. Investments in associates 
include goodwill identified on acquisition and are carried in the Group 
balance sheet at cost plus post-acquisition changes in the Group’s 
share of the net assets of the associate, less any impairment in value.

Joint ventures
Joint ventures are entities in which the Group holds an interest on  
a long term basis and which are jointly controlled by the Group and 
other venturers under a contractual agreement. The Group’s share  
is accounted for using the proportionate consolidation method.  
The consolidated income statement and balance sheet include the 
Group’s share of the income, expenses, assets and liabilities.

Adjustments
Where necessary, adjustments are made to the financial statements  
of subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures to bring the accounting 
policies used in line with those used by the Group.

Acquisitions and disposals
The results of subsidiaries, associates or joint ventures acquired or 
disposed of during the period are included in the consolidated income 
statement from the effective date of acquisition or up to the effective 
date of disposal, as appropriate.

Intra-group transactions
All intra-group transactions, balances, income and expenses are 
eliminated on consolidation. Where a Group subsidiary transacts  
with a joint venture of the Group, profits or losses are eliminated  
to the extent of the Group’s interest in the relevant joint venture.

E  Acquisitions
The acquisition of subsidiaries is accounted for using the purchase 
method. The cost of acquisition is measured at the aggregate of the 
fair values, at the date of exchange, of assets given, liabilities incurred 
or assumed, and equity instruments issued.

Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities and contingent liabilities 
assumed are recognised at the fair values at the acquisition date, 
except for non-current assets (or disposal groups) that are classified 
as held for sale which are recognised and measured at fair value less 
costs to sell.

The cost of the acquisition in excess of the Group’s interest in the  
net fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired is recorded as 
goodwill. If the cost of the acquisition is less than the fair value of the 
net assets of the subsidiary acquired, the difference is recognised 
directly in the income statement.

F  Foreign currency
The consolidated financial statements are prepared in Sterling,  
which is the functional currency of the Company.

In preparing the financial statements of individual companies within 
the Group, transactions in currencies other than pounds Sterling are 
recorded at the rates of exchange on the dates of the transaction.  
At each balance sheet date, monetary assets and liabilities that are 
denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated at the rates on  
the balance sheet date. Gains and losses arising on retranslation  
are included in the income statement for the period, except for where 
they arise on items taken directly to other comprehensive income,  
in which case they are also recognised in the consolidated statement 
of comprehensive income.

In order to hedge its exposure to certain foreign exchange risks,  
the Group enters into forward currency contracts (see section Q  
for the Group’s accounting policies in respect of derivative 
financial instruments).

On consolidation, the assets and liabilities of the Group’s overseas 
operations (expressed in their functional currencies, being the 
currency of the primary economic environment in which each entity 
operates) are translated at the exchange rates on the balance sheet 
date. Income and expense items are translated at the average 
exchange rates for the period. Exchange differences arising, if any,  
are classified as equity and transferred to the Group’s translation 
reserve. Such translation differences are recognised as income  
or expense in the period in which the operation is disposed of.

Goodwill and fair value adjustments arising on the acquisition of  
a foreign entity are treated as assets and liabilities of the foreign  
entity and translated at the closing rate.

G  Revenue
Revenue is recognised in the period in which services are provided  
in accordance with the terms of the contractual relationships with  
third parties. Revenue represents the fair value of the consideration 
received or receivable for goods and services provided in the normal 
course of business, excluding trade discounts, value added tax and 
similar sales taxes.

Management fee contracts
Revenue from management fee contracts comprises the total of sales 
made to consumers, the subsidy charged to clients, together with the 
management fee charged to clients.

Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Financial statements  83

Deferred tax liabilities are recognised for taxable temporary 
differences arising on investments in subsidiaries and associates,  
and interest in joint ventures, except where the Group is able to control 
the reversal of the temporary difference and it is probable that the 
temporary difference will not reverse in the foreseeable future.

The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at each 
balance sheet date and reduced to the extent that it is no longer 
probable that sufficient taxable profits will be available to allow all  
or part of the asset to be recovered.

Deferred tax is calculated at the tax rates that are expected to apply  
in the period when the liability is settled or the asset realised.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset against each other when 
they relate to income taxes levied by the same tax jurisdiction and the 
Group intends to settle its current tax assets and liabilities on  
a net basis.

M  Intangible assets
Goodwill
Goodwill arising on consolidation represents the excess of the cost  
of acquisition over the fair value of the Group’s share of the identifiable 
assets and liabilities of the acquired subsidiary, associate or joint venture 
at the date of acquisition. Goodwill is tested annually for impairment 
and is carried at cost less any accumulated impairment losses.

Goodwill is allocated to each CGU for the purpose of impairment 
testing. A CGU is identified at the lowest aggregation of assets that 
generate largely independent cash inflows, and that which is looked  
at by management for monitoring and managing the business. This is 
generally the total business for a country. however, in some instances 
where there are distinct, separately managed business activities within 
a country, particularly if they fall within different secondary business 
segments, the CGU is identified at this lower level.

If the recoverable amount of the CGU is less than the carrying 
amount, an impairment loss is allocated first to reduce the carrying 
amount of any goodwill allocated to the unit and then to the other 
assets of the unit pro rata on the basis of the carrying amount of each 
asset in the unit. Any impairment is immediately recognised in the 
income statement and an impairment loss recognised for goodwill  
is not subsequently reversed.

On disposal, the attributable amount of goodwill is included in the 
determination of the gain or loss on disposal.

Goodwill arising on acquisitions before the date of transition to  
IFRS has been retained at the previous UK GAAP amounts subject  
to being tested for impairment at that date. Goodwill written off to 
reserves under UK GAAP prior to 1998 has not been reinstated  
and is not included in determining any subsequent gain or loss  
on disposal.

Other intangible assets
Intangible assets acquired separately are capitalised at cost or, if 
acquired as part of a business combination, are capitalised at fair 
value as at the date of the acquisition. Internally generated intangible 
assets are not capitalised. Amortisation is charged on a straight-line 
basis over the expected useful lives of the assets.

Fixed price contracts
Revenue from fixed price contracts is recognised in proportion  
to the volume of services that the Group is contracted to supply  
in each period.

Inter-segmental transactions
There is little or no intra-group trading between the reported business 
segments. Where such trading does take place it is on similar terms 
and conditions to those available to third parties.

H  Rebates and other amounts received  
from suppliers
Rebates and other amounts received from suppliers include agreed 
discounts from suppliers’ list prices, and value and volume-related rebates.

Income from value and volume-related rebates is recognised based on 
actual purchases in the period as a proportion of total purchases made 
or forecast to be made over the rebate period.

Agreed discounts relating to inventories are credited to the income 
statement as the goods are consumed.

Rebates relating to items purchased but still held at the balance sheet 
date are deducted from the carrying value of these items so that the 
cost of inventories is recorded net of applicable rebates.

Rebates received in respect of plant and equipment are deducted from 
the costs capitalised.

I  Borrowing costs
Borrowing costs which are directly attributable to the acquisition, 
construction or production of a qualifying asset are capitalised as  
part of the cost of that asset.

J  Operating profit
Operating profit is stated before the share of results of associates, 
investment revenue and finance costs.

K  Exceptional items
Exceptional items are disclosed and described separately in the 
financial statements where it is necessary to do so to provide further 
understanding of the financial performance of the Group. They are 
material items of income or expense that have been shown separately 
due to the significance of their nature or amount.

L  Tax
Income tax expense comprises current and deferred tax. Tax is 
recognised in the income statement except where it relates to items 
taken directly to the consolidated statement of comprehensive income 
or equity, in which case it is recognised in the consolidated statement  
of comprehensive income or equity as appropriate.

Current tax is the expected tax payable on the taxable income for  
the period, using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively 
enacted by the balance sheet date.

Deferred tax is provided using the balance sheet liability method, 
providing for temporary differences between the carrying amounts of 
assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts 
used for tax purposes. Deferred tax liabilities are generally recognised 
for all taxable temporary differences and deferred tax assets are 
recognised to the extent that it is probable that taxable profits will be 
available against which deductible temporary differences can be 
utilised. Such assets and liabilities are not recognised if the temporary 
difference arises from goodwill or from the initial recognition (other than 
in a business combination) of other assets and liabilities in a transaction 
that affects neither the taxable profit nor the accounting profit.

Consolidated financial statements84  Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Financial statements

Accounting policies

for the year ended 30 September 2013

The following rates applied for the Group:

 • contract-related intangible assets: the life of the contract 
 • computer software: 6% to 33% per annum

The typical life of contract related intangibles is 2 to 20 years.

Contract-related intangible assets arising on acquisition of a business 
are recognised at fair value and amortised over the life of the contract. 
Underlying operating profit and underlying earnings per share exclude 
the amortisation of contract related intangible assets arising on 
acquisition of a business as it is not considered to be relevant to  
the underlying trading performance of the Group.

N  Property, plant and equipment
All tangible fixed assets are reviewed for impairment when there are 
indications that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Freehold 
land is not depreciated. All other property, plant and equipment assets 
are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation and any recognised 
impairment in value.

Depreciation is provided on a straight-line basis over the anticipated 
useful lives of the assets.

The following rates applied for the Group: 

 • freehold buildings and long term leasehold property: 2% per annum
 • short term leasehold property: the life of the lease
 • plant and machinery: 8% to 33% per annum
 • fixtures and fittings: 8% to 33% per annum

When assets are sold, the difference between sales proceeds and the 
carrying amount of the assets is dealt with in the income statement.

O  Assets held for sale
Non-current assets and disposal groups are classified as held for sale  
if the carrying amount will be recovered through a sale transaction 
rather than through continuing use. This condition is regarded as met 
only when the sale is highly probable, management is committed to  
a sale plan, the asset is available for immediate sale in its present 
condition and the sale is expected to be completed within one year 
from the date of classification. These assets are measured at the  
lower of carrying value and fair value less costs to sell.

P  Inventories
Inventories are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Cost 
is calculated using either the weighted average price or the first in, first 
out method as appropriate to the circumstances. Net realisable value is 
the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less 
applicable variable selling expenses.

Q  Financial instruments
Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised on the Group’s 
balance sheet when the Group becomes a party to the contractual 
provisions of the instrument. Financial assets and liabilities, including 
derivative financial instruments, denominated in foreign currencies are 
translated into Sterling at period end exchange rates. Gains and losses 
are dealt with through the income statement, unless hedge accounting 
treatment is available.

Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash at bank and in hand and 
short term deposits with an original maturity of three months or less.

Borrowings
Borrowings are recognised initially at the proceeds received, net of 
direct issue costs. Borrowings are subsequently stated at amortised 
cost; any difference between the proceeds (net of direct issue costs) 
and the redemption value is recognised in the income statement over 
the period of the borrowings using the effective interest method, 
unless included in a fair value hedge.

Equity instruments
Equity instruments issued by the Company are recorded at the 
proceeds received, net of direct issue costs.

Liabilities in respect of option agreements
Option agreements that allow minority Shareholders to require the 
Group to purchase the minority interest are treated as derivatives  
over equity instruments. These are recorded in the balance sheet  
at fair value which is re-evaluated at each period end. Fair value  
is based on the present value of expected cash outflows. The 
movement in fair value is recognised as income or expense within  
the income statement.

Derivative financial instruments and hedge accounting
The Group uses derivative financial instruments such as forward 
currency contracts and interest rate swaps to hedge the risks 
associated with changes in foreign exchange rates and interest rates. 
Such derivative financial instruments are initially measured at fair value 
on the contract date and are remeasured to fair value at subsequent 
reporting dates.

The use of financial derivatives is governed by the Group’s policies 
approved by the Board of Directors that provide written principles  
on the use of financial derivatives consistent with the Group’s risk 
management strategy. The Group does not use derivative financial 
instruments for speculative purposes.

The fair value of forward currency contracts is calculated by reference 
to current forward exchange rates for contracts with similar maturity 
profiles. The fair value of interest rate swaps is determined by 
reference to market values for similar instruments.

For the purpose of hedge accounting, hedges are classified as either 
fair value hedges when they hedge the exposure to changes in the  
fair value of a recognised asset or liability; or cash flow hedges where 
they hedge the exposure to variability in cash flows that is either 
attributable to a particular risk associated with a recognised asset  
or liability or a forecasted transaction.

In relation to fair value hedges (interest rate swaps) which meet the 
conditions for hedge accounting, any gain or loss from remeasuring 
the hedging instrument at fair value is recognised immediately in the 
income statement. Any gain or loss on the hedged item attributable  
to the hedged risk is adjusted against the carrying amount of the 
hedged item and recognised in the income statement. Where the 
adjustment is to the carrying amount of a hedged interest-bearing 
financial instrument, the adjustment is amortised to the net profit  
and loss such that it is fully amortised by maturity.

When fair value hedge accounting is discontinued, any adjustment  
to the carrying amount of the hedged item for the designated risk  
for interest-bearing financial instruments is amortised to profit or loss, 
with amortisation commencing no later than when the hedged item 
ceases to be adjusted.

The Group’s policy is to convert a proportion of its floating rate debt  
to fixed rates, using floating to fixed interest rate swaps. The Group 
designates these as cash flow hedges of interest rate risk.

Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Financial statements  85

In relation to cash flow hedges (forward currency contracts) to hedge 
firm commitments which meet the conditions for hedge accounting, the 
portion of the gain or loss on the hedging instrument that is determined 
to be an effective hedge is recognised directly in equity and the 
ineffective portion is recognised in the income statement.

For defined benefit pension schemes, the cost of providing benefits  
is determined using the Projected Unit Credit Method, with actuarial 
valuations being carried out at each balance sheet date. Actuarial 
gains and losses are recognised immediately in the consolidated 
statement of comprehensive income.

Past service cost is recognised immediately to the extent that the 
benefits are already vested, and otherwise is amortised on a straight-
line basis over the average period until the benefits become vested.

The pension obligation recognised in the balance sheet represents  
the present value of the defined benefit obligation as adjusted for 
unrecognised past service cost, and as reduced by the fair value  
of scheme assets. Any asset resulting from this calculation is limited  
to past service cost, plus the present value of available refunds and 
reductions in future contributions to the plan.

Other post-employment obligations
Some Group companies provide other post-employment benefits. 
The expected costs of these benefits are accrued over the period  
of employment using a similar basis to that used for defined benefit 
pension schemes. Actuarial gains and losses are recognised 
immediately in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

Share-based payments
The Group issues equity settled and cash settled share-based 
payments to certain employees. In accordance with the requirements 
of IFRS 2 ‘Share-based payment’, the Group has applied IFRS 2 to  
all equity-settled share options granted after 7 November 2002 that 
vested before 1 January 2005. Equity-settled share-based payments 
are measured at fair value (excluding the effect of non market-based 
vesting conditions) at the date of grant. The fair value, determined  
at the grant date of the equity-settled share-based payments, is 
expensed on a straight-line basis over the vesting period, based  
on the Group’s estimate of the shares that will eventually vest and 
adjusted for the effect of non market-based vesting conditions.

Fair value is measured using either the binomial distribution or  
Black-Scholes pricing models as is most appropriate for each 
scheme. The expected life used in the models has been adjusted, 
based on management’s best estimate, for the effects of exercise 
restrictions and behavioural considerations.

For cash-settled share-based payments, a liability equal to the portion 
of the goods or services received is recognised at the current fair 
value determined at each balance sheet date.

Holiday pay 
Paid holidays and similar entitlements are regarded as an employee 
benefit and are charged to the income statement as the benefits are 
earned. An accrual is made at the balance sheet date to reflect the fair 
value of holidays earned but not taken.

When the hedged firm commitment results in the recognition of an 
asset or liability, then at the time the asset or liability is recognised,  
the associated gains or losses that had previously been recognised  
in equity are included in the initial measurement of the acquisition  
cost and carrying amount of the asset or liability. For all other cash flow 
hedges, the gains or losses that are recognised in equity are transferred 
to the income statement in the same period in which the hedged firm 
commitment affects the net profit and loss, for example, when the 
future sale actually occurs.

For derivative financial instruments that do not qualify for hedge 
accounting, any gains or losses arising from changes in fair value  
are taken directly to the income statement in the period.

hedge accounting is discontinued when the hedging instrument  
expires or is sold, terminated or exercised, or no longer qualifies for 
hedge accounting. At that point in time, any cumulative gain or loss on 
the hedging instrument recognised in equity is kept in equity until the 
forecasted transaction occurs. If a hedged transaction is no longer 
expected to occur, the net cumulative gain or loss recognised in equity 
is transferred to the income statement in the period.

R  Leases
Leases are classified as finance leases whenever the terms of the  
lease transfer substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to  
the lessee. All other leases are classified as operating leases.

Assets held under finance leases are recognised as assets of the  
Group at their fair value or, if lower, at the present value of the minimum 
lease payments, each determined at the inception of the lease. The 
corresponding liability to the lessor is included in the balance sheet as  
a finance lease obligation. Lease payments are apportioned between 
finance charges and reduction of the lease obligation so as to achieve  
a constant rate of interest on the remaining balance of the liability. 
Finance charges are charged directly against income.

Payments made under operating leases are charged to income on  
a straight-line basis over the period of the lease. Any incentives to enter 
into an operating lease are also spread on a straight-line basis over the 
lease term.

S  Provisions
Provisions are recognised when the Group has a present obligation  
as a result of a past event and it is probable that the Group will be 
required to settle that obligation. Provisions are measured at the 
Directors’ best estimate of the cost of settling these liabilities and  
are discounted to present value where the effect is material.

T  Employee benefits
Pension obligations
Payments made to defined contribution pension schemes are charged 
as an expense when they fall due. Payments made to state-managed 
schemes are dealt with as payments to defined contribution schemes 
where the Group’s obligations under the schemes are equivalent to 
those arising in a defined contribution pension scheme.

Consolidated financial statements86  Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Financial statements

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

for the year ended 30 September 2013

1  Segmental reporting
In line with the changes announced in November 2011, the management of the Company’s operations, excluding Central activities, is organised 
within three geographical segments: North America, Europe & Japan and Fast Growing & Emerging. These, together with Central activities, 
comprise the Company’s reportable segments. These segments comprise countries which are at similar stages of development and demonstrate 
similar economic characteristics. Each segment derives revenue from the delivery of food and support services. 

Revenue

Year ended 30 September 2013
External revenue

Year ended 30 September 2012
External revenue

Revenue

Year ended 30 September 2013
External revenue

Year ended 30 September 2012
External revenue

Geographical segments

North
America
£m

Europe &
Japan
£m

Fast 
Growing &
Emerging
£m

Total 
£m

8,150

6,039

3,368

17,557

7,517

6,243

3,145

16,905

Sectors

Business
& Industry
£m

Education
£m

healthcare
& Seniors
£m

Sports
& Leisure
£m

Defence,
Offshore
& Remote
£m

Total 
£m

7,121

2,820

3,559

1,784

2,273

17,557

7,068

2,645

3,243

1,785

2,164

16,905

1 There is no inter-segmental trading. 
2  Continuing revenue from external customers arising in the UK, the Group’s country of domicile, was £1,813 million (2012: £1,908 million). Continuing revenue from 

external customers arising in all foreign countries from which the Group derives revenue was £15,744 million (2012: £14,997 million).

 
 
 
 
 
Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Financial statements  87

1  Segmental reporting continued

Result

Year ended 30 September 2013
Operating profit before associates, exceptional items and costs  

relating to acquisitions

European exceptional
Goodwill impairment
Operating profit before associates and costs relating to acquisitions
Less: Amortisation of intangibles arising on acquisition
Less: Acquisition transaction costs
Add: Adjustment to contingent consideration on acquisition
Operating profit before associates – continuing
Add: Share of profit of associates 
Total operating profit – continuing

Loss on disposal of US Corrections business
Finance income
Finance costs
hedge accounting ineffectiveness

Profit before tax

Income tax expense

Profit for the year from continuing operations

Year ended 30 September 2012
Operating profit before associates, exceptional items and  

costs relating to acquisitions

European exceptional
Operating profit before associates and costs relating to acquisitions
Less: Amortisation of intangibles arising on acquisition
Less: Acquisition transaction costs
Add: Adjustment to contingent consideration on acquisition
Operating profit before associates – continuing
Add: Share of profit of associates 
Total operating profit – continuing

Gain on disposal of US Corrections business
Finance income
Finance costs
hedge accounting ineffectiveness
Change in the fair value of investments and non-controlling interest put options

Profit before tax

Income tax expense

Profit for the year from continuing operations

Geographical segments

North
America
£m

Europe &
Japan
£m

Fast 
Growing &
Emerging
£m

Central
activities
£m

657
–
–
657
(10)
(1)
1
647
6
653

598
–
598
(6)
–
2
594
5
599

420
(59)
(377)
(16)
(6)
(1)
–
(23)
4
(19)

397
(295)
102
(6)
(3)
(1)
92
3
95

242
–
–
242
(9)
(1)
–
232
–
232

235
–
235
(5)
(4)
(1)
225
–
225

(64)
–
–
(64)
–
–
–
(64)
–
(64)

(60)
–
(60)
(1)
(2)
–
(63)
–
(63)

Total 
£m

1,255
(59)
(377)
819
(25)
(3)
1
792
10
802

(1)
8
(85)
(3)

721

(287)

434

1,170
(295)
875
(18)
(9)
–
848
8
856

23
9
(94)
(6)
1

789

(178)

611

Consolidated financial statements88  Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Financial statements

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

for the year ended 30 September 2013

1  Segmental reporting continued

Balance sheet

As at 30 September 2013
Total assets
Total liabilities 
Net assets/(liabilities)

Total assets include:
Interests in associates
Non-current assets

As at 30 September 2012
Total assets
Total liabilities 
Net assets/(liabilities)

Total assets include:
Interests in associates
Non-current assets

Geographical segments

Unallocated

North
America
£m

Europe &
Japan
£m

Fast 
Growing & 
Emerging
£m

Central
activities
£m

Current and
deferred tax
£m

Net
debt
£m

3,188
(1,459)
1,729

3,242
(1,456)
1,786

51
2,359

33
2,371

3,015
(1,348)
1,667

3,712
(1,687)
2,025

46
2,226

36
2,782

1,317
(705)
612

–
693

1,348
(726)
622

–
699

8
(248)
(240)

–
5

11
(251)
(240)

–
4

297
(200)
97

1,076
(2,269)
(1,193)

–
53

817
(1,790)
(973)

–
265

327
(187)
140

–
296

Total 
£m

9,128
(6,337)
2,791

84
5,746

9,230
(5,989)
3,241

–
87

82
6,094

1   Non-current assets located in the UK, the Group’s country of domicile, were £1,730 million (2012: £2,000 million). Non-current assets located in all foreign countries in 

which the Group holds assets were £4,016 million (2012: £4,094 million). 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1  Segmental reporting continued 

Additions to other intangible assets

Year ended 30 September 2013
Total additions to other intangible assets

Year ended 30 September 2012
Total additions to other intangible assets

Additions to property, plant and equipment

Year ended 30 September 2013
Total additions to property, plant and equipment1

Year ended 30 September 2012
Total additions to property, plant and equipment1

Amortisation of other intangible assets

Year ended 30 September 2013
Total amortisation of other intangible assets2

Year ended 30 September 2012
Total amortisation of other intangible assets2

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

Year ended 30 September 2013
Total depreciation of property, plant and equipment

Year ended 30 September 2012
Total depreciation of property, plant and equipment 

Other non-cash expenses

Year ended 30 September 2013
Total other non-cash expenses3

Year ended 30 September 2012
Total other non-cash expenses3

Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Financial statements  89

Geographical segments

North
America
£m

Europe &
Japan
£m

Fast 
Growing & 
Emerging
£m

Central 
activities 
£m

158

119

24

29

9

5

–

1

Geographical segments

North
America
£m

Europe &
Japan
£m

Fast 
Growing & 
Emerging
£m

Central 
activities 
£m

85

97

82

80

111

63

–

–

Geographical segments

North
America
£m

Europe &
Japan
£m

Fast 
Growing & 
Emerging
£m

Central 
activities 
£m

104

90

25

33

13

9

1

2

Geographical segments

North
America
£m

Europe &
Japan
£m

Fast 
Growing & 
Emerging
£m

Central 
activities 
£m

71

67

73

103

37

33

–

–

Geographical segments

North
America
£m

Europe &
Japan
£m

Fast 
Growing & 
Emerging
£m

Central 
activities 
£m

3

3

3

3

2

2

3

3

Total 
£m

191

154

Total 
£m

278

240

Total 
£m

143

134

Total 
£m

181

203

Total 
£m

11

11

1  Includes leased assets of £2 million (2012: £4 million) and creditor for capital creditors of £2 million (2012: £2 million). 
2  Including the amortisation of intangibles arising on acquisition.
3  Other non-cash expenses are mainly comprised of share-based payments.

