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Crescent Point Energy

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FY2022 Annual Report · Crescent Point Energy
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FOCU S 
ON   
GROWTH

ANNUAL REPORT 2022

CONTENTS

STRATEGIC REPORT
Business model
2
Chair’s letter
4
Market review
5
Chief Executive’s review
6
Our strategy
8
Key Performance Indicators 
9
Health and Safety
10
Ethics and Integrity
11
12
Performance
13
14
20
22
24
29
30
36
43

Operating framework
Financial review
Regional reviews
Risk management
Principal risks
Viability statement

People
Purpose
Task Force on Climate-related 
Financial Disclosures
Non-financial information statement

51

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND DIRECTORS’ REPORT
52

Chair’s letter

Compliance with UK Corporate Governance Code 2018
Board of Directors
Executive Committee
Governance
Stakeholder engagement
Audit Committee report
Corporate Responsibility Committee report
Nomination Committee report
Directors’ Remuneration report

53
54
58
62
68
74
79
82
86
114 Other statutory disclosures
118 Directors’ responsibilities statement

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT
119 Independent Auditor’s report

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
128 Consolidated financial statements
134 Group accounting policies
144 Notes to the consolidated financial statements
213 Parent Company financial statements
215 Parent Company accounting policies
217 Notes to the Parent Company financial statements

SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION
220 Shareholder information

Compass Group PLC, the parent company of the Group, is a non-trading investment holding company 
which derives its distributable reserves from dividends paid by subsidiary companies.

Visit our website for related information: www.compass-group.com 
Our 2022 Sustainability Report will be available online in January 2023.

COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

  1

GREAT PEOPLE 
GREAT SERVICE 
GREAT RESULTS

COMPASS PROVIDES DELICIOUS AND 
NUTRITIOUS MEALS TO MILLIONS OF PEOPLE 
IN AROUND 40 COUNTRIES.

Our extensive portfolio of B2B brands allows us to 
create a bespoke food and service offer for our 
clients and consumers. We operate across five 
distinct sectors to meet the different organisational 
needs of our clients.

Our strategic focus on People, Performance and 
Purpose continues to underpin all that we do in our 
ambition to deliver value to all our stakeholders.

2 

STRATEGIC REPORT

BUSINESS MODEL

GLOBAL LEADER  
IN FOOD SERVICES

What we do

UNDERLYING REVENUE

£25.8bn

Food services

Food services

84%

Support services

Support services

16%

We are focused on food and targeted support services

While our core offer is the provision of outsourced food services 
across the world in certain markets and sectors, we also supply 
targeted support services, such as high-quality hospital cleaning.

We are particularly focused on new business growth in the food 
services market, which is currently benefiting from an increase in 
first-time outsourcing due to additional operational complexities 
and inflationary pressures.

Our global reach

We operate in

across

c.40 

countries

3

and

5 

geographic regions

sectors

North America

67% 

of underlying 
revenue  APM

Europe

23%

Rest of World

10%

of underlying 
revenue  APM  

of underlying 
revenue  APM

APM

84%

16%

Sectorisation is the key to our long-term success

Business & Industry
33% of underlying revenue

APM

We utilise our scale, experience 
and digital capabilities to offer our 
clients attractive cost benefits, 
tailored menus and a wide range 
of innovative dining solutions 
that can add flexibility to their 
operating models.

Healthcare & Senior Living
26% of underlying revenue

APM

We work directly with healthcare 
providers to prepare food that 
improves patient and senior living 
experiences – from restaurant-
style cafés to in-room patient 
dining and specialist feeding.

Education
19% of underlying revenue

APM

We strive to provide healthy, 
balanced meals right through the 
learning journey, from nursery to 
higher education. Our catering 
solutions come in multiple 
formats, from traditional onsite 
dining to vending and delivery or 
takeaway options.

Sports & Leisure
14% of underlying revenue

APM

We have vast catering experience 
within this market, providing food, 
beverages and hospitality across 
large stadiums, conference 
venues, museums and galleries. 

Defence, Offshore & Remote
8% of underlying revenue

APM

We are a leader in providing food 
and support services to many 
major oil, gas, mining and 
construction companies. 
Our clients rely on us to 
provide uninterrupted support, 
however challenging the 
operating conditions.

APM Alternative Performance Measure (APM). The Group’s APMs are defined in note 33 (non-GAAP measures) and reconciled to GAAP measures in notes 1 

(segmental analysis) and 33 to the consolidated financial statements.

COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

  3

Enabled by our competitive advantages

People & culture 

Financial strength 

Our people are at the heart of our 
business. Energetic, ambitious and 
entrepreneurial, they deliver amazing 
food and hospitality to millions of 
consumers worldwide.

A strong financial foundation with a low 
level of leverage means we can invest in 
growth, innovate our offer, and evolve our 
operating model. Our financial strength 
also attracts new clients seeking stability 
and long-term outsourcing solutions.

Our sectors & portfolio of brands 

Our sectorised approach is a key 
differentiator. We create bespoke culinary 
solutions using our extensive knowledge 
of our clients’ requirements. We also 
provide facilities solutions where needed.

Decentralised structure 

Culinary & digital innovation 

Scale in procurement 

Supported by our Management  
and Performance (MAP) framework 

MAP is a crucial element of our success: 
a simple framework embedded in our 
culture that standardises processes and 
increases efficiency.

See more on page 13.

We strive to provide clients and 
consumers with greater choice, award 
winning innovation and market-leading 
contemporary food offers. Our reach 
enables us to make tangible advances 
towards a sustainable future for all. 

Our size enables us to pass on purchasing 
benefits to clients and consumers by 
offering better quality products at more 
attractive prices. Our spending with local 
and diverse suppliers and social 
enterprises enables greater reinvestment 
into social causes.

Creating value for all stakeholders

Compass is a strong cash-generating 
business with a clear capital allocation 
model. We invest both organically and 
through acquisitions to drive growth. 

Our policy is to pay around 50% of underlying 
earnings through an ordinary dividend, with 
further additional shareholder returns 
when appropriate.

We do this whilst maintaining a resilient 
balance sheet, targeting net debt to EBITDA 
in the range of 1x-1.5x.

Consistent with this framework is the return 
of excess capital to shareholders through a 
share buyback programme.

APM

Underlying revenue
£25,771m

2021: £18,136m

Our people 
500,000+

Our suppliers
£1.7bn

people we engage and 
employ around the world

globally purchased from 
local and diverse suppliers

Our communities
1.3m

meals donated to local 
communities across some 
of our largest markets

Our environment
40+ countries

participated in Stop Food  
Waste Day 2022

Reduced global food  
safety incidents
42%

since 2018 

APM

Alternative Performance Measure (APM). The Group’s APMs are defined in note 33 (non-GAAP measures) and reconciled to GAAP measures in notes 1 
(segmental analysis) and 33 to the consolidated financial statements.

4 

STRATEGIC REPORT

CHAIR’S LETTER

A CLEAR STRATEGY 
FOR GROWTH

Dear Shareholder

I am delighted to report another excellent year for Compass. 
The Group continues to recover strongly from the pandemic and 
has reached an important milestone with revenue surpassing its 
pre-COVID level. This achievement is a testament to the hard work 
and resilience of our people. People are at the heart of our business 
and they differentiate us from our competitors and provide a unique 
competitive advantage.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who works for 
Compass for their commitment. Their efforts have and will continue 
to underpin the Group’s performance through the next phase of our 
recovery as we manage inflationary pressures and take advantage of 
the significant growth opportunities within the market. 

Financial results

Corporate responsibility and sustainability 

The Group is fully committed to a sustainable future. This year, 
we launched our Sustainable Financing Framework, enabling the 
business to issue green, social and sustainability bonds, in support 
of our environmental, social and governance (ESG) objectives, 
including our global climate net zero commitment. Following the 
launch of this framework, I’m pleased to report we successfully issued 
our first sustainable bonds.

The Group delivered strong organic revenue growth of 37.5%1 and 
increased our underlying operating margin by 170bps to 6.2%1 
compared to the prior year. This resulted in underlying operating profit 
increasing to £1,590 million1. On a statutory basis, revenue increased 
by 42.5% to £25,512 million, and operating profit was up 175.2% to 
£1,500 million. 

Governance and the Board 

As your Chair, one of my key responsibilities is to ensure good 
governance (see pages 52 to 113), and in this endeavour, I am 
extremely well supported by my fellow Board members. Their 
leadership will be crucial to supporting our teams and hitting 
our targets over the short and longer term.

Dividends 

Summary and outlook 

The Board recognises the importance of a dividend to our 
shareholders, and our policy is to pay out around 50% of underlying 
earnings through an interim and final dividend. In line with this policy, 
the Board has declared a final dividend of 22.1 pence per share, 
which, when added to the interim dividend, provides a total dividend 
for the year of 31.5 pence.

Share buyback 

With the positive momentum in rebuilding our revenues and margins, 
supported by strong cash generation within the businesses, we have 
been able to reduce our net debt to EBITDA ratio back to our target 
range of 1x-1.5x. As a result, we announced an additional capital 
return in the form of a share buyback programme.

The Group performed strongly in 2022 in terms of growth, margin 
improvement and all of our operating KPIs. Whilst the macroeconomic 
environment is uncertain, our model is resilient, and we have exited 
the pandemic in a strong position, leveraging our scale and expertise 
to achieve record levels of new business and retention.

I am proud to be part of Compass. It is a great business with a clear 
strategy, well defined executional plans and huge growth potential. 
Looking ahead, we remain excited about the significant structural 
growth opportunities globally and generating further sustainable 
long-term value for all our stakeholders. 

Strategy 

Our strategy is to focus on food services and targeted support 
services, particularly from first-time outsourcing. Our model for 
creating value remains unchanged based on our three key strategic 
pillars of People, Performance and Purpose. 

IAN MEAKINS
Chair of the Board

21 November 2022

We have a meaningful purpose, and part of this is providing great food 
to millions of people across the world. This makes people healthier 
and happier and helps them perform better. We can positively impact 
millions of lives every day. It’s clear to me that we have the best team 
in our industry; and the best people will deliver the best service, 
enabling us to deliver the best results.

Our approach to sectorisation and sub-sectorisation remains right for 
our business. Winning in different sectors requires different skills and 
processes, and increased customisation at scale will continue to be a 
key driver of our success.

Statement on Section 172 of the Companies Act 2006
Section 172 of the Companies Act 2006 requires the directors to promote 
the success of the Company for the benefit of the members as a whole, 
having regard to the interests of stakeholders in their decision making. 
In making decisions, the directors consider what is most likely to promote 
the success of the Company for its shareholders in the long term, as well as 
the interests of the Group’s other stakeholders. The directors understand 
the importance of taking into account the views of stakeholders and the 
impact of the Company’s activities on local communities, the environment, 
including climate change, and the Group’s reputation. 

Read about the Group’s stakeholders on pages 68 to 72 and how 
stakeholders have been taken into account in decision-making on page 73.

1.  Alternative Performance Measure (APM). The Group’s APMs are defined in note 33 (non-GAAP measures) and reconciled to GAAP measures in notes 1 (segmental 

analysis) and 33 to the consolidated financial statements.

MARKET REVIEW

MARKET REVIEW

ADDRESSABLE GLOBAL FOOD SERVICES MARKET AT LEAST £220BN

Large players

Compass Group

Regional players

Self-operated

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

T U N I T Y

R

O

P

P

TH O

c.£220bn

GLOBAL FOOD 
SERVICES MARKET

W
O
R
G
L
A
R
U
T
C
U
R

T

S

E

H

T

We estimate that the addressable global food services market is worth 
at least £220bn, with Compass accounting for around 10% of the 
market. This provides us with a significant runway for growth, 
particularly as three-quarters of the market is still self-operated or 
in the hands of regional players. In addition to this huge structural 
opportunity, there are further growth opportunities for Compass in 
vending, some areas of food delivery, and targeted support services.

COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

  5

INCREASED OPPORTUNITY IN  
FIRST-TIME OUTSOURCING 

First-time outsourcing opportunities are increasing as 
additional complexity and ongoing inflationary pressures 
provide a further impetus for organisations that currently 
self-operate to outsource their food service provision.  
We are successfully capturing this growth opportunity 
through our capabilities and resources. 

This is evidenced by a step up in new business wins, 
which increased to £2.5bn with first-time outsourcing now 
accounting for around 45% of our new contract wins 
compared to around 30% before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Whilst these new contracts are being sourced across all our 
sectors, we are particularly excited about the opportunity in 
Healthcare & Senior Living, where more than 60% of the 
market is still self-operated. We work directly with healthcare 
providers to provide food services that improve the overall 
patient experience.

NEW BUSINESS WINS IN  
LAST 12 MONTHS

NEW CONTRACT WINS FROM 
FIRST-TIME OUTSOURCING 

£2.5bn

c.45%

WHY OUTSOURCING IS GROWING

Digital is driving growth

The drivers for outsourcing are growing as the list of ‘must haves’ 
for potential clients is increasing. Cost reduction may be an important 
driver for some clients, but the decision to outsource is usually based 
on wider capabilities such as digital or a focus on sustainability. 
Overall, we view any operational challenges and increased 
complexity as an impetus for outsourcing.

Supply chain 
management

Digital innovation 
and capability

Encouraging 
employees back to 
the office

Attracting, 
retaining and 
developing talent

Drivers for 
outsourcing

Transfer of 
operational risk

Increased health & 
safety regulations

Cost savings

Sustainability, 
including meeting 
climate net zero targets

Digital is now a right to entry in almost every client proposal and a 
clear growth enabler. As well as contributing to stronger growth, 
digital also unlocks operating efficiencies and further enhances 
our ESG proposition, particularly by reducing food waste. 

Although we have invested in technology for many years – 
organically and through acquisitions – this transformation has 
recently accelerated with the development of new, digitally-enabled 
operating models. We now have teams that develop industry-leading 
digital solutions for our clients, including the use of apps, kiosks and 
frictionless technology, as well as teams dedicated to data analytics. 
These innovations have been shared widely across our businesses.

While we have made great progress so far we are still at the beginning 
of our exciting digital journey, with many of our units yet to be 
transformed. There is still significant potential to leverage our 
digital capabilities for existing clients as well as helping us grow 
by capturing new business.

Sustainability as a competitive advantage

Increasingly, clients want bespoke solutions that take account of 
sustainability commitments. In the UK and Ireland (UK&I), around 
70% of the most recent bids included an environmental focus as a 
top priority. We pride ourselves on being an ethical and responsible 
company, as demonstrated by our ambitious climate net zero global 
commitment for the Group, backed by our regions and sectors 
setting their own ambitious climate commitments. Our focus on 
sustainability has been key to winning new business, and we expect 
this trend to continue. 

For more information on how Compass is being more socially and 
environmentally responsible, see pages 30 to 51.

 
 
6 

STRATEGIC REPORT

CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S REVIEW

OUR CONTINUING 
GROWTH JOURNEY

The Group’s performance surpassed our expectations both in terms of 
net new business growth and base volume recovery, with Business & 
Industry now operating above its pre-pandemic revenues. The strong 
growth trends seen in the first half have continued, with net new 
business accelerating through the year in all our regions. Our clients 
are continuing to face operational complexities and inflationary 
pressures, which are driving increased outsourcing, and we are 
successfully capitalising on the resulting growth opportunities.

North America continues to perform strongly, and we are particularly 
pleased with our progress in Europe, which is benefiting from an 
increased focus on growth and retention, supported by investments 
in our people, brands, and processes. 

Thanks to the hard work of our teams across the world, Compass 
has emerged from the pandemic as a stronger and more resilient 
business, reflecting our clear strategy and market-leading growth 
enablers. While the macroeconomic environment is uncertain, we 
are working in partnership with our clients to mitigate inflationary 
pressures and supporting our colleagues during this challenging 
period by offering financial support and other benefits.

Group performance 

Organic growth was 37.5%1 with underlying revenue, on a  
constant-currency basis, 105% of its 2019 level2. 
Underlying operating margin increased by 170bps to 6.2%1 
(2021: 4.5%) despite mobilisation costs associated with the 
higher new business growth and inflationary pressures. 
As a result, underlying operating profit increased to 
£1,590 million1 (2021: £811 million). 

We are continuing to invest in exciting growth 
opportunities both through capital expenditure 
and M&A. Capital expenditure was 2.7%1 of 
underlying revenue, lower than historic levels 
due to timing delays in some investments. 
Going forward, we continue to expect 
capital expenditure to be around 3.5%1 
of underlying revenue.

Net M&A expenditure in the year was £268 million, 
which was largely spent on a number of bolt-on 
acquisitions mainly in the US. Following the year end, in 
October 2022, the Group also divested of four Central and 
Eastern European businesses in Czech Republic, Hungary, 
Slovakia and Romania. 