Consolidated financial statements 
 
 
 
 
90  Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Financial statements

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

for the year ended 30 September 2013

2  Operating costs 
Total operating costs

Operating costs

Cost of food and materials:
Cost of inventories consumed

Labour costs:
Employee remuneration (note 3)

Overheads:
Depreciation – owned property, plant and equipment 
Depreciation – leased property, plant and equipment
Amortisation – owned intangible assets 
Impairment of goodwill in subsidiaries

Property lease rentals
Other occupancy rentals – minimum guaranteed rent
Other occupancy rentals – rent in excess of minimum  

guaranteed rent
Other asset rentals

Audit and non-audit services (see below)
Other expenses 

Operating costs before costs relating to acquisitions

Amortisation – intangible assets arising on acquisition
Acquisition transaction costs
Adjustment to contingent consideration on acquisition
Total continuing operations

Before 
exceptional
items
2013
£m

Exceptional
items
2013 1
£m

Before 
exceptional
items
2012
£m

Total
2013
£m

Exceptional
items
2012 1
£m

Total
2012
£m

5,289

8,072

176
5
118
–

88
74

13
88

8
2,371

16,302

25
3
(1)
16,329

–

59

–
–
–
377

–
–

–
–

–
–

436

–
–
–
436

5,289

5,232

–

5,232

8,131

7,710

100

7,810

176
5
118
377

88
74

13
88

8
2,371

16,738

25
3
(1)
16,765

169
8
107
–

85
77

11
78

7
2,251

15,735

18
9
–
15,762

26
–
9
–

–
–

–
–

–
160

295

–
–
–
295

195
8
116
–

85
77

11
78

7
2,411

16,030

18
9
–
16,057

1  Impairment of goodwill recorded in income statement of £377 million (2012: £2 million included in ‘Other expenses’ related to European exceptional).

Audit and non-audit services

Audit services
Fees payable to the Company’s Auditor for the audit of the Company’s annual financial statements
Fees payable to the Company’s Auditor and their associates for other services to the Group:
  The audit of the Company’s subsidiaries and joint ventures pursuant to legislation
Total audit fees

Non-audit services
Audit related assurance
Taxation compliance
Other tax advisory
Corporate finance services
Services relating to information technology
Other services
Total non-audit fees

Total audit and non-audit services
Total audit and non-audit services

2013
£m

2012
£m

0.4

3.9
4.3

0.2
0.2
2.7
0.1
0.1
0.2
3.5

7.8

0.4

4.0
4.4

0.2
0.3
1.4
0.1
0.2
0.2
2.4

6.8

Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Financial statements  91

2  Operating costs continued
Exceptional items
In the years ended 30 September 2013 and 2012, the following exceptional items were recorded:

European exceptional
Accelerated efficiencies
Asset write down
Disposals
Provisions for receivables/other operating provisions
Total European exceptional

Goodwill impairment (note 10)
Total exceptional items

2013
£m

59
–
–
–
59

377
436

2012
£m

100
35
40
120
295

–
295

In 2012, we announced a series of actions to improve the operational efficiency of our operations in Europe and address the very challenging 
conditions in southern Europe. We took a £295 million exceptional cost of which £100 million was cash and £195 million non-cash. The  
£195 million mainly related to restructuring and streamlining our southern European operations by making provisions for loss making contracts, 
providing for the non-recovery of certain debts, exiting a small number of non-core businesses and the consolidation of office space and asset 
write downs. 

In 2013, we have continued with these actions and have taken an additional £59 million exceptional cost to continue to improve the operational 
efficiency of our labour base in Europe.

3  Employees 
Average number of employees, including Directors and part-time employees

North America
Europe & Japan
Fast Growing & Emerging
Total continuing operations

Aggregate remuneration of all employees including Directors

Wages and salaries 
Social security costs 
Share-based payments
Pension costs – defined contribution plans
Pension costs – defined benefit plans
Total continuing operations

2013 

2012 

205,969
153,915
146,815
506,699

194,595
167,323
146,796
508,714

2013 
£m

2012 
£m

6,713
1,304
13
80
21
8,131

6,468
1,237
11
77
17
7,810

In addition to the pension cost shown in operating costs above, there is a pensions-related net charge within finance costs of £11 million  
(2012: net charge of £15 million). 

The remuneration of Directors and key management personnel1 is set out below. Additional information on Directors’ and key management 
remuneration, share options, long term incentive plans, pension contributions and entitlements can be found in the audited section of the 
Directors’ Remuneration Report on pages 55 to 70 and forms part of these accounts.  

Remuneration of key management personnel

Salaries 
Other short term employee remuneration
Share-based payments 
Pension salary supplement
Total

2013 
£m

5.2
5.8
4.3
1.5
16.8

2012 
£m

7.7
6.7
5.3
2.3
22.0

1   Key management personnel is defined as the Board of Directors and four additional individuals making up the Executive Board. In 2012, 20 individuals were included in the table 

which comprised the Board of Directors and 10 additional individuals who were part of the Executive Committee.

Consolidated financial statements 
 
  
 
 
92  Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Financial statements

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

for the year ended 30 September 2013

4  Financing income, costs and related (gains)/losses
Finance income and costs are recognised in the income statement in the period in which they are earned or incurred.

Finance income and costs

Finance income
Bank interest
Total finance income

Finance costs
Interest on bank loans and overdrafts 
Interest on other loans
Finance lease interest 
Interest on bank loans, overdrafts, other loans and finance leases
Unwinding of discount on provisions
Amount charged to pension scheme liabilities net of expected return on scheme assets (note 23)
Total finance costs

Analysis of finance costs by defined IAS 391 category
Fair value through profit or loss
Derivatives in a fair value hedge relationship
Derivatives in a net investment hedge relationship
Other financial liabilities
Interest on bank loans, overdrafts, other loans and finance leases
Fair value through profit or loss (unwinding of discount on provisions)
Outside of the scope of IAS 39 (net pension scheme charge)
Total finance costs

1 IAS 39 ‘Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement’.

2013
 £m 

2012
 £m

8
8

8
60
2
70
4
11
85

2
(24)
5
87
70
4
11
85

9
9

6
69
2
77
2
15
94

3
(31)
5
100
77
2
15
94

The Group uses derivative financial instruments such as forward currency contracts, cross currency swaps and interest rate swaps to hedge the 
risks associated with changes in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. As explained in section Q of the Group’s accounting policies, 
such derivative financial instruments are initially measured at fair value on the contract date, and are re-measured to fair value at subsequent 
reporting dates. For derivative financial instruments that do not qualify for hedge accounting, any gains or losses arising from changes in fair value 
are taken directly to the income statement in the period.

Financing related (gains)/losses

Hedge accounting ineffectiveness 
Unrealised net (gains)/losses on unhedged derivative financial instruments1
Unrealised net (gains)/losses on derivative financial instruments in a designated fair value hedge2
Unrealised net (gains)/losses on the hedged item in a designated fair value hedge
Total hedge accounting ineffectiveness (gains)/losses

Change in the fair value of investments and non-controlling interest put options
Change in the fair value of investments1, 3

1  Categorised as ‘fair value through profit or loss’ (IAS 39). 
2  Categorised as derivatives that are designated and effective as hedging instruments carried at fair value (IAS 39). 
3  Life insurance policies used by overseas companies to meet the cost of unfunded post-employment benefit obligations included in note 23. 

2013
 £m 

2012
 £m

–
47
(44)
3

–

1
(14)
19
6

(1)

 
 
 
Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Financial statements  93

5  Disposal of US Corrections business
On 29 March 2012, the Group disposed of the assets related to its food support services business in correctional facilities located in the United 
States. The disposal of these assets is in line with the Group’s strategy of continuing to focus on core growth sectors. The gain arising on disposal, 
and subsequent adjustments from the finalisation of liabilities related to the disposal as set out in the table below, are included in profit from 
continuing operations for the years ended 30 September 2013 and 2012. The assets and results of operations of the US Corrections business 
were included in the North America and the Defence, Offshore & Remote segments.

(Loss)/gain on disposal of the US Corrections business

(Loss)/gain on disposal of the US Corrections business
Tax on (loss)/gain on disposal of US Corrections business
Net (loss)/gain on disposal of US Corrections business

6  Tax

Recognised in the income statement: 
Income tax expense on continuing operations

Current tax
Current year
Adjustment in respect of prior years
Current tax expense/(credit)

Deferred tax 
Current year 
Impact of changes in statutory tax rates
Adjustment in respect of prior years
Deferred tax expense/(credit)

Before 
exceptional
items
2013
£m

Exceptional
items
2013
£m

299
(3)
296

1
5
(1)
5

(26)
–
(26)

10
–
–
10

Total
2013 
£m

273
(3)
270

11
5
(1)
15

Income tax expense on continuing operations excluding exceptional 

recognition of tax losses arising in prior years

301

(16)

285

287

Current tax credit on exceptional recognition of tax losses arising in 

prior years

Deferred tax expense/(credit) on exceptional recognition of tax 

losses arising in prior years

Total tax expense/(credit) on exceptional recognition of tax losses 

arising in prior years

Total income tax
Income tax expense/(credit) on continuing operations 

–

2

2

–

–

–

–

2

2

(19)

(18)

(37)

The income tax expense for the year is based on the effective United Kingdom statutory rate of corporation tax for the period of 23.5%  
(2012: 25%). Overseas tax is calculated at the rates prevailing in the respective jurisdictions. The impact of the changes in statutory rates  
relates principally to the reduction of the UK corporation tax rate from 24% to 23% from 1 April 2013, 21% from 1 April 2014, and 20% from  
1 April 2015. These changes have resulted in a deferred tax charge arising from the reduction in the balance sheet carrying value of deferred  
tax assets to reflect the anticipated rate of tax at which those assets are expected to reverse. 

303

(16)

287

250

(72)

178

2013 
£m

(1)
–
(1)

Before 
exceptional
items
2012
£m

Exceptional
items
2012
£m

295
(21)
274

(2)
6
9
13

(24)
–
(24)

(48)
–
–
(48)

(72)

–

–

–

2012
£m

23
(10)
13

Total
2012 
£m

271
(21)
250

(50)
6
9
(35)

215

(19)

(18)

(37)

Consolidated financial statements 
 
 
 
 
 
94  Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Financial statements

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

for the year ended 30 September 2013

6  Tax continued

Before 
exceptional
items
2013
£m

Exceptional
items
2013
£m

Profit before tax from continuing operations

1,157

(436)

Before 
exceptional
items
2012
£m

Exceptional
items
2012
£m

1,084

(295)

Total
2013 
£m

721

Notional income tax expense at the effective UK statutory rate of 

23.5% (2012: 25%) on profit before tax

Effect of different tax rates of subsidiaries operating  

in other jurisdictions

Impact of changes in statutory tax rates
Permanent differences
Impact of share-based payments
Tax on profit of associates
Losses and other temporary differences not previously recognised
Unrelieved current year tax losses 
Prior year items
Income tax expense on continuing operations excluding exceptional 

recognition of tax losses arising in prior years

Exceptional recognition of tax losses arising in prior years
Income tax expense on continuing operations

272

(103)

169

271

99
5
(71)
(1)
(1)
(1)
3
(4)

301
2
303

(3)
–
90
–
–
–
–
–

(16)
–
(16)

96
5
19
(1)
(1)
(1)
3
(4)

285
2
287

88
6
(63)
(1)
(1)
(6)
5
(12)

287
(37)
250

Tax (charged)/credited to other comprehensive income

Current and deferred tax (charges)/credits on actuarial and other movements on post-employment benefits
Current and deferred tax (charges)/credits on foreign exchange movements
Tax (charge)/credit on items recognised in other comprehensive income

Tax credited to equity

Current and deferred tax credits in respect of share-based payments
Tax credit on items recognised in equity

(74)

(10)
–
7
–
–
1
4
–

(72)
–
(72)

2013 
£m

(11)
2
(9)

2013 
£m

6
6

Movement in net deferred tax asset/(liability)

At 1 October 2011
(Charge)/credit to income
(Charge)/credit to equity/other comprehensive income
Business acquisitions
Other movements
Exchange adjustment
At 30 September 2012

At 1 October 2012
(Charge)/credit to income
(Charge)/credit to equity/other comprehensive income
Business acquisitions
Other movements
Exchange adjustment
At 30 September 2013

Tax
 depreciation 
£m

Intangibles
 £m

Pensions
and post-
employment
benefits
£m

Self-funded
insurance
 provisions
£m

Net
short term
temporary
differences
£m

Tax losses
£m

9
(1)
–
–
3
1
12

12
(4)
–
(1)
2
–
9

(161)
(9)
–
(14)
–
8
(176)

(176)
(10)
–
(1)
–
4
(183)

145
2
17
2
(1)
(5)
160

160
(13)
(11)
–
–
–
136

18
7
–
–
(2)
(2)
21

21
(1)
1
–
–
–
21

55
5
–
–
–
(2)
58

58
6
–
–
–
–
64

139
47
1
2
(2)
(6)
181

181
5
3
–
(3)
(6)
180

Net short term temporary differences relate principally to provisions and other liabilities of overseas subsidiaries. 

Total
2012 
£m

789

197

78
6
(56)
(1)
(1)
(5)
9
(12)

215
(37)
178

2012 
£m

28
(1)
27

2012 
£m

7
7

Total
£m

205
51
18
(10)
(2)
(6)
256

256
(17)
(7)
(2)
(1)
(2)
227

Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Financial statements  95

6  Tax continued
After netting off balances within countries, the following are the deferred tax assets and liabilities recognised in the consolidated balance sheet:  

Net deferred tax balance

Deferred tax assets
Deferred tax liabilities
Net deferred tax asset/(liability)

2013
 £m 

265
(38)
227

2012
 £m

296
(40)
256

Unrecognised deferred tax assets in respect of tax losses and other temporary differences amount to £50 million (2012: £46 million). Of the total, 
tax losses of £33 million will expire at various dates between 2013 and 2022. These deferred tax assets have not been recognised as the timing 
of recovery is uncertain. 

Overseas dividends received by UK resident group companies are largely exempt from UK tax but may be subject to foreign withholding taxes. 
The unremitted earnings of those overseas subsidiaries affected by such taxes is £401 million (2012: £325 million). No deferred tax liability is 
recognised on these temporary differences as the Group is able to control the timing of reversal and it is probable that this will not take place  
in the foreseeable future. 

7  Discontinued operations
Year ended 30 September 2013

The profit for the year from discontinued operations was £3 million (2012: £nil). 

Financial performance of discontinued operations

Trading activities of discontinued operations
Operating costs1
Loss before tax
Income tax credit2
Profit/(loss) after tax

Disposal of net assets and other adjustments relating to discontinued operations
Income tax credit2
Total profit after tax

Profit for the year from discontinued operations
Profit for the year from discontinued operations

1  The trading activity in the year ended 30 September 2012 relates to the final run-off activity in businesses earmarked for closure. 
2  Release of surplus tax provisions. 

2013
 £m 

2012
 £m

–
–
2
2

1
1

3

(1)
(1)
–
(1)

1
1

–

Consolidated financial statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
96  Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Financial statements

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

for the year ended 30 September 2013

7  Discontinued operations continued
Income tax from discontinued operations

Income tax on trading activities of discontinued operations and on disposal  
of net assets and other adjustments relating to discontinued operations
Current tax 
Deferred tax
Income tax credit on discontinued operations

Net assets disposed and disposal proceeds

Decrease in retained liabilities1
Consideration, net of costs
Cash outflow from disposals

2013
 £m 

2012
 £m

3
–
3

3
(2)
1

2013
 £m 

2012
 £m

(1)
(1)
(1)

(3)
(3)
(3)

1  Includes the utilisation of disposal provisions of £1 million in the year ended 30 September 2013 (2012: £3 million). 

8  Earnings per share
The calculation of earnings per share is based on earnings after tax and the weighted average number of shares in issue during the year.  
The adjusted earnings per share figures have been calculated based on earnings excluding the effect of discontinued operations, European 
exceptional, goodwill impairment, the amortisation of intangible assets arising on acquisition, acquisition transaction costs, adjustment to 
contingent consideration on acquisition, hedge accounting ineffectiveness, the change in the fair value of investments, the tax attributable to  
these amounts and the exceptional recognition of tax losses. These items are excluded in order to show the underlying trading performance  
of the Group. 

Attributable profit

Profit for the year attributable to equity Shareholders of the Company
Less: Profit for the year from discontinued operations
Attributable profit for the year from continuing operations
Add back: Amortisation of intangible assets arising on acquisition (net of tax)
Add back: Acquisition transaction costs (net of tax)
Less: Adjustment to contingent consideration on acquisition (net of tax)
Add back: Change in the fair value of investments and non-controlling interest put options (net of tax)
Add back: European exceptional (net of tax)
Add back: Goodwill impairment
Add back: Loss/(gain) on disposal of US Corrections business (net of tax)
Add back: Loss from hedge accounting ineffectiveness (net of tax)
Add back: Exceptional recognition of tax losses
Underlying attributable profit for the year from continuing operations

2013
Attributable
profit
£m

2012
Attributable
profit
£m

429
(3)
426
18
3
(1)
–
43
377
1
2
2
871

605
–
605
14
8
–
(1)
223
–
(13)
4
(37)
803

 
 
 
 
8  Earnings per share continued

Average number of shares (millions of ordinary shares of 10p each)

Average number of shares for basic earnings per share
Dilutive share options
Average number of shares for diluted earnings per share

Basic earnings per share (pence)
From continuing and discontinued operations
From discontinued operations
From continuing operations 
Amortisation of intangible assets arising on acquisition (net of tax)
Acquisition transaction costs (net of tax)
Adjustment to contingent consideration on acquisition (net of tax)
European exceptional (net of tax)
Goodwill impairment
Loss/(gain) on disposal of US Corrections business (net of tax)
hedge accounting ineffectiveness (net of tax)
Exceptional recognition of tax losses
From underlying continuing operations

Diluted earnings per share (pence)
From continuing and discontinued operations
From discontinued operations
From continuing operations
Amortisation of intangible assets arising on acquisition (net of tax)
Acquisition transaction costs (net of tax)
Adjustment to contingent consideration on acquisition (net of tax)
European exceptional (net of tax)
Goodwill impairment
Loss/(gain) on disposal of US Corrections business (net of tax)
hedge accounting ineffectiveness (net of tax)
Exceptional recognition of tax losses
From underlying continuing operations

Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Financial statements  97

2013
Ordinary
shares of
10p each
millions

1,827
8
1,835

2012
Ordinary
shares of
10p each
millions

1,884
10
1,894

2013
Earnings
per share
pence

2012
Earnings
per share
pence

23.5
(0.2)
23.3
1.0
0.2
(0.1)
2.4
20.6
0.1
0.1
0.1
47.7

23.4
(0.2)
23.2
1.0
0.2
(0.1)
2.4
20.5
0.1
0.1
0.1
47.5

32.1
–
32.1
0.8
0.4
–
11.8

(0.7)
0.2
(2.0)
42.6

31.9
–
31.9
0.8
0.4
–
11.8
–
(0.7)
0.2
(2.0)
42.4

Consolidated financial statements98  Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Financial statements

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

for the year ended 30 September 2013

9  Dividends
A final dividend in respect of 2013 of 16.0 pence per share, £289 million in aggregate1, has been proposed, giving a total dividend in respect of 
2013 of 24.0 pence per share (2012: 21.3 pence per share). The proposed final dividend is subject to approval by Shareholders at the Annual 
General Meeting on 6 February 2014 and has not been included as a liability in these financial statements. 

Dividends on ordinary shares of 10p each

Amounts recognised as distributions to equity Shareholders during the year:
Final dividend for the prior year 
Interim dividend for the current year
Total dividends

1  Based on the number of shares in issue at 30 September 2013 (1,804 million shares).

10  Goodwill 
During the year the Group made a number of acquisitions. See note 26 for more details.

2013

2012 

Dividends 
per share 
pence

14.1p
8.0p
22.1p

Dividends 
per share 
pence

12.8p
7.2p
20.0p

£m

259
145
404

£m

243
135
378

Goodwill

Cost
At 1 October 2011
Additions 
Business disposals – other activities
Currency adjustment
At 30 September 2012

At 1 October 2012
Additions 
Business disposals – other activities
Currency adjustment
At 30 September 2013

Impairment
At 1 October 2011
Impairment charge recognised in the year
At 30 September 2012

At 1 October 2012
Business disposals – other activities
Impairment charge recognised in the year
At 30 September 2013

Net book value
At 30 September 2012
At 30 September 2013

£m

4,172
91
(22)
(90)
4,151

4,151
39
(5)
(77)
4,108

112
2
114

114
(3)
377
488

4,037
3,620

 
 
 
Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Financial statements  99

10  Goodwill continued

Goodwill acquired in a business combination is allocated at acquisition to each CGU that is expected to benefit from that business combination. 
A summary of goodwill allocation by business segment is shown below: 

Goodwill by business segment

USA
Rest of North America
Total North America

UK
Rest of Europe & Japan
Total Europe & Japan

Fast Growing & Emerging
Total 

2013 
£m

2012 
£m

1,202
151
1,353

1,426
460
1,886

381
3,620

1,174
155
1,329

1,803
485
2,288

420
4,037

The Group tests goodwill annually for impairment, or more frequently if there are indications that goodwill might be impaired. The recoverable 
amount of a CGU is determined from value in use calculations. The key assumptions for these calculations are long term growth rates and 
pre-tax discount rates and use cash flow forecasts derived from the most recent financial budgets and forecasts approved by management 
covering a five year period. Cash flows beyond the five year period are extrapolated using estimated growth rates based on local expected 
economic conditions and do not exceed the long term average growth rate for that country. The pre-tax discount rates are based on the Group’s 
weighted average cost of capital adjusted for specific risks relating to the country in which the CGU operates.