The Group generated a strong underlying operating cash flow of 
£1,351 million1 (2021: £1,004 million) which represented a 
conversion rate of 85%1, back in line with our typical pre-COVID level. 
Underlying free cash flow was £890 million1 (2021: £660 million), with 
a conversion rate of 56%1. As a result of improving profit, leverage 
reduced to 1.3x1, well within our target range of 1x-1.5x.

Strategy

Our strategic focus is on food, with targeted support services. The 
addressable food services market is estimated to be worth at least 
£220 billion. There remains a significant structural growth opportunity 
from first-time outsourcing, as around half of the market is still 
self-operated. As the operating environment becomes increasingly 
challenging due to inflationary pressures, increased client demands 
and other additional complexities, we have a clear strategy to capture 
the resultant acceleration in first-time outsourcing based on our focus, 
scale and expertise. 

Being the largest global player, our scale in procurement and focus 
on cost efficiencies give us competitive advantages that translate 
into greater value for clients and consumers. Our sectorised and 
sub-sectorised approach enables us to provide a tailored offer to 
meet changing client requirements. We are continuing to invest in 
our market-leading propositions in digital and ESG which are clear 
growth enablers in the food services market.

Our strategic focus on People, Performance and Purpose continues to 
underpin all that we do in our ambition to deliver value to all 

our stakeholders.

People

Our people are essential to our strategy for 
growth: they are at the heart of how we win and 
why we win, and their health and safety are 
always our number one priority. We have 
continued to deliver our core development 
training programmes, Mapping for Value and 
Mapping for Action, to reinforce our use of the 
MAP framework within our leadership and 
operational teams, respectively. Around 4,000 
employees have now completed Mapping for Value 
and more than 14,000 employees have participated in 

Mapping for Action.

As part of our commitment to ensure inclusion for all, we endeavour to 
harness the talents of our diverse workforce across every level of the 
organisation. Work has continued at pace on developing, retaining 
and promoting our female talent. In the UK & Ireland, 58% of all 
promotions during the year were female with approximately 13% of 
the workforce promoted. 53% of promotions of salaried staff in the 
USA were female. This focus has supported the increase in female 
representation at Senior Leaders level to 37%.

1.  Alternative Performance Measure (APM). The Group’s APMs are defined in note 33 (non-GAAP measures) and reconciled to GAAP measures in notes 1 (segmental 

analysis) and 33 to the consolidated financial statements.

2.  Throughout this Report, underlying revenue as a percentage of 2019 is calculated on a constant-currency basis.
3.  Annual revenue of new business wins in the last 12 months.

COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

  7

Summary

The Group performed strongly both in terms of revenue growth and 
margin improvement, with underlying operating profit nearly doubling 
to £1.6 billion1. Revenue in all sectors and regions exceeded their 
pre-COVID levels in the second half, with Business & Industry 
recovering particularly well. Organic revenue growth was strong as the 
Group benefited from good volume recovery and excellent levels of net 
new business. Underlying operating margin also grew strongly to 
6.2%1 despite mobilising high levels of new business.

We prioritise the health and wellbeing of our people and are sensitive 
to the current economic environment that is putting significant 
pressure on colleagues’ household budgets. In line with our values 
and within the parameters of our decentralised operating model, this 
support is delivered through tailored programmes in each of our 
markets, including communicating financial wellbeing guidance and 
extending our community food donation scheme to include hot 
meals. In North America, Compass provides flexibility through a 
digital HR tool and same day pay, which benefits 15,000 colleagues. 
Our UK&I business, which is already an accredited Real Living Wage 
provider, provides approximately 
200,000 free meals for colleagues 
every week and access to a 
‘Helping Hands’ fund to provide 
support with emergency or 
unexpected payments.

WE ARE CONTINUING TO INVEST 
IN EXCITING GROWTH 
OPPORTUNITIES BOTH THROUGH 
CAPITAL EXPENDITURE AND M&A. 
THERE REMAINS A SIGNIFICANT 
STRUCTURAL GROWTH 
OPPORTUNITY FROM FIRST TIME 
OUTSOURCING, AS AROUND HALF 
OF THE MARKET IS STILL SELF-
OPERATED.

Dominic Blakemore,  
Group Chief Executive Officer

While there are global inflationary 
pressures and macroeconomic 
uncertainties, we have a resilient 
and flexible business model to help 
mitigate these challenges. This 
environment, alongside increasing 
operational complexities, is 
continuing to lead to an acceleration 
in first-time outsourcing as 
organisations seek cost savings and 
an improved food offer. We have a 
clear strategy to capture this growth 
opportunity based on our scale, 
expertise and sectorised market 
approach, which has resulted in 
new business wins of £2.5 billion3 
and our highest ever client retention 
rate of 96.4%. 

Our disciplined capital allocation 
framework supports growth whilst 

Purpose

Our Planet Promise is Compass 
Group’s global commitment to a 
sustainable future for all. It 
encompasses the Company’s 
values as an ethical, sustainable 
and inclusive business, together 
with our ambition to positively 
impact the world. As well as being 
the right thing to do, this mission is 
also key to our growth aspirations. 
Sustainability is a critical issue for 
many of Compass’ clients.

We were the first in the industry to publish a worldwide commitment 
to reach climate net zero by 2050. In July 2022, the Group launched 
a Sustainable Financing Framework to issue sustainable debt. 
Sustainable financing aligns with the expectations of our clients and 
shareholders and supports our worldwide carbon reduction 
commitment and social mobility initiatives. Under this framework, 
in September 2022, we successfully issued two sustainable bonds, 
raising proceeds of €500 million (£439 million) and £250 million, 
respectively, which will be used to progress the Group’s sustainability 
initiatives and the delivery of its global climate net zero target.

One of the most impactful ways to prevent climate change is to 
reduce food waste. To better understand and mitigate our 
businesses’ food waste footprint, Compass is expanding the use of 
smart meter technology across our global operations while working in 

partnership with clients and suppliers to halve 
food waste by 2030. As well as working to 
incentivise our workforce to fight food 
waste, we highlight our progress 

through visible awareness-raising 
initiatives, such as Stop Food 
Waste Day in over 40 countries.

ensuring a robust balance sheet, rewarding shareholders through 
dividends and additional shareholder returns. In 2022, we declared a 
total dividend of 31.5 pence per share and returned £500 million to 
shareholders via a share buyback programme.

Looking further ahead, we remain excited about the significant 
structural growth opportunities globally, leading to the potential for 
revenue and profit growth above historical rates, returning margin to 
pre-pandemic levels and rewarding shareholders with further returns.

DOMINIC BLAKEMORE
Group Chief Executive Officer

21 November 2022

8 

STRATEGIC REPORT

OUR STRATEGY

OUR STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK

Our strategic focus on People, Performance and Purpose continues to underpin all that we do in our ambition to deliver value to all our stakeholders.

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Create lifetime  
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Deliver long-term  
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 Purpose 

Make a positive social and 
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Representative of the 
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Industry-leading  
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A sustainable  
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Can-do safely

Openness, trust 
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Win through 
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Read more about our people

Read more about our performance

Read more about our purpose

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

  9

MEASURING PROGRESS

F

Financial KPI

NF

Non-financial KPI

We track our progress 
against a mix of financial 
and non-financial measures, 
which we believe best 
reflect the delivery of 
our strategy. 

We measure growth, 
efficiency and shareholder 
returns, which are all 
underpinned by our focus 
on safety and our impact 
on the environment.

ORGANIC REVENUE CHANGE1
37.5%

UNDERLYING OPERATING MARGIN1,2
6.2%

F

F

.

3
7
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%

.

5
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%

.

(
1
8
8
)
%

18

19

20

.

(
6
3
)
%

21

22

Organic revenue 
growth was strong 
at 37.5% in 2022, 
reflecting excellent 
net new business, 
base volume 
recovery following 
the pandemic, and 
higher levels of 
pricing.

.

7
4
%

.

7
4
%

.

6
2
%

.

4
5
%

.

2
9
%

18

19

20

21

22

Underlying 
operating margin 
improved by 
170bps to 6.2% in 
2022 compared to 
prior year despite 
mobilisation costs 
associated with 
higher new 
business growth 
and inflationary 
pressures.

UNDERLYING FREE CASH FLOW1
£890m

UNDERLYING BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE1
63.0p

RETURN ON CAPITAL EMPLOYED (ROCE)1,2
15.8%

F

F

F

,

£
1
2
4
7
m

,

£
1
1
4
1
m

£
8
9
0
m

£
6
6
0
m

£
2
1
3
m

8
5
2
p

.

7
7
9
p

.

Underlying free 
cash flow increased 
to £890m, 
representing a 
conversion rate of 
56% of underlying 
operating profit.

18

19

20

21

22

18

19

EPS growth of 
114% in 2022 
reflected the 
Group’s strong 
revenue growth and 
the improvement in 
underlying 
operating margin.

.

2
0
2
%

.

1
9
5
%

.

1
5
8
%

.

8
7
%

.

4
7
%

18

19

20

21

22

6
3
0
p

.

2
9
5
p

.

21

22

1
8
6
p

.

20

Having been 
impacted 
significantly by 
the pandemic, 
the Group is 
rebuilding ROCE 
which increased to 
15.8% in 2022.

NF

NF

NF

GLOBAL LOST TIME INCIDENT FREQUENCY RATE3
2.27

GLOBAL FOOD SAFETY INCIDENT RATE3
0.14

%

.

3
0
4

.

2
9
1

.

2
5
5 2
3
3

.

.

2
2
7

Health and safety 
cases where one of 
our colleagues is 
away from work for 
one or more shifts 
as a result of a 
work-related injury 
or illness.

.

0
2
4 0
2
2

.

.

0
2
1

.

0
2
0

.

0
1
4

Cases of 
substantiated food 
safety incidents, 
including food 
borne illnesses. 

GHG INTENSITY RATIO3

5.8 tCO2e/£m

9
1

.

6
3

.

7
5

.

7
2

.

5
8

.

When normalised 
by revenue we have 
seen a 19% 
year-on-year 
reduction in our 
greenhouse gas 
(GHG) emissions 
ratio.

18

19

20

21

22

18

19

20

21

22

18

19

20

21

22

1.  Our financial KPIs represent underlying and other Alternative Performance Measures (APMs) which are not defined by generally accepted accounting 
principles (GAAP). The Group’s APMs are defined in note 33 (non-GAAP measures) and reconciled to GAAP measures in notes 1 (segmental analysis)  
and 33 to the consolidated financial statements.

2.  2018 to 2020 as previously reported. 2021 and 2022 reflect new definitions of underlying operating margin and ROCE (see note 33 to the consolidated  

financial statements).

3.  Our non-financial KPIs are further explained on pages 10 and 40. 

10 

STRATEGIC REPORT

HEALTH AND SAFETY

SAFETY  
CULTURE

At Compass, a culture of care, respect and 
safety is paramount in everything we do. 
We have a moral obligation to safeguard 
each other, our consumers and the 
environment by operating a safe, injury-free 
and healthy workplace, serving food that is 
always safe to eat and providing service with 
consumer and community safety top of mind. 
Our approach is based on education, 
intervention and collaboration. Sharing 
lessons learned across our businesses has 
been fundamental to maintaining our solid 
track record in safety.

Whilst each locality adopts processes specific to national safety risks 
and legislation, all apply three key Group protocols: our Global Safety 
Standards, Global Supply Chain Integrity Standards and the Global 
Allergen Management Plan. 

Global COVID-19 response update 

During 2022, our global Coronavirus response team continued to 
closely monitor developments, follow local and global regulatory 
health authority guidance and share learnings throughout 
the Group. Weekly advisory updates from our Chief 
Medical Adviser have been critical in providing 
highly detailed and evidence based data on the 
pandemic situation for all regions. 

Optimising and evolving our systems 

Continued investment in safety management 
systems across our operations demonstrates 
our commitment to market-leading health and 
safety expertise. It also supports our drive for 
transparency and accountability. Each country 
leverages a bespoke safety management system, 
supporting leadership safety interactions, operational 
risk assessments and incident management. Insights 
gained from these systems further support process improvement 
across the business. Our safety performance is continuously 
monitored, transparently reported and considered at every meeting 
of the Board and the Corporate Responsibility Committee. 

Personal safety 

Our safety culture emphasises the fundamental importance of 
incident prevention and intervention. Through awareness, information 
and training, we empower our people to take individual and collective 
responsibility for their own safety and the safety of those around them. 
In 2022, our global Lost Time Incident Frequency Rate (LTIFR) fell to 
2.27, below the limit of 2.79. We had a total of 2,005 global lost time 
incidents in 2022, which represents a 33% reduction in incident 
numbers since 2018. 

Food safety

Compass’ core values and global safety protocols guide the decisions, 
actions and behaviours of our people and serve as a foundation for the 
way we conduct business. 

Our suppliers undergo a rigorous approval process, with any areas for 
improvement rapidly remedied to mitigate wider risks. An increasing 
number of our businesses’ sites operate to ISO 22000 food safety 
management system standards or similar Safe Quality Food (SQF) 
standards. Food safety training is delivered at the local level to 
account for unique market risks associated with food hygiene and 
allergen regulations. 

We take a robust approach to any food safety incidents, with protocols 
in place to report and respond rapidly. Learnings are shared internally 
to continually evaluate and improve practices. In 2022, our Food 
Safety Incident (FSIR) rate fell to 0.14, below the limit of 0.24. 
We had a total of 849 food safety incidents in 2022, which represents 
a 42% reduction in incident numbers since 2018.

Safety governance

We have worked hard to create a culture that takes safety seriously 
and to train our people to adopt behaviours that keep them free from 
harm. Board and Executive Committee meetings regularly feature 
health and safety updates. The Corporate Responsibility Committee 
reviews the Group’s Health and Safety Policies annually to ensure 
that they continue to reflect our aims and aspirations and adhere to 
current legislation.

Our safety culture empowers our people to take responsibility 
for their safety and the safety of their colleagues. This is further 
cultivated by our network of safety leaders operating at every 
level within our businesses.

Safety targets

Countries are required to report monthly to the Company on 
their LTIFR and FSIR. The management bonus scheme 

is linked to these key performance indicators. 

Our safety performance against targets continued 
to improve in 2022. Since 2018, we have 
delivered a 33% reduction in the LTIFR and 
a 42% reduction in the FSIR respectively. 
A reduction in LTIFR correlates with an 
improving safety culture; reducing cases where 
our colleagues are away from work for more 
than a shift as a result of a work-related injury. 
A reduction in FSIR is a helpful measure of our 

ability to provide quality food that is safe to 

our consumers, as measured by cases of 

substantiated food safety incidents.

See our KPIs on page 9 for more information.

Priorities for the year ahead

The business will prioritise initiatives that further a holistic safety 
culture and scale in those markets where the opportunity exists. 
We will continue to enable better practice sharing around training, 
and provide a forum for our global safety professionals to connect in 
a common purpose.

ETHICS AND INTEGRITY

DOING WHAT  
IS RIGHT

Compass has a passionate commitment to 
uphold the highest standards of ethics and 
integrity (E&I) which has earned us our 
position as a global leader and trusted 
partner. We believe in responsible leadership; 
to set the standard and act as a role model for 
ethical behaviour. Through an inclusive 
culture, we promote a workplace where our 
people and partners can speak up and be 
heard. Our values, commitments and Codes of 
Business Conduct and Ethics (Our Codes) 
guide the decisions, actions and behaviours of 
our people and serve as a foundation for the 
way we conduct business. 

Our E&I programme

Our programme’s purpose is to protect our people, our assets, our 
reputation and our relationships with stakeholders. Risk-based 
programme activities contribute to providing the conditions and 
requirements for Compass’ employees and those who act on our behalf 
to ensure business is conducted in an ethical, fair and responsible way.

In 2022, we refreshed our E&I strategy, framework and priorities 
following approval from the Executive Committee and Corporate 
Responsibility Committee. Additional resources and specialists joined 
the Group E&I team to further support the development of policies, 
procedures, systems and initiatives. 

Global initiatives

Committed to continued improvement we prioritised:

 – implementing our Speak Up, We’re Listening programme
 – launching our new Speak and Listen Up Policy 
 – launching our new Global Supplier Code of Conduct 
 – embedding business integrity risks as part of the Group’s biannual 

major risk assessment process 

 – strengthening collaboration with functional leaders 
 – improving governance and management reporting
 – supporting initiatives to further improve our human rights 

programme design and implementation

COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

  11

Speak Up, We’re Listening is our confidential reporting 
programme that is accessible to anyone, available 24/7 365 
days a year and is managed by Group E&I, a team independent 
of any other lines of business. Following our global relaunch, a 
number of process improvements were made. These included 
optimising our initial case assessment, enhancing reporter 
management, simplifying the online intake process, use of a 
QR code and utilising automated dashboards. This has led to 
more specific information being provided, enabling a swifter 
and better analysis of potential issues, focusing resources on 
investigating ethics matters and providing better monitoring 
insights and reporting of emerging risks. 

REPORTS RECEIVED1

REPORTS RECEIVED FROM

3,176

Through our Speak Up 
programme and helpline

40 countries

An increase of 5 countries 
following relaunch in 2021

QR CODE SCANS

8,746

LEADERS TRAINED

c.12,000

Found on posters and other 
communication materials

Leaders completed training in 
managing Speak Up concerns

1.  Speak Up data for the year ended 30 September 2022.

biannual training covering regulatory risks as well as policies and values. 
As an indicator of effectiveness, 96% of colleagues who completed the 
training agreed it raised their awareness of E&I principles.

Pledge and declaration 

To confirm their understanding of and compliance with the Codes, 
our annual self-certification process requires around 13,000 leaders 
globally to undertake a pledge and declaration covering key business 
integrity risk areas and conflict of interest disclosure. 

Training and awareness 

Priorities for the year ahead

Through communication, awareness and training, we empower, 
encourage and equip our people to spot red flags and make  
well-informed integrity-driven decisions. To reach wider audiences, 
we expanded our target training population to above-unit manager up to 
Executive Management and Board-level and increased the frequency to 

In partnership with the business and our community of E&I leaders, 
we will prioritise initiatives in accordance with our strategic plan which 
includes refreshing and relaunching the Code of Business Conduct, 
strengthening business integrity policies, enhancing third-party 
integrity due diligence and embedding E&I committees for improved 
oversight and risk monitoring.

For more information, visit www.compass-group.com/en/who-we-are/ethics-and-integrity

12 

STRATEGIC REPORT

CASE STUDY

PE RF O RMANCE

BRUNEL UNIVERSITY, COMPASS GROUP UK&I

As the trend towards outsourcing continues, it is crucial to 
Compass’ growth strategy that we continue to delight our 
clients and consumers with innovative, healthy and exciting 
food service solutions. 

At Brunel University London, Chartwells, Compass Group 
UK&I’s catering specialist to the education sector, is 
delivering an innovative offer that complements Brunel’s 
development plans and enhances the student experience. 

By thinking big, starting small and scaling fast, Chartwells 
has transformed Brunel’s traditional canteen model into 
one that offers delivery, click and collect, and in-house 
and external brands under a single app – Uni Food Hub. 
The facility is open all day, with excellent, varied food, 
making it easier and more appealing for students to eat and 
drink when and where they want. Chartwells also delivers 
off-campus via a delivery partnership. 

This consumer-centric model, which can be replicated across 
the Group, is achieving significant cost savings at Brunel 
University. As food is now cooked to order, a 33% drop in 
food waste has been achieved, and we have increased labour 
flexibility. Due to the influence of third-party brands and the 
higher sales that app ordering tends to drive, the business 
has seen a double-digit increase in average spend per head. 

This innovative development speaks to the spirit of 
entrepreneurship that is so common Group-wide and should 
help Chartwells win more new business. The model is now 
being tailored for other institutions in the higher education 
market such as Swansea University, where Chartwells 
recently won a new 10-year contract.

DOUBLE- 
DIGIT

increase in average spend per head

33%

reduction in food waste

Performance strategic pillars

nic reve n u
rowth

g

a
g
r
O

e

O

effi

p

e

c
i

r

a

e

t

n

c

i

n

g

i

e
s

People & 
purpose

e

v
Compet i
i
advanta g e

t

OPERATING FRAMEWORK

THE MAP  
FRAMEWORK

We use the Management and Performance 
(MAP) framework to drive performance across 
the business. MAP is a simple framework 
embedded in our culture, which ensures all 
employees are focused on meeting the 
following performance drivers:

1

Client sales and marketing

MAP 1 is about winning new business and 
retaining our existing clients. We invest in sales 
and retention and are increasingly sectorising 
and sub-sectorising the business around the 
world to allow us to get closer to our clients.

2

Consumer sales and marketing

Like-for-like revenue consists of both volume 
and price. We are focused on attracting and 
satisfying our client base with strong 
consumer propositions.

3

Cost of food

Food makes up around one-third of our costs. 
In addition to the benefits of our scale in food 
procurement, we are able to manage food 
costs through careful menu planning and by 
rationalising the number of products we buy 
and the suppliers we buy them from.

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 optimum 
level of service in the most efficient way.

5

Above-unit overheads

We have a simple organisational model with few 
layers of management and little bureaucracy, 
which enables us to keep overheads low whilst 
we continue to grow revenue.

COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

  13

THE MAP FRAMEWORK

Organic revenue growth

1 & 2

A key priority is to drive organic growth by investing in new 
business and retention (MAP 1) as well as consumer 
propositions which generate like-for-like revenue (MAP 2).

Related KPIs: 
Organic revenue change

Margins

3, 4 & 5

We focus relentlessly on costs: this includes managing the cost 
of food (MAP 3), in-unit labour costs and overheads (MAP 4) 
and what we term above-unit overheads (MAP 5). In large 
markets, our scale enables us to benefit from lower food costs 
and to improve leverage of our overhead costs. Operational 
efficiency and effectiveness are key to improving margins.

Related KPIs: 
Underlying operating margin

C
a
p
e
x
/
b
o
l
t
-
o
n
M
&
A

I
n
v
e
s
t
m
e
n
t

Free cash flow

Shareholder returns

Our focus on organic revenue growth and margin helps 
grow our earnings and cash flow generation. The priorities 
for cash are clear and consistent. We invest capex to 
support organic revenue growth and generate further 
efficiencies to reinvest in the business and deliver 
continued margin improvement over time.

Bolt-on acquisitions add capability or expertise to an 
existing market, and we demand returns which exceed the 
cost of capital by the end of year two following acquisition. 
Our aim is to target a net debt to EBITDA leverage range of 
1x-1.5x, and to pay an ordinary dividend; with any surplus 
capital being returned to shareholders.

Related KPIs: 
Return on capital employed (ROCE) 
Underlying basic earnings per share 
Underlying free cash flow

 
14 

STRATEGIC REPORT

FINANCIAL REVIEW

A YEAR OF 
STRONG GROWTH

Group performance

Underlying results1

 – Underlying revenue at 105% of 2019 revenues on a constant-
currency basis, with all regions and sectors operating above 
2019 levels in the second half

 – Underlying operating margin of 6.2%, an increase of 170bps
 – Return on capital employed of 15.8%, up from 8.7%2 in 2021
 – Basic underlying earnings per share increased by 104% to 

63.0p on a constant-currency basis

 – Underlying free cash flow of £890 million, with cash 

conversion of 56%

Statutory results

 – Revenue increased by 43%
 – Operating profit of £1,500 million, an increase of 175%
 – Basic earnings per share of 62.6p, an increase of 213%

REVENUE

Underlying – reported rates1  APM

Underlying – constant currency1  APM

Organic1  KPI
Statutory
OPERATING PROFIT

Underlying – reported rates1  APM

Underlying – constant currency1  APM

Organic1  APM
Statutory
OPERATING MARGIN

Underlying – reported rates1  KPI
RETURN ON CAPITAL EMPLOYED (ROCE)

Underlying – reported rates1  KPI
BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE

Underlying – reported rates1  KPI

Underlying – constant currency1  APM
Statutory
FREE CASH FLOW

Underlying – reported rates1  KPI
DIVIDEND
Full-year dividend per ordinary share

Key

2022 
£m

2021 
£m

25,771

25,771

25,599
25,512

1,590

1,590

1,585
1,500

18,136

18,745

18,617
17,908

811

848

841
545

Change

42.1%

37.5%

37.5%
42.5%

96.1%

87.5%

88.5%
175.2%

6.2%

4.5%

170bps

15.8%

8.7%2

710bps

63.0p

63.0p
62.6p

29.5p

30.9p
20.0p

113.6%

103.9%
213.0%

890

660

34.8%

31.5p

14.0p

125.0%

APM Alternative Performance Measure (APM) (see pages 192 to 199)

KPI

APM which is also a Key Performance Indicator (see page 9)

1.  We track our performance against underlying and other Alternative Performance Measures (APMs), which are not defined by generally accepted accounting 

principles (GAAP). Accordingly, the relevant statutory measures are also presented where appropriate. The Group’s management believes that these APMs reflect 
our strategic priorities of growth, efficiency and shareholder returns. Certain of these measures are financial Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) which measure 
progress against our strategy (see page 9). The Group’s APMs are defined in note 33 (non-GAAP measures) and reconciled to GAAP measures in notes 1 
(segmental analysis) and 33 to the consolidated financial statements.

2.  Re-presented to reflect a simplified definition of capital employed (see page 193). As defined in previous years, ROCE was 7.7% in 2021 on average capital 

employed of £7,931 million.

COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

  15

Income statement
For the year ended 30 September

Revenue
Operating profit
Net (loss)/gain on sale and closure of businesses
Finance costs
Profit before tax
Tax expense
Profit for the year
Non-controlling interests
Attributable profit

Average number of shares

Basic earnings per share  KPI
EBITDA

2022

Adjustments 
£m

259
90
7
(76)
21
(13)
8
–
8

–

0.4p

Statutory 
£m

25,512
1,500
(7)
(24)
1,469
(352)
1,117
(4)
1,113

1,779m

62.6p

APM

Underlying1
£m

25,771
1,590
–
(100)
1,490
(365)
1,125
(4)
1,121

1,779m

63.0p
2,371

2021

Adjustments 
£m

228
266
(10)
(22)
234
(64)
170
–
170

–

9.5p

Statutory 
£m

17,908
545
10
(91)
464
(107)
357
–
357

1,784m

20.0p

APM

Underlying1
£m

18,136
811
–
(113)
698
(171)
527
–
527

1,784m

29.5p
1,554

1.  The Group’s APMs are defined in note 33 (non-GAAP measures) and reconciled to GAAP measures in notes 1 (segmental analysis) and 33 to the consolidated 

financial statements.

Statutory income statement

Underlying income statement

On a statutory basis, revenue increased by 43% to £25,512 million 
(2021: £17,908 million).

Organic growth was 37.5% with underlying revenue, on a constant-
currency basis, 105% of its 2019 level. 

Statutory operating profit was £1,500 million (2021: £545 million), an 
increase of 175%, reflecting the higher revenue and margin recovery. 
Statutory operating profit includes non-underlying item charges of 
£90 million (2021: £266 million), including acquisition-related costs 
of £92 million (2021: £106 million). Non-underlying items in the prior 
year also included COVID-19 resizing costs of £157 million. A full list of 
non-underlying items is included in note 33 (non-GAAP measures).

The Group has recognised a net loss of £7 million on the sale and 
closure of businesses (2021: net gain of £10 million), including exit 
costs of £7 million (2021: £nil). The net loss in the year includes the 
Group’s exit from its operations in Russia in March.

Finance costs decreased to £24 million (2021: £91 million) mainly 
due to fair value gains on derivatives held to minimise volatility in 
short-term underlying finance costs, and the impact of the repayment 
of a tranche of US Private Placement (USPP) notes in October 2021 
and termination of the covenant waivers, which were negotiated 
during the pandemic, in June 2021.

Profit before tax was £1,469 million (2021: £464 million) giving rise 
to an income tax expense of £352 million (2021: £107 million), 
equivalent to an effective tax rate of 24.0% (2021: 23.1%). The 
increase in rate primarily reflects the mix of profits by country being 
taxed at different rates.

Basic earnings per share was 62.6 pence (2021: 20.0 pence), an 
increase of 213%, reflecting the higher profit for the year.

Organic growth of 37.5% reflected the reopening of sectors, with 
like-for-like volume growth of approximately 24%, the strong impact 
of winning and retaining business, with net new business of 7.5%, and 
pricing benefits of approximately 6%. Client retention rates continued 
to improve to a record 96.4%, 100bps higher than 2021, with 
underlying revenue growth from new business wins at 11.1%. 

Underlying operating profit increased by 88% on a constant-currency 
basis, to £1,590 million, and our underlying operating margin was 
6.2% (2021: 4.5%), 84% of the 2019 margin. The margin improvement 
reflects the ongoing cost efficiency disciplines of the business and is 
despite the mobilisation costs and inflationary pressures.

Underlying finance costs decreased to £100 million  
(2021: £113 million) mainly due to the impact of the repayment 
of a tranche of USPP notes in October 2021 and termination of the 
covenant waivers in June 2021.

On an underlying basis, the tax charge was £365 million 
(2021: £171 million), equivalent to an effective tax rate of 24.5% 
(2021: 24.5%). The tax environment continues to be uncertain, 
with more challenging tax authority audits and enquiries globally.

On a constant-currency basis, underlying basic earnings per share 
increased by 104% to 63.0 pence (2021: 30.9 pence) reflecting the 
higher profit for the year.

16 

STRATEGIC REPORT

FINANCIAL REVIEW CONTINUED

Balance sheet
At 30 September

Goodwill
Other non-current assets
Working capital
Provisions
Net post-employment benefit (obligations)/assets
Current tax
Deferred tax

Net debt1  APM
Net assets held for sale
Net assets
Borrowings
Lease liabilities
Derivatives
Cash and cash equivalents

Net debt1  APM

2022 
£m

5,119
5,895
(1,319)
(579)
(178)
(139)
70

(2,990)
26
5,905
(3,964)
(913)
(96)
1,983

(2,990)

2021 
£m

4,550
4,556
(1,255)
(581)
129
(87)
128

(2,538)
17
4,919
(3,635)
(845)
102
1,840

(2,538)

1.  The Group’s APMs are defined in note 33 (non-GAAP measures) and reconciled to GAAP measures in notes 1 (segmental analysis) and 33 to the consolidated 

financial statements.

Liquidity

The Group finances its operations through cash generated by the 
business and borrowings from a number of sources, including banking 
institutions, 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. 

A USPP note of $398 million (£297 million) was repaid on 1 October 
2021. In September 2022, the Group issued fixed-rate sustainable 
bonds of €500 million (£439 million) and £250 million maturing in 
2030 and 2032, respectively. The new bonds effectively pre-finance 
debt maturities of €500 million (£439 million) in January 2023 and 
$352 million (£315 million) in October 2023. 

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 2022 shows that the 
average period to maturity is 3.9 years (2021: 3.7 years).

The Group’s USPP notes contain leverage and interest cover 
covenants which are tested semi-annually at 31 March and 
30 September. The leverage covenant test stipulates that 
consolidated net debt must be less than or equal to 3.5 times 
consolidated EBITDA. The interest cover covenant test stipulates 
that consolidated EBITDA must be more than or equal to 3 times 
consolidated net finance costs. Consolidated EBITDA and net finance 
costs are based on the preceding 12 months. The leverage and 
interest cover ratios were 1.0 times and 33.4 times, respectively, at 
30 September 2022. Net debt, consolidated EBITDA and net finance 
costs are subject to certain accounting adjustments for the purposes 
of the covenant tests. The covenant tests are shown in note 18 to the 
consolidated financial statements.

At 30 September 2022, the Group had access to £3,732 million 
(2021: £3,656 million) of liquidity, including £2,000 million 
(2021: £2,000 million) of undrawn committed bank facilities and 
£1,732 million (2021: £1,656 million) of cash, net of overdrafts. 

Our credit ratings remain strong investment grade – Standard 
& Poor’s A/A-1 Long-term and Short-term (outlook Stable) and 
Moody’s A3/P-2 Long-term and Short-term (outlook Stable).

2.  Re-presented to reflect a simplified definition of capital employed 

(see page 193). As defined in previous years, ROCE was 7.7% in 2021 
on average capital employed of £7,931 million.

Net debt

Net debt has increased by £452 million to £2,990 million 
(2021: £2,538 million). The Group generated £823 million of free cash 
flow, after investing £704 million in capital expenditure, which was more 
than offset by a £258 million outflow from the acquisition of subsidiaries, 
joint ventures and associates, net of disposal proceeds, returns to 
shareholders in dividends of £418 million and the share buyback of 
£425 million, and adverse exchange translation of £251 million.

The ratio of net debt to market capitalisation of £32,227 million at 
30 September 2022 was 9.3% (2021: 9.3%). At 30 September 2022, 
the ratio of net debt to underlying EBITDA was 1.3x (2021: 1.6x). 
Our leverage policy is to maintain strong investment-grade credit ratings 
and to target net debt to underlying EBITDA in the range of 1x-1.5x.