Growth and discount rates

USA
Rest of North America
UK
Rest of Europe & Japan
Fast Growing & Emerging

2013

2012

Residual 
growth 
rates

Pre-tax 
discount 
rates

Residual 
growth 
rates

Pre-tax 
discount 
rates

2.2%
2.0%
2.0%

11.4%
10.4%
10.6%

9.9%
8.8%
9.0%
0.9-3.1% 8.9-15.0% 0.3-3.0% 7.3-16.8%
2.1-7.8% 9.7-18.3% 2.2-7.9% 8.5-18.8%

2.2%
2.2%
2.3%

During the year ended 30 September 2013, a goodwill impairment charge of £377 million was reported in relation to the Group’s business in the UK. 
The impairment charge was primarily driven by an increase in the discount rate applied as a result of increases in UK gilt rates and reflecting the 
normal year end review of long term growth expectations. Given the current economic climate, a sensitivity analysis has been performed in 
assessing recoverable amounts of goodwill for all CGUs. This has been based on changes in key assumptions considered to be reasonably 
possible by management. There are no other CGUs that are sensitive to reasonably possible changes in key assumptions.

The changes set out below to the assumptions used in the impairment review would, in isolation, lead to an (increase)/decrease to the 
impairment loss recognised in the year ended 30 September 2013:

Growth and discount rates

Pre-tax discount rate
Residual growth rates

2013

Increase
by 0.2pp
£m

Decrease
by 0.2pp
£m

(34)
26

35
(24)

In 2012, for the UK, to which goodwill of £1,803 million was allocated, an increase in the discount rate of 0.2 percentage points (pp) or a 
decrease in the long term growth rate of 0.2pp would have eliminated the headroom of approximately £46 million under each scenario.

Consolidated financial statements100  Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Financial statements

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

for the year ended 30 September 2013

11  Other intangible assets

Other intangible assets

Cost
At 1 October 2011
Additions 
Disposals 
Business acquisitions 
Reclassified
Currency adjustment 
At 30 September 2012

At 1 October 2012
Additions 
Disposals
Business acquisitions
Business disposals
Reclassified
Currency adjustment 
At 30 September 2013

Amortisation
At 1 October 2011
Charge for the year 
Disposals
Reclassified
Currency adjustment
At 30 September 2012

At 1 October 2012
Charge for the year 
Disposals 
Business disposals
Reclassified
Currency adjustment 
At 30 September 2013

Net book value
At 30 September 2012
At 30 September 2013

Contract and  
other intangibles1

Computer 
software
 £m 

Arising on
 acquisition 
£m

Other 
£m

Total 
£m

244
23
(40)
–
4
(9)
222

222
21
(15)
–
(3)
3
(4)
224

165
29
(38)
2
(6)
152

152
21
(15)
(2)
2
(3)
155

70
69

271
–
–
96
–
(13)
354

354
–
(1)
68
(2)
(2)
(16)
401

27
18
–
–
(2)
43

43
25
–
–
(2)
(4)
62

311
339

700
131
(64)
–
2
(25)
744

744
170
(67)
–
–
(1)
(4)
842

304
87
(58)
–
(12)
321

321
97
(54)
–
–
–
364

423
478

1,215
154
(104)
96
6
(47)
1,320

1,320
191
(83)
68
(5)
–
(24)
1,467

496
134
(96)
2
(20)
516

516
143
(69)
(2)
–
(7)
581

804
886

1   Contract-related intangible assets, other than those arising on acquisition, result from payments made by the Group in respect of client contracts and generally arise where it is 

economically more efficient for a client to purchase assets used in the performance of the contract and the Group fund these purchases.

Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Financial statements  101

12  Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment

Cost
At 1 October 2011
Additions1
Disposals 
Business disposals – other activities
Business acquisitions
Reclassified
Currency adjustment 
At 30 September 2012

At 1 October 2012
Additions1
Disposals
Business disposals – other activities
Business acquisitions 
Reclassified
Currency adjustment 
At 30 September 2013

Depreciation
At 1 October 2011
Charge for the year 
Disposals
Business disposals – other activities
Reclassified 
Currency adjustment
At 30 September 2012

At 1 October 2012
Charge for the year 
Disposals
Business disposals – other activities
Reclassified 
Currency adjustment
At 30 September 2013

Net book value
At 30 September 2012
At 30 September 2013

Land and
buildings
£m

Plant and
 machinery
£m

Fixtures 
and
 fittings
£m

290
22
(9)
(1)
4
5
(10)
301

301
86
(12)
(2)
1
4
(18)
360

158
30
(7)
–
(1)
(6)
174

174
21
(9)
(2)
–
(9)
175

127
185

950
155
(71)
(2)
10
(9)
(39)
994

994
125
(75)
(4)
5
(5)
(11)
1,029

602
111
(57)
(1)
2
(25)
632

632
112
(63)
(3)
3
(6)
675

362
354

510
63
(36)
(3)
1
5
(21)
519

519
67
(44)
(3)
–
4
(7)
536

335
62
(30)
(3)
4
(12)
356

356
48
(38)
(3)
2
(4)
361

163
175

1  Includes leased assets of £2 million (2012: £4 million).

The net book amount of the Group’s property, plant and equipment includes assets held under finance leases as follows:

Property, plant and equipment held under finance leases

At 30 September 2012
At 30 September 2013

Land and
buildings
£m

Plant and
machinery
£m

7
7

11
8

Fixtures 
and
 fittings 
£m

2
1

Total 
£m

1,750
240
(116)
(6)
15
1
(70)
1,814

1,814
278
(131)
(9)
6
3
(36)
1,925

1,095
203
(94)
(4)
5
(43)
1,162

1,162
181
(110)
(8)
5
(19)
1,211

652
714

Total 
£m

20
16

Consolidated financial statements102  Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Financial statements

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

for the year ended 30 September 2013

13  Interests in associates 
Significant interests in associates are:

Twickenham Experience Limited
Oval Events Limited
AEG Facilities, LLC
Thompson hospitality Services LLC

Interests in associates

Net book value
At 1 October 
Additions
Share of profits less losses (net of tax)
Dividends received 
Currency and other adjustments 
At 30 September 

The Group’s share of revenues and profits is included below:

Associates

Share of revenue and profits
Revenue
Expenses/taxation1
Profit after tax for the year 

Share of net assets
Goodwill
Other
Net assets

Share of contingent liabilities
Contingent liabilities

1 Expenses include the relevant portion of income tax recorded by associates.

14  Other investments

Net book value
At 1 October
Additions
Disposals
Business acquisitions
Currency and other adjustments
At 30 September

Comprised of
Investment in Au Bon Pain1, 3
Other investments1, 3
Life insurance policies and mutual fund investments1, 2, 3
Total

Country of incorporation

2013
 ownership

2012
 ownership

England & Wales
England & Wales
USA
USA

40%
25%
49%
49%

2013 
£m

82
–
10
(6)
(2)
84

40%
25%
49%
49%

2012 
£m

79
7
8
(8)
(4)
82

2013 
£m

2012 
£m

49
(39)
10

33
51
84

43
(35)
8

30
52
82

(2)

(5)

2013 
£m

2012 
£m

46
–
(9)
–
4
41

7
10
24
41

41
3
(1)
1
2
46

7
9
30
46

1  Categorised as ‘available for sale’ financial assets (IAS 39).   
2  Life insurance policies used by overseas companies to meet the cost of unfunded post-employment benefit obligations as set out in note 23. 
3  As per the fair value hierarchies explained in note 20, the investment in Au Bon Pain is Level 3, other investments are Level 1 and the life insurance policies are Level 2. 

 
 
Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Financial statements  103

15  Joint ventures
Principal joint ventures

Quadrant Catering Limited
ADNh Compass Middle East LLC
Express Support Services Limitada

Country of incorporation

England & Wales
United Arab Emirates
Angola

2013
 ownership

2012
 ownership

49%
50%
50%

49%
50%
50%

None of these investments is held directly by the Ultimate Parent Company. All joint ventures provide food and/or support services in their 
respective countries of incorporation and make their accounts up to 30 September.

The share of the revenue, profits, assets and liabilities of the joint ventures included in the consolidated financial statements is as follows:

Joint ventures

Share of revenue and profits
Revenue
Expenses
Profit after tax for the year 

Share of net assets
Non-current assets
Current assets
Non-current liabilities
Current liabilities
Net assets

Share of contingent liabilities
Contingent liabilities

16  Trade and other receivables 

Trade and other receivables

Net book value
At 1 October
Net movement
Currency adjustment
At 30 September

Comprised of
Trade receivables 
Less: Provision for impairment of trade receivables
Net trade receivables1

Other receivables 
Less: Provision for impairment of other receivables
Net other receivables 

Accrued income 
Prepayments

Trade and other receivables

1 Categorised as ‘loans and receivables’ financial assets (IAS 39).

2013 
£m

196
(175)
21

6
78
(6)
(44)
34

20

2013

 Non-
current 
£m 

Current 
£m

Total 
£m

Current 
£m

2012

 Non-
current 
£m 

2,114
9
(51)
2,072

1,862
(101)
1,761

58
(11)
47

166
98

2,072

90
(2)
(5)
83

4
–
4

69
–
69

–
10

83

2,204
7
(56)
2,155

1,866
(101)
1,765

127
(11)
116

166
108

2,155

2,030
163
(79)
2,114

1,900
(99)
1,801

59
(8)
51

163
99

2,114

77
18
(5)
90

4
–
4

74
–
74

–
12

90

2012 
£m

195
(175)
20

5
74
–
(47)
32

19

Total 
£m

2,107
181
(84)
2,204

1,904
(99)
1,805

133
(8)
125

163
111

2,204

Consolidated financial statements104  Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Financial statements

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

for the year ended 30 September 2013

16  Trade and other receivables continued
Trade receivables
The book value of trade and other receivables approximates to their fair value due to the short term nature of the majority of the receivables. 

Credit sales are only made after credit approval procedures have been completed satisfactorily. The policy for making provisions for bad and 
doubtful debts varies from country to country as different countries and markets have different payment practices, but various factors are 
considered, including how overdue the debt is, the type of receivable and its past history, and current market and trading conditions. Full 
provision is made for debts that are not considered to be recoverable. 

There is limited concentration of credit risk with respect to trade receivables due to the diverse and unrelated nature of the Group’s client base. 
Accordingly, the Directors believe that there is no further credit provision required in excess of the provision for the impairment of receivables.  
The book value of trade and other receivables represents the Group’s maximum exposure to credit risk.

Trade receivable days for the continuing business at 30 September 2013 were 44 days (2012: 46 days). 

The ageing of gross trade receivables and of the provision for impairment is as follows:

Trade receivables

Gross trade receivables
Less: Provision for impairment of trade receivables
Net trade receivables

Trade receivables

Gross trade receivables
Less: Provision for impairment of trade receivables
Net trade receivables

2013

0-3 
months
overdue
£m

3-6
months
overdue
£m

6-12
months
overdue
£m

Over 12
months
overdue
£m

312
(10)
302

53
(30)
23

2012

22
(19)
3

37
(35)
2

0-3 
months 
overdue 
£m

3-6 
months 
overdue 
£m

6-12 
months 
overdue 
£m

Over 12 
months 
overdue 
£m

329
(10)
319

49
(31)
18

21
(19)
2

38
(35)
3

Not yet
due
£m

1,442
(7)
1,435

Not yet 
due 
£m

1,467
(4)
1,463

Movements in the provision for impairment of trade and other receivables are as follows:

Provision for impairment of trade and other receivables

At 1 October
Charged to income statement
Credited to income statement
Utilised
Business acquisitions
Reclassified
Currency adjustment
At 30 September

Trade 
£m

99
38
(15)
(12)
–
(8)
(1)
101

2013

Other 
£m

8
1
(1)
–
–
3
–
11

Total 
£m

107
39
(16)
(12)
–
(5)
(1)
112

Trade
£m

2012

Other 
£m

75
51
(15)
(14)
–
–
2
99

8
–
(1)
–
1
–
–
8

Total 
£m

1,866
(101)
1,765

Total 
£m

1,904
(99)
1,805

Total 
£m

83
51
(16)
(14)
1
–
2
107

At 30 September 2013, trade receivables of £330 million (2012: £342 million) were past due but not impaired. The Group has made a provision 
based on a number of factors, including past history of the debtor, and all amounts not provided for are considered to be recoverable. 

 
17  Inventories 
Inventories

Net book value
At 1 October
Net movement
Currency adjustment
At 30 September

18  Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash at bank and in hand
Short term bank deposits
Cash and cash equivalents1

1 Categorised as ‘loans and receivables’ financial assets (IAS 39).

Cash and cash equivalents by currency

Sterling
US Dollar
Euro
Japanese yen
Other
Cash and cash equivalents

Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Financial statements  105

2013 
£m 

261
1
(7)
255

2013 
£m 

316
690
1,006

2013 
£m

541
218
71
16
160
1,006

2012 
£m

270
1
(10)
261

2012 
£m

284
444
728

2012 
£m

456
50
31
13
178
728

The Group’s policy to manage the credit risk associated with cash and cash equivalents is set out in note 20. The book value of cash and cash 
equivalents represents the maximum credit exposure. 

19  Short and long term borrowings 

Short and long term borrowings

Bank overdrafts
Bank loans
Loan notes
Bonds

Borrowings (excluding finance leases)
Finance leases
Borrowings (including finance leases)1

1 Categorised as ‘other financial liabilities’ (IAS 39).

2013

2012

Current 
£m

 Non-current 
£m 

Total 
£m

Current 
£m

 Non-current 
£m 

20
4
74
–

98
6
104

–
301
1,073
772

2,146
15
2,161

20
305
1,147
772

2,244
21
2,265

58
11
–
–

69
8
77

–
52
872
764

1,688
20
1,708

Total 
£m

58
63
872
764

1,757
28
1,785

Bank overdrafts principally arise as a result of uncleared transactions. Interest on bank overdrafts is at the relevant money market rates.

All amounts due under bonds, loan notes and bank facilities are shown net of unamortised issue costs.

Consolidated financial statements106  Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Financial statements

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

for the year ended 30 September 2013

19  Short and long term borrowings continued
The Group has fixed term, fixed interest private placements totalling US$1,782 million (£1,100 million) at interest rates between 3.09% and 6.72%. 
The carrying value of these loan notes is £1,111 million. It also has a Sterling denominated private placement of £35 million with a carrying value  
of £36 million at an interest rate of 7.55%.

US$ private placement
US$ private placement
US$ private placement
Sterling private placement
US$ private placement
US$ private placement
US$ private placement
US$ private placement
US$ private placement

Nominal value Redeemable

Interest

$105m Oct 2013
$15m Nov 2013
$162m Oct 2015
£35m Oct 2016
$250m Oct 2018
$200m Sep 2020
$398m Oct 2021
$352m Oct 2023
$300m Sep 2025

6.45%
5.67%
6.72%
7.55%
3.31%
3.09%
3.98%
4.12%
3.81%

The Group also has a Sterling denominated Eurobond of £250 million at an interest rate of 7.0%, redeemable in December 2014 and a Euro 
denominated Eurobond of €600 million at an interest rate of 3.125%, redeemable in February 2019. The carrying value of these bonds is  
£772 million. The £250 million bond is recorded at its fair value to the Group on acquisition. 

Bonds

Sterling Eurobond
Euro Eurobond

The maturity profile of borrowings (excluding finance leases) is as follows:

Maturity profile of borrowings (excluding finance leases)

Within 1 year, or on demand
Between 1 and 2 years
Between 2 and 3 years
Between 3 and 4 years
Between 4 and 5 years
In more than 5 years 
Borrowings (excluding finance leases)

Nominal value Redeemable

Interest

£250m Dec 2014
€600m Feb 2019

7.00%
3.13%

2013
 £m

98
264
153
286
–
1,443
2,244

2012
£m

69
80
274
154
37
1,143
1,757

The fair value of the Group’s borrowings is calculated by discounting future cash flows to net present values at current market rates for similar 
financial instruments. The table below shows the fair value of borrowings excluding accrued interest:

Carrying value and fair value of borrowings (excluding finance leases)

Bank overdrafts

Bank loans

Loan notes

£250m Eurobond Dec 2014
€600m Eurobond Dec 2019
Bonds

Borrowings (excluding finance leases)

2013

2012 

Carrying
value
£m

20

305

Fair
value
£m 

20

305

1,147

1,170

262
510
772

267
534
801

Carrying
value
£m

58

63

872

274
490
764

Fair
value
£m

58

63

890

281
510
791

2,244

2,296

1,757

1,802

Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Financial statements  107

19  Short and long term borrowings continued

Gross and present value of finance lease liabilities

Finance lease payments falling due:
Within 1 year
In 2 to 5 years
In more than 5 years

Less: Future finance charges
Gross and present value of finance lease liabilities

Borrowings by currency

Sterling
US Dollar
Euro
Japanese yen
Other
Total

2013

2012 

Gross
value 
£m

Present 
value 
£m

Gross
value 
£m

Present 
value
 £m

7
11
4

22
(1)
21

6
11
4

21
–
21

2013

Finance 
leases 
£m

Borrowings 
£m

Total 
£m

Borrowings 
£m

599
1,111
520
–
14
2,244

–
2
13
–
6
21

599
1,113
533
–
20
2,265

360
885
503
–
9
1,757

8
17
4

29
(1)
28

2012

Finance 
leases 
£m

2
4
16
4
2
28

8
16
4

28
–
28

Total 
£m

362
889
519
4
11
1,785

The Group had the following undrawn committed facilities available at 30 September, in respect of which all conditions precedent had then  
been met:

Undrawn committed facilities

Expiring between 1 and 5 years

2013 
£m

700

2012
 £m

700

20  Derivative financial instruments
Capital risk management
The Group manages its capital structure to ensure that it will be able to continue as a going concern. The capital structure of the Group consists  
of cash and cash equivalents as disclosed in note 18; debt, which includes the borrowings disclosed in note 19; and equity attributable to equity 
Shareholders of the Parent, comprising issued share capital, reserves and retained earnings as disclosed in the consolidated statement of 
changes in equity.

Financial management
The Group continues to manage its interest rate and foreign currency exposure in accordance with the policies set out below. The Group’s 
financial instruments comprise cash, borrowings, receivables and payables that are used to finance the Group’s operations. The Group also 
uses derivatives, principally interest rate swaps, forward currency contracts and cross currency swaps, to manage interest rate and currency 
risks arising from the Group’s operations. The Group does not trade in financial instruments. The Group’s treasury policies are designed to 
mitigate the impact of fluctuations in interest rates and exchange rates and to manage the Group’s financial risks. The Board approves any 
changes to the policies.

Liquidity risk
The Group finances its borrowings from a number of sources including the bank, the public and the private placement markets. The Group has 
developed long term relationships with a number of financial counterparties with the balance sheet strength and credit quality to provide credit 
facilities as required. The Group seeks to avoid a concentration of debt maturities in any one period to spread its refinancing risk.

Consolidated financial statements108  Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Financial statements

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

for the year ended 30 September 2013

20  Derivative financial instruments continued
Foreign currency risk
The Group’s policy is to match as far as possible its principal projected cash flows by currency to actual or effective borrowings in the same 
currency. As currency cash flows are generated, they are used to service and repay debt in the same currency. Where necessary, to implement 
this policy, forward currency contracts and cross currency swaps are executed which, when applied to the actual currency liabilities, convert  
these to the required currency.

The borrowings in each currency can give rise to foreign exchange differences on translation into Sterling. Where the borrowings are less than,  
or equate to, the net investment in overseas operations, these exchange rate variances are treated as movements on reserves and recorded  
in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income rather than in the income statement.

Non-Sterling earnings streams are translated at the average rate of exchange for the year. Fluctuations in exchange rates have given and will 
continue to give rise to translation differences. The Group is only partially protected from the impact of such differences through the matching  
of cash flows to currency borrowings.

The Group has minimal exposure to the foreign currency risk of trade receivables and payables as operations within individual countries have  
little cross border activity which might give rise to translation risks on trade related balances.

The main currencies to which the Group’s reported Sterling financial position is exposed include the US Dollar, the Euro and the Japanese yen.  
As set out above, the Group seeks to hedge its exposure to currencies by matching debt in currency against the cash flows generated by the 
Group’s foreign operations in such currencies.

The effect on profit after tax and equity of a 10% strengthening of Sterling against these currencies on the Group’s financial statements is shown 
below. A 10% weakening would result in an equal and opposite impact on the profit or loss and equity of the Group. This table shows the impact 
on the financial instruments in place on 30 September and has been prepared on the basis that the 10% change in exchange rates occurred on 
the first day of the financial year and applied consistently throughout the year.

Financial instruments: 
Impact of Sterling strengthening by 10%

2013

2012

Against 
US Dollar
 £m 

Against 
Euro
 £m 

Against 
Japanese 
Yen
 £m 

Against 
US Dollar
 £m 

Against 
Euro
 £m 

Against 
Japanese 
yen
 £m 

Increase/(decrease) in profit for the year (after tax)
Increase/(decrease) in total equity

1
80

4
17

–
5

1
65

(1)
17

–
5

Interest rate risk
As set out above, the Group has effective borrowings in a number of currencies and the policy is to ensure that, in the short term, it is not 
materially exposed to fluctuations in interest rates in its principal currencies. The Group implements this policy either by borrowing fixed rate  
debt or by using interest rate swaps so that the interest rates on at least 80% of the Group’s projected debt are fixed for one year, reducing  
to 60% fixed for the second year and 40% fixed for the third year.

The sensitivity analysis given below has been determined based on the derivative and non-derivative financial instruments the Group had  
in place at the year end date only.

The effect of a 1% increase in interest rates prevailing at the balance sheet date on the Group’s cash and cash equivalents and debt subject  
to variable rates of interest at the balance sheet date would be a loss of £1 million (2012: loss of £3 million) over the course of a year. A similar  
1% decrease in interest rates would result in an equal and opposite effect over the course of a year.

Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Financial statements  109

20  Derivative financial instruments continued

Interest rate sensitivity analysis

Increase in interest rate
Floating rate exposure – cash/(debt)
Increase/(decrease) in profit for the year (after tax)

Interest rate sensitivity analysis

Increase in interest rate
Floating rate exposure – cash/(debt)
Increase/(decrease) in profit for the year (after tax)

Sterling
 £m 

US Dollar
 £m 

+1%
48
–

+1%
(109)
(1)

Sterling
 £m 

US Dollar
 £m 

+1%
24
–

+1%
(355)
(3)

2013

Euro
 £m 

+1%
(43)
–

Japanese
Yen
 £m 

+1%
(53)
–

2012

Euro
 £m 

+1%
23
–

Japanese
yen
 £m 

+1%
(53)
–

Other
 £m 

+1%
44
–

Other
 £m 

+1%
44
–

Total
 £m 

n/a
(113)
(1)

Total
 £m 

n/a
(317)
(3)

These changes are the result of the exposure to interest rates from the Group’s floating rate cash and cash equivalents and debt. The sensitivity 
gains and losses given above may vary because cash flows vary throughout the year and interest rate and currency hedging may be 
implemented after the year end date in order to comply with the treasury policies outlined above.

Credit risk
The Group’s policy is to minimise its exposure to credit risk from the failure of any single financial counterparty by spreading its risk across a 
portfolio of financial counterparties and managing the aggregate exposure to each against certain pre-agreed limits. Exposure to counterparty 
credit risk arising from deposits and derivatives (including forward currency contracts and cross currency swaps) is concentrated at the Group 
centre where possible. Financial counterparty limits are derived from the long and short term credit ratings, and the balance sheet strength  
of the financial counterparty. All financial counterparties are required to have a minimum short term credit rating from Moody’s of P-1 or 
equivalent from another recognised agency.

The Group’s policy to manage the credit risk associated with trade and other receivables is set out in note 16.

Hedging activities
The following section describes the derivative financial instruments the Group uses to apply the interest rate and foreign currency hedging 
strategies described above. 

Fair value hedges
The Group uses interest rate swaps to hedge the fair value of fixed rate borrowings. These instruments swap the fixed interest payable on the 
borrowings into floating interest rates and hedge the fair value of the borrowings against changes in interest rates. These interest rate swaps all 
qualify for fair value hedge accounting as defined by IAS 39.

Cash flow hedges
The Group uses interest rate swaps to hedge the cash flows from floating rate borrowings. These instruments swap floating interest payable on 
these borrowings into fixed interest rates and hedge against cash flow changes caused by changing interest rates. The cash flows and income 
statement impact hedged in this manner will occur between one and three years from the balance sheet date.

These interest rate swaps do not qualify for cash flow hedge accounting as defined by IAS 39 because the Group creates synthetic floating rate 
foreign currency borrowings (see net investment hedges below) through the use of forward currency contracts and cross currency swaps which 
IAS 39 disallows as being designated as a hedged item.

These interest rate swaps are an effective economic hedge against the exposure of the Group’s floating rate borrowings to interest rate risk.

Net investment hedges
The Group uses foreign currency denominated debt, forward currency contracts and cross currency swaps to partially hedge against the 
change in the Sterling value of its foreign currency denominated net assets due to movements in foreign exchange rates. The fair value of  
debt in a net investment hedge was £1,464 million (2012: £1,123 million).

Consolidated financial statements110  Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Financial statements

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

for the year ended 30 September 2013

20  Derivative financial instruments continued
Derivatives not in a hedging relationship
The Group has a number of derivative financial instruments that do not meet the criteria for hedge accounting. These include some interest rate 
swaps and some forward currency contracts.

Fair value measurement
The Group uses the following hierarchy for determining the fair value of financial instruments by valuation technique:

 • Level 1: quoted (unadjusted) prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;
 • Level 2: other techniques for which all inputs which have a significant effect on the recorded fair value are observable, either directly  

or indirectly; and

 • Level 3: techniques which use inputs which have a significant effect on the recorded fair value that are not based on observable market data.

All derivative financial instruments are shown at fair value in the balance sheet. The fair values have been determined by reference to Level 2 
techniques in the hierarchy described above. The fair values of derivative financial instruments represent the maximum credit exposure.

Derivative financial instruments

Interest rate swaps:
Fair value hedges1
Not in a hedging relationship2

Other derivatives:
Forward currency contracts and  

cross currency swaps

Others
Total

2013

2012

Current 
assets 
£m

Non-current
 assets 
£m 

Current 
liabilities 
£m

Non-current
 liabilities 
£m 

Current
 assets 
£m

 Non-current 
assets 
£m 

Current 
liabilities 
£m

 Non-current
 liabilities 
£m 

2
–

5
–
7

41
–

21
1
63

–
(1)

(2)
–
(3)

(1)
–

–
–
(1)

–
–

1
1
2

84
–

1
2
87

–
(2)

(1)
–
(3)

–
(1)

(1)
–
(2)

1  Derivatives that are designated and effective as hedging instruments carried at fair value (IAS 39). 
2  Derivatives carried at ‘fair value through profit or loss’ (IAS 39).

Notional amount of derivative financial instruments by currency

Sterling
US Dollar
Euro
Japanese yen
Other
Total

2013

2012 

Fair value 
swaps 
£m

Cash flow 
swaps 
£m

Fair value 
swaps 
£m

Cash flow 
swaps 
£m

220
680
393
–
–
1,293

–
395
38
45
124
602

220
497
359
–
–
1,076

–
62
68
47
92
269

Effective currency denomination of borrowings 
after the effect of derivatives

Sterling
US Dollar
Euro
Japanese yen
Other
Total

1   Includes cross currency contracts.

2013

2012

Gross 
borrowings
£m

Forward 
currency
contracts1 

£m

Effective
 currency of 
borrowings 
£m

Gross 
borrowings 
£m

Forward 
currency
contracts1
£m

Effective
 currency of 
borrowings 
£m

599
1,113
533
–
20
2,265

(28)
(75)
(251)
55
275
(24)

571
1,038
282
55
295
2,241

362
889
519
4
11
1,785

163
(80)
(312)
55
174
–

525
809
207
59
185
1,785

Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Financial statements  111

Less than
 1 year 
£m

Between 1 
and 2 years 
£m

Between 2 
and 3 years 
£m

Between 3 
and 4 years 
£m

Between 4 
and 5 years 
£m 

Over 
5 years 
£m

Total 
£m

2013

–
–
74
74
390
(65)
399

4
20
24
(390)
65
(301)

6
–
6

104

(1)
(3)
100

–
250
–
250
212
(200)
262

2
–
2
(212)
200
(10)

5
12
17

269

(20)
–
249

–
–
100
100
–
(59)
41

49
–
49
–
59
108

3
4
7

–
–
35
35
–
(20)
15

250
–
250
–
20
270

2
1
3

156

288

(17)
–
139

(2)
–
286

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

1
–
1

1

–
–
1

497
–
924
1,421
–
(949)
472

–
–
–
–
949
949

4
22
26

497
250
1,133
1,880
602
(1,293)
1,189

305
20
325
(602)
1,293
1,016

21
39
60

1,447

2,265

(23)
–
1,424

(63)
(3)
2,199

20  Derivative financial instruments continued

Gross debt maturity analysis

Fixed interest
€600m Eurobond 2019
£250m Eurobond 2014
US private placements
Total fixed interest
Cash flow swaps (fixed leg)
Fair value swaps (fixed leg)
Fixed interest (asset)/liability

Floating interest
Bank loans
Overdrafts
Total floating interest
Cash flow swaps (floating leg)
Fair value swaps (floating leg)
Floating interest (asset)/liability

Other
Finance lease obligations 
Fair value adjustments to borrowings1
Other (asset)/liability

Gross debt excluding derivatives

Derivative financial instruments
Derivative financial instruments2
Forward currency contracts1
Gross debt

1  Non-cash item (changes in the value of this non-cash item are reported via the currency translation gains/(losses) caption in note 29).
2  Non-cash item (changes in the value of this non-cash item are reported via the other non-cash movements caption in note 29).

Principal and interest maturity analysis

Less than
 1 year 
£m

Between 1 
and 2 years 
£m

Between 2 
and 3 years 
£m

Between 3 
and 4 years 
£m

Between 4 
and 5 years 
£m 

Over 
5 years 
£m

2013

Gross debt
Less: Overdrafts
Less: Fees and premiums capitalised on issue
Less: Other non-cash items
Repayment of principal 
Interest cash flows on debt and derivatives (settled net)
Settlement of forward currency contracts and cross currency 

swaps – payable leg

Settlement of forward currency contracts and cross currency 

swaps – receivable leg

Repayment of principal and interest 

100
(20)
(2)
4
82
88

(140)

142
172

249
–
(1)
8
256
86

–

–
342

139
–
(1)
13
151
65

–

–
216

286
–
(1)
1
286
 59

–

–
345

1
–
(1)
–
–
52

–

–
52

Total 
£m

2,199
(20)
(9)
27
2,197
524

1,424
–
(3)
1
1,422
174

–

(140)

–
1,596

142
2,723

Consolidated financial statements112  Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Financial statements

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

for the year ended 30 September 2013

20  Derivative financial instruments continued

Less than
 1 year 
£m

Between 1 
and 2 years 
£m

Between 2 
and 3 years 
£m

Between 3 
and 4 years 
£m

Between 4 
and 5 years 
£m 

Over 
5 years 
£m

Total 
£m

2012

Gross debt maturity analysis

Fixed interest
€600m Eurobond 2019
£250m Eurobond 2014
US private placements

Total fixed interest
Cash flow swaps (fixed leg)
Fair value swaps (fixed leg)

Fixed interest (asset)/liability

Floating interest 
Bank loans
Overdrafts

Total floating interest
Cash flow swaps (floating leg)
Fair value swaps (floating leg)

Floating interest (asset)/liability

Other
Finance lease obligations 
Fair value adjustments to borrowings1
Other (asset)/liability

Gross debt excluding derivatives

Derivative financial instruments
Derivative financial instruments2
Forward currency contracts1
Gross debt

–
–
–

–
173
–

173

11
58

69
(173)
–

(104)

8
–
8

77

1
–
78

–
–
74

74
96
(65)

105

4
–

4
(96)
65

(27)

7
2
9

87

(4)
–
83

–
250
–

250
–
(200)

50

–
–

–
–
200

200

4
24
28

278

(28)
–
250

–
–
100

100
–
(59)

41

48
–

48
–
59

107

3
6
9

157

(8)
–
149

–
–
35

35
–
(20)

15

–
–

–
–
20

20

2
2
4

39

(2)
–
37

473
–
618

1,091
–
(732)

359

–
–

–
–
732

732

4
52
56

473
250
827

1,550
269
(1,076)

743

63
58

121
(269)
1,076

928

28
86
114

1,147

1,785

(43)
–
1,104

(84)
–
1,701

Over 
5 years 
£m

1,104
–
(2)
(9)
1,093
131

Total 
£m

1,701
(58)
(8)
(2)
1,633
440

1  Non-cash item (changes in the value of this non-cash item are reported via the currency translation gains/(losses) caption in note 29).
2  Non-cash item (changes in the value of this non-cash item are reported via the other non-cash movements caption in note 29).

Principal and interest maturity analysis

Less than
 1 year 
£m

Between 1 
and 2 years 
£m

Between 2 
and 3 years 
£m

Between 3 
and 4 years 
£m

Between 4 
and 5 years 
£m 

2012

Gross debt
Less: Overdrafts
Less: Fees and premiums capitalised on issue
Less: Other non-cash items
Repayment of principal 
Interest cash flows on debt and derivatives (settled net)
Settlement of forward currency contracts and cross currency 

swaps – payable leg

Settlement of forward currency contracts and cross currency 

swaps – receivable leg

Repayment of principal and interest 

78
(58)
(2)
(1)
17
78

(223)

224
96

83
–
(1)
2
84
74

–

–
158

250
–
(1)
4
253
69

–

–
322

149
–
(1)
2
150
48

–

–
198

37
–
(1)
–
36
40

(50)

(239)

(512)

49
75

251
1,236

524
2,085

21  Trade and other payables 

Trade and other payables

Net book value
At 1 October
Net movement
Currency adjustment
At 30 September

Comprised of
Trade payables1
Social security and other taxes
Other payables 
Deferred consideration on acquisitions1
Accruals2
Deferred income
Amounts owed to associates3
Trade and other payables

Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Financial statements  113

2013

2012

Current 
£m

 Non-current 
£m 

Total 
£m

Current 
£m

 Non-current 
£m 

Total 
£m

3,010
106
(62)
3,054

1,349
279
164
17
990
248
7
3,054

38
42
(5)
75

–
–
22
6
47
–
–
75

3,048
148
(67)
3,129

1,349
279
186
23
1,037
248
7
3,129

2,900
216
(106)
3,010

1,310
306
148
7
952
281
6
3,010

39
(1)
–
38

2
–
19
11
6
–
–
38

2,939
215
(106)
3,048

1,312
306
167
18
958
281
6
3,048

1  Categorised as ‘other financial liabilities’ (IAS 39).
2  Of this balance £393 million (2012: £315 million) is categorised as ‘other financial liabilities’ (IAS 39).
3  Categorised as ‘loans and receivables’ financial assets (IAS 39).

The Directors consider that the carrying amount of trade and other payables approximates to their fair value. The current trade and other 
payables are payable on demand.

Trade payable days for the continuing business at 30 September 2013 were 68 days (2012: 67 days).

22  Provisions 

Provisions

At 1 October 2011
Reclassified1
Expenditure in the year 
Charged to income statement 
Credited to income statement 
Business acquisitions
Unwinding of discount on provisions
Currency adjustment 
At 30 September 2012

At 1 October 2012
Reclassified1
Expenditure in the year 
Charged to income statement 
Credited to income statement 
Unwinding of discount on provisions
Currency adjustment 
At 30 September 2013

Provisions in
 respect of 
discontinued 
and disposed
businesses
£m

 Insurance 
£m

Onerous 
contracts
 £m

Legal and 
other claims
 £m

Re-
organisation
 £m

Other
£m

201
(1)
(9)
33
–
–
–
(7)
217

217
–
(11)
23
–
–
(1)
228

54
1
(3)
29
(29)
–
–
–
52

52
(4)
(1)
–
–
–
–
47

41
–
(9)
53
(6)
–
2
(2)
79

79
4
(31)
4
(4)
3
1
56

130
–
(37)
23
(4)
–
–
(7)
105

105
1
(5)
10
(16)
–
(4)
91

7
–
(13)
101
–
1
–
(2)
94

94
(1)
(69)
46
(6)
–
3
67

6
–
(2)
55
(5)
–
–
2
56

56
(4)
(18)
12
(4)
–
–
42

Total
 £m

439
–
(73)
294
(44)
1
2
(16)
603

603
(4)
(135)
95
(30)
3
(1)
531

1  Including items reclassified from accrued liabilities and other balance sheet captions. 

Consolidated financial statements 
114  Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Financial statements

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

for the year ended 30 September 2013

22  Provisions continued
Provisions

Current
Non-current
Total provisions

2013
£m 

189
342
531

2012 
£m

246
357
603

The provision for insurance relates to the costs of self-funded insurance schemes and is essentially long term in nature.

Provisions in respect of discontinued and disposed of businesses relate to estimated amounts payable in connection with onerous contracts and 
claims arising from disposals. The final amount payable remains uncertain as, at the date of approval of these financial statements, there remains  
a further period during which claims may be received. The timing of any settlement will depend upon the nature and extent of claims received.

Provisions for onerous contracts represent the liabilities in respect of short term and long term leases on unoccupied properties and other 
contracts lasting under five years.

Provisions for legal and other claims relate principally to provisions for the estimated cost of litigation and other sundry claims. The timing of the 
settlement of these claims is uncertain.

Provisions for re-organisation include provision for redundancy costs.

Other provisions include environmental provisions. These are in respect of potential liabilities relating to the Group’s responsibility for maintaining 
its operating sites in accordance with statutory requirements and the Group’s aim to have a low impact on the environment. These provisions are 
expected to be utilised as operating sites are disposed of or as environmental matters are resolved. 

Provisions are discounted to present value where the effect is material using the Group’s weighted average cost of capital. 

23  Post-employment benefit obligations
Pension schemes operated
The Group operates a number of pension arrangements throughout the world which have been developed in accordance with statutory 
requirements and local customs and practices. The majority of schemes are self-administered and the schemes’ assets are held independently  
of the Group’s assets. Pension costs are assessed in accordance with the advice of independent, professionally qualified actuaries. The Group 
makes employer contributions to the various schemes in existence within the range of 3% to 35% of pensionable salaries.

The contributions payable for defined contribution schemes of £80 million (2012: £77 million) have been fully expensed against profits in the  
current year.

UK schemes
Within the UK there are now three main arrangements. The Compass Retirement Income Savings Plan (CRISP), the Compass Group Pension 
Plan (the Plan) and the Company’s stakeholder pension arrangement.

CRISP was launched on 1 February 2003. This has been the main vehicle for pension provision for new joiners in the UK since that date, but 
existing members of the Plan continued to accrue benefits under those arrangements up until 5 April 2010. CRISP is a contracted-in money 
purchase arrangement whereby the Group will match employee contributions up to 6% of pay (minimum 3%). Within CRISP a new defined 
contribution section was established from April 2006 known as the Compass higher Income Plan (ChIP). Senior employees who contribute to 
CRISP will receive an additional employer-only contribution into ChIP. The amount of contribution and eligibility for ChIP are decided annually at 
the Company’s discretion. The payment towards ChIP may be taken in part, or in whole, as a cash supplement instead of a pension contribution.

The Plan is a defined benefit arrangement. Those UK employees who transfer from the public sector under the Transfer of Undertakings 
(Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 are eligible to join the Plan, which has otherwise been closed to new entrants since 2003. Such 
transferees enter into the Government Actuary’s Department (GAD) sections of the Plan and are known as ‘GAD members’. The Plan closed to 
future accrual for all existing members, other than GAD members, on 5 April 2010. The affected members were offered membership of CRISP 
from 6 April 2010.

The Plan is operated on a pre-funded basis. The funding policy is to contribute such variable amounts, on the advice of the actuary, as achieves  
a 100% funding level on a projected salary basis. The actuarial assessments covering expense and contributions are carried out by independent 
qualified actuaries. A formal actuarial valuation of the Plan is carried out every three years. The most recent valuation of the Plan took place as  
at 5 April 2013. At the valuation date, the total market value of the assets of the Plan was £1,808 million which represented 92% of the benefits  
that had accrued to members after allowing for expected future increases in earnings. 

 
 
Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Financial statements  115

23  Post-employment benefit obligations continued
By agreement with the Trustees, the Company has agreed to eliminate the 5 April 2013 deficit over a period of six years and three months  
to 31 December 2019 through monthly payments totalling £26 million per annum. The next triennial valuation is due to be completed as  
at 5 April 2016. The Plan is reappraised annually by independent actuaries in accordance with IAS 19 ‘Employee Benefits’ requirements.

CRISP has a Corporate Trustee. The Chairman, Tony Allen, is independent but will retire on 30 November 2013. his successor will be Nigel 
Palmer, who is a current employee of the Group and was appointed a Trustee Director on 30 May 2013. The other four Trustee Directors are 
UK-based employees of the Group, one of whom has been nominated by CRISP members. At the date of this Report, there are vacancies  
for a further two member-nominated Trustee Directors. The Plan has a corporate trustee. The Chairman, Peter Morriss to 11 October 2013  
and Phillip Whittome from 11 October 2013, is independent. There are a further five Trustee Directors who are either UK-based employees  
or former employees of the Group, three of whom have been nominated by Plan members. 

The Company became subject to the Pensions Automatic Enrolment Regulations for its workforce in the UK on 1 November 2012 but in 
accordance with the Regulations deferred its staging date for automatic enrolment of eligible employees until 2 January 2013 in order to ensure 
that adequate systems were in place and employees were not impacted over the Christmas period. Both the Plan and CRISP are compliant 
arrangements under these Regulations and have been registered as such.

Employees who are not already in one of these registered compliant arrangements have been automatically enrolled into the National 
Employment Savings Trust (NEST). The decision to appoint NEST as the Company’s partner for automatic enrolment was made following  
a comprehensive selection process and the Company considers that NEST provides the right type of service, communication material and 
investment choice for our employees and that it has the capabilities to support a company as large and diverse as Compass.

Overseas schemes
In the USA, the main plan is a defined benefit plan. The funding policy, in accordance with government guidelines, is to contribute such  
variable amounts, on the advice of the actuary, as achieves a 100% funding level on a projected salary basis. In Canada, Norway and 
Switzerland, the Group also participates in funded defined benefit arrangements.

In other countries, Group employees participate primarily in state arrangements to which the Group makes the appropriate contributions.

Other than where required by local regulation or statute, the defined benefit schemes are closed to new entrants. For these schemes, the 
current service cost will increase under the projected unit credit method as the members of the schemes approach retirement.

In addition, the Group contributes to a number of multi employer, union sponsored pension plans, primarily in the USA. These plans are 
accounted for as defined contribution plans, as the information provided by the plan administrators is insufficient for them to be accounted  
for as defined benefit plans. The Group made total contributions of £10 million in the year (2012: £9 million) to these arrangements.

All schemes
Disclosures showing the assets and liabilities of the schemes are set out below. These have been calculated on the following assumptions:

Discount rate 
Inflation assumption 
CPI inflation assumption
Rate of increase in salaries
Rate of increase for  

UK schemes

USA schemes

Other schemes

2013

2012

2011

2013

2012

2011

2013

2012

2011

4.4%
3.4%
2.65%
3.4%

4.5%
2.7%
n/a
3.7%

5.1%
3.0%
n/a
4.0%

4.3%
2.2%
n/a
3.0%

3.5%
2.3%
n/a
3.0%

4.4%
2.3%
n/a
3.0%

3.6%
2.0%
n/a
2.1%

3.1%
2.0%
n/a
2.4%

3.7%
2.1%
n/a
2.5%

pensions in payment

3.3%

2.7%

3.0%

2.2%

2.3%

2.3%

0.5%

0.5%

0.7%

Rate of increase for  
deferred pensions

3.4%

2.7%

3.0%

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

0.3%

0.5%

Consolidated financial statements 
 
116  Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Financial statements

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

for the year ended 30 September 2013

23  Post-employment benefit obligations continued
The mortality assumptions used to value the UK pension schemes are derived from the S1NA generational mortality tables with improvements  
in line with the projection model prepared by the Continuous Mortality Investigation of the UK actuarial profession, with no rating for males and 
+0.6 year age adjustment for females, with a long term underpin of 1.25%. These mortality assumptions take account of experience to date and 
assumptions for further improvements in the life expectancy of scheme members.

Examples of the resulting life expectancies are as follows:

Life expectancy at 65 (years)

Member aged 65 in 2013 (2012)
Member aged 65 in 2033 (2032)

2013

2012 

Male

Female

22.4
24.2

24.4
26.3

Male

22.4
24.1

Female

24.8
26.8

The other demographic assumptions have been set having regard to the latest trends in scheme experience and other relevant data. The 
assumptions are reviewed and updated as necessary as part of the periodic actuarial valuation of pension schemes.

For the overseas schemes, regionally appropriate assumptions have been used where recommended by local actuaries. For US schemes, 
examples of the resulting life expectancies are as follows:

Life expectancy at 65 (years)

Member aged 65 in 2013 (2012)

2013

2012 

Male

Female

19.2

21.0

Male

19.1

Female

21.0

Analysis of the fair value of plan assets and the expected rates of return
The expected rates of return on individual categories of plan assets are determined after taking advice from external experts and using available 
market data, for example by reference to relevant equity and bond indices published by stock exchanges. The overall rate of return is calculated  
by weighting the individual rates in accordance with the anticipated balance in the respective investment portfolio of each plan.