Post-employment benefits

The Group has continued to review and monitor its pension obligations 
throughout the year, working closely with the trustees and actuaries of 
all schemes across the Group to ensure appropriate assumptions are 
used and adequate provision and contributions are made.

The triennial actuarial valuation of the Compass Group Pension Plan 
(UK Plan) took place as at 5 April 2022 and showed a surplus of 
£299 million, which represents a funding level of 113% compared 
with 106% at 5 April 2019. The accounting surplus in the UK Plan 
increased to £581 million at 30 September 2022 (2021: £353 million) 
mainly reflecting an increase in the discount rate, net of inflation, used 
to measure the liabilities as corporate bond yields have increased, 
partly offset by a decrease in the market value of plan assets as gilt 
and corporate bond yields have increased. The deficit in the rest of the 
Group’s defined benefit pension schemes has increased to £759 million 
(2021: £224 million) mainly reflecting the re-presentation of assets 
totalling £566 million (2021: £546 million) held in the US Rabbi Trust 
from post-employment benefit obligations to other investments.

The total pensions operating charge for defined contribution schemes 
in the year was £175 million (2021: £124 million) and £24 million 
(2021: £24 million) for defined benefit schemes.

Return on capital employed

Return on capital employed was 15.8% (2021: 8.7%2) based on net 
underlying operating profit after tax at the underlying effective tax rate 
of 24.5% (2021: 24.5%). The increase mainly reflects the higher 
profit, partly offset by higher average capital employed. The average 
capital employed was £7,567 million (2021: £7,005 million2).

Cash flow
For the year ended 30 September

Free cash flow1  APM
Add back: Lease repayments
New lease liabilities and amendments
Acquisition and disposal of businesses
Dividends paid
Purchase of own shares
Foreign exchange translation
Other non-cash movements
(Increase)/decrease in net debt
Opening net debt
Cash reclassified from held for sale 

Net debt1  APM

Free cash flow1  APM
Add back: Cash payments related to cost action programme and COVID-19 resizing costs
Add back: Acquisition transaction costs

Underlying free cash flow1  KPI

COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

  17

2022 
£m

823
152
(139)
(258)
(418)
(431)
(251)
70
(452)
(2,538)
–

(2,990)

823
57
10

890

2021 
£m

464
153
(103)
(173)
–
(3)
83
45
466
(3,006)
2

(2,538)

464
186
10

660

1.  The Group’s APMs are defined in note 33 (non-GAAP measures) and reconciled to GAAP measures in notes 1 (segmental analysis) and 33 to the consolidated 

financial statements.

Free cash flow

Dividends paid

Free cash flow totalled £823 million (2021: £464 million). During the 
year, we made cash payments of £57 million (2021: £186 million) in 
relation to programmes aimed at resizing the business. Adjusting for 
this, and acquisition transaction costs of £10 million which are 
reported as part of operating cash flow, underlying free cash flow was 
£890 million (2021: £660 million), with underlying free cash flow 
conversion at 56% (2021: 81%).

Dividends paid in 2022 of £418 million represents the 2021 final 
dividend (£250 million) and the 2022 interim dividend (£168 million).

Purchase of own shares

There was a £425 million cash outflow in respect of the share 
buyback. The balance of the £500 million programme announced in 
May 2022 was completed in November.

Foreign exchange translation

The £251 million loss (2021: £83 million gain) on foreign exchange 

translation of net debt primarily arises in respect of the 
Group’s US dollar-denominated USPP notes.

Other non-cash movements

Other non-cash movements primarily comprises 
fair value movements on derivative financial 
instruments used to manage the Group’s interest 
rate exposure.

Capital expenditure of £704 million (2021: £610 million) is equivalent 
to 2.7% (2021: 3.4%) of underlying revenue.

The working capital outflow was £159 million  
(2021: £165 million inflow), including an adverse 
impact of approximately £110 million from the 
timing of the monthly payroll in a number of 
countries.

The net interest outflow reduced to £86 million 
(2021: £116 million) consistent with the lower 
finance costs in the year.

The net tax paid was £332 million  
(2021: £200 million), equivalent to an underlying 
cash tax rate of 22% (2021: 29%).

Acquisition and disposal of businesses

The total cash spent on business acquisitions during the year, net of 
cash acquired, was £303 million (2021: £172 million), including 
£221 million of bolt-on acquisitions and interests in associates, 
£72 million of contingent consideration and other payments relating to 
businesses acquired in previous years, and £10 million of acquisition 
transaction costs included in net cash flow from operating activities.

The Group received £35 million (2021: paid £11 million) in respect of 
disposal proceeds net of exit costs, which includes the sale of a further 
17% shareholding in the Japanese Highways business classified as an 
asset held for sale at 30 September 2021 and receipts in respect of 
prior year business disposals.

18 

STRATEGIC REPORT

FINANCIAL REVIEW CONTINUED

Capital allocation

Our capital allocation framework is clear and unchanged. Our priority 
is to invest in the business to fund growth opportunities, target a 
strong investment-grade credit rating with a leverage target of around 
1x-1.5x net debt to EBITDA and pay an ordinary dividend, with any 
surplus capital being returned to shareholders.

Growth investment consists of: (i) capital expenditure to support 
organic growth in both new business wins and retention of existing 
contracts; and (ii) bolt-on M&A opportunities that strengthen our 
capabilities and broaden our exposure. We have a proven track record 
of strong returns from our investment strategy evidenced by our 
historical returns on capital employed.

Shareholder returns

Our dividend policy is to pay out around 50% of underlying earnings 
through an interim and final dividend.

In determining the level of dividend in any year, the Board considers a 
number of factors, which include but are not limited to:

 – the level of available distributable reserves in the parent company
 – future cash commitments and investment requirements to sustain 

the long-term growth prospects of the business

 – potential strategic opportunities
 – the level of dividend cover

Further surpluses, after considering the matters set out above, may 
be distributed to shareholders over time by way of special dividend 
payments, share repurchases or a combination of both.

Compass Group PLC, the parent company of the Group, is a 
non-trading investment holding company which derives its 
distributable reserves from dividends paid by subsidiary 
companies. The level of distributable reserves in the 
parent company is reviewed annually and the 
Group aims to maintain distributable reserves that 
provide adequate cover for shareholder returns. 
The distributable reserves of the parent company 
include the distributable portion of retained 
earnings and the own shares reserve totalling 
£2,969 million at 30 September 2022  
(2021: £3,125 million).

An interim dividend of 9.4 pence per share (2021: nil), 
£168 million in aggregate, was paid in July. It is proposed 
that a final dividend of 22.1 pence per share (2021: 14.0 pence 
per share), £389 million in aggregate, be paid on 2 March 2023 to 
shareholders on the register on 20 January 2023. This will result in a 
total dividend for the year of 31.5 pence per share (2021: 14.0 pence 
per share), £557 million in aggregate (2021: £250 million). The dividend 
is covered 2.0 times on an underlying earnings basis.

The final dividend of 22.1 pence will be paid gross and a Dividend 
Reinvestment Plan (DRIP) will be available. The last date for receipt of 
elections for the DRIP will be 9 February 2023.

The Group is in a strong position to fund its dividend, which is well 
covered by cash generated by the business. Details of the Group’s 
going concern assessment can be found on page 134. The ability of 
the Board to maintain its future dividend policy will be influenced by 
a number of the principal risks identified on pages 24 to 28 that 
could adversely impact the performance of the Group, although we 
believe we have the ability to mitigate those risks as outlined on 
pages 24 to 28.

The £500 million share buyback programme announced in May 2022 
was completed in November 2022. We have announced a further 

share buyback of up to £250 million, to take place during the first half 
of the 2023 financial year, taking the total buyback to £750 million.

Treasury

The Group manages its liquidity, foreign currency exposure and 
interest rate risk 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.

Foreign currency risk

The Group’s policy is to balance its principal projected cash flows 
by currency with 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 borrowings, 
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 equal 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 

consolidated 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 against 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. For the second and third year, 
interest rates are fixed within ranges of 30% to 70% and 0% to 40% of 
projected debt, respectively.

Tax

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 in the Group and its operations.

We 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 our reputation.

COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

  19

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.

After many years of operations, the Group has numerous legacy 
subsidiaries across the world. Whilst some of these entities are 
incorporated in low-tax territories, Compass does not seek to 
avoid tax through the use of tax havens. Details of the Group’s 
related undertakings are listed in note 35 to the consolidated 
financial statements.

In an increasingly complex international corporate tax environment, 
a degree of tax risk and uncertainty is, however, inevitable. Tax risk 
can arise from differences in interpretation of regulations, but most 
significantly where governments apply diverging standards in 
assessing intra-group cross-border transactions. This is the situation 
for many multinational organisations. We manage and control these 
risks in a proactive manner and, in doing so, exercise our judgement 
and seek appropriate advice from relevant 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.

Risks and uncertainties

The Board takes a proactive approach to risk management aimed 
at protecting the Group’s employees, clients and consumers and 
safeguarding the interests of the Group and its shareholders in a 
constantly changing environment.

The principal risks and uncertainties facing the business and the 
activities the Group undertakes to mitigate these are set out on 
pages 24 to 28.

Related party transactions

Details of transactions with related parties are set out in note 31 to 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.

Going concern

The factors considered by the directors in assessing the ability of the 
Group and parent company to continue as a going concern are 
discussed on page 134.

The Group has access to 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.

Based on the assessment discussed on page 134, the directors have a 
reasonable expectation that the Group and parent company have 
adequate resources to continue in operational existence for at least 
the period to 31 March 2024. For this reason, they continue to adopt 
the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements.

PALMER BROWN
Group Chief Financial Officer

21 November 2022

20 

STRATEGIC REPORT

REGIONAL REVIEWS

REGIONAL REVIEWS

NORTH AMERICA

EUROPE

REST OF WORLD

UNDERLYING REVENUE 1

UNDERLYING REVENUE 1

UNDERLYING REVENUE 1

APM

APM

APM

£17,139m

£5,935m

£2,697m

28%

22%

32%

17%

1%

KPI

Business & Industry

Education

Healthcare & Senior Living

Sports & Leisure

Defence, Offshore & Remote

APM

45%

15%

17%

12%

11%

KPI

Business & Industry

Education

Healthcare & Senior Living

Sports & Leisure

Defence, Offshore & Remote

APM

35%

6%

15%

3%

41%

KPI

UNDERLYING 
OPERATING MARGIN1

UNDERLYING 
OPERATING PROFIT1

UNDERLYING 
OPERATING MARGIN1

UNDERLYING 
OPERATING PROFIT1

UNDERLYING 
OPERATING MARGIN1

7.2%

2021: 5.4%

£299m

2021: £147m

5.0%

2021: 3.2%

£141m

2021: £130m

5.2%

2021: 5.6%

Business & Industry

Education

Healthcare & Senior Living

Sports & Leisure

Defence, Offshore & Remote

APM

UNDERLYING 
OPERATING PROFIT1

£1,236m

2021: £607m2

Financial summary

Underlying1

Change1

2022

2021

Reported rates Constant currency

£17,139m
£5,935m
£2,697m
£25,771m

£11,170m
£4,641m
£2,325m
£18,136m

£1,236m
£299m
£141m
£(86)m
£1,590m

£607m2
£147m
£130m
£(73)m
£811m

53.4%
27.9%
16.0%
42.1%

103.6%
103.4%
8.5%

43.7%
32.3%
15.4%
37.5%

91.0%
112.1%
6.0%

Organic

44.1%
31.8%
14.8%
37.5%

92.1%
112.1%
5.4%

96.1%

87.5%

88.5%

Statutory

2022

2021

£17,121m
£5,694m
£2,697m
£25,512m

£11,149m
£4,434m
£2,325m
£17,908m

£1,183m
£267m
£137m
£(87)m
£1,500m

£560m
£(62)m
£120m
£(73)m
£545m

Change

53.6%
28.4%
16.0%
42.5%

111.3%
530.6%
14.2%

175.2%

Underlying1

Change1

Statutory

Change

2022

7.2%
5.0%
5.2%
6.2%

2021

5.4%
3.2%
5.6%
4.5%

180bps 
180bps 
(40)bps 
170bps

2022

6.9%
4.7%
5.1%
5.9%

2021

5.0%
(1.4)%
5.2%
3.0%

190bps
610bps
(10)bps
290bps

Revenue 
North America
Europe
Rest of World
Total

Operating profit
North America
Europe
Rest of World
Unallocated costs
Total

Operating margin 
North America
Europe
Rest of World
Total

Key

APM Alternative Performance Measure (APM) (see pages 192 to 199)

KPI APM which is also a Key Performance Indicator (see page 9)

1.  The Group’s APMs are defined in note 33 (non-GAAP measures) and reconciled to GAAP measures in notes 1 (segmental analysis) and 33 to the consolidated 

financial statements.

2.  Re-presented to reflect the change in the definition of regional underlying operating profit to include the share of results of associates (£1m loss).

 
 
COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

  21

Volume growth, combined with our 
continued focus on efficiency and cost 
control, delivered margin progression 
throughout the year. Full-year margin 
increased by 180bps to 7.2%, with 
margin in the second half of the year 
improving by 40bps to 7.4%. Operating 
profit was £1,236 million, which 
represents 91% growth on a constant-
currency basis. 

Statutory

Statutory revenue increased by 54% to £17,121 million reflecting 
the continued recovery from the pandemic and favourable 
exchange translation.

Statutory operating profit was £1,183 million, a £623 million increase, 
due to the stronger revenue, improved margin and favourable 
exchange translation.

The region invested in several bolt-on acquisitions to enhance 
their offer, especially in the Sports & Leisure sector, and to drive 
procurement efficiencies. In March, the Group exited Russia and, 
following the year end, divested of four businesses in Central and 
Eastern Europe.

Statutory

Statutory revenue was £5,694 million, with the difference from 
underlying revenue being the presentation of the share of results of 
our joint ventures operating in the Middle East.

The statutory operating profit of £267 million represents a 
£329 million improvement on 2021 reflecting the improved trading 
performance and higher non-underlying charges in relation to 
acquisition and resizing activity in the prior year.

Statutory

Statutory revenue increased by 16% to 
£2,697 million. There is no difference 
between statutory and underlying revenue.

Statutory operating profit was £137 million, 
an increase of £17 million reflecting the improved 
trading performance and £8 million of COVID-19 
resizing costs in the prior year.

North America

Underlying

Full-year organic revenue growth was 44%, with revenue at 109% of 
2019 levels, and 119% in the fourth quarter. Net new business growth 
was 9.0% reflecting both strong new business wins and continued 
high retention at 97.1%. Growth was broad based across all sectors, 
with strong wins from first-time outsourcing.

Our Business & Industry sector, along with Sports & Leisure, benefited 
from continued volume recovery throughout the year, reflecting the 
return to the office and live events, together with higher per capita 
spend. Both sectors delivered strong double-digit net new business 
growth. Our Education sector, despite lapping strong reopening 
numbers last year, continued to rebuild volumes during the year 
and the resilient Healthcare & Senior Living business continued to 
perform strongly.

Europe

Underlying

Organic revenue grew by 32%, with net new business growth of 5.6%, 
driven by double-digit new business and a 160bps improvement in 
retention to 95.3%. Encouragingly, net new business growth 
accelerated in the second half of 2022 driven by improving trends in 
the UK, France and Germany. Overall, revenue for the year was 98% 
of 2019 levels, and 109% in the fourth quarter, reflecting the recovery 
in Business & Industry and Sports & Leisure.

With good volume recovery and higher 

growth, operating profit more than doubled 
to £299 million, with margin increasing 

by 180bps to 5.0%. Despite the 
progressively challenging 
macroeconomic environment and 
increased new business mobilisation, 
margin increased by 100bps between 
the first and second half of the year to 
5.5%.

Rest of World

Underlying

The 15% organic revenue increase in our Rest of World region reflects 
net new business growth of 3.6% and double-digit like-for-like volume 
growth, driven by good levels of pricing, especially in Latin America. 
Retention improved to 94.5% and revenues were 100% of 2019 levels, 
with the fourth quarter at 113%. With a higher exposure to the more 
defensive sectors of Healthcare and Defence, Offshore & Remote, the 
region had lower volume recovery as it was less impacted by the pandemic. 

During the year, several large markets continued with localised 
lockdowns and border closures which increased operational 
challenges and wage inflation. As a result, whilst operating profit was 
£141 million, an increase of 6% on a constant-currency basis, 
operating margin declined by 40bps to 5.2% for the full year, 
reflecting these challenges. However, in the second half, margin was 
5.6%, a 90bps improvement on the first half of the year.

22 

STRATEGIC REPORT

RISK MANAGEMENT

IDENTIFYING AND  
MANAGING RISK

The Board takes a proactive approach to risk management aimed 
at protecting the Group’s employees, clients and consumers and 
safeguarding the interests of the Company and its shareholders 
in a constantly changing environment.

Risk management is an essential element of business governance. 
The Group has risk management policies, processes and procedures 
in place to ensure that risks are properly identified, evaluated, and 
managed at the appropriate level.

The identification of risks and opportunities, the development of 
action plans to manage those risks and maximise 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.

In compliance with provision 28 of the UK Corporate Governance 
Code 2018 (the Code), the Board has conducted a robust assessment 
of the Company’s emerging and principal risks. The following pages 
set out the Board’s approach to assessing and mitigating risk, the 
principal risks of the Company and the procedures in place to identify 
emerging risks.

Risk management framework

The Board has overall responsibility for risk management. This 
includes the establishment of policies and procedures to manage risk, 
overseeing the internal control framework, reviewing the nature and 
extent of the principal risks, setting risk appetite and embedding a 
culture of risk management throughout the business. 

The Board has approved a risk management policy. The Group 
operates a formal risk management process in accordance with this 
policy, under which the Group’s principal risks (set out on pages 24 
to 28) are assessed and prioritised biannually. In accordance with 
the guidance set out in the FRC’s Guidance on Risk Management, 
Internal Control and Related Financial Business Reporting 2014 and 
in the Code, this process has been in place for the financial year under 
review. These 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 ensure compliance with 
relevant legislation, regulation and best practice including that related 
to social, environmental and ethical matters. These systems provide 
reasonable, but not absolute, assurance against material 
misstatement or loss.

The Board delegates aspects of risk management, with the Executive 
Committee responsible for the day-to-day management of significant 
risk, and the Audit Committee responsible for the oversight of 
Compass’ risk management systems and internal financial controls. 
The Group Director of Risk and Internal Audit maintains the risk 
management framework including the risk policy. The Audit 
Committee annually reviews the effectiveness of the Group’s 
approach to risk management and any changes to the risk policy and 
recommends the principal risks and uncertainties disclosures made in 
the Annual Report and Accounts to the Board for approval. The Audit 
Committee’s report is on pages 74 to 78.

Country-level

Biannual risk review

Risk reporting &  
calibrating process

Major risk assessment

Biannual review conducted by Internal  
Audit and country senior leadership team

I

&
K
U

E
M
E

C
A
P
A

M
A
T
A
L

A
N

H
C
E
T
O
F
N

I

Regional Governance Committees

Review and calibrate regional risk profiles

Enterprise-level risks and mitigations

Group Director of Risk and Internal Audit develops  
view of enterprise-level risks

Risk  
database

Horizon 
scanning

Internal 
Audit 
results

Competitor 
review

Executive Committee

Reviews and calibrates  
enterprise-level risks and mitigations

Audit Committee

Oversees risk management systems and controls

Board

Reviews enterprise-level risks and mitigations

Risks and the corresponding controls and mitigations are reviewed 
by country and regional leadership teams on an ongoing basis. 
Risk updates are integral to periodic management reviews and are 
regularly reviewed by the Regional Governance Committees and the 
Executive Committee. A critical component of the risk review process 
is the dynamic identification of emerging and developing risks at a 
country, regional and Group level. This bottom-up and top-down 
approach provides a comprehensive assessment of the key risks 
facing the Group. The findings of the risk reviews, including the 
principal risks and any developing trends, are reported to and 
considered by the Board twice a year. 

Risks are considered at gross and net levels. This allows the impact 
of the risk and likelihood of its occurrence both before and after 
controls and mitigations to be assessed. Risk management plans are 
developed for all significant risks. They include a clear description of 
the nature of the risk, quantification of the potential impact and 
likelihood of occurrence, the owners for each risk, and details of the 
controls and mitigations in place, proportionate to the risk, and in line 
with the Company’s business. The identification and assessment of 
climate-related risks and opportunities are incorporated within the risk 
management process. All country operating units are mandated to 
consider climate-related risks and opportunities. These are assessed 
in terms of % profit before interest and tax (PBIT) impact in 
accordance with the criteria set out in the Board-approved risk 
management policy. All country and Group level risks are assigned risk 
owners and, together with the mitigations, are recorded in the central 
risk reporting system.

Group companies also submit biannual risk and internal control 
assurance letters to the Group CFO on internal control and risk 
management issues, with comments on the control environment 
within their operations. The Chair of the Audit Committee reports to 
the Board on any matters arising from the Committee’s review of 
how the risk management and internal control processes have 
been applied.

The Audit Committee keeps under review the adequacy and 
effectiveness of the Company’s and Group’s internal financial controls 
and risk management systems. These are discussed in further detail 
in the Audit Committee Report on pages 74 to 78.

Risk appetite

The Board interprets risk appetite as the level of risk that the Company 
is willing to take to meet its strategic objectives. The Board’s attitude 
to and appetite for risk are communicated to the Group’s businesses 
through the strategy planning process and the internal risk 
governance and control frameworks. In determining its risk appetite, 
the Board recognises that a prudent and robust approach to risk 
mitigation must be carefully balanced with a degree of flexibility 
so that the entrepreneurial spirit that has greatly contributed to 
the Company’s success is not inhibited.

In assessing risk appetite, the Board reviews the three-year business 
plan and associated strategic risks. Risk appetite for specific financial 
risks such as funding and liquidity, credit, counterparty, foreign 
exchange and interest rate risk are set out in the Board approved 
treasury policies. Compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, 
such as those contained in the Companies Act, health and safety and 
other risk-specific legislation is mandatory.

COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

  23

New and emerging risks

The Board has established processes for identifying emerging risks, 
and horizon scanning for risks that may arise over the medium to 
long term. Emerging and potential changes to the Group’s risk profile 
are identified through the Group’s risk management framework and 
through direct feedback from management, including in regard to 
changing operating conditions, and market and consumer trends.

As announced in Compass’ half year results, geopolitical tension, 
in particular the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, has been 
recognised as a new principal risk due to the national security 
threat to countries, particularly in Europe and NATO, and the 
disruption to the global energy market which has contributed to 
the elevation of the existing cost inflation, economic and cyber 
security risks. The Board continues to monitor the situation carefully 
with the safety and security of colleagues front of mind. In March, 
Compass permanently exited the Russian market and moved away 
from all known Russian suppliers. Compass continues to manage 
inflation risks by sharing best practice across the Group to drive 
greater efficiencies through menu management, supplier 
rationalisation, labour scheduling and productivity through the 
increased use of technology. Cost indexation in our contracts also 
gives us the contractual right to review pricing with our clients. 
Compass is cognisant of changes in the macroeconomic environment 
such as pressure on food commodity prices, fuel and labour, and the 
inflationary impact these bring to the business. The macroeconomic 
environment is kept under evaluation through regular business 
reviews, which provide the agility to flex contracts and the 
operating model accordingly.

Our principal risks

The principal risks and uncertainties facing the business at the date 
of this Report, and any changes to the status of these risks since last 
year, are set out on pages 24 to 28. These have been subject to robust 
assessment and review.

They do not, however, comprise all 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 which are 
considered to be remote or are deemed to be less material at the 
date of this Report, may also have an adverse effect on the Group.

Pandemic COVID-19

The pandemic risk continues to represent a principal risk to the 
Group. Lessons have been learned from the business’ response to 
COVID-19 and these have been incorporated into risk management 
processes and procedures to mitigate the impact of this risk as far 
as possible in the event of further outbreaks of COVID-19, or another 
pandemic. The Group will continue to monitor recurrences of COVID 
and retains the ability to adapt its service offering, apply relevant 
health and safety precautions and deploy resources as necessary. 

Other principal risks

The Group faces a number of operational risks on an ongoing basis, 
such as litigation and financial risks, as well as some wider risks, for 
example, environmental and reputational. 

All risks disclosed in previous years can be found in the annual 
reports available on our website, www.compass-group.com. 
These risks remain important to the business and are kept under 
regular review. However, the disclosures on pages 24 to 28 focus 
on risks currently considered to be more significant to the Group.

24 

STRATEGIC REPORT

RISK MANAGEMENT CONTINUED

PRINCIPAL  
RISKS

Key

Link to

See page 13

People

Increased risk

Performance

Static risk

Purpose

Decreasing risk

1

2

3

NEW

New risk

Client sales and marketing

Consumer sales and marketing

4

5

In-unit costs

Above-unit overheads

Cost of food

Risk

Description

Mitigation

CLIMATE CHANGE AND SUSTAINABILITY

Climate change 

1

2

3

4

5

Trend 

2022 NEW 2021

The impact of climate change on 
the environment may lead to issues 
around food sourcing and supply 
chain continuity in some of the 
Group’s markets. Issues in these 
areas could affect the availability 
of some food products, and 
potentially may lead to food 
cost inflation.

Social and 
ethical 
standards 

1

2

3

4

5

Trend

2022 NEW 2021

HEALTH AND SAFETY

Health and 
safety 

1

2

3

4

5

Trend

2022

2021

Compass relies on its people to 
deliver great service to its clients 
and consumers and recognises 
that the welfare of employees is 
the foundation of its culture and 
business. Compass remains vigilant 
in upholding high standards of 
business ethics with regard to 
human rights and social equality.

Compass feeds millions of 
consumers and Group companies 
employ hundreds of thousands of 
people around the world every day. 
For that reason, setting the highest 
standards for food hygiene and 
safety is paramount.

Health and safety breaches could 
cause serious business interruption 
and could result in criminal and civil 
prosecution, increased costs and 
potential damage to the Company’s 
reputation.

The Group continues to focus on evaluating its exposure to climate 
change and seeks to identify potential future issues early so that sourcing 
and operations can be adjusted, and menus adapted appropriately. 
Work continues with clients and suppliers to propose, execute and 
measure solutions to support their efforts and those of Compass in 
reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). Compass has targeted 
climate net zero GHG emissions by 2050 alongside validated  
science-based targets to reduce emissions by 2030 (from a 2019 base 
year) in line with the 2015 Paris Agreement. Based on the scenario 
analysis carried out in relation to TCFD, we believe the risks do not have 
the potential to have a material impact on the Group. The TCFD 
disclosures for 2022 are set out on pages 43 to 50.

To enhance its ability to counter risks to its businesses and supply 
chains from modern slavery, Compass has focused on the areas where 
its human rights strategy can have the greatest impact. This has been 
done through the Human Rights Working Group, the engagement of 
external specialist advisers, the Group’s Modern Slavery eLearning tools 
and ongoing work to strengthen and improve the Group’s human rights 
due diligence through supplier evaluation and labour agency reviews.

Management meetings throughout the Group feature a health and safety 
update as one of their first substantive agenda items.

Health and safety improvement KPIs are included in the annual bonus 
plans for each of the businesses’ management teams. The Group has 
policies, procedures and standards in place to ensure compliance with 
legal obligations and industry standards.

The safety and quality of the Group’s global supply chain are assured 
through compliance with a robust set of standards which are regularly 
reviewed, audited and upgraded as necessary to improve supply chain 
visibility and product integrity.

Further mitigations in place include Global Operational Safety Standards, 
Global Supply Chain Integrity Standards and a Global Allergen 
Management Plan. 

 
 
 
COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

  25

Risk

Description

HEALTH AND SAFETY CONTINUED

Mitigation

Pandemic 
COVID-19 

1

2

3

4

5

Trend

2022

2021

The Group’s operations were 
significantly disrupted due to the global 
COVID-19 pandemic and associated 
containment measures, but Compass 
has recovered well and learned from the 
pandemic. As a result, the risk has 
declined. Further outbreaks of the virus, 
or another pandemic, could cause 
further business risk.

Operations and working practices have been adjusted to retain the 
skills and experience of colleagues and provide flexibility in the event 
of a resumption of containment measures.

To protect the Group’s employees, clients and consumers, enhanced 
health and safety protocols and personal protective equipment 
requirements and guidelines, hygiene requirements and site layout 
solutions, developed in consultation with expert advisers and with 
our clients, have been adopted accordingly.

Careful management of the Group’s cost base and robust measures 
to protect the Group’s liquidity position have ensured that we remain 
resilient and well placed to take advantage of appropriate 
opportunities as they arise.

Robust incident management and business continuity plans are in 
place and are being monitored for effectiveness and regularly 
reviewed to reflect best practice. 

The Group aims to mitigate this risk by efficient, time critical 
resource management, mobilisation of existing, experienced 
employees within the organisation, improved use of technology 
such as apps and social media, targeted recruitment, and training 
and development programmes.

The Group has established tools, training, development, performance 
management and reward programmes to help retain, develop, 
motivate and support its best people.

The Group has a number of well-established initiatives, which help 
to monitor levels of engagement and to respond to the needs of 
employees. Specifically, Compass has increased its local focus 
and employee support on mental health awareness, stress 
management and resilience to better equip its people in 
times of uncertainty and change.

To protect its workforce, Compass applies measures available to 
it to retain as many of its skilled workforce as possible, including 
redeployment.

PEOPLE

Recruitment 

4

5

Trend 

2022

2021

Retention and 
motivation 

4

5

Trend 

2022

2021

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 in some key 
positions due to labour shortages and a 
lack of industry experience amongst 
candidates, appropriately qualified 
people and the seasonal nature of 
some of Compass’ businesses.

Retaining and motivating the best 
people with the right skills, at all levels 
of the organisation, is key to the 
long-term success of the Group.

The current economic conditions may 
increase the risk of attrition at all levels 
of the organisation.

Potential business closures resulting 
from further COVID-19 lock downs or 
other social distancing controls may 
significantly impact the Group’s 
workforce in affected regions.

CLIENTS AND CONSUMERS

Sales and  
retention 

The Group’s businesses rely on securing 
and retaining a diverse range of clients.

Compass has strategies that strengthen its long-term relationships 
with its clients and consumers based on quality, value and innovation.

1

2

Trend 

2022

2021

The potential loss of material client 
contracts in an increasingly competitive 
market is a risk to Compass’ businesses.

Reduced office attendance, closure of 
client sites and fewer site visitors as a 
result of the ongoing impact of 
COVID-19 and related variants may 
impact revenues in affected sectors.

The Group’s business model is structured so that it is not reliant on 
one particular sector or group of clients.

Technology is used to support the delivery of efficiencies and to 
contribute to growth through, for example, cashierless and 
cashless payment systems and the use of artificial intelligence. 
This is beneficial to clients and consumers and positively impacts 
retention and new business wins.

Compass continues to focus on financial security and safety. 
In today’s environment, these are key strengths for clients.

Contracts may be renegotiated. There is continued focus on retention 
and new sales and the use of technology and innovative client solutions.

 
 
 
 
26 

STRATEGIC REPORT

RISK MANAGEMENT CONTINUED

Risk

Description

Mitigation

CLIENTS AND CONSUMERS CONTINUED

Service 
delivery, 
contractual 
compliance 
and retention 

1

2

Trend 

2022

2021

Competition 
and disruption 

1

2

3

4

5

Trend 

2022

2021

The Group’s operating companies 
contract with a large number of clients. 
Failure to comply with the terms of these 
contracts, including proper delivery of 
services, could lead to the loss of 
business and/or claims.

Processes are in place to ensure that the services delivered 
to clients are of an appropriate standard and comply with 
the required contract terms and conditions.

The Group operates in a highly 
competitive marketplace. The levels of 
concentration and outsource penetration 
vary 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 of the self-operated market.

Ongoing structural changes in working 
and education environments may reduce 
the number of people in offices and 
educational establishments.

The emergence of new industry 
participants and traditional competition 
using disruptive technology could 
adversely affect the Group’s businesses. 

Compass aims to minimise this and to respond to new market and 
consumer food services trends by continuing to promote its 
differentiated propositions and by focusing on its strengths, such as 
flexibility in the cost base, quality, value of service and innovation.

Harnessing knowledge and experience and continuing to invest in 
technology helps to counter any potential risk and to capitalise on 
the opportunities created.

Compass continues to evolve its offer to increase participation rates 
and service sites of different sizes.

The business is able to adapt to changes in the service provision 
environment and where possible take advantage of changes in the 
market. By leveraging its expertise and technology Compass is able 
to differentiate its food services offer. For example, investments in 
SmartQ, EAT Club and Feedr have given Compass platforms that 
allow it to pivot food operations according to changing client and 
consumer demands.

ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT

Geopolitical 

1

2

3

4

5  

Trend 
NEW 2022

Economy 

1

2

3

4

5

Trend 

2022

2021

At the half year, Compass recognised 
geopolitical tensions, including the 
conflict between Russia and Ukraine as a 
new principal risk. The conflict has 
heightened national security threats to 
countries, particularly in Europe and 
NATO and its disruption to the global 
energy market has contributed to the 
elevation of the existing cost inflation, 
economic and cyber security risks. 

Sectors of Compass’ business could be 
susceptible to adverse changes in 
economic conditions and 
employment levels.

Continued worsening of economic 
conditions has increased the risk to 
the businesses in some jurisdictions.

As a Group, Compass is monitoring the situation closely with the 
safety and security of the Group’s employees front of mind. In 
March, Compass permanently exited the Russian market and 
moved away from all known Russian suppliers. The Group 
continues to manage inflation risks by sharing best practice across 
the Group to drive greater efficiencies through menu management, 
supplier rationalisation, labour scheduling, and productivity by the 
increased use of technology. Cost indexation in our contracts also 
gives Compass the contractual right to review pricing with clients.

As part of Compass’ strategy, the Group is focused on productivity 
and purchasing initiatives which help to manage the cost base. 
During adverse conditions, if necessary, actions can be taken to 
reduce labour costs and action plans have been implemented to 
protect profitability and liquidity.

 
 
 
 
COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

  27

Risk

Description

Mitigation

ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT CONTINUED

At Compass, the objective is always to 
deliver the right level of service in the 
most efficient way. An increase in the cost 
of labour, for example, minimum wages in 
the US and UK, or the cost of food, could 
constitute a risk to our ability to do this.

As part of the MAP framework and by sharing best practice across 
the Group, Compass seeks to manage inflation by continuing to 
drive greater efficiencies through menu management, supplier 
rationalisation, labour scheduling and productivity, and by the 
increased use of technology. Cost indexation in our contracts also 
gives Compass the contractual right to review pricing with clients.

Increases in inflation continue to intensify 
cost pressures in some locations.

It is anticipated that the cost action programmes and continued 
oversight of supply chain costs will assist in taking appropriate 
action to mitigate the risks in this area.

Cost inflation 

3

4

5

Trend 

2022

2021

Political 
instability 

1

2

3

4

5

Trend 

2022

2021

Compass is a global business operating 
in countries and regions with diverse 
economic and political conditions. 
Operations and earnings may be 
adversely affected by political or 
economic instability.

COMPLIANCE AND FRAUD

Compliance and 
fraud 

1

2

3

4

5

Trend 

2022

2021

Ineffective compliance management 
with increasingly complex laws and 
regulations, or evidence of fraud, 
bribery and corruption, anti-competitive 
behaviour or other serious misconduct, 
could have an adverse effect on the 
Group’s reputation, its performance and/
or a reduction in the Company’s share 
price and/or a loss of business. It could 
also lead to criminal action, sanction or 
other litigation being brought against 
the Company, its directors or 
Executive management.

Companies face increased risk of fraud, 
bribery and corruption, anti-competitive 
behaviour and other serious misconduct 
both internally and externally, due to 
financial and/or performance pressures 
and significant changes to ways of working.

The Group remains alert to future changes presented by emerging 
markets or fledgling administrations and tries to anticipate and 
contribute to important changes in public policy.

Where possible, Compass seeks to absorb price increases through 
operational efficiencies. Cost indexation in our contracts also gives 
Compass the contractual right to review pricing with clients.

Recruitment and retention strategies are also in place to mitigate 
any impact on labour supply.

Compass remains vigilant to changes in political stability in local 
jurisdictions and retains the flexibility to take appropriate mitigating 
action as necessary.

The Group’s zero tolerance-based Code of Business Conduct and 
Code of Ethics continue to govern all aspects of its relationships 
with its stakeholders. Compass operates a continuous 
improvement process as part of the Group’s Ethics and Integrity 
programme to enhance and strengthen its culture of integrity, 
sharing insights and emerging trends between regional and country 
management teams.

The Group undertakes a robust risk management assessment that 
helps properly identify major risks and ensures the internal control 
framework remains effective through regular monitoring, testing 
and review. Regulatory and compliance risks are included in this 
process to enable visibility and planning to address them.

A strong culture of integrity is promoted through Compass’ Ethics 
and Integrity programme and its independently operated Speak 
Up, We’re Listening helpline and web platform. All alleged 
breaches of the Codes, including any allegations of fraud, bribery 
and corruption, anti-competitive behaviour and other serious 
misconduct, are followed up, investigated and dealt 
with appropriately.

Regulation and compliance risk is also considered as part of the 
annual business planning process.

Our Ethics and Integrity eLearning platform provides increased 
engagement on key regulatory and ethics and integrity topics for 
Group employees and clear communication of standards and 
expectations. Internal Audit regularly reviews internal controls and 
analyses financial transactions to mitigate the risk of error or fraud.

 
 
 
28 

STRATEGIC REPORT

RISK MANAGEMENT CONTINUED

Risk

Description

Mitigation

COMPLIANCE AND FRAUD CONTINUED

International 
tax 

3

5

Trend 

2022

2021

Information 
systems and 
technology 

1

2

3

4

5

Trend 

2022

2021

The international corporate tax 
environment remains complex and the 
sustained increase in audit activity from 
tax authorities means that the potential 
for tax uncertainties and disputes remains 
high. The need to raise public finances to 
meet the cost of the COVID-19 pandemic 
is likely to cause governments to consider 
increases in tax rates and other potentially 
adverse changes in tax legislation, and 
to renew focus on compliance for 
large corporates.

The digital world creates increasing risk 
for global businesses including, but not 
limited to, technology failures, loss of 
confidential data and damage to brand 
reputation through, for example, the 
increased and instantaneous use of 
social media.

Disruption caused by the failure of key 
software applications, security controls or 
underlying infrastructure could delay 
day-to-day operations and management 
decision making.

The incidence of sophisticated phishing 
and malware attacks on businesses is 
rising with an increase in the number 
of companies suffering operational 
disruption and loss of data.

The increase in remote working, and the 
Russia / Ukraine conflict has led to an 
increase in the risk of malware and 
phishing attacks across all organisations.

Compass seeks to plan and manage its tax affairs efficiently in the 
jurisdictions in which the Group’s businesses operate. Compass 
acts in compliance with relevant laws and disclosure requirements.

Compass manages and controls these risks in a proactive manner 
and in doing so exercises judgement and seeks 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.

The Group proactively manages its tax arrangements in accordance 
with various government-led initiatives and ensures compliance is 
achieved by putting robust processes and controls in place, 
including third-party support and review.

Compass continually assesses its cyber risk and manages the 
maturity of its enterprise infrastructure, platforms and security 
controls to ensure that it can effectively defend against any current 
or future cyber-attacks.

Appropriate crisis management procedures are in place to handle 
issues in the event of defences being breached. This is supported 
by using industry standard tooling, experienced professionals and 
partners and regular compliance monitoring to evaluate and 
mitigate potential impacts.

The Group relies on a variety of digital and technology platforms to 
manage and deliver services and communicate with its people, 
clients, consumers and suppliers. Compass’ decentralised model 
and infrastructure help to mitigate propagation of attacks across 
the Group’s technology estate.

Compass continues to be focused on the need to maximise the 
effectiveness of its information systems and technology as a 
business enabler. As such, the Group has increased its investment 
in technology and people in order to strengthen its platforms and 
enhance its cyber security defences to mitigate the risk of 
technology failure and data loss.

Configuration changes have been implemented to block phishing 
emails, awareness campaigns have been increased and cyber 
training provided to help employees identify these types of attacks.

IS&T controls and risks are assessed as part of the Group’s formal 
governance processes and are reviewed by the Audit Committee 
on a regular basis. 

 
 
COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

  29

remainder of the maturing debt is expected to be refinanced 
during the three-year period to 30 September 2025 to maintain 
the desired level of headroom.

A reverse stress test has been undertaken to identify the 
circumstances that would cause the Group to breach the headroom 
against its committed facilities or the financial covenants on its USPP 
debt. The reverse stress test, which removes discretionary M&A 
expenditure and share buybacks as mitigating actions, shows that 
underlying EBITDA1 would have to reduce by more than 60% of the 
strategic plan level throughout the three-year assessment period 
before the leverage covenant is reached. The refinancing 
requirement is not accelerated given the strong liquidity 
position of the Group. 

The principal risks that would have the most significant impact 
on the Group’s business model, future performance, solvency or 
liquidity are further outbreaks of COVID-19 or another pandemic and 
associated containment measures, geopolitical tensions, economic 
conditions and food and labour cost inflation and these, together with 
the other principal risks identified on pages 24 to 28, have been 
considered as part of the viability assessment. Specific scenarios 
based on the principal risks have not been modelled on the basis 
that the level of headroom to absorb the occurrence of such risks is 
substantial and there is a range of other actions available that could 
be implemented to mitigate the potential impact. 

Substantial mitigating actions were identified and implemented 
as part of the Group’s COVID-19 pandemic response in 2020, 
including reducing capital expenditure, resizing the cost base, 
renegotiating client contracts, pausing M&A activity and 
shareholder returns, raising equity, negotiating covenant waivers 
and securing additional committed funding.

In the event that the financial covenants were to come under 
pressure, mitigating actions include repaying the loan notes from 
available liquidity, or refinancing, in advance of their maturity or 
negotiating covenant waivers. The Group’s long-term (A/A3) and 
short-term (A-1/P-2) credit ratings and well-established presence 
in the debt capital markets provide the directors with confidence 
that the Group could raise additional debt finance if required. 

Conclusion

Based on the results of this analysis, the Board has a reasonable 
expectation that the Group will be able to continue in operation 
and meet its liabilities as they fall due over the three-year period 
to 30 September 2025.

PALMER BROWN
Group Chief Financial Officer

21 November 2022

VIABILITY 
STATEMENT

In accordance with provision 31 of the UK Corporate Governance 
Code 2018, the directors have assessed the Group’s viability, 
considering its current trading performance, financial position, 
financing, strategic plan and principal risks.

Business prospects

The Board has considered the long-term prospects of the Group 
based on its business model, strategy and markets as set out on 
pages 2 to 8. Compass is a global leader in food services and the 
geographical and sector diversification of the Group’s operations helps 
to minimise the risk of serious business interruption or catastrophic 
damage to its reputation. The Group’s business model is structured 
so that it is not reliant on one group of clients or sector. The Group’s 
largest client constitutes 2% of underlying revenue, with the top 10 
clients accounting for 10%.

Assessment

The directors have determined that a three-year period to 
30 September 2025 is an appropriate period over which to provide 
its viability statement on the basis that it is the period reviewed by the 
Board in its strategic planning process and is aligned to the typical 
length of the Group’s contracts (three to five years). The directors 
believe that this presents the Board and readers of the Annual Report 
with a reasonable degree of confidence over this longer-term outlook.

The Board’s assessment of the Group’s viability comprises the 
following business processes:

 – Risk management process: The Group operates a formal risk 

management process under which the Group’s principal risks are 
assessed and prioritised biannually. Risks and corresponding 
controls and mitigations are reviewed by country and regional 
leadership teams on an ongoing basis. The findings of the risk 
reviews, including the principal risks and any developing trends, 
are reported to the Board twice a year. In making its viability 
assessment, the Board carried out a robust evaluation of the 
principal risks facing the Group (see pages 24 to 28), including 
those that would threaten its business model, future performance, 
solvency or liquidity.

 – Strategic planning process: The Board considers annually a 

three-year, bottom-up strategic plan and a more detailed budget 
which is prepared for the following year. Current-year business 
performance is reforecast during the year. The plan is reviewed 
and approved by the Board, with involvement throughout from the 
Group CEO, Group CFO and the Executive team. The Board’s role is 
to consider the appropriateness of key assumptions, considering 
the external environment and business strategy. The most recent 
three-year plan was approved by the Board in November 2022.
 – Headroom and covenant analysis: At 30 September 2022, the 
Group had £2.0 billion of undrawn committed bank facilities, 
which mature in August 2024 (£140 million) and August 2026 
(£1,860 million), and £1.7 billion of cash net of overdrafts. Term 
debt maturities in the three-year period total £2.0 billion, of which 
£0.7 billion was pre-financed with bond issues in September 2022. 
Based on the forecast cash flows in the strategic plan, the 

1.  Alternative Performance Measure (APM). The Group’s APMs are defined in note 33 (non-GAAP measures) and reconciled to GAAP measures in notes 1 (segmental 

analysis) and 33 to the consolidated financial statements.

30 

STRATEGIC REPORT

CASE STUDY

PEO PL E

THE LEADERSHIP ACADEMY, COMPASS GROUP AUSTRALIA 

Developing future leaders and retaining top talent is crucial 
to our strategy for growth. In 2021, Compass Group Australia 
launched the Leadership Academy, which gives the business 
a competitive edge by developing leaders at all levels. 
Its founding vision is to ensure that every Compass Group 
Australia employee can grow and develop their career and is 
led by a capable leader. The Academy, which has the potential 
to be replicated in all our markets, has put over 300 leaders 

through its Leadership Induction programme, and over 
70 managers are currently on the newly launched 
Operational Coaching programme. As well as producing 
successful campaigns such as Compass Has Talent, which 
identifies future leaders and removes barriers, the Academy is 
also improving safety performance for our employees, clients 
and consumers. It is a prime example of an initiative that 
enhances our performance and serves our purpose. 

300+

leaders completed the Academy’s  
Leadership Induction programme

51%

female representation on the Academy’s 
Leadership Induction programme

People strategic pillars

O p p o r t unity for all

C

o

le

n

n

a

e

d

c

e

t

r

e

s

d

Diverse
talent

Respect 
Teamwork 
Growth

d

e

Empowe r
teams

Caring, winnin g   c u l

t

e

r

u

OUR PEOPLE

COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

  31

OUR PEOPLE ARE AT THE HEART OF  
WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO.

We are committed to leading the way and providing a genuine 
career path within hospitality. For example, in 2021 our UK&I 
business launched Career Pathways. This articulates the skills, 
experiences and learning colleagues need to progress to more senior 
roles or move across the key disciplines: culinary, service, facilities, 
and central functions.

Creating lifetime opportunities for all

Compass is uniquely positioned to create lifetime opportunities and 
to positively impact and represent the communities in which its 
businesses operate, creating empowered teams by developing 
diverse talent and leaders who foster an inclusive culture that 
enables everyone to be themselves.

Empowerment requires listening to the ideas and experiences of our 
people and helping them thrive. We are proud that Compass Group 
North America has improved new hires’ experience, enabling 
candidates to apply for a role in just under two minutes through 
chat, using SMS text on any device, and has increased diversity by 
focusing on internal promotions. 

People are essential to our strategy for growth. They are at the heart of 
how we win and why we win, and their health and safety is our number 
one priority. Together with our caring, winning culture and robust 
MAP framework, our people differentiate us from our competitors. 

Empowered teams

Our businesses empower their teams to deliver and make decisions 
using training, tools and knowledge. Overall, this year, approximately 
194,000 employees worldwide have been inducted and onboarded 
by Compass Group companies to support growth and the reopening 
of client sites.

We have continued to deliver our core development training 
programmes Mapping for Value and Mapping for Action, to reinforce 
our use of the MAP framework within our leadership and operational 
teams respectively. 

Around 4,000 employees across the Group have completed Mapping 
for Value and around 14,000 employees have participated in 
Mapping for Action. 

Partnering with the Human Library we build greater insight and 
empathy in our leadership teams, and this year, we hosted our first 
face-to-face event in Norway for 40 EME Academy participants.

DEBORAH LEE
Group Chief People Officer

Compass Group Germany has developed the Eurest Chef Academy, 
with 50 employees taking part each year. This 16-month in-service 
training programme enables participants to become cooks certified 
with Germany’s Chamber of Industry and Commerce. Over 60% of 
participants in the Academy are female. 

Diverse talent

As part of our commitment to inclusion for all, we endeavour to 
harness the talents of our diverse workforce across every level of 
the organisation. We are proud to create environments that 
welcome people of all cultures, identity and background where 
all of our colleagues can be themselves.

In September our US business celebrated the innovative 25 year 
partnership with Thompson Hospitality. For a quarter of a century, 
Compass and Thompson have been enhancing and expanding 
experiences for our clients, partners and each other. The 
partnership’s key pillars of supplier diversity, employee opportunity, 
client service and community, have all positively impacted our 
culture and the communities we serve.

Over 8,000 colleagues have participated in Compass Group North 
America’s many Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) events this 
year. In July, the region’s second annual Be The Difference 
conference championed diverse teams across North America 
and was attended by over 2,000 employees from all sectors. 

Our UK&I business demonstrates leadership commitment to diversity 
with its reverse mentoring programme, which partners senior leaders 
with colleagues from ethnically diverse backgrounds across the 
business to share knowledge and deepen mutual understanding. 