Equity instruments
Debt instruments
Other
Total plan assets

Equity instruments
Debt instruments
Other
Total plan assets

Equity instruments
Debt instruments
Other
Total plan assets

UK schemes

USA schemes

Other schemes

2013

Expected 
return

7.0%
3.5%
5.8%
4.8%

£m

581
1,090
101
1,772

Expected 
return

8.6%
4.6%
–
6.3%

£m

110
140
–
250

Expected 
return

6.5%
2.1%
4.3%
4.0%

UK schemes

USA schemes

Other schemes

2012

Expected 
return

7.0%
2.9%
3.9%
4.3%

£m

501
996
49
1,546

Expected 
return

8.8%
4.2%
–
6.3%

£m

99
125
–
224

Expected 
return

6.1%
2.9%
3.8%
4.0%

UK schemes

USA schemes

Other schemes

2011

Expected 
return

7.0%
3.4%
6.0%
4.6%

£m

434
939
72
1,445

Expected 
return

7.8%
6.3%
–
7.0%

£m

84
108
–
192

Expected 
return

6.9%
3.0%
3.9%
4.3%

£m

23
39
65
127

£m

21
30
78
129

£m

25
24
87
136

Total 
£m

714
1,269
166
2,149

Total 
£m

621
1,151
127
1,899

Total 
£m

543
1,071
159
1,773

Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Financial statements  117

23  Post-employment benefit obligations continued

2013

2012

Movements in the fair value  
of plan assets 

At 1 October
Currency adjustment
Expected return on plan assets
Actuarial gain/(loss)
Employee contributions
Employer contributions
Benefits paid
Disposals and plan settlements
At 30 September

Movement in the present value  
of defined benefit obligations

At 1 October
Currency adjustment
Current service cost
Curtailment credit
Amount charged to plan liabilities
Actuarial (gain)/loss
Employee contributions
Benefits paid
Disposals and plan settlements
Acquisitions
At 30 September

Present value of defined 
benefit obligations

Funded obligations
Unfunded obligations
Total obligations

UK 
£m

1,546
–
67
109
–
102
(52)
–
1,772

UK 
£m

1,678
–
2
–
74
88
–
(52)
–
–
1,790

UK 
£m

1,750
40
1,790

USA 
£m

224
(1)
14
10
14
16
(20)
(7)
250

2013

USA 
£m

342
(1)
7
–
16
1
14
(20)
(7)
–
352

2013

USA 
£m

273
79
352

Other 
£m

129
(2)
5
–
3
28
(23)
(13)
127

Other 
£m

241
(1)
12
–
7
(9)
3
(23)
(14)
–
216

Other 
£m

150
66
216

Post-employment benefit obligations
recognised in the balance sheet

Present value of defined benefit obligations
Fair value of plan assets

Total deficit of defined benefit pension plans per above
Surplus not recognised 
Past service cost not recognised1
Post-employment benefit obligations per the balance sheet

1 To be recognised over the remaining service life in accordance with IAS 19.

Total 
£m

1,899
(3)
86
119
17
146
(95)
(20)
2,149

Total 
£m

2,261
(2)
21
–
97
80
17
(95)
(21)
–
2,358

Total 
£m

2,173
185
2,358

2013
 £m

2,358
(2,149)

209
–
(1)
208

UK 
£m

1,445
–
66
63
–
30
(58)
–
1,546

UK 
£m

1,499
–
2
–
75
160
–
(58)
–
–
1,678

UK 
£m

1,640
38
1,678

2012
 £m

2,261
(1,899)

362
–
(1)
361

USA 
£m

192
(7)
13
19
12
24
(19)
(10)
224

2012

USA 
£m

319
(12)
7
(2)
16
31
12
(19)
(10)
–
342

2012

USA 
£m

258
84
342

2011
 £m

Other 
£m

136
(6)
6
5
4
18
(18)
(16)
129

Other 
£m

248
(11)
11
(1)
9
11
4
(18)
(16)
4
241

Other 
£m

169
72
241

2010
£m

2,066
(1,773)

2,029
(1,639)

293
–
(1)
292

390
–
(1)
389

Total 
£m

1,773
(13)
85
87
16
72
(95)
(26)
1,899

Total 
£m

2,066
(23)
20
(3)
100
202
16
(95)
(26)
4
2,261

Total 
£m

 2,067 
194
2,261

2009 
£m

1,861
(1,525)

336
1
(2)
335

Consolidated financial statements118  Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Financial statements

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

for the year ended 30 September 2013

23  Post-employment benefit obligations continued
Certain Group companies have taken out life insurance policies and invested in mutual funds which will be used to meet unfunded pension 
obligations. The current value of these policies and other assets, £24 million (2012: £30 million), may not be offset against pension obligations 
under IAS 19 and is reported within note 14.

2012

USA 
£m

Other 
£m

Total pension costs/(credits)
recognised in the income statement

Current service cost
Past service cost
Curtailment credit
Charged to operating expenses

Amount charged to pension liability
Expected return on plan assets
Charged to finance costs

Total pension costs

UK 
£m

2
–
–
2

74
(67)
7

9

The history of experience adjustments is as follows: 

Experience adjustments

Experience adjustments on plan liabilities – (loss)/gain
Experience adjustments on plan assets – gain/(loss) 

2013

USA 
£m

Other 
£m

Total 
£m

7
–
–
7

16
(14)
2

9

12
–
–
12

7
(5)
2

14

21
–
–
21

97
(86)
11

32

2013
£m

(11)
119

UK 
£m

2
–
–
2

75
(66)
9

11

2012
 £m

(1)
87

7
–
(2)
5

16
(13)
3

8

2011
£m

13
(24)

The actuarial gain/(loss) reported in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income can be reconciled as follows:

Actuarial adjustments

Actuarial gains on fair value of plan assets
Losses on defined benefit obligations

Actuarial gains/(losses) per the consolidated statement of comprehensive income

11
–
(1)
10

9
(6)
3

13

2010 
£m

19
49

2013 
£m 

119
(80)

39

Total 
£m

20
–
(3)
17

100
(85)
15

32

2009 
£m

(3)
(7)

2012 
£m

87
(202)

(115)

The Group made total contributions to defined benefit schemes of £146 million in the year (2012: £72 million), including exceptional advance 
payments of £72 million (2012: £nil), and expects to make regular ongoing contributions to these schemes totalling £67 million in 2014.

The expected return on plan assets is based on market expectations at the beginning of the period. The actual return on assets was a gain of 
£205 million (2012: gain of £172 million).

The cumulative actuarial loss recognised in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income was £463 million (2012: £502 million). An 
actuarial gain of £39 million (2012: actuarial loss of £115 million) was recognised during the year.

Measurement of the Group’s defined benefit retirement obligations is particularly sensitive to changes in certain key assumptions, including the 
discount rate and life expectancy. An increase or decrease of 0.5 percentage points in the UK discount rate would result in a £159 million decrease 
or £169 million increase in the UK defined benefit obligations respectively. An increase of one year in the life expectancy of all UK members from 
age 65 would result in a £49 million increase in the UK defined benefit obligations.

Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Financial statements  119

24  Called up share capital 
During the year 4,650,560 options were granted under The Compass Group Share Option Plan 2010. All options were granted over the 
Company’s ordinary shares and the grant price was equivalent to the market value of the Company’s shares at the date of grant. No options  
were granted under any of the Company’s other share option plans.

During the year the Company completed the on market share buyback programme that commenced on 10 January 2012 and commenced a 
further programme. During the year a total of 56,335,966 ordinary shares of 10 pence each were repurchased for consideration of £446 million 
and cancelled. The Company also contracted to repurchase a further 400,000 ordinary shares of 10 pence each before 30 September 2013  
for consideration of £3.4 million which was settled in October 2013.

Authorised and allotted share capital

Number of shares

 £m

Number of shares

 £m

2013

2012

Authorised:
Ordinary shares of 10p each 

Allotted and fully paid:
Ordinary shares of 10p each 

Allotted share capital

Ordinary shares of 10p each allotted as at 1 October 
Ordinary shares allotted during the year on exercise  

of share options 

Ordinary shares allotted during the year on release  

of Long Term Incentive Plan awards

Repurchase of ordinary share capital
Ordinary shares of 10p each allotted as at 30 September 

3,000,010,000

300

3,000,010,000

300

1,804,035,995

180

1,855,164,098

186

2013

2012

Number of shares

1,855,164,098

3,419,777

1,788,086
(56,335,966)
1,804,035,995

Number of shares

1,897,584,193

9,594,748

1,744,672
(53,759,515)
1,855,164,098

At 30 September 2013, employees held options over a total of 21,107,790 ordinary shares under the Group’s Executive and Management Share 
Option Plans as follows:

Executive and Management 
Share Option Plans

Exercisable

Number of shares

Option price 
per share 
pence

Date of grant:
3 December 2003
3 August 2004
1 December 2004
14 December 2005
12 June 2006
30 March 2007
28 September 2007
28 March 2008
30 September 2008
31 March 2009
30 September 2009
13 May 2010
25 November 2010
19 May 2011
25 November 2011
17 May 2012
22 November 2012
16 May 2013

3 December 2006 – 2 December 2013
3 August 2007 – 2 August 2014
1 December 2007 – 30 November 2014
14 December 2008 – 13 December 2015
12 June 2009 – 11 June 2016
30 March 2010 – 29 March 2017
28 September 2010 – 27 September 2017
28 March 2011 – 27 March 2018
30 September 2011 – 29 September 2018
31 March 2012 – 30 March 2019
30 September 2012 – 29 September 2019
13 May 2013 – 12 May 2020
25 November 2013 – 24 November 2020
19 May 2014 – 18 May 2021
25 November 2014 – 24 November 2021
17 May 2015 – 16 May 2022
22 November 2015 – 21 November 2022
16 May 2016 – 15 May 2023

352,200
625,700
1,204,600
382,920
6,500
571,484
28,660
733,882
17,141
1,493,638
20,047
2,196,123
78,754
3,885,792
151,044
4,708,745
219,800
4,430,760
21,107,790

356.00
316.25
229.25
210.00
234.50
335.75
310.75
321.50
331.25
319.00
372.40
557.50
566.00
575.00
545.50
627.00
699.50
878.00

Consolidated financial statements120  Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Financial statements

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

for the year ended 30 September 2013

24  Called up share capital continued
Options granted after 3 February 2011 under the terms of The Compass Group Share Option Plan 2010 may be net settled at the discretion of the 
Company on exercise by the option holders, sufficient ordinary shares being issued to satisfy the profit realised during the period of the option. 

In addition, shares have also been awarded under The Compass Group PLC Long Term Incentive Plan 2010 (LTIP 2010) and the Compass Group 
Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP 2000):

Long Term Incentive Plans 

vesting date

Number of shares

Date of award:
25 November 2010
25 November 2011
17 May 2012
12 February 2013
18 February 2013

1 October 2013
1 October 2014
1 October 2014
1 October 2015
1 October 2015

1,360,106
1,517,092
114,832
1,159,860
18,717
4,170,607

The performance and vesting conditions are described in more detail in note 25.

Performance
conditions

50% TSR/50% AFCF
50% TSR/50% AFCF
50% TSR/50% AFCF
33% TSR/33% AFCF/33% ROCE
33% TSR/33% AFCF/33% ROCE

25  Share-based payments
Share options
Full details of The Compass Group Share Option Plan 2010 (CSOP 2010), the Compass Group Share Option Plan (CSOP 2000), the Compass 
Group Management Share Option Plan (Management Plan) (collectively the Executive and Management Share Option Plans) and the UK 
Sharesave Plan are set out in prior years’ Annual Reports which are available on the Company’s website.

The following tables illustrate the number and weighted average exercise prices of, and movements in, share options during the year:

Executive and Management Share Option Plans

Outstanding at 1 October
Granted 
Exercised 
Lapsed (following net settlement)
Expired
Lapsed
Outstanding at 30 September 

Exercisable at 30 September

UK Sharesave Plan

Outstanding at 1 October
Exercised 
Lapsed
Outstanding at 30 September 

Exercisable at 30 September

2013

2012

Number of 
share 
options

21,774,335
4,650,560
(3,419,777)
(860,654)
(323,450)
(713,224)
21,107,790

Weighted 
average 
exercise
 price 
pence

 Number of 
share 
options

469.17 27,315,996
869.56 5,079,650
342.63 (9,422,701)
–
557.50
(54,003)
317.20
443.15 (1,144,607)
577.50 21,774,335

Weighted 
average 
exercise 
price 
pence

388.58
624.03
322.58
–
404.61
443.01
469.17

7,632,895

371.03 9,022,759

299.19

2013

2012 

Number of 
share 
options

12,965
–
(12,965)
–

Weighted 
average 
exercise
 price 
pence

179.20
–
179.20
–

 Number of 
share 
options

188,184
(172,047)
(3,172)
12,965

Weighted 
average 
exercise 
price 
pence

180.43
179.20
252.00
179.20

–

–

12,965

179.20

Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Financial statements  121

25  Share-based payments continued
Information relating to all option schemes
The weighted average share price at the date of exercise for share options exercised during the year was 826.94 pence (2012: 644.10 pence).

The executive and management options outstanding at the end of the year have a weighted average remaining contractual life of 7.0 years  
(2012: 6.6 years).

In the year, options were granted on 22 November 2012 and 16 May 2013 under the terms of the CSOP 2010. The estimated fair value of options 
granted on these dates was 95.82 pence and 99.88 pence respectively. In 2012, options were granted on 25 November 2011 and 17 May 2012. 
The estimated fair value of these options was 104.85 pence and 84.11 pence respectively.

Fair values for the executive and management schemes were calculated using a binomial distribution option pricing model so that proper 
allowance is made for the presence of performance conditions and the possibility of early exercise. In addition, a Monte Carlo simulation model 
was used to estimate the probability of performance conditions being met. Fair values for options granted under employee savings-related 
schemes are calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The inputs to the option pricing models are reassessed for each grant.

The expected volatility is calculated with reference to weekly movements in the Compass share price over the three years prior to the grant date.

The following assumptions were used in calculating the fair value of options granted under the CSOP 2010:

Assumptions – options

Expected volatility
Risk free interest rate
Dividend yield
Expected life
Weighted average share price at date of grant
Weighted average option exercise price

2013 

2012 

17.4%
1.0%
2.5%
6.0 years
875.49p
869.56p

22.3%
1.0%
3.2%
6.0 years
621.82p
624.03p

vesting of options awarded from October 2005 onwards depends on the achievement of the Adjusted Free Cash Flow (AFCF) target. For options 
granted after 30 September 2006, 25% of the awards will vest if the threshold AFCF target is met and 100% of the awards will vest if the maximum 
AFCF target is met. Awards vest on a straight-line basis for AFCF between these two points.

Executive and Management 
Share Option Plans

Granted on:
25 November 2010 and 19 May 2011
25 November 2011 and 17 May 2012
22 November 2012 and 16 May 2013

Target

Threshold

AFCF 

Maximum

AFCF 

Performance period

£m % of award

£m % of award 

1 October 2010 – 30 September 2013
1 October 2011 – 30 September 2014
1 October 2012 – 30 September 2015

2,181
2,360
2,246

25%
25%
25%

2,290
2,478
2,482

100%
100%
100%

Performance targets applying to earlier grants under the Executive and Management Share Option Plans have been met in full.  

Consolidated financial statements 
 
 
   
 
122  Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Financial statements

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

for the year ended 30 September 2013

25  Share-based payments continued
Long Term Incentive Plans
Full details of The Compass Group PLC Long Term Incentive Plan 2010 and the Compass Group Long-Term Incentive Plan can be found in the 
Directors’ Remuneration Report on pages 55 to 70.

The following table shows the movement in share awards during the year:

Long Term Incentive Plans

Outstanding at 1 October
Awarded 
Released
Lapsed 
Outstanding at 30 September 

Available for release at 30 September

2013 
Number
of shares 

4,780,116
1,178,577
(1,788,086)
–
4,170,607

2012 
Number
of shares

5,065,752
1,631,924
(1,744,672)
(172,888)
4,780,116

–

–

The vesting of 50% of LTIP awards made before 7 February 2013 and 33.3% of awards made after that date is dependent on the Group’s  
total shareholder return (TSR) performance relative to a comparator group of non financial companies included within the FTSE 100 Index.  
This performance condition is treated as a market based condition for valuation purposes and an assessment of the vesting probability is  
built into the grant date fair value calculations. This assessment was calculated using a Monte Carlo simulation option pricing model.

vesting of the remaining 50% of LTIP awards made before 7 February 2013 and 33.3% of awards made after that date depends on the 
achievement of the AFCF target. 25% of that element of the award will vest if the threshold AFCF target is met and 100% of that element  
of the award will vest if the maximum AFCF target is met. Awards vest on a straight-line basis between these two points.

Long Term Incentive Plans

Performance period

Target

Threshold

AFCF 

Maximum

AFCF

£m % of award

£m % of award 

Awarded year commencing:
1 October 2010
1 October 2011
1 October 2012

1 October 2010 – 30 September 2013
1 October 2011 – 30 September 2014
1 October 2012 – 30 September 2015

2,181
2,360
2,246

25%
25%
25%

2,290
2,478
2,482

100%
100%
100%

vesting of the remaining 33.3% of awards made after 7 February 2013 depends on the achievement of the ROCE growth target over the 
performance period. 25% of that element of the award will vest if the threshold ROCE growth target is met and 100% of that element of the  
award will vest if the maximum ROCE growth target is met. Awards vest on a straight-line basis between these two points.

Long Term Incentive Plans

Performance period

Target

Threshold

ROCE 

Maximum

ROCE

% growth % of award

% growth % of award 

Awarded year commencing:
1 October 2012

1 October 2012 – 30 September 2015

17.9%

25%

19.6%

100%

Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Financial statements  123

25  Share-based payments continued
The fair value of awards subject to AFCF and ROCE growth performance targets was calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. 
The vesting probability of each element has been assessed based on a simulation model of the AFCF and ROCE growth forecasts. The AFCF 
performance targets relating to LTIP awards made in the years commencing 1 October 2008 and 1 October 2009 were met in full and the 
maximum number of shares available were released to the participants.

The element of awards made in the years commencing 1 October 2008 and 1 October 2009 dependent upon TSR performance targets  
also vested in full and the maximum number of shares available were released to participants as the Company’s TSR performance was within 
the top quartile of the comparator group. The weighted average share price at the date of release for LTIP awards released during 2013 was 
720.51 pence (2012: 555.05 pence).

The LTIP awards outstanding at the end of the year have a weighted average remaining contractual life of 1.1 years (2012: 1.1 years).

For the year ended 30 September 2013, LTIP awards were made on 12 February 2013 and 18 February 2013 for which the estimated fair value 
was 601.42 pence and 608.28 pence respectively. For the year ended 30 September 2012, LTIP awards were made on 25 November 2011 and 
17 May 2012 for which the estimated fair value was 355.05 pence and 409.46 pence respectively. These awards were all made under the terms 
of the LTIP 2010.

The inputs to the option pricing model are reassessed for each award. The following assumptions were used in calculating the fair value of LTIP 
awards made during the year: 

Assumptions – Long Term Incentive Plans

Expected volatility
Risk free interest rate
Dividend yield
Expected life
Weighted average share price at date of grant

Restricted shares
The following table shows the movement in restricted share awards during the year:

Restricted shares

Outstanding at 1 October
Awarded 
vested and released
Outstanding at 30 September 

vested and available for release at 30 September

Restricted shares (phantom awards)

Outstanding at 1 October
Awarded 
Outstanding at 30 September 

vested and available for release at 30 September

2013 

2012

19.4%
0.5%
2.8%
2.6 years
775.13p

28.5%
0.7%
3.5%
2.8 years
556.17p

2013
Number 
of shares 

119,206
35,000
(35,853)
118,353

2012
Number 
of shares 

107,500
31,706
(20,000)
119,206

–

–

2013
Number 
of shares 

2012
Number 
of shares 

52,460
–
52,460

_
52,460
52,460

–

–

The phantom restricted shares were awarded on 25 November 2011 and will vest on 25 November 2014 subject to the achievement of a period 
of service performance condition. These awards are cash settled and the fair value is reassessed at each balance sheet date. The carrying 
amount as at 30 September 2013 was £267,000 (2012: £95,000).

Consolidated financial statements124  Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Financial statements

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

for the year ended 30 September 2013

25  Share-based payments continued
The fair value of restricted shares awarded in the year, including phantom awards, was calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, 
using the following assumptions.

Assumptions – restricted shares

Expected volatility
Risk free interest rate
Dividend yield
Expected life
Weighted average share price at date of grant

2013

2012

16.8%
0.5%
2.6%
1.6 years
863.00p

27.2%
0.6%
3.4%
2.4 years
574.17p

The weighted average share price at the date of release for restricted share awards released during 2013 was 806.36 pence (2012: 654.00 pence).

Deferred Annual Bonus Plan
Certain executives participate in the Deferred Annual Bonus Plan. Each award comprises two elements. Payment of a portion of the annual  
bonus awarded to these executives is deferred for three years. The amount released on expiry of the deferral period may be increased subject  
to achievement of organic revenue, profit growth and personal performance targets. Any amount paid in cash must be immediately reinvested  
in ordinary shares of the Company which must then be held for a qualifying period. 

The second element of the award reflects the growth in the share price over the deferral period assuming that the deferred element of the annual 
bonus had been invested in ordinary shares of the Company at the start of the deferral period. The fair value of the awards is determined by using 
the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Any sum payable at the end of the deferral period is paid in cash. The Group has recorded a liability of  
£1 million (2012: £nil) in respect of this plan.

Long Term Bonus Plan
Certain executives participating in the Long Term Bonus Plan in prior years received an award of deferred Compass Group PLC shares.  
The award of bonus shares is subject to performance conditions and matching shares may be released by the Company following the completion 
of a further period of service. The terms of the Plan require that these shares are purchased in the market, rather than being issued by the 
Company. The shares are purchased and distributed by the ESOP and LTIPT.

The following table illustrates the movement in the number of awards during the year:

Long Term Bonus Plan

Outstanding at 1 October
Released
Outstanding at 30 September

2013 
Number
of shares 

2012 
Number
of shares

352,953
–
352,953

404,019
(51,066)
352,953

The fair value of bonus shares awarded is calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model; however, no new awards were made in either 
2013 or 2012.

No awards were released during 2013. The weighted average share price at the date of exercise for share bonus awards released during  
2012 was 608.31 pence. The share bonus awards have all vested, although certain executives have elected to defer taking their entitlements  
for a further period of up to 4.3 years (2012: 5.3 years), the weighted average deferral period being 1.8 years (2012: 2.8 years). 

Income statement expense and carrying value
The Group recognised an expense of £11 million (2012: £11 million) for continuing operations in respect of equity settled share-based payment 
transactions and £2 million (2012: £nil) in respect of cash settled share-based payment transactions.

Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Financial statements  125

26  Business combinations
On 31 October 2012, Compass Group Canada Ltd purchased the trade and assets of Nova Services Group, Inc. (Nova) for a consideration  
of £13 million. Nova is a Toronto based company that provides food and support services to the Business & Industry and healthcare &  
Seniors sectors.

On 20 December 2012, Crothall Services Group (Crothall), a US subsidiary of the Group, purchased Clinical Resources for Equipment Support 
Technology Services, Inc. (CREST), a national leader in medical equipment maintenance. The total purchase price was £27 million which included 
£10 million of deferred consideration. CREST offers custom clinical and diagnostic equipment maintenance solutions.  

In addition to the acquisitions set out above, the Group has also completed a number of smaller infill acquisitions in several countries for a total 
consideration of £78 million.

Acquisitions

Book 
value 
£m

Fair 
value 
£m

Net assets acquired

Contract-related and other intangibles arising on acquisition
Property, plant and equipment
Inventories
Trade and other receivables
Cash and cash equivalents
Trade and other payables
Deferred tax liabilities
Net assets acquired
Goodwill arising on acquisition
Total consideration

Satisfied by

Cash consideration 
Deferred consideration1

Cash flow

–
6
2
13
9
(17)
–
13

Cash consideration 
Cash acquired
Acquisition transaction costs
Net cash outflow arising on acquisition
Deferred consideration and other payments relating to previous acquisitions
Total cash outflow arising from the purchase of subsidiary companies and investments in associated undertakings

1   Deferred consideration is an estimate at the date of acquisition of the amount of additional consideration that will be payable in the future. The actual amount paid can  

vary from the estimate depending on the terms of the transaction and, for example, the actual performance of the acquired business.   