Planète Chef, run by Compass Group France, enables potential 
employees to apply without a CV for a two-year training programme 
to qualify as a chef supplemented with additional skills training in 
the French language, literacy and numeracy. 

Our work has continued at pace on developing, retaining and 
promoting our female talent. In UK&I, 58% of all promotions during 
the year were female with approximately 13% of the workforce 
promoted. 53% of promotions of salaried staff in the US were female.

The Women in Food community, launched in 2016 to support 
female chefs, continued to grow, with many of our Women in Food 
ambassadors providing world-class service at the 2022 UEFA 
European Women’s Football Championship. Levy UK&I brought a 
team together made up of almost 800 women to provide world-class 
catering and hospitality to eight matches at the tournament, held in 
the UK. They were joined by Compass Healthcare and Chartwells 
colleagues from the UK&I business, a team which included chefs, 
nutritionists, operations, front-of-house colleagues and Compass’ and 
Chartwells’ chef partner, writer and broadcaster Allegra McEvedy MBE. 

32 

STRATEGIC REPORT

OUR PEOPLE CONTINUED

Chef Appreciation Week

Our great chefs and culinary teams are the heart of Compass 
and our industry. Now in its ninth year, Chef Appreciation Week 
is celebrated by our businesses across the world to recognise 
and thank all those people who keep our clients and consumers 
happy, nourished and healthy. 

This year, our businesses shone a light on those who make a 
real impact on their local community: from our colleagues in 
Europe and the Middle East, who hosted the EME Culinary Cup 
final, to Compass Group North America, which created a 
sector-wide video showing appreciation to our chefs from the 
clients’ point of view. Other initiatives included:

 – in Australia, a Bush Tucker how-to guide was created to 
encourage colleagues to incorporate native ingredients 
into their cooking

 – in the UAE, a kitchen garden was established in Dubai, 
where 15 different varieties of produce were grown and 
incorporated into daily menus

 – in Spain, a new generation of chefs was inspired through 
a partnership with the Higher Culinary Training Centre, 
giving students the opportunity to learn the essentials of 
food service 

 – in the UK&I, NHS chefs continued to be inspired by new 
skills, ideas and recipes, thanks to a series of Chef’s 
Academy events delivered across the country

Building on these successes, we also launched a global 
culinary forum, enabling our talented chefs to better share 
their expertise, which is so valued by our clients. 

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all our frontline 
chefs and culinary leaders who invest in their teams and 
champion sustainability, diversity and inclusion whilst serving 
our clients and consumers.

Compass Group Turkey established a Leader Women’s Network, 
bringing together 25 above-unit female managers from across the 
country to define the needs of the business in gender diversity. 
The business also facilitates the career development of talented 
women in its kitchens and other operational positions, helping them 
grow into roles of responsibility and leadership. 

In July, our Chicago-based Foodworks business launched the IGNITE 
programme, which offers grants to women and minority owned 
business partners throughout the US. 

2022 Female Representation

Board
Executive Committee
Senior Leaders
All Management
Total Workforce

20221

 33%
40%
37%
46%
57%

2021

36%
33%
35%
46%
57%

1.  Figures stated as at 30 September 2022.
2.  The gender breakdown disclosures required in the Strategic Report pursuant 
to section 414C(8)(c) of the Companies Act 2006 are made on page 116, 
and are incorporated by reference into the Strategic Report.

Connected leaders

Creating lifetime opportunities for all 
begins with leaders connected to our 
people, clients, and each other, 
working together to learn and 
improve. Underpinning all 
leadership development 
programmes is the ambition to 
develop leaders who create a 
culture of inclusion so that everyone 
in the business can be themselves 
and perform to the best of their abilities.

COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

  33

PROTECTING AND PROMOTING 
EMPLOYEES’ MENTAL HEALTH 
SHOULD ALWAYS BE A PRIORITY 
FOR ALL RESPONSIBLE 
BUSINESSES.

Supporting our leaders to be better is a competitive advantage. 
This year, our global leadership conference in London brought many 
of our leaders together, in person, for the first time since before the 
pandemic, allowing us to share invaluable insights and innovations 
that will help us achieve our growth aspirations. The event also 
highlighted the remarkable talent, creativity and expertise of our 
chefs, some of whom attended and catered the event. 

Forward with Marcus Wareing is a new training programme open to 
culinary leaders in our UK&I business, designed to build skills, grow 
knowledge and expand their imagination. Any senior culinary leader 
can apply, and Marcus Wareing is available to offer advice, 
encouragement and mentorship to participants. 

Enhancing communication is critical to successful leadership. We use 
digital, social and engagement tools to connect our people, share 
leadership messages, and foster conversations on key topics. In the 
US, these tools have been used across different sectors to keep 
frontline staff connected. Employees share their thoughts and photos 
with their teammates; the topics are broad. Whether it’s talking about 
the latest recipe to recognising National French Fry Day, sharing 
personal journeys and reflections for Pride month, or celebrating our 

DE&I pledge, every conversation matters and the 

forums are open to all who are interested.

In support of our commitment to respect, 

Compass Group Australia has been 
working to eliminate sexual 
harassment and discrimination in the 
workplace and broader communities 
by introducing its Respectful 
Behaviours programme. The 
programme won the Australian 
Resources & Energy Employer 
Association Mental Health and 

Wellbeing Award for its unique way of 
dealing with inappropriate behaviour, and 

for freely sharing this collateral with other 

sub-contractors to tackle this industry-wide issue. 

Health and wellbeing

We are enormously proud of how our Healthcare & Senior Living 
colleagues demonstrated our values and cared for people during the 
pandemic. Across the Group, we are committed to keeping people 
safe and healthy. Improving wellbeing at work is good for society, our 
organisation, our people and our clients. That is why many of our 
businesses provide access to comprehensive health and nutrition 
coaching, educational and wellness programmes, crisis helplines and 
support groups. 

Protecting and promoting employees’ mental health should always be 
a priority for all responsible businesses. This year, several educational 
events were held across the Group to help eradicate mental health 
stigma. These included sessions led by Dr Paul Litchfield, Compass’ 
Chief Medical Adviser, to support our broader mission to build a 
supportive culture. Similarly, mental health first-aid training was 
provided across our European business.

Compass Group UK&I’s Social Promise

In June 2022, Compass UK&I launched its Social Promise, 
leading with its Mission to a Million campaign, which is 
looking to support one million people by 2030 through job 
creation, education, training, and community and 
charitable engagement.

The business wants to remove the barriers that many face 
regarding opportunity within and outside our organisation – 
particularly of gender, race, and those experienced by people 
from less advantaged and under-represented backgrounds.

Compass UK&I plans to improve employee representation, 
provide people with skills and progression opportunities, 
support the communities it operates in, and help the next 
generation by engaging with schools and advocating fairer  
pay for all.

Compass UK&I has an annual target for promotions, to improve 
diversity across middle and senior management gradually, and 
will track progression rates for employees of different genders 
and ethnicities to assess the strategy’s impact. It is also 
continuing to deliver on its Real Living Wage commitment 
announced last year.

In 2022, our UK&I and North America businesses led the way in 
promoting all aspects of employee wellbeing through a comprehensive 
range of initiatives covering mental, physical, financial, and nutritional 
health. For example, in North America, Compass One Healthcare’s 
Square One programme has aimed to better recognise employees for 
exceptional performance. Also by removing unnecessary tasks and 
providing tips for improving mental and physical wellness, it has 
helped employees achieve a better work-life balance. 

In the UK&I, with the support of over 150 ambassadors, our 
colleagues have developed and launched an extensive YouMatter 
training programme for all line managers to help them recognise when 
someone may be suffering from anxiety or stress and to signpost 
support when needed. 

14forty, Compass Group UK&I’s specialist provider of integrated 
facilities management, won the Wellbeing Award at the 2022 Institute 
of Workplace and Facilities Management Awards. The award was 
given in recognition of various initiatives that encourage customers to 
make better food choices across client sites, including the launch of 
plant-based menus and partnerships with the University of Cambridge 
to trial exercise and calorie consumption labelling and the University 
of Oxford to trial eco-labelling.

34 

STRATEGIC REPORT

OUR PEOPLE CONTINUED

Employee voice – engaging with our people

This year’s global engagement survey heard the voices of over 
144,000 colleagues, representing c.30% of our people globally. 
It included participation from 41 countries across the Group, 
with a 54% response rate (up from 48% in the previous global 
survey in 2019) indicating enhanced engagement overall. 

Engagement scores held broadly steady at 4.0 (2019: 4.1), with 
the slight drop reflecting increased participation levels from 
previously lower-engaged countries. Over half of respondents 
said that COVID had impacted their ability to work and scores 
from these colleagues were generally lower than average. 
Despite this, 8 in 10 of our people agreed that we are 
committed to exceeding our clients’ and consumers’ 
expectations, while 80% of respondents agreed that the 
Company is committed to diversity and inclusion and felt 
part of a positive and caring team. 

Overall, we were pleased that our engagement levels have 
broadly held at a time when our people’s lives have been 
continually disrupted and unsettled by external factors. We 
know that what matters most to our people is to feel engaged 
and give their best. To ensure all our people feel part of our 
caring, winning culture, we must deliver on our commitments of 
Respect, Teamwork and Growth for everyone and continue in 
our mission to provide opportunities for all. 

The Group CEO, Group CFO, and other Executive Committee 
members held several virtual townhalls with colleagues across 
the Group during the year. Similar forums have also been held 
at local and regional levels, with high participation rates. 

Our Designated Non-executive director (NED) for workforce 
engagement, Ireena Vittal, hosted roundtables in the year with 
employees from across the businesses. These roundtables 
provided excellent insight into broader employee sentiment and 
more information can be found on page 69.

A similar commitment to wellbeing is exemplified across our Rest of 
World markets. These businesses offer a comprehensive range of 
programmes to help their employees manage their mental health 
proactively and support them with various initiatives, from counselling 
services to financial guidance.

Please see page 10 for more on Compass’ commitment to health 
and safety.

Human rights

Human rights is a fundamental priority for our businesses globally.

We recognise the importance and responsibility of respecting human 
rights for all our employees within our own operations, those workers 
throughout our supply chain and the communities in which our 
businesses operate.

During the year, significant effort was dedicated to improving our 
policies, processes, training and awareness programmes. We 
continued to develop our knowledge and understanding of the 
principal human rights risks across the diverse and complex 
environment we operate in. 

We recognise that raising awareness and training is vital in ensuring 
that our employees and leaders understand that all forms of modern 
slavery and/or exploitation are unacceptable. An online modern 
slavery training module was rolled out to approximately 13,000 
leaders across all our countries. We also held targeted training 
sessions on human rights and modern slavery for our People and 
Procurement teams.

Our dedicated Human Rights Working Group was expanded to 
include representation from every region that Compass operates 
in and continues to be key to promoting our human rights and 
modern slavery strategy, the awareness of the principal risks, the 
sharing of best practice and helping embed our associated policies 
in the business.

We renewed our partnership with the Slave-Free Alliance. This 
anti-slavery social enterprise is acting as a ‘critical friend’ in helping 
us to improve our due diligence processes, address risk, and shape 
our broader human rights agenda.

In June 2022, we partnered with the Earthworm Foundation. This 
non-profit organisation specialises in working with companies to 
support the transition to responsible sourcing for a wide range of 
natural raw materials. The partnership has assisted Compass in 
better understanding our supply chain and related human rights 
risks and will inform our plans and activities on two food categories 
for next year and beyond. 

This year’s activity has focused on:

 – ethical recruitment in the Middle East 
 – supply chain risk management initiatives 
 – creation and launch of a new Global Supplier Code of Conduct
 – expansion of the use of Sedex (Supplier Ethical Data Exchange)
 – further rollout of modern slavery training 
 – communicating our revised Human Rights Policy and Modern 

Slavery Act statement

For more on our approach to human rights: www.compass-group.com/
en/sustainability/people/human-rights-and-ethical-trade 

Financial wellbeing

We are proud of our caring culture and are committed to supporting 
our people and the communities we serve during difficult times. In line 
with our values and within the parameters of our decentralised 
operating model, financial wellbeing support is delivered through 
tailored programmes in each of our markets. For example, in North 
America, Compass provides flexibility through a digital HR tool and 
same day pay, which benefits approximately 15,000 colleagues. Our 
UK&I business, which is already an accredited Real Living Wage provider, 
provides approximately 200,000 free meals for colleagues every week 
and access to a ‘Helping Hands’ fund to provide support with emergency 
or unexpected payments. This is in addition to free 24/7 medical and 
counselling advice, discounts for household shopping through our 
popular Perks at Work scheme, and wider financial wellbeing support 
including affordable loans, salary advances and financial education. 

Priorities for the year ahead

We will extend our programme of care for employees during 
challenging times and continue to prioritise initiatives that enable our 
People strategy to succeed. Employee engagement remains important 
and we will improve transparency and access to internal roles and 
opportunities for our employees. The Compass Group Foundation will 
enable community impact across markets, as we increase our reach 
and impact on the social agenda. 

2022 AWARDS

COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

  35

Our response to the crisis in Ukraine

Compass stands in solidarity with those affected by the conflict 
in Ukraine. We could not be prouder of our teams worldwide, 
who have provided food and support for Ukrainians in need. 
All our businesses continue to help support employees from 
Ukraine and their relatives, with many of our businesses giving 
employment opportunities to refugees.

In March 2022, we supported the humanitarian response with 
an initial donation of £250,000 to the Disasters Emergency 
Committee Ukraine Appeal. The donation was made by 
The Compass Group Foundation, a charity established by the 
Company, which leverages its networks and relationships to 
deliver social value in the communities in which it operates. 
The Compass Group Foundation’s mission is to improve the lives 
of people through education and innovation, empowering them 
to play a key role in the future of food for their communities.

Other activities undertaken by Compass businesses to support 
Ukraine include: 

 – in Poland, recognised by the Unitatem Foundation for Best 

Community Involvement for delivering more than 2,000 meals 
to refugee aid points near the Ukrainian border 

 – in Spain, producing 51,000 meals to be sent to the Poland/

Ukraine border via the charity, World Central Kitchen

 – in UK&I, allocating a £25,000 fund that can be accessed by 
employees hosting Ukrainian refugees; and working with the 
Springboard UK charity and Newham College of Further 
Education to provide bespoke, pre-employment support to 
refugees as they seek to build a new life in the UK

These efforts are a powerful example of our commitments: 
respect, teamwork and growth. When combined with individual 
donations from our businesses and colleagues worldwide to 
charities, including UNICEF, ACNUR and World Central Kitchen, 
the total financial aid from the Compass group of companies is 
estimated at €500,000.

36 

STRATEGIC REPORT

CASE STUDY

PUR P O SE

WASTE NOT 2.0

Food waste is a key contributor to climate change. With the 
deployment of food waste measurement technologies, we are 
making good progress towards meeting our goal of halving 
food waste across the Group by 2030. 

This year, TouchPoint Support Services in the US, deployed 
Waste Not 2.0 across nearly 140 client sites. Through 
consistent tracking from our dedicated chefs, TouchPoint 
have significantly reduced food waste in their first year. 

To further our waste reduction, Compass Group North 
America created Waste Not 2.0, a cutting-edge, online 
tracking tool to change behaviour across our sites via real-time 
tracking and dashboard reporting.

As a result, in 2022, Compass Group North America rolled-out 
the tool in over a thousand kitchens throughout the US. The 
solution is now being used by culinary teams in other markets, 
including Italy, Portugal, and the United Arab Emirates. 

Built by chefs for chefs, the digital platform helps culinary 
teams identify waste-related opportunities in detail and gives 
managers the tools to analyse data and find  
long-lasting solutions.

The worldwide expansion of in-kitchen food waste 
management solutions will make it easier for culinary teams to 
reduce waste and carbon impact. Our teams commented that: 
“The most important thing about Waste Not 2.0 is that it 
created awareness for our team members. This awareness 
empowered them to make changes to reduce waste.”

YEAR ONE RESULTS FOR TOUCHPOINT

reduction in food waste

25.6%
26.3t 
4.1m

of C02 equivalent saved

litres of water saved

Purpose strategic pillars

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artnership  a
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i
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i
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Net zero 
Food waste 
Community

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ir

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Commu n i
Impac t

Better for th e   w o r l d

 
PURPOSE

COMPASS CONTINUALLY SEEKS  
WAYS TO BE MORE SOCIALLY AND 
ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONSIBLE.  
IN THE LAST YEAR, OUR PURPOSE HAS 
CONTINUED TO DRIVE INNOVATION 
AND COLLABORATION ACROSS THE 
GROUP AS WE STRENGTHENED 
PARTNERSHIPS WITH CLIENTS, 
BUSINESS PARTNERS AND LOCAL 
COMMUNITIES. 