68
6
2
13
9
(17)
(2)
79
39
118

89
29
118

89
(9)
3
83
21
104

Consolidated financial statements 
 
126  Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Financial statements

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

for the year ended 30 September 2013

26  Business combinations continued
Adjustments made to the fair value of assets acquired include the value of intangible assets, provisions and other adjustments recognised on 
acquisition in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standard 3 ‘Business Combinations’ (revised 2008). The adjustments made in 
respect of acquisitions in the year to 30 September 2013 are provisional and will be finalised within 12 months of the acquisition date.

The goodwill arising on the acquisition of the businesses represents the premium the Group paid to acquire companies which complement the 
existing business and create significant opportunities for cross selling and other synergies. Of the goodwill arising, substantially all is expected  
to be deductible for tax purposes.

Acquisition transaction costs expensed in the year to 30 September 2013, were £3 million (2012: £9 million). 

In the period from acquisition to 30 September 2013, the acquisitions contributed revenue of £80 million and operating profit of £5 million to the 
Group’s results.

If the acquisitions had occurred on 1 October 2012, it is estimated that Group revenue for the period would have been £17,577 million and total 
Group operating profit (including associates) would have been £803 million.

27  Reconciliation of operating profit to cash generated by operations

Reconciliation of operating profit to cash generated by continuing operations

Operating profit from continuing operations

Adjustments for: 

Acquisition transaction costs
Amortisation of intangible assets
Amortisation of intangible assets arising on acquisition
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment 
Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment/intangible assets
Goodwill impairment
Increase/(decrease) in provisions
Decrease in post-employment benefit obligations
Share-based payments – charged to profits 

Operating cash flows before movement in working capital

Decrease/(increase) in inventories
Decrease/(increase) in receivables
Increase in payables

Cash generated by continuing operations

28  Cash flow from discontinued operations

Cash flow from discontinued operations

Net cash from/(used in) operating activities of discontinued operations
Cash utilised from discontinued operations
Tax paid
Net cash from/(used in) operating activities of discontinued operations

Net cash from/(used in) investing activities by discontinued operations
Tax on profit of sale on subsidiary companies and associated undertakings
Net cash from/(used in) investing activities by discontinued operations

2013
£m

792

3
118
25
181
–
377
(71)
(54)
12

2012
£m

848

9
116
18
203
2
2
174
(54)
11

1,383

1,329

1
3
98

(4)
(146)
214

1,485

1,393

2013
£m

2012
£m

–
–
–

–
–

(8)
(11)
(19)

(24)
(24)

Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Financial statements  127

29  Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net debt
This table is presented as additional information to show the movement in net debt, defined as overdrafts, bank and other borrowings, finance 
leases and derivative financial instruments, net of cash and cash equivalents. 

Cash and 
cash 
equivalents 
£m

Bank 
overdrafts 
£m

Bank and 
other 
borrowings 
£m

Gross debt

Total 
overdrafts
and 
borrowings 
£m

Finance 
leases 
£m

Derivative 
financial 
instruments 
£m

Total 
gross 
debt 
£m

1,110

(45)

(1,880)

(1,925)

(33)

87

(1,871)

Net debt

At 1 October 2011
Net increase/(decrease) in cash  

and cash equivalents

Cash outflow from repayment of bonds
Cash (inflow)/outflow from other  

changes in gross debt

Cash outflow from repayment of 

obligations under finance leases
Increase in net debt as a result of new 

finance leases taken out

Currency translation gains/(losses)
Acquisitions and disposals  

(excluding cash) 

Other non-cash movements 
At 30 September 2012

At 1 October 2012
Net increase/(decrease) in cash  

and cash equivalents

Cash (inflow)/outflow from issue of bonds
Cash (inflow)/outflow from other changes 

in gross debt

Cash outflow from repayment of 

obligations under finance leases
Increase in net debt as a result of new 

finance leases taken out

Currency translation gains/(losses)
Acquisitions and disposals  

(excluding cash)

Other non-cash movements
At 30 September 2013

(368)
–

–

–

–
(14)

–
–
728

728

297
–

–

–

–
(19)

–
–
1,006

–
–

–
609

–
609

(14)

(468)

(482)

–

–
2

(1)
–
(58)

–

–
53

–

–
55

–
(13)
(1,699)

(1)
(13)
(1,757)

(58)

(1,699)

(1,757)

–
–

40

–

–
(2)

–
–
(20)

–
(563)

–
(563)

11

–

–
(19)

51

–

–
(21)

–
46
(2,224)

–
46
(2,244)

–
–

–

10

(4)
1

(2)
–
(28)

(28)

–
–

–

9

(2)
–

–
–
(21)

Other non-cash movements in net debt

Amortisation of fees and discount on issuance
Amortisation of the fair value adjustment in respect of the £250 million Sterling Eurobond redeemable in 2014 
Swap monetisation credit
Changes in the fair value of bank and other borrowings in a designated fair value hedge

Bank and other borrowings

Changes in the value of derivative financial instruments including accrued income 

Other non-cash movements

Net 
debt 
£m

(761)

(368)
609

(476)

10

(4)
18

(3)
2
(973)

(973)

297
(563)

9

9

(2)
32

–
(2)
(1,193)

2012 
£m

(2)
4
2
(17)

(13)

15

2

–
–

6

–

–
(24)

–
15
84

84

–
–

(42)

–

–
72

–
(48)
66

–
609

(476)

10

(4)
32

(3)
2
(1,701)

(1,701)

–
(563)

9

9

(2)
51

–
(2)
(2,199)

2013 
£m

(2)
4
–
44

46

(48)

(2)

Consolidated financial statements128  Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Financial statements

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

for the year ended 30 September 2013

30  Contingent liabilities 
Performance bonds, guarantees and indemnities

Performance bonds, guarantees and indemnities (including those of associated undertakings)1

2013
£m

414

2012
£m

383

1   Excludes bonds, guarantees and indemnities in respect of self-insurance liabilities, post-employment obligations and borrowings (including finance and operating 

leases) recorded on the balance sheet or disclosed in note 32.

Performance bonds, guarantees and indemnities
The Company and certain subsidiary undertakings have, in the normal course of business, given guarantees and entered into counter-indemnities 
in respect of such guarantees relating to the Group’s own contracts and/or the Group’s share of certain contractual obligations of joint ventures 
and associates. Where the Group enters into such arrangements, it does so in order to provide assurance to the beneficiary that it will fulfil its 
existing contractual obligations. The issue of such guarantees and indemnities does not therefore increase the Group’s overall exposure and the 
disclosure of such performance bonds, guarantees and indemnities is given for information purposes only.

Eurest Support Services
On 21 October 2005, the Company announced that it had instructed Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer to conduct an investigation into the 
relationships between Eurest Support Services (ESS) (a member of the Group), IhC Services Inc. (IhC) and the United Nations (UN).  
Ernst & young assisted Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer in this investigation. On 1 February 2006, it was announced that the investigation  
had concluded.

The investigation established serious irregularities in connection with contracts awarded to ESS by the UN. The work undertaken by Freshfields 
Bruckhaus Deringer and Ernst & young gave no reason to believe that these issues extended beyond a few individuals within ESS to other parts  
of ESS or the wider Compass Group of companies.

The Group settled all outstanding civil litigation against it in relation to this matter in October 2006, but litigation continues between competitors  
of ESS, IhC and other parties involved in UN procurement.

IhC’s relationship with the UN and ESS was part of a wider investigation into UN procurement activity being conducted by the United States 
Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New york, and with which the Group co-operated fully. The current status of that investigation is 
uncertain and a matter for the US authorities. Those investigators could have had access to sources unavailable to the Group, Freshfields 
Bruckhaus Deringer or Ernst & young, and further information may yet emerge which is inconsistent with, or additional to, the findings of the 
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer investigation, which could have an adverse impact on the Group. The Group has, however, not been contacted 
by, or received further requests for information from, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New york in connection with 
these matters since January 2006. The Group has co-operated fully with the UN throughout. 

Other litigation and claims   
The Group is also involved in various other legal proceedings incidental to the nature of its business and maintains insurance cover to reduce 
financial risk associated with claims related to these proceedings. Where appropriate, provisions are made to cover any potential uninsured losses.

In addition, the Group is subject to periodic tax audits covering corporate, employee and sales taxes in the various jurisdictions in which it 
operates. None of these are currently expected to have a material impact on the Group’s financial position. 

Outcome
Although it is not possible to predict the outcome of these proceedings, or any claim against the Group related thereto, in the opinion of the 
Directors, any uninsured losses resulting from the ultimate resolution of these matters will not have a material effect on the financial position  
of the Group.

Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Financial statements  129

31  Capital commitments 
Capital commitments

Contracted for but not provided for 

The majority of capital commitments are for intangible assets.

2013
£m

151

2012
£m

120

32  Operating lease and concessions commitments
The Group leases offices and other premises under non-cancellable operating leases. The leases have varying terms, purchase options, 
escalation clauses and renewal rights. The Group has some leases that include revenue related rental payments that are contingent on future 
levels of revenue.

Future minimum rentals payable under non-cancellable operating leases and concessions agreements are as follows:

Operating lease and concessions commitments

Falling due within 1 year 
Falling due between 2 and 5 years 
Falling due in more than 5 years 
Total

2013

Operating leases

Land and 
buildings 
£m

Other 
assets
 £m

Other 
occupancy
rentals
 £m

49
128
84
261

46
61
6
113

55
73
44
172

2012

Operating leases

Land and 
buildings
 £m

52
124
79
255

Other 
assets
 £m 

47
64
5
116

Other 
occupancy
rentals 
£m

61
85
57
203

33  Related party transactions
The following transactions were carried out with related parties of Compass Group PLC:

Subsidiaries
Transactions between the Ultimate Parent Company and its subsidiaries, and between subsidiaries, have been eliminated on consolidation.

Joint ventures
There were no significant transactions between joint ventures or joint venture partners and the rest of the Group during the year.

Associates
The balances with associated undertakings are shown in note 21. There were no significant transactions with associated undertakings during  
the year.

Key management personnel
The remuneration of Directors and key management personnel is set out in note 3. During the year, there were no other material transactions  
or balances between the Group and its key management personnel or members of their close family.

34  Post balance sheet events
There have been no material post balance sheet events.

Consolidated financial statements130  Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Financial statements

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

for the year ended 30 September 2013

35  Exchange rates
Exchange rates1

Average exchange rate for year
Australian Dollar
Brazilian Real
Canadian Dollar
Euro
Japanese yen
Norwegian Krone
South African Rand
Swedish Krona
Swiss Franc
Turkish Lira
UAE Dirham
US Dollar

Closing exchange rate as at 30 September
Australian Dollar
Brazilian Real
Canadian Dollar
Euro
Japanese yen
Norwegian Krone
South African Rand
Swedish Krona
Swiss Franc
Turkish Lira
UAE Dirham
US Dollar

2013

2012

1.58
3.30
1.59
1.19
143.83
9.09
14.50
10.25
1.46
2.90
5.75
1.57

1.73
3.60
1.66
1.20
158.90
9.74
16.30
10.40
1.46
3.28
5.95
1.62

1.53
2.99
1.59
1.21
124.35
9.19
12.71
10.69
1.47
2.86
5.81
1.58

1.55
3.28
1.59
1.26
125.63
9.24
13.32
10.59
1.52
2.90
5.93
1.61

1    Average rates are used to translate the income statement and cash flow statement. Closing rates are used to translate the balance sheet. Only the most significant 

currencies are shown.

Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Financial statements  131

36  Details of principal subsidiary companies
All companies listed below are wholly owned by the Group, except where otherwise indicated. All interests are in the ordinary share capital.  
All companies operate principally in their country of incorporation. A full list of the Group’s operating subsidiary undertakings are annexed  
to the annual return each year. 

Principal subsidiaries

North America
Compass Group Canada Ltd
Bon Appétit Management Co
Compass Group USA Investments Inc
Compass Group USA, Inc
Crothall Services Group
Flik International Corp
Foodbuy LLC
Levy Restaurants LP
Morrison Management Specialists, Inc
Restaurant Associates Corp
Wolfgang Puck Catering & Events, LLC (90%)

Europe & Japan
Compass Contract Services (UK) Ltd
Compass Group holdings PLC
Compass Group, UK & Ireland Ltd
Compass Group Procurement Ltd
Compass Purchasing Ltd
Compass Services UK Ltd
hospitality holdings Ltd1
Letheby & Christopher Ltd
Scolarest Ltd
vSG Group Ltd
Compass Group France holdings SAS
Compass Group France SAS 
Compass Group Deutschland Gmbh
Medirest Gmbh & Co OhG 
Eurest Deutschland Gmbh
Eurest Services Gmbh
Eurest Sports & Food Gmbh
Compass Group Italia S.P.A
Seiyo Food – Compass Group, Inc
Compass Group International Bv 
Compass Group Nederland Bv 
Compass Group Nederland holding Bv 
Eurest Services Bv
Compass Group holdings Spain, S.L. 
Eurest Colectividades S.L.
Compass Group (Schweiz) AG
Restorama AG

Country of  
incorporation

Principal activities

Canada
USA
USA
USA
USA
USA
USA
USA
USA
USA
USA

Food and support services
Food service
holding company 
Food and support services
Support services to the healthcare market
Fine dining facilities
Purchasing services in North America
Fine dining and food service at sports and entertainment facilities
Food service to the healthcare and senior living market
Fine dining facilities
Fine dining facilities

England & Wales Food and support services
England & Wales holding company and corporate activities
England & Wales holding company 
England & Wales Purchasing services throughout the world
England & Wales Purchasing services in the UK and Ireland
England & Wales Food and support services
England & Wales Intermediate holding company
England & Wales Food service for the UK sports and events market
England & Wales Food service for the UK education market
England & Wales Security and support services
France
France
Germany
Germany
Germany
Germany
Germany
Italy
Japan
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
Spain
Spain
Switzerland
Switzerland

holding company 
Food and support services
holding company 
Food service to the healthcare and senior living market
Food service to business and industry
Support services to business and industry
Food service to the sports and leisure market
Food service, support services and prepaid meal vouchers
Food and support services
holding company 
Food and support services
holding company 
Food and support services
holding company 
Food and support services
Food and support services
Food service

Fast Growing & Emerging
Australia
Compass Group (Australia) Pty Ltd
Brazil
GR SA 
Compass Group Southern Africa (Pty) Ltd (97.5%)
South Africa
Supercare Services Group (Proprietary) Limited (97.5%) South Africa
Sofra yemek Üretim ve hizmet A.S.

Turkey

Food and support services
Food and support services
Food and support services
Support services
Food and support services

1  held directly by the Parent Company.

Consolidated financial statements132  Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Financial statements

Parent Company financial statements

Directors’ responsibilities
The Annual Report and Accounts complies with the Disclosure 
and Transparency Rules of the United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct 
Authority in respect of the requirement to produce an annual  
financial report.

The Annual Report and Accounts is the responsibility of, and has been 
approved by, the Directors.

We confirm that to the best of our knowledge:

 • the accounts of the Parent Company (the Company) have been 

prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted 
Accounting Practice

 • the financial statements give a true and fair view of the assets, 

liabilities and financial position of the Company

On behalf of the Board

Mark J White 
General Counsel and Company Secretary 

27 November 2013

The Directors are required by law to prepare separate financial 
statements for the Company in accordance with 
the Companies Act 2006. The Directors have chosen to 
prepare these financial statements for the Company in 
accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted 
Accounting Practice.

Company law requires the Directors to prepare financial 
statements for each financial year which give a true and fair 
view of the state of affairs of the Company as at the end of the 
financial year and of the profit or loss of the Company for that 
period. In preparing those financial statements, the Directors 
are required to:

 • select suitable accounting policies and then apply them 

consistently

 • make judgements and estimates that are reasonable 

and prudent

 • state whether applicable accounting standards have been 
followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and 
explained in the financial statements

 • prepare the financial statements on the going concern 
basis, unless it is inappropriate to presume that the 
Company will continue in business 

The Directors are responsible for keeping adequate 
accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy 
at any time the financial position of the Company and to 
enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply 
with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible  
for safeguarding the assets of the Company and hence for 
taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection  
of fraud and other irregularities.

Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation 
and dissemination of financial statements may differ from 
legislation in other jurisdictions.

Parent Company balance sheet

for the year ended 30 September 2013

Compass Group PLC

Fixed assets
Investments

Current assets
Debtors: Amounts falling due within one year
Debtors: Amounts falling due after more than one year
Cash at bank and in hand

Current assets

Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year
Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year

Net current assets
Net current assets 

Total assets less current liabilities
Total assets less current liabilities 

Creditors: Amounts falling due after more than one year
Creditors: Amounts falling due after more than one year
Provisions for liabilities and charges

Net assets
Net assets

Capital and reserves
Share capital
Share premium account
Capital redemption reserve
Share-based payment reserve
Profit and loss reserve
Total equity 

Approved by the Board of Directors on 27 November 2013 and signed on their behalf by 

Richard J Cousins, Director
Dominic Blakemore, Director

Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Financial statements  133

Notes

2013
£m

2012
£m

2

3

3

4

4

5

8, 9

9

9

9

9

976

968

8,992
62
672

9,726

8,127
85
417

8,629

(6,425)

(5,846)

3,301

2,783

4,277

3,751

(2,142)
(28)

(1,678)
(28)

2,107

2,045

180
400
55
162
1,310
2,107

186
386
49
156
1,268
2,045

Parent Company financial statements134  Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Financial statements

Parent Company accounting policies

for the year ended 30 September 2013

Introduction
The significant accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the 
separate financial statements of the Company are set out below:

A  Accounting convention and basis  
of preparation
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with 
applicable UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (UK GAAP) and 
the Companies Act 2006 using the historical cost convention modified 
for the revaluation of certain financial instruments.

These financial statements have been prepared on a going concern 
basis. This is discussed in the Finance Director’s statement on page 44.

B  Exemptions
The Company’s financial statements are included in the Compass 
Group PLC consolidated financial statements for the year ended  
30 September 2013. As permitted by section 408 of the Companies Act 
2006, the Company has not presented its own profit and loss account. 
The Company has also taken advantage of the exemption from 
presenting a cash flow statement under the terms of FRS 1 ‘Cash Flow 
Statements’. The Company is also exempt under the terms of FRS 8 
‘Related Party Disclosures’ from disclosing transactions with other 
members of Compass Group.

The Compass Group PLC consolidated financial statements for  
the year ended 30 September 2013 contain financial instrument 
disclosures which comply with FRS 29 ‘Financial Instruments: 
Disclosures’. Consequently, the Company has taken advantage  
of the exemption in FRS 29 not to present separate financial instrument 
disclosures for the Company.

C  Change in accounting policies
The Company has not applied any accounting standards for the  
first time in the year ended 30 September 2013.

D  Investments in subsidiary undertakings
Investments are stated at cost less provision for any impairment.  
In the opinion of the Directors, the value of such investments is  
not less than shown at the balance sheet date. 

E  Foreign currency
Assets and liabilities in foreign currencies are translated into Sterling  
at the rates of exchange ruling at the year end. Gains and losses  
arising on retranslation are included in the profit and loss account 
for the period.

F  Borrowings
Borrowings are recognised initially at fair value, net of transaction costs 
incurred. Borrowings are subsequently stated at amortised cost unless 
they are part of a fair value hedge accounting relationship. Borrowings 
that are part of a fair value hedge accounting relationship are measured 
at amortised cost plus or minus the fair value attributable to the risk 
being hedged.

G  Derivatives and other financial instruments
The Company uses derivative financial instruments to manage its 
exposure to fluctuations in foreign exchange rates and interest rates. 
Derivative instruments utilised include interest rate swaps, cross 
currency swaps and forward currency contracts. The Company  
and Group policy is disclosed in the accounting policies to the 
consolidated financial statements.

H  Dividends
Dividends are recognised in the Company’s financial statements  
in the year in which they are approved in general meeting by  
the Company’s Shareholders. Interim dividends are recognised  
when paid.

I  Deferred tax
Deferred tax is provided at the anticipated rates on timing  
differences arising from the inclusion of items of income and 
expenditure in tax computations in periods different from those  
in which they are included in the financial statements. Deferred  
tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is regarded as more 
likely than not that they will be recovered.

J  Share-based payments
The Group issues equity settled and cash settled share-based 
payments to certain employees. Equity settled share-based payments 
are measured at fair value (excluding the effect of non-market based 
vesting conditions) at the date of grant. The fair value determined  
at the grant date of the equity settled share-based payments is 
expensed on a straight-line basis over the vesting period, based  
on the Group’s estimate of the shares that will eventually vest and 
adjusted for the effect of non-market based vesting conditions.

Fair value is measured using either the binomial distribution or  
Black-Scholes pricing models as is most appropriate for each 
scheme. The expected life used in the models has been adjusted, 
based on management’s best estimate, for the effects of exercise 
restrictions and behavioural considerations.

For cash settled share-based payments, a liability equal to the portion 
of the goods or services received is recognised at the current fair 
value determined at each balance sheet date.

The issue of share incentives by the Company to employees of its 
subsidiaries represents additional capital contributions. An addition  
to the Company’s investment in Group undertakings is reported with  
a corresponding increase in Shareholders’ funds. For details of the 
charge see note 25 to the consolidated financial statements.

 
Notes to the Parent Company financial statements

for the year ended 30 September 2013

Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Financial statements  135

1  Profit and loss account disclosures
The Company profit on ordinary activities after tax was £892 million (2012: £779 million).

The fee for the audit of the Company’s annual financial statements was £0.4 million (2012: £0.4 million).

The Company had no direct employees in the course of the year (2012: none).

2  Investments in subsidiary undertakings
Investments in subsidiary undertakings

Cost
At 1 October
Additions
Share-based payments to employees of subsidiaries
Recharged to subsidiaries during the year
At 30 September

Provisions
At 1 October
Additions
At 30 September

Net book value
At 30 September

2013
£m

969
–
13
(5)
977

1
–
1

2012
£m

962
–
11
(4)
969

1
–
1

976

968

The principal subsidiary undertakings are listed in note 36 to the consolidated financial statements.

3  Debtors 

Debtors

Amounts owed by subsidiary undertakings
Derivative financial instruments (note 7)
Current taxation
Deferred taxation
Total

Movement in deferred tax asset

At 1 October
Charged to profit and loss account
At 30 September

2013

Falling due
within
1 year
£m

Falling due
after more
than 1 year
£m

8,984
7
1
–
8,992

–
62
–
–
62

2012

Falling due
within
1 year
£m

Falling due
after more
than 1 year
£m

8,125
1
1
–
8,127

–
84
–
1
85

Total
£m

8,984
69
1
–
9,054

Total
£m

8,125
85
1
1
8,212

2013
Net 
short term
temporary
differences
£m

2012
Net 
short term
temporary
differences
£m

1
(1)
–

1
–
1

The deferred taxation asset arises on certain derivative financial instruments and will be recovered no later than the maturity dates of  
these instruments.

Parent Company financial statements136  Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Financial statements

Notes to the Parent Company financial statements

for the year ended 30 September 2013

4  Creditors 

Creditors

Bank overdrafts
Bank loans

Bank overdrafts and loans (note 6)

Loan notes
Bonds

Loan notes and bonds (note 6)

Derivative financial instruments (note 7)
Accruals and deferred income
Amounts owed to subsidiary undertakings

Total

2013

Falling due
within
1 year
£m

Falling due
after more
than 1 year
£m

229
–

229

74
–

74

3
50
6,069

6,425

–
298

298

1,074
769

1,843

1
–
–

2,142

2012

Falling due
within
1 year
£m

Falling due
after more
than 1 year
£m

263
–

263

–
–

–

3
47
5,533

5,846

–
48

48

871
757

1,628

2
–
–

1,678

Total
£m

229
298

527

1,148
769

1,917

4
50
6,069

8,567

Total
£m

263
48

311

871
757

1,628

5
47
5,533

7,524

The Company has fixed term, fixed interest private placements totalling US$1,782 million (£1,100 million) at interest rates between 3.09% and 
6.72%. The carrying value of these loan notes is £1,111 million. The Company also has a Sterling denominated private placement of £35 million 
with a carrying value of £36 million at an interest rate of 7.55%. 

Loan notes

US$ private placement
US$ private placement
US$ private placement
Sterling private placement
US$ private placement
US$ private placement
US$ private placement
US$ private placement
US$ private placement

Nominal value Redeemable

Interest

$105m Oct 2013
$15m Nov 2013
$162m Oct 2015
£35m Oct 2016
$250m Oct 2018
$200m Sep 2020
$398m Oct 2021
$352m Oct 2023
$300m Sep 2025

6.45%
5.67%
6.72%
7.55%
3.31%
3.09%
3.98%
4.12%
3.81%

The Company also has a Sterling denominated Eurobond of £250 million at an interest rate of 7.0%, redeemable in December 2014 and  
a Euro denominated Eurobond of €600 million at an interest rate of 3.125%, redeemable in February 2019. The carrying value of these bonds  
is £772 million. 

Bonds

Sterling Eurobond
Euro Eurobond

Nominal value Redeemable

Interest

£250m Dec 2014
€600m Feb 2019

7.00%
3.125%

 
 
 
 
 
5  Provisions for liabilities and charges

Provisions

At 1 October 2011
Charged to profit and loss account
At 30 September 2012

At 1 October 2012
Charged to profit and loss account
At 30 September 2013

Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Financial statements  137

Legal and
other claims
£m

–
28
28

28
–
28

Provisions for legal and other claims relate to provisions for the estimated cost of litigation and other sundry claims. The timing of the settlement  
of these claims is uncertain.

6  Maturity of financial liabilities, other creditors and derivative financial instruments
The maturity of financial liabilities, other creditors and derivative financial instruments as at 30 September is as follows:

Maturity

Between 1 and 2 years
Between 2 and 5 years
In more than 5 years

In more than 1 year 
Within 1 year, or on demand
Total

2013

2012

Bank
overdrafts
and loans
(note 4)
£m

Loan notes
and bonds
(note 4)
£m

–
298
–

298
229
527

259
140
1,444

1,843
74
1,917

Other1
(note 7)
£m

(18)
(19)
(24)

(61)
(4)
(65)

Bank
overdrafts
and loans
(note 4)
£m

Loan notes
and bonds
(note 4)
£m

–
48
–

48
263
311

76
410
1,142

1,628
–
1,628

Total 
£m

241
419
1,420

2,080
299
2,379

Other1
(note 7)
£m

(3)
(37)
(42)

(82)
2
(80)

Total 
£m

73
421
1,100

1,594
265
1,859

1  Other includes the debtor and creditor amounts associated with derivative financial instruments (note 7). 

7  Derivative financial instruments

Derivative financial instruments

Interest rate swaps
Fair value hedges
Not in a hedging relationship

Other
Forward currency contracts and cross currency swaps

Derivative financial instruments

2013

2012

Financial
assets
(note 3)
£m

Financial
liabilities
(note 4)
£m

Financial
assets
(note 3)
£m

Financial
liabilities
(note 4)
£m

43
–

26

69

(1)
(1)

(2)

(4)

84
–

1

85

–
(3)

(2)

(5)

8  Share capital
Details of the share capital, share option schemes and share-based payments of Compass Group PLC are shown in notes 24 and 25 to the 
consolidated financial statements.

Parent Company financial statements138  Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Financial statements

Notes to the Parent Company financial statements

for the year ended 30 September 2013

9  Capital and reserves

Capital and reserves

At 1 October 2011
Issue of shares (for cash)
Repurchase of ordinary share capital
Fair value of share-based payments
Release of LTIP award settled by issue of new shares
Dividends paid to Compass shareholders
Profit for the financial year
At 30 September 2012

At 1 October 2012
Issue of shares (for cash)
Repurchase of ordinary share capital
Fair value of share-based payments
Release of LTIP award settled by issue of new shares
Dividends paid to Compass shareholders
Profit for the financial year
At 30 September 2013

Share
capital
£m

Share
 premium
 account
 £m 

Capital
redemption
 reserve
£m

Share-based
payment
reserve
£m

Profit
and loss
reserve
£m

190
1
(5)
–
–
–
–
186

186
–
(6)
–
–
–
–
180

353
29
–
–
4
–
–
386

386
9
–
–
5
–
–
400

44
–
5
–
–
–
–
49

49
–
6
–
–
–
–
55

149
–
–
11
(4)
–
–
156

156
–
–
11
(5)
–
–
162

1,223
–
(356)
–
–
(378)
779
1,268

1,268
–
(446)
–
–
(404)
892
1,310

Total
 £m

1,959
30
(356)
11
–
(378)
779
2,045

2,045
9
(446)
11
–
(404)
892
2,107

10  Contingent liabilities
Contingent liabilities

Guarantees and indemnities (including subsidiary undertakings’ overdrafts)

2013
£m

399

2012
£m

363

Details regarding certain contingent liabilities which involve the Company are set out in note 30 to the consolidated financial statements.

Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Shareholder information  139

Shareholder 
information

Shareholder information

140  Shareholder information
142  Notice of Annual General Meeting

Shareholder information140  Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Shareholder information

Shareholder information

Registrar 
All matters relating to the administration of shareholdings in the 
Company should be directed to Capita Asset Services, The Registry, 
34 Beckenham Road, Beckenham, Kent BR3 4TU; telephone within the 
UK: Freephone 0800 280 2545 and from overseas: +44 20 7763 0041; 
email: ssd@capitaregistrars.com.

Shareholders can register online to view their Compass Group PLC 
shareholding details using the Share Portal, a service offered by  
Capita Asset Services (the Registrar), at www.capitashareportal.com. 
Shareholders registering for the Share Portal will require their investor 
code which is shown on share certificates. The service enables 
Shareholders to:

 • check their shareholdings in Compass Group PLC 24 hours a day
 • gain easy access to a range of shareholder information including 

indicative valuation and payment instruction details 

 • use the Internet to appoint a proxy to attend general meetings of 

Compass Group PLC

Electronic communications
The Company’s Annual Report and all other shareholder 
communications can be found on our website. The Company can,  
at Shareholders’ request, send Shareholders an email notification each 
time a new shareholder report or other shareholder communication  
is placed on our website. This enables Shareholders to read and/or 
download the information at their leisure. There are no particular 
software requirements to view these documents, other than those 
described on our website.

The provision of a facility to communicate with Shareholders 
electronically does not discriminate between registered Shareholders  
of the same class. The facility is available to all registered Shareholders 
on equal terms and participation is made as simple as possible. Please 
note that it is the Shareholder’s responsibility to notify the Registrar 
(through www.capitashareportal.com or by post) of any change  
to their email address. Before electing for electronic communication, 
Shareholders should ensure that they have the appropriate computer 
capabilities. The Company takes all reasonable precautions to ensure 
no viruses are present in any communication it sends out, but cannot 
accept any responsibility for loss or damage arising from the opening  
or use of any email or attachments from the Company and recommends 
that Shareholders subject all messages to virus checking procedures 
prior to use. Please note that any electronic communication sent by a 
Shareholder to the Company or the Registrar containing a computer 
virus will not be accepted.

The Company’s obligation is satisfied when it transmits an electronic 
message. It cannot be held responsible for a failure in transmission 
beyond its control. In the event that the Company becomes aware that 
an electronic transmission is not successful, a paper notification will  
be sent to the Shareholder at their registered address. Shareholders 
wishing to continue to receive shareholder information in the traditional 
paper format should confirm this via www.capitashareportal.com or 
write to Capita Asset Services.

Published information
If you would like to receive a hard copy of this Report or a copy in an 
alternative format such as large print, Braille or an audio version on  
CD, please contact the Group Company Secretariat at the Company’s 
registered office. A copy can also be downloaded from our website  
at www.compass-group.com/ar13. 

Cash dividends
The Company normally pays a dividend twice each year.  
We encourage UK resident ordinary Shareholders to elect to  
have their dividends paid directly into their bank or building society 
account. This is a more secure method of payment and avoids  
delays or the cheques being lost. Ordinary Shareholders resident 
outside the UK can also have any dividends in excess of £10 paid  
into their bank account directly via Capita Asset Services’ global 
payments service. Details and terms and conditions may be viewed  
at www.capitaregistrars.com/international. 

Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRIP)
A DRIP service is provided by Capita IRG Trustees Limited.  
The DRIP allows eligible Shareholders to use the whole of their  
cash dividend to buy additional shares in the Company, thereby 
increasing their shareholding. Additional information, including  
details of how to sign up, can be obtained from the Company’s 
website at www.compass-group.com and from Capita IRG Trustees 
Limited, telephone within the UK: Freephone 0800 280 2545 and from 
overseas: +44 20 7763 0041; email: shares@capitaregistrars.com.

The latest date for receipt of new applications to participate  
in respect of the 2013 final dividend is 30 January 2014.

Share price information
The current price of the Company’s shares is available on the 
Company’s website at www.compass-group.com. This is supplied 
with a 15 minute delay to real time. 

Share dealing
The Company’s shares can be traded through most banks, building 
societies, stockbrokers or ‘share shops’. In addition, the Company’s 
Registrar, Capita Asset Services, offers online and telephone dealing 
services to buy or sell Compass Group PLC shares. The service is 
only available to private Shareholders aged 18 or over, resident in  
the UK, EEA, Channel Islands or the Isle of Man. Full details can be 
obtained from www.capitadeal.com or by telephoning within the UK: 
Freephone 0800 280 2545. 

ShareGift
ShareGift, the charity share donation scheme, is a free service for 
Shareholders wishing to give shares to charitable causes. It is 
particularly useful for those Shareholders who may wish to dispose  
of a small quantity of shares where the market value makes it 
uneconomic to sell on a commission basis. Further information can  
be obtained from ShareGift’s website at www.sharegift.org, telephone 
within the UK: 020 7930 3737 and from overseas: +44 20 7930 3737, 
or from the Registrar.

American Depositary Receipts
BNy Mellon (BNy) maintains the Company’s American Depositary 
Receipt register. If you have any enquiries about your holding  
of Compass American Depositary shares, you should contact  
BNy Mellon, Shareowner Services, PO Box 358516, Pittsburgh,  
PA 15252-8516, USA. Further information can be found on BNy’s 
website at www.adrbnymellon.com using the symbol CMPGy  
and on the Company’s website at www.compass-group.com.

Unsolicited mail
We are legally obliged to make our register of members available to 
the public, subject to a proper purpose test. As a consequence of  
this some Shareholders might receive unsolicited mail. Shareholders 
wishing to limit the amount of such mail should write to the Mailing 
Preference Service, FREEPOST 29 LON20771, London W1E 0ZT. 
Shareholders can also register online at www.mpsonline.org.uk  
or request an application form by calling from within the  
UK: 0845 703 4599 or by email to mps@dma.org.uk.

Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Shareholder information  141

If you have already paid money to share fraudsters you should contact 
Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.

Financial calendar
Ex-dividend date for 2013 final dividend 
22 January 2014

Record date for 2013 final dividend 
24 January 2014

2014 Annual General Meeting 
6 February 2014

2013 final dividend payment  
24 February 2014

Half year financial results 
14 May 2014*

Ex-dividend date for 2014 interim dividend 
25 June 2014*

Record date for 2014 interim dividend 
27 June 2014*

2014 interim dividend payment 
28 July 2014*

* Provisional dates

Identity theft
Advice on protecting your Compass Group PLC shares:

 • Keep all Compass correspondence in a safe place, or destroy 

correspondence by shredding 

 • When changing address, inform the Registrar, Capita Asset  
Services. If a letter from Capita Asset Services is received  
regarding a change of address and you have not moved, contact  
the Registrar immediately 

 • Consider having your dividends paid directly into your bank or 

building society account. This will reduce the risk of the cheque  
being intercepted or lost in the post. you can complete a  
Request for Payment of Interest or Dividends Form available  
from www.compass-group.com and send it to the Registrar or 
register online at www.capitaregistrars.com/shareholders using  
the Share Portal service. Additional information can be obtained  
from the Registrar 

 • On changing your bank or building society account, inform the 
Registrar of the details of the new account and respond to any  
letters Capita Asset Services send you about this 

 • When buying or selling shares deal only with brokers registered  

in your country of residence or the UK 

Warning about share fraud
Fraudsters use persuasive and high pressure tactics to lure investors 
into scams. They may offer to sell shares that turn out to be worthless 
or non-existent, or to buy shares at an inflated price in return for an 
upfront payment.

Whilst high profits are promised, if you buy or sell shares in this way,  
you will probably lose your money.

Around 5,000 people contact the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) 
about share fraud each year, with victims losing an average of £20,000.

How to avoid share fraud
1. 

 Keep in mind that firms authorised by the FCA are unlikely to 
contact you out of the blue with an offer to buy or sell shares. 
 Do not get into a conversation. Note the name of the person and 
firm contacting you and then end the call. 
 Check the Financial Services Register at www.fca.org.uk to see  
if the person and firm contacting you is authorised by the FCA. 
 Beware of fraudsters claiming to be from an authorised firm, 
copying its website or giving you false contact details. 
 Use the firm’s contact details listed on the Register if you want to  
call it back. 
 Call the FCA on 0800 111 6768 if the firm does not have contact 
details on the Register or if you are told they are out of date. 
   Search the list of unauthorised firms to avoid at  
www.fca.org.uk/scams.
 Consider that if you buy or sell shares from an unauthorised firm  
you will not have access to the Financial Ombudsman Service  
or the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.
 Think about getting independent financial and professional advice 
before you hand over any money. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

7. 

8. 

9. 

10.   Remember: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!

Report a scam
If you are approached by fraudsters, please tell the FCA using the share 
fraud reporting form at www.fca.org.uk/scams, where you can find out 
more about investment scams, or call the FCA Consumer helpline on 
0800 111 6768.

Shareholder information142  Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Shareholder information

Notice of Annual General Meeting

This document is important and 
requires your immediate attention.  
If you are in any doubt as to the action 
you should take, you should immediately 
consult your stockbroker, bank manager, 
solicitor, accountant or other independent 
financial advisor authorised under the 
Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. 
If you have sold or otherwise transferred 
all your shares in Compass Group PLC, 
please send this Notice and the 
accompanying documents to the 
purchaser or transferee, or to the 
stockbroker, bank or other agent through 
whom the sale or transfer was effected for 
transmission to the purchaser or transferee.

Notice is hereby given that the thirteenth Annual General 
Meeting of Compass Group PLC (the Company) will be held in 
the Churchill Auditorium at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference 
Centre, Broad Sanctuary, Westminster, London SW1P 3EE on 
Thursday, 6 February 2014 at 12 noon in order to transact the 
following business:

To consider and, if thought fit, to pass the following Resolutions, of 
which Resolutions 18 to 20 will be proposed as special resolutions 
and all other Resolutions will be proposed as ordinary resolutions.

1. 

2. 

3. 

 To receive and adopt the Directors’ Annual Report and Accounts 
and the Auditor’s Report thereon for the financial year ended  
30 September 2013.

 To receive and adopt the Remuneration Policy set out on pages  
57 to 64 of the Directors’ Remuneration Report contained within  
the Annual Report and Accounts for the financial year ended  
30 September 2013, such Remuneration Policy to take effect  
from the date on which this Resolution is passed. 

 To receive and adopt the Directors’ Remuneration Report (other 
than the Remuneration Policy referred to in Resolution 2 above) 
contained within the Annual Report and Accounts for the financial 
year ended 30 September 2013.

4. 

 To declare a final dividend of 16 pence per ordinary share in 
respect of the financial year ended 30 September 2013.

5. 

 To elect Paul Walsh as a Director of the Company.

6. 

 To re-elect Dominic Blakemore as a Director of the Company.

7. 

 To re-elect Richard Cousins as a Director of the Company.

8. 

 To re-elect Gary Green as a Director of the Company.

9. 

 To re-elect Andrew Martin as a Director of the Company.

10.   To re-elect John Bason as a Director of the Company.

11.  To re-elect Susan Murray as a Director of the Company.

12.  To re-elect Don Robert as a Director of the Company.

13.  To re-elect Sir Ian Robinson as a Director of the Company.

14.   To re-appoint Deloitte LLP as the Company’s Auditor until the 

conclusion of the next Annual General Meeting of the Company.

15.  To authorise the Directors to agree the Auditor’s remuneration.

16.  To authorise the Company and any company which is, or 

becomes, a subsidiary of the Company during the period to which 
this Resolution relates to:

16.1   make donations to political parties or independent election 

candidates; 

16.2   make donations to political organisations other than political 

parties; and

16.3   incur political expenditure, 

 during the period commencing on the date of this Resolution  
and ending on the date of the Company’s next Annual General 
Meeting, provided that any such donations and expenditure  
made by the Company, or by any such subsidiary, shall not 
exceed £100,000 per company and, together with those made  
by any such subsidiary and the Company, shall not exceed in 
aggregate £100,000.

 Any terms used in this Resolution which are defined in Part 14  
of the Companies Act 2006 shall bear the same meaning for the 
purposes of this Resolution 16.

17.   To renew the power conferred on the Directors by Article 12 of the 
Company’s Articles of Association for a period expiring at the end  
of the next Annual General Meeting of the Company after the date 
on which this Resolution is passed or, if earlier, 5 May 2015; for 
that period the section 551 amount shall be £59,913,600 and, in 
addition, the section 551 amount shall be increased by £59,913,600, 
provided that the Directors’ power in respect of such latter 
amount shall only be used in connection with a rights issue:

17.1 

17.2 

 to holders of ordinary shares in proportion (as nearly as  
may be practicable) to their existing holdings; and
 to holders of other equity securities as required by the rights 
of those securities or as the Board otherwise considers 
necessary, 

 and that the Directors may impose any limits or restrictions and 
make any arrangements which they consider necessary to deal 
with fractional entitlements, legal or practical problems under the 
laws of, or the requirements of, any relevant regulatory body or 
stock exchange, any territory, or any matter whatsoever.

See this Report and our full Corporate 
Responsibility Report online at  
www.compass-group.com/ar13

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Special Resolutions
18.  To renew, subject to the passing of Resolution 17 above, the power 

conferred on the Directors by Article 13 of the Company’s Articles 
of Association, such authority to apply until the conclusion of the 
next Annual General Meeting of the Company after the date on 
which this Resolution is passed or, if earlier, 5 May 2015 and for  
that period the section 561 amount is £8,987,040.

19.   To generally and unconditionally authorise the Company, pursuant 
to and in accordance with section 701 of the Companies Act 2006, 
to make market purchases (within the meaning of section 693(4) of 
that Act) of ordinary shares of 10 pence each in the capital of the 
Company subject to the following conditions:

19.1 

 the maximum aggregate number of ordinary shares hereby 
authorised to be purchased is 179,740,800;

19.2   the minimum price (excluding expenses) which may be paid 

for each ordinary share is 10 pence; 

19.3   the maximum price (excluding expenses) which may be paid 
for each ordinary share in respect of a share contracted to be 
purchased on any day, does not exceed the higher of (1) an 
amount equal to 105% of the average of the middle market 
quotations for an ordinary share as derived from the London 
Stock Exchange Daily Official List for the five business days 
immediately preceding the day on which the purchase is 
made and (2) the higher of the price of the last independent 
trade and the highest current independent bid for an ordinary 
share as derived from the London Stock Exchange Trading 
System; and

19.4   this authority shall expire, unless previously renewed, varied 

or revoked by the Company, at the conclusion of the next 
Annual General Meeting of the Company or 5 August 2015, 
whichever is the earlier (except in relation to the purchase of 
ordinary shares, the contract for which was concluded prior 
to the expiry of this authority and which will or may be 
executed wholly or partly after the expiry of this authority).

20.  To authorise the Directors to call a general meeting of the Company, 
other than an Annual General Meeting, on not less than 14 clear 
days’ notice, provided that this authority shall expire at the 
conclusion of the next Annual General Meeting of the Company 
after the date of the passing of this Resolution.

Voting on all Resolutions will be by way of a poll. 

By Order of the Board

Mark J White 
General Counsel and Company Secretary 
20 December 2013

Registered Office: 
Compass house  
Guildford Street 
Chertsey  
Surrey KT16 9BQ

Registered in England and Wales No. 4083914

Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Shareholder information  143

Explanatory notes to the Resolutions
Resolution 1 – Annual Report and Accounts
The Directors are required to present to the Annual General Meeting 
(AGM) (the Meeting) the audited accounts and the Directors’ and 
Auditor’s Reports for the financial year ended 30 September 2013.

Resolution 2 – Remuneration Policy
Shareholders are requested to approve the Remuneration Policy.  
The Remuneration Policy is set out on pages 57 to 64 of the Directors’ 
Remuneration Report contained within the 2013 Annual Report  
and Accounts. 

In accordance with section 439A of the Companies Act (the CA 2006), 
a new requirement has been introduced for a separate Resolution on 
the Remuneration Policy part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report 
to be put to a vote by Shareholders. The vote is binding which means 
that payments cannot be made under the Policy until it has been 
approved by Shareholders. 

The Policy Report must be put to Shareholders at least every three 
years, unless during that time it is to be changed. The Company 
currently intends to submit the Policy for approval by Shareholders  
on an annual basis. 

Resolution 3 – Directors’ Remuneration Report
In accordance with section 439 of the CA 2006, Shareholders are 
requested to approve the Directors’ Remuneration Report. The 
Directors’ Remuneration Report is set out on pages 55 to 70 of the  
2013 Annual Report and Accounts. The vote is advisory.

Resolution 4 – Final Dividend
The final dividend for the year ended 30 September 2013 will be paid  
on 24 February 2014 to Shareholders on the register at the close of 
business on 24 January 2014, subject to Shareholder approval.

Resolutions 5 to 13 – Election and Re-election of Directors
Biographical details of all the Directors standing for re-election appear 
on pages 8 and 9 of the 2013 Annual Report.

In line with the provisions of the Company’s Articles of Association,  
Paul Walsh, who was appointed by the Board since the date of the 
last AGM, will submit himself for election by Shareholders. Details of 
Mr Walsh’s appointment are given on page 64.

The Company’s Articles of Association require one third of the  
Directors to retire by rotation each year and no Director may serve  
for more than three years without being re-elected by Shareholders. 
however, in accordance with the UK Corporate Governance Code  
(the Code), all the Directors will submit themselves for annual  
re-election by Shareholders. 

having conducted an external evaluation during the year, it is the  
view of the Chairman that the performance of each of the Directors 
continues to be effective and that each Director demonstrates 
commitment to the role and has sufficient time to meet his or her 
commitment to the Company.

Resolutions 14 and 15 – Auditor
The Auditor is appointed at every general meeting at which accounts 
are presented to Shareholders. The current appointment of Deloitte 
LLP as the Company’s Auditor will end at the conclusion of the AGM 
and it has advised of its willingness to stand for re-appointment. It is 
normal practice for a company’s directors to be authorised to agree 
how much the Auditor should be paid and Resolution 15 grants this 
authority to the Directors.

Shareholder information 
 
 
 
 
144  Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Shareholder information

Notice of Annual General Meeting

Resolution 16 – Donations to Political Parties
It is not Group policy to make donations to political parties. however,  
it is possible that certain routine activities undertaken by the Company 
and its subsidiaries might unintentionally fall within the wide definition  
of matters constituting political donations and expenditure in the  
CA 2006. Any expenditure that is regulated under the CA 2006 must 
first be approved by Shareholders and will be disclosed in next year’s 
Annual Report. This Resolution, if passed, will renew the Directors’ 
authority until the AGM to be held in 2015 (when the Directors intend  
to renew this authority) to make donations and incur expenditure  
which might otherwise be caught by the terms of the CA 2006,  
up to an aggregate amount of £100,000 for the Company and for 
subsidiary companies. The financial limit has been reduced from 
£125,000 last year. 

Resolution 17 – Directors’ Authority to Allot Shares 
The purpose of Resolution 17 is to renew the Directors’ power to  
allot shares. Resolution 17.1 seeks to grant the Directors authority  
to allot, pursuant to Article 12 of the Company’s Articles of Association 
and section 551 of the CA 2006, relevant securities with a maximum 
nominal amount of £59,913,600. This represents 599,136,000 ordinary 
shares of 10 pence each in the capital of the Company, which is 
approximately one third of the Company’s issued ordinary share capital 
as at 1 December 2013 (being the last practicable date prior to the 
publication of this Notice). The Company does not currently hold  
any shares as treasury shares. The authority would, unless previously 
renewed, revoked or varied by Shareholders, remain in force up to  
the conclusion of the AGM of the Company to be held in 2015, or  
5 May 2015, whichever is earlier.

In accordance with the Association of British Insurers Allotment 
Guidelines (the Guidelines), Resolution 17.2 seeks to grant the Directors 
authority to allot approximately a further one third of the Company’s 
issued ordinary share capital in connection with a rights issue in favour 
of ordinary Shareholders with a nominal value of up to £59,913,600 
(representing 599,136,000 ordinary shares of 10 pence each). Such 
additional authority will be valid for a period of one year or until the 
conclusion of the next AGM, whichever is the sooner. 

If the Company uses any of the additional one third authority permitted 
by the Guidelines, the Company will ensure that all Directors stand for 
re-election. The Company’s current practice is that all Directors submit 
themselves for re-election each year in accordance with the Code, 
notwithstanding the provisions set out in the Guidelines. 

The total authorisation sought by Resolution 17 is equal to approximately 
two thirds of the issued ordinary share capital of the Company as  
at 1 December 2013, being the last practicable date prior to publication 
of this Notice. 

Resolutions 1 to 17 will be proposed as ordinary resolutions and require 
that more than half of the votes cast must be in favour of  
a resolution for it to be passed. 

Resolution 18 – Disapplication of Pre-emption Rights
If the Company issues new shares, or sells treasury shares, for cash 
(other than in connection with an employee share scheme), it must first 
offer them to existing Shareholders in proportion to their existing 
holdings. In accordance with investor guidelines, approval is sought  
by the Directors to issue a limited number of ordinary shares for cash 
without offering them to existing Shareholders.

Resolution 18 seeks to renew the Directors’ authority to issue equity 
securities of the Company for cash without application of pre-emption 
rights pursuant to Article 13 of the Company’s Articles of Association 
and section 561 of the CA 2006. Other than in connection with a  
rights, scrip dividend, or other similar issue, the authority contained  
in this Resolution would be limited to a maximum nominal amount  
of £8,987,040. 

This represents 89,870,400 ordinary shares of 10 pence each in the 
capital of the Company, which is approximately 5% of the Company’s 
issued ordinary share capital as at 1 December 2013 (being the last 
practicable date prior to the publication of this Notice). The authority 
would, unless previously renewed, revoked or varied by Shareholders, 
expire at the conclusion of the AGM of the Company to be held in 
2015 or on 5 May 2015, if earlier.

Save for issues of shares in respect of various employee share 
schemes and any share dividend alternatives, the Directors have no 
current plans to utilise either of the authorities sought by Resolutions  
17 and 18 although they consider their renewal appropriate in order to 
retain maximum flexibility to take advantage of business opportunities 
as they arise. In addition, and in line with best practice, the Company 
has not issued more than 7.5% of its issued share capital on a 
non-pro rata basis over the last three years and the Board confirms  
its intention to follow best practice set out in the Pre-emption Group’s 
Statement of Principles which provides that usage of this authority  
in excess of 7.5% of the Company’s issued share capital in a rolling 
three year period would not take place without prior consultation  
with Shareholders.

Resolution 19 – Purchase of own Shares
This Resolution authorises the Directors to make limited on market 
purchases of the Company’s ordinary shares. The power is limited  
to a maximum of 179,740,800 shares (just under 10% of the issued 
ordinary share capital as at 1 December 2013, being the last 
practicable date prior to the publication of this Notice) and details  
the minimum and maximum prices that can be paid, exclusive of 
expenses. The authority conferred by this Resolution will expire at  
the conclusion of the Company’s next AGM or 18 months from the 
passing of this Resolution, whichever is the earlier.

The CA 2006 permits the Company to hold shares repurchased as 
treasury shares. Treasury shares may be cancelled, sold for cash  
or used for the purpose of employee share schemes. The authority  
to be sought by this Resolution is intended to apply equally to shares  
to be held by the Company as treasury shares. No dividends will be 
paid on shares which are held as treasury shares and no voting rights 
will be attached to them. Shares held as treasury shares will be 
treated as if cancelled.

The Company expects its existing £400 million share repurchase 
programme to be completed by the end of December 2013. On  
27 November 2013, the Company announced its intention to 
commence a further £500 million share repurchase programme, to  
be executed over the 12 month period to the end of December 2014. 
Beyond these programmes, the Directors have no present intention  
of exercising the authority to purchase the Company’s ordinary shares 
but they consider it desirable to provide maximum flexibility in the 
management of the Company’s capital resources. The Directors  
would only purchase shares if, in their opinion, the expected effect 
would be to result in an increase in earnings per share and would 
benefit Shareholders generally.

As at 1 December 2013 (being the last practicable date prior to the 
publication of this Notice), there were options to subscribe for ordinary 
shares issued by the Company outstanding over approximately 
23,384,535 shares which represent 1.30% of the Company’s issued 
ordinary share capital (excluding treasury shares) at that date. If the 
authority to purchase the Company’s ordinary shares was exercised 
in full, these options would represent 1.45% of the Company’s issued 
ordinary share capital (excluding treasury shares).

Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Shareholder information  145

Resolution 20 – Notice of Meetings other than Annual  
General Meetings
The Company’s Articles of Association allow the Directors to call 
general meetings other than Annual General Meetings on 14 clear  
days’ notice. however, under the Companies (Shareholders’ Rights) 
Regulations 2009 (the Regulations) all general meetings must be held 
on 21 days’ notice, unless Shareholders agree to a shorter notice 
period, and the Company has met the requirements for electronic 
voting under the Regulations. This Resolution seeks to renew the 
authority granted by Shareholders at last year’s AGM which preserved 
the Company’s ability to call general meetings, other than AGMs,  
on 14 clear days’ notice, such authority to be effective until the 
Company’s next AGM, when a similar resolution will be proposed.  
The Directors confirm that the shorter notice period would not be  
used as a matter of routine, but only where flexibility is merited by the 
business of the meeting and it is thought to be to the advantage of 
Shareholders as a whole. An electronic voting facility will be made 
available to all Shareholders for any meeting held on such notice. 

Resolutions 18 to 20 will be proposed as special resolutions and require 
that at least three quarters of the votes cast must be in favour of a 
resolution for it to be passed.

Recommendation
The Directors consider that each of the Resolutions is in the  
best interests of the Company and the Shareholders as a whole  
and, accordingly, recommend that all Shareholders vote in favour  
of all Resolutions, as the Directors intend to do in respect of their  
own holdings.

Important information
Proxies 
(i) 

 A Shareholder entitled to attend and vote at the AGM may appoint  
a proxy or proxies (who need not be a shareholder of the Company) 
to exercise all or any of his or her rights to attend, speak and vote  
at the AGM. Where more than one proxy is appointed, each proxy 
must be appointed for different shares. 

Proxies may only be appointed by:

 •   completing and returning the Form of Proxy enclosed with this 

Notice to PxS, 34 Beckenham Road, Beckenham, Kent BR3 4TU;

 •  going to www.capitashareportal.com and following the 
instructions for electronic submission provided there; or
 •  having an appropriate CREST message transmitted, if you  
are a user of the CREST system (including CREST personal 
members). Please refer to the CREST manual on the Euroclear 
website (www.euroclear.com/CREST) for further information. 

 Return of the Form of Proxy will not prevent a Shareholder  
from attending the Meeting and voting in person. however, if you  
do attend the Meeting, any proxy appointment will be treated  
as revoked. 

 The electronic addresses provided in this Notice are provided  
solely for the purpose of enabling Shareholders to register the 
appointment of a proxy or proxies for the Meeting or to submit  
their voting directions electronically. you may not use any electronic 
address provided in the Notice of this Meeting to communicate with 
the Company for any purposes other than those expressly stated.

(ii) 

 To be effective the Form of Proxy must be completed in accordance 
with the instructions and received by the Company’s Registrar by 
12 noon on Tuesday, 4 February 2014.

 To appoint a proxy or to give an instruction to a previously 
appointed proxy via the CREST system, the CREST message must 
be received by the issuer’s agent (ID RA10) by 12 noon on Tuesday, 
4 February 2014. Please note, however, that proxy messages 

cannot be sent through CREST on weekends, bank holidays or 
after 8.00 p.m. on any other day. For the purpose of this deadline, 
the time of receipt will be taken to be the time (as determined by 
the timestamp applied to the message by the CREST Applications 
host) from which the issuer’s agent is able to retrieve the message. 
CREST personal members or other CREST sponsored members 
and those CREST members that have appointed voting service 
provider(s) should contact their CREST sponsor or voting service 
provider(s) for assistance with appointing proxies via CREST.

 For further information on CREST procedures, limitations and 
system timings, please refer to the CREST manual. We may  
treat as invalid a proxy appointment sent by CREST in the 
circumstances set out in Regulation 35(5)(a) of the Uncertificated 
Securities Regulations 2001, as amended.

(iii)   Pursuant to Regulation 41 of the Uncertificated Securities 

Regulations 2001 and section 360B(2) of the CA 2006, the 
Company specifies that only those Shareholders registered in the 
Register of Members of the Company as at 6.00 p.m. on Tuesday, 
4 February 2014 or, in the event that the Meeting is adjourned,  
in the Register of Members 48 hours before the time of any 
adjourned meeting, shall be entitled to attend or vote at the 
Meeting in respect of the number of shares registered in their 
name at the relevant time. Changes to entries on the Register of 
Members after 6.00 p.m. on 4 February 2014 or, in the event that 
the Meeting is adjourned, less than 48 hours before the time of 
any adjourned meeting, shall be disregarded in determining the 
rights of any person to attend or vote at the Meeting. 

Nominated Persons
Any person to whom a copy of this Notice is sent who is a person 
nominated under section 146 of the CA 2006 to enjoy information 
rights (Nominated Person) may, under an agreement between him or 
her and the Shareholder by whom he or she was nominated, have a 
right to be appointed (or to have someone else appointed) as a proxy 
for the AGM. If a Nominated Person has no such proxy appointment 
right or does not wish to exercise it, he or she may, under any such 
agreement, have a right to give instructions to the Shareholder as to 
the exercise of voting rights.

The statement of the rights of Shareholders in relation to the 
appointment of proxies in note (i) above does not apply to Nominated 
Persons. The rights described in that note can only be exercised  
by Shareholders of the Company.

Shareholder rights and AGM business
Under sections 338 and section 338A of the CA 2006, Shareholders 
meeting the threshold requirements in those sections have the right  
to require the Company i) to give to Shareholders of the Company 
entitled to receive notice of the AGM, notice of a resolution which may 
properly be moved and is intended to be moved at the AGM and/or  
ii) to include in the business to be dealt with at the AGM any matter 
(other than a proposed resolution) which may be properly included  
in the business. A resolution may properly be moved or a matter  
may properly be included in the business unless (a) (in the case of a 
resolution only) it would, if passed, be ineffective (whether by reason  
of inconsistency with any enactment or the Company’s constitution  
or otherwise), (b) it is defamatory, or (c) it is frivolous or vexatious. Such  
a request may be in hard copy or electronic form and must identify the 
resolution of which notice is to be given or the matter to be included in 
the business, must be authorised by the person or persons making it, 
must be received by the Company not later than 27 December 2013, 
being the date six clear weeks before the AGM, and (in the case of a 
matter to be included in the business only) must be accompanied by  
a statement setting out the grounds for the request.

Shareholder information 
 
 
 
 
146  Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Shareholder information

Notice of Annual General Meeting

Right to ask questions
Under section 319A of the CA 2006, Shareholders have the right  
to ask questions at the AGM relating to the business of the Meeting and 
for these to be answered, unless such answer would interfere unduly 
with the business of the Meeting, involve the disclosure of confidential 
information, if the answer has already been published on the 
Company’s website or if it is not in the interests of the Company  
or the good order of the Meeting that the question be answered.

Website publication of audit concerns
Under section 527 of the CA 2006, Shareholders have a right to request 
publication of any concerns that they propose to raise at the AGM 
relating to the audit of the Company’s accounts (including the Auditor’s 
Report and the conduct of the audit) that are to be submitted to the 
Meeting or any circumstances connected to the Company’s Auditor 
who ceased to hold office since the last AGM. The Company will 
publish the statement if sufficient requests have been received in 
accordance with section 527(2) of the CA 2006 which, broadly, requires 
a minimum of 100 Shareholders holding an average of 1,000 ordinary 
shares each or Shareholders holding at least 5% of the Company’s 
issued ordinary share capital to make the request. The Company may 
not require the members requesting any such website publication to 
pay its expenses in complying with such request. Where a statement is 
published, the Company will forward the statement to the Company’s 
Auditor not later than the time when it makes the statement available on 
the website. The business which may be dealt with at the AGM includes 
any statement that the Company has been required under section 527 
of the CA 2006 to publish on its website.

Documents available for inspection
Copies of the service agreements of the Executive Directors, the letters 
of appointment of the Non-Executive Directors, the Directors’ deeds  
of indemnity and the Register of Directors’ Interests will be available for 
inspection during normal business hours from the date of dispatch of 
this Notice until the date of the AGM (Saturdays, Sundays and public 
holidays excepted) at the registered office of the Company, Compass 
house, Guildford Street, Chertsey KT16 9BQ, and will also be made 
available at the Meeting for a period of 15 minutes prior to and during 
the continuance of the Meeting.

Total voting rights 
As at 1 December 2013 (being the last practicable date prior to  
the publication of this Notice) the Company’s issued share capital 
comprised 1,797,408,211 ordinary shares. The holders of ordinary 

shares are entitled to attend and vote at general meetings of the 
Company. On a vote by show of hands, every ordinary Shareholder 
who is present has one vote and every proxy present who has been 
duly appointed by a Shareholder entitled to vote has one vote. On a 
vote by poll every ordinary Shareholder who is present in person or by 
proxy has one vote for every ordinary share held. It is proposed that all 
votes on the Resolutions at the AGM will be taken by way of a poll.

The total voting rights in the Company as at 1 December 2013  
were 1,797,408,211.

Information available on website
The following information is available on the Company’s website at 
www.compass-group.com:

(i) 
(ii) 

 The matters set out in this Notice of Meeting; 
 The total voting rights and number of shares of each class in 
respect of which Shareholders are entitled to exercise voting  
rights at the AGM;

(iii)   Shareholders’ rights to include business to be dealt with at the 

AGM; and

(iv)   Shareholders’ statements, resolutions and matters of business 

received by the Company after 20 December 2013.

The AGM
The doors of The Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre will be open 
at 10.30 a.m. and the AGM will start promptly at 12 noon.

If you are planning to attend the AGM, The Queen Elizabeth II 
Conference Centre is located in the City of Westminster. Please see 
the map below. Details of how to get to the venue may be found at 
www.qeiicc.co.uk.

Attending the AGM
If you are coming to the AGM, please bring your attendance card with 
you. It authenticates your right to attend, speak and vote at the AGM 
and will speed your admission. you may also find it useful to bring this 
Notice of AGM and the Annual Report 2013 so that you can refer to 
them at the AGM. All joint Shareholders may attend and speak at the 
AGM. however, only the first Shareholder listed on the Register of 
Members is entitled to vote. At the discretion of the Company, and 
subject to sufficient seating capacity, a Shareholder may enter with 
one guest, provided that the Shareholder and their guest register to 
enter the AGM at the same time.

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Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Shareholder information  147

Questions
All Shareholders or their proxies will have the opportunity to ask 
questions at the AGM. When invited by the Chairman, if you wish  
to ask a question, please wait for a Company representative to bring  
you a microphone. It would be helpful if you could state your name 
before you ask your question. A question may not be answered at  
the Meeting if it is not considered to be in the interests of the Company 
or the good order of the Meeting or if it would involve the disclosure of 
sensitive information. The Chairman may also nominate a representative 
to answer a specific question after the Meeting or refer the question  
to the Company’s website.

Voting at the AGM
The Company proposes that all Resolutions to be proposed at the  
AGM will be put to the vote on a poll. This will result in a more accurate 
reflection of the views of all of the Company’s Shareholders by ensuring 
that every vote is recognised, including the votes of Shareholders who 
are unable to attend the Meeting but who have appointed a proxy  
for the Meeting. On a poll, each Shareholder has one vote for each 
share held.

After each Resolution is put to the Meeting, you will be asked to cast 
your vote. All of the votes of the Shareholders present will be counted, 
and added to those received by proxy, and the provisional final votes 
will be displayed at the Meeting. 

The voting results, which will include all votes cast for and against each 
Resolution at the Meeting, and all proxies lodged prior to the Meeting, 
will be announced at the Meeting and published on the Company’s 
website as soon as practicable after the Meeting. The Company will 
also disclose the number of votes withheld.

Shareholder enquiries
Capita Asset Services maintain the Company’s share register.  
If you have any enquiries about the AGM or about your shareholding, 
you should contact Capita Asset Services, The Registry,  
34 Beckenham Road, Beckenham, Kent BR3 4TU.

American Depositary Receipt enquiries
BNy Mellon maintains the Company’s American Depositary  
Receipt register. If you have any enquiries about your holding  
of Compass American Depositary shares, you should contact  
BNy Mellon, Shareowner Services, PO Box 358516, Pittsburgh,  
PA 15252-8516, USA.

Data protection statement
your personal data includes all data provided by you, or on your 
behalf, which relates to you as a Shareholder, including your name 
and contact details, the votes you cast and your Reference Number 
(attributed to you by the Company). The Company determines the 
purposes for which and the manner in which your personal data  
is to be processed. The Company and any third party to which it 
discloses the data (including the Company’s Registrar) may process 
your personal data for the purposes of compiling and updating the 
Company’s records, fulfilling its legal obligations and processing  
the Shareholder rights you exercise.

Published information
If you would like to receive this Notice and/or a copy of the Annual 
Report 2013 in an appropriate alternative format, such as large print, 
Braille or an audio version on CD, please contact the Group Company 
Secretariat at Compass Group PLC, Compass house, Guildford 
Street, Chertsey, Surrey KT16 9BQ. 

If you have already voted by proxy, you will still be able to vote at the 
Meeting and your vote on the day will replace your previously lodged 
proxy vote. 

Our 2013 Annual Report is available at www.compass-group.com/ar13. 
The full Report and individual sections, including this Notice, can be 
downloaded in PDF format. 

Whomever you appoint as a proxy can vote or abstain from voting  
as he or she decides on any other business, which may validly come 
before the AGM. This includes proxies appointed using the CREST 
service. Details of how to complete the appointment of a proxy either 
electronically or on paper are given in the notes to this Notice.

Venue arrangements
For your personal safety and security, all hand baggage may be  
subject to examination. Please note that electronic devices such as 
cameras and recording equipment may not be brought into the AGM.  
A cloakroom will be available to deposit coats and bulky items.

A sign language interpreter will attend the AGM and a sound 
amplification/hearing loop will be available in the meeting room. 

There is wheelchair access. Anyone accompanying a Shareholder  
in need of assistance will be admitted to the AGM. If any Shareholder 
with a disability has any question regarding attendance at the AGM, 
please contact the Group Company Secretariat at Compass Group 
PLC, Compass house, Guildford Street, Chertsey, Surrey KT16 9BQ  
by 31 January 2014.

Security staff will be on duty to assist Shareholders. The Company will 
not permit behaviour that may interfere with another person’s security, 
safety or the good order of the AGM.

Please ensure that mobile phones are switched off throughout  
the AGM.

Tea and coffee will be available before the Meeting and light 
refreshments will be served afterwards.

Shareholder information148  Compass Group PLC  Annual Report 2013  Shareholder information

Forward looking statements

Certain information included in this Annual Report and Accounts  
is forward looking and involves risks, assumptions and uncertainties 
that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed 
or implied by forward looking statements. 

Forward looking statements cover all matters which are not historical 
facts and include, without limitation, projections relating to results  
of operations and financial conditions and the Company’s plans  
and objectives for future operations, including, without limitation, 
discussions of expected future revenues, financing plans, expected 
expenditures and divestments, risks associated with changes in 
economic conditions, the strength of the food and support services 
markets in the jurisdictions in which the Group operates, fluctuations  
in food and other product costs and prices and changes in exchange 
and interest rates. Forward looking statements can be identified by  
the use of forward looking terminology, including terms such as 
‘believes’, ‘estimates’, ‘anticipates’, ‘expects’, ‘forecasts’, ‘intends’, 
‘plans’, ‘projects’, ‘goal’, ‘target’, ‘aim’, ‘may’, ‘will’, ‘would’, ‘could’  
or ‘should’ or, in each case, their negative or other variations or 
comparable terminology. Forward looking statements in this Annual 
Report and Accounts are not guarantees of future performance. All 
forward looking statements in this Annual Report and Accounts are 
based upon information known to the Company on the date of this 
Annual Report and Accounts. Accordingly, no assurance can be given 
that any particular expectation will be met and readers are cautioned 
not to place undue reliance on forward looking statements, which 
speak only at their respective dates. 

Additionally, forward looking statements regarding past trends or 
activities should not be taken as a representation that such trends or 
activities will continue in the future. Other than in accordance with its 
legal or regulatory obligations (including under the UK Listing Rules  
and the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the Financial Conduct 
Authority), the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update  
or revise any forward looking statement, whether as a result of new 
information, future events or otherwise. 

Nothing in this Annual Report and Accounts shall exclude any liability 
under applicable laws that cannot be excluded in accordance with 
such laws.

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£00,000m

£00,000m

£00,000m

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printing 

The images in this document are representative of the 
services provided by Compass Group PLC and its 
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Compass Group PLC 
Compass House 
Guildford Street 
Chertsey 
Surrey KT16 9BQ 
United Kingdom

Registered in England and Wales No. 4083914

T +44 1932 573 000 
F +44 1932 569 956 

Find this Report online at 
www.compass-group.com/ar13