Our Planet Promise

Our Planet Promise is Compass Group’s global commitment to a 
sustainable future for all. It encompasses the Company’s values as 
an ethical, sustainable and inclusive business, together with our 
ambition to positively impact the world.

Compass continually seeks ways to be more socially and 
environmentally responsible. In the last year, our purpose has 
continued to drive innovation and collaboration across the Group 
as we strengthened partnerships with clients, business partners and 
local communities. In September, we issued new sustainable bonds to 
help us in this endeavour. We intend for the proceeds of these bonds 
to initially support the increased purchasing and tracking of Fairtrade 
and sustainable goods within our supply chain. 

SHELLEY ROBERTS
Group Chief Commercial Officer with responsibility for 
Health, Safety and Sustainability 

COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

  37

The Group supports nine of the United Nations’ Sustainable 
Development Goals (UN SDGs), those where we can have the 
greatest impact. The UN SDGs serve as a guiding north star. 
Each UN SDG proposes targets for 2030 to achieve a better and 
more sustainable future for all. We support these in a range of ways: 
for example, by making ambitious commitments on carbon, animal 
welfare and food waste; by collaborating with a vast array of 
stakeholders; by increasing plant-forward meals across our 
businesses; and by electrifying our fleet.

Our unique business model has enabled this action to be locally led 
in the communities in which our businesses operate. 

As well as being the right thing to do, this mission is also key to our 
growth aspirations. Compass is winning business based on our ability 
to demonstrate progress in this space. It will continue to inform our 
actions as we work towards our global commitment to reach climate 
net zero by 2050.

Sustainability is a critical issue for many of Compass’ clients. 
As we accelerate growth in all regions, the Group will prioritise 
three areas: environmental leadership, positive procurement 
and community impact.

Environmental leadership 

In its current state, the food system is a leading cause of climate 
change. As the world’s largest food services provider, Compass is 
uniquely positioned to help accelerate the transition to a low-carbon 
economy. We believe now is the time to take a market-leading 
position on sustainability, to help the food system be more socially 
and environmentally responsible. 

Our investors expect us to make measurable progress on our 
commitments. That is why, alongside measuring our strategic 
progress against the UN SDGs, where possible, we are making the 
sustainable choice the easy choice. 

Carbon reduction

Compass is the first of its peers to publish a worldwide commitment to 
reach climate net zero by 2050. In July 2022, the Company launched 
a Sustainable Financing Framework enabling it to issue sustainable 
debt. Sustainable financing aligns with the expectations of our clients 
and shareholders and supports our global carbon reduction 
commitment and social mobility initiatives.

To achieve our climate net zero ambitions, we are adopting a 
Group-wide ‘freedom within a framework’ approach, because each 
market is at a different stage of progress. In certain countries, like 
France and the UK&I, we are moving at a more accelerated pace. 

Our UK&I business is committed to reaching climate net zero by 2030, 
consistent with targets to limit the global temperature rise to 1.5°C 
above pre-industrial levels, and is taking action to achieve this by 
working closely with operational teams across all sectors and in 
partnership with its procurement division, Foodbuy. Measures 
include banning air freight of fresh fruit and vegetable produce and 
committing to source 70% of fresh meat, dairy and vegetables from 
regenerative agriculture sources by 2030. The business’ Copper Pan 
Kitchen concept in Ireland offers plant-forward options on the menu 
daily, its supplier partners are hand selected for their commitment to 
championing sustainability, and 100% of its red meat, milk, eggs, and 
seasonal fruit and vegetables are sourced from local Irish farms.

Supporting the UK&I in its journey to achieve deep decarbonisation is 
leading University of Oxford expert, Professor Sir Charles Godfray FRS, 
appointed in May 2022 as Chief Climate and Sustainability Adviser to 
the UK&I’s Executive team.

38 

STRATEGIC REPORT

PURPOSE CONTINUED

Group-wide decarbonisation commitments

 – carbon neutral worldwide in Group operations by 2030
 – climate Net Zero across global value chain (Scope 3) by 2050

Approved Science Based Targets

 – 46% reduction in absolute Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 
2030 from a 2019 base year, classified by the SBTi as in line 
with a 1.5°C trajectory

 – 28% reduction in absolute Scope 3 GHG emissions from all 
food and drink purchased by 2030 from a 2019 base year; 
classified by the SBTi as aligned to a well below 2°C trajectory

Our business in Australia is also leading on carbon reduction, 
particularly within its Defence, Offshore & Remote sector, where it 
has developed plans to transform its owned and operated mining 
villages into ‘net zero villages’. The villages are planning to run on 
100% renewable energy, with electrified fleets and equipment, 
creating a circular economy of waste and water and redesigning 
the food offering to be more planet-positive.

UK&I
 – the innovative start-up, Foodsteps, is helping clients understand the 
carbon footprint of thousands of recipes, using insight gained from 
the largest ever real-world trial 

Denmark 
 – sustainability dashboards are being used across 30 client sites to 

help reduce C02 emissions

Finland 
 – our business is calculating the C02 impact of each meal in around 

500 units and presenting this on menus

Find out more about Compass’  
approach to reducing carbon emissions,  
www.compass-group.com/en/sustainability

Winning business with  
data- driven insights 

Collecting high-quality environmental 
data matters increasingly to our 
clients, for both ethical and 
commercial reasons. It is therefore 
imperative that Compass utilises 
rapidly evolving digital tools to 
measure emissions and enhance the 
quality of environmental data. We are 
doing so at a global and country-level. 
Group-wide initiatives include:

WE RECOGNISE THAT CHEFS 
ARE THE BEST AMBASSADORS 
FOR PROGRESS IN THIS AREA, 
SO WE ARE EMPOWERING  
CHEFS ACROSS OUR 
BUSINESSES TO MAKE 
PROGRESS – ONE DISH  
AT A TIME.

Netherlands
 – our business is working in 

partnership with PHI Factory, an 
external consultancy, to measure the 
C02 emissions of its products and 
help clients reach their climate goals

Portugal 
 – an initiative named ‘Heróis 0 

Desperdício’ (Zero Waste Heroes) 
has educated schoolchildren, 
leading to a 31% reduction in food 
waste in participating schools

North America
 – Compass has developed an award-winning tool called Carbon 

Foodprint which allows operators to create customisable strategies 
to improve energy, water, and waste performance through menu 
and equipment management. Clients use Carbon Foodprint to 
respond to global reporting requests such as those required by CDP

 – Chartwells Higher Education has become the first collegiate food 

service provider to work with HowGood, the world’s largest 
database on ingredient and product sustainability, helping students 
understand the environmental and social impact of their food 

 – Bon Appétit Management Company has launched its  

second-generation Food Standards Dashboard, which allows 
chefs to see immediately the impacts of their menu choices

Menu reformulation 

Only by achieving excellence in selling delicious, low carbon meals 
can we achieve our climate goals while protecting our bottom line.

In accordance with the EAT-Lancet recommendations for a planet-
friendly diet, our businesses are helping to rebalance menus by 
reducing animal proteins. We recognise that chefs are the best 
ambassadors for progress in this area, so we are empowering chefs 
across our businesses to make progress, one dish at a time, by 
training them to be more plant-forward in their menu planning. 
For example, Compass Group Australia has launched the Shift 
Academy, which educates our chefs on the ‘why’ and empowers 
them on the ‘how’ in creating planet-positive menus, with skills from 
agrodiverse sourcing to menu presentation. With 50 chefs already 
trained, there are plans to scale up this programme in 2023 across 
Australia and the rest of Asia Pacific.

COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

  39

Towards reusable solutions

While we understand the critical role that packaging plays in food 
safety and preserving freshness whilst avoiding food waste, we are 
taking steps to reduce packaging without compromising food safety. 
This includes working with our packaging suppliers to develop 
sustainable alternatives to single-use and fossil 
fuel-based plastics.

Compass aims to create a sustainable, 
circular operating model that supports 
the systems we rely on to trade. In 
2022, we continued to provide 
alternative packaging and encouraged 
our clients to prioritise reusables 
whenever possible. Our businesses 
are removing single-use plastics and 
packaging where they can, and 
continue to test and scale innovations 
that avoid single-use plastic materials.

Our UK&I business’ climate net zero roadmap 
includes the target of 100% reusable or recyclable 
packaging by 2023 and is demonstrating tangible progress. 
For example, at COP26, catered for by the Levy UK&I business, 
reusable zero-waste cups were used instead of single-use cups. 

We are also continuing to innovate with improvements to industrial 
packaging and culinary technology. Last year, for example, the UK&I 
business continued to roll out Steamplicity’s closed-loop recycling 
system for its food trays. 

Across 16 sites, our business in Spain is rolling out reusable 
containers, including polypropylene bowls and cups, which are 100% 
recyclable. And in the Netherlands, Compass operates a circular 
clothing supply for staff uniforms, which over a period of 12 months, 
has saved approximately 68 million litres of water.

Over 40% of dishes provided by Levy UK&I at COP26 were plant-
based. For non-plant-based dishes, Levy actively took a plant-forward 
approach by replacing over 50% of the animal proteins in the recipes 
with high quality plant-based proteins.

Our businesses are working with experts to make demonstrable 
progress in menu reformulation. For example, in partnership with 
the Livestock, Environment and People labelling (LEAP) group at the 
University of Oxford, Eurest UK uses an algorithm to calculate an 
eco-score for the environmental impact of its food and drink. The 
eco-score has enabled the business to remove some meat options 
from its menus and use more whole grains and vegetables. In North 
America, Compass partnered with Do Good Foods, which reduces 
food waste by taking unused groceries, which otherwise would go to 
landfill and emit greenhouse gasses (GHGs), and turning surplus food 
into highly nutritious feed for their chickens. 

Alongside reformulating recipes, our businesses work with their 
clients to help consumers make more informed decisions through 
evidence-based tools. These include nudging behavioural change 
through choice design, menu labelling, communications campaigns 
and canteen layouts.

Reducing food waste

One of the most impactful ways to prevent climate change is to reduce 
food waste. To better understand and mitigate our businesses’ food 
waste footprint, we are expanding the use of smart meter technology 
across our global operations while working in partnership with clients 
and suppliers to halve food waste by 2030. As well as working to 
incentivise our workforce to fight food waste, we highlight our progress 
through visible awareness raising initiatives, such as Stop Food Waste 
Day – a global day of action that was started in the US to drive 
awareness. In 2022, the campaign accomplished record engagement 
by reaching clients and consumers in over 40 countries.

Group highlights in fighting food waste in 2022 included:

 – publishing an inspiring digital cookbook featuring recipes 
and handy tips on adjusting food habits from 45 Compass 
Group chefs across 30 countries

 – hosting live cooking demonstrations and fun, educational 

workshops in sites around the world

 – in France, deploying Oscar, a cutting-edge kitchen 

management tool that tracks food waste in hundreds of 
units, with plans to roll it out across many more French units 
by the end of 2022

 – in Colombia, increasing the focus on actions that reduce food 

production waste across more than 60 sites, where the 
business recorded a 64% reduction during the annual Stop 
Food Waste Day campaign 

 – partnering with the technology company, Winnow, whose 
smart scales help track and avoid food waste in markets 
including Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg

 – entering into a new partnership with food waste prevention 
specialist Leanpath, whose behavioural change tools are 
used in Compass’ kitchens across the Asia Pacific region 

40 

STRATEGIC REPORT

PURPOSE CONTINUED

Global energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) for the  
period 1 October 2021 to 30 September 2022

Scope 1 – Emissions from the combustion of fuel or the operation of 
any facility, including fugitive emissions from refrigerants use/tCO2e
Scope 2 – Emissions resulting from the purchase of electricity, heat, 
steam of cooling (location based)/tCO2e
Scope 2 – Emissions resulting from the purchase of electricity, heat, 
steam of cooling (market based)/tCO2e
Total gross emissions (location based)/tCO2e
tCO2e (location based) per million £ turnover 
Energy consumption used to calculate above emissions/kWh

Methodology

Compass Group PLC is required to report its global and UK energy 
use and carbon emissions in accordance with the Companies 
(Directors’ Report) and Limited Liability Partnerships (Energy and 
Carbon Report) Regulations 2018. The data reported in these 
tables represent emissions and energy use for which Compass 
Group PLC is responsible and is incorporated by reference in the 
Directors’ Report on pages 52 to 113. To calculate our Group 
emissions, we have used the main requirements of the GHG 
Protocol Corporate Standard along with the UK Government GHG 
Conversion Factors for Company Reporting 2022. 

We monitor the energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions of 
our owned and operated sites across 29 countries (2021: 29), 
which represent 98% of underlying revenue2 (2021: 98%). tCO2e 
per million £ turnover is calculated by dividing our total gross 
emissions (location based) by underlying revenue2 for the 
countries monitored.

A third-party has externally verified energy and GHG emission data 
reported in the table above, and we will continue to verify this data 
in the coming years.

For the year ended 30 Sept 2022

For the year ended 30 Sept 2021

UK and offshore1

Global

UK and offshore1

Global

3,881

100,000

 5,614 

 88,616 

2,385

46,807

 2,096 

 38,298 

1,047
6,266
3.2
31,837,141

47,071
146,807
5.8
575,794,878

 3,119 
 7,710 
5.3
32,881,076

 40,525 
 126,914 
7.2
480,805,034

Our absolute emissions have increased year-on-year as the 
businesses continued to recover from the pandemic, with units 
reopening across all regions. Additionally, Compass continued 
to successfully win new business and, by the end of the year, 
revenues significantly exceeded pre-pandemic levels. However, 
when normalised by revenue we have seen a 19% year-on-year 
reduction in our GHG emissions ratio. Our UK emissions have 
reduced following implementation of renewable energy provision 
across our direct operations. We continue to implement energy 
efficiency methods across our markets to help reduce our 
carbon emissions.

Energy efficiency

In 2022, Compass Group UK&I introduced its 100% electric 
company car policy, enabling over 550 employees to order an 
electric vehicle. Additionally, to help their colleagues and clients 
on their climate net zero journey, in May 2022, they launched their 
mandatory Climate Net Zero Toolkit and Net Zero Hub, to improve 
their operational, commercial and environmental performance. 
Compass Group France switched to using 100% renewable energy 
in their direct operations from January 2022.

1.  UK and offshore emissions are a subset of the Global emissions disclosed.
2.  Alternative Performance Measure (APM). The Group’s APMs are defined in note 33 (non-GAAP measures) and reconciled to GAAP measures in notes 1 

(segmental analysis) and 33 to the consolidated financial statements.

Positive procurement 

Compass is proud to lead in responsible sourcing and procurement 
practices. We were the first food service company to commit to 
purchasing cage free eggs, and other companies quickly followed 
our lead. 

Our businesses prioritise obtaining their ingredients from local sources 
as a first choice. In North America, Compass’ goal is to ensure that a 
minimum of 25% of its purchases are from local sources by 2025. 
Fairtrade and other eco certified coffee is readily available in our 
businesses’ supply chains. We continue to expand the use of the 
industry-leading Supplier Ethical Data Exchange (Sedex) to assess, 
track and share information on our suppliers’ levels of compliance 
with social and human rights requirements. 

Group-wide, our businesses are working with their suppliers to create 
more sustainable practices in regenerative agriculture, responsible 
sourcing and animal welfare. 

In the Netherlands, Compass has partnered with Local2Local, a 
platform that enables farmers and other producers to sell their 
products locally, focusing on sustainability and stimulating local 
economies by shortening the food chain. Our Netherlands business 
also signed the national Green Deal, which aims to stimulate the 
cultivation, processing, and consumption of protein-rich crops in 
the Netherlands.

Supporting regenerative farming 
practices

Regenerative agriculture is a 
collection of farming and grazing 
practices that reverse climate 
change by rebuilding soil and 
drawing down carbon. This 
year, our businesses continued 
integrating ingredients grown 
this way into menus while 
supporting suppliers to become 
more sustainable. 

 
 
COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

  41

Our businesses are switching from animal to plant-based proteins, 
and further enhancing local and seasonal sourcing. In France, 
Compass is partnering with Fermes d’Avenir, an environmental 
network, in a joint initiative to create farms producing healthy, 
high-quality food while preserving planetary natural capital. As 
well as guaranteeing a viable and resilient livelihood for farmers, 
this work is helping our French business on its climate net zero 
journey, with a specific objective to source 60% of products from 
regenerative agriculture by 2030. 

Responsible sourcing

We are proud to combine our commitment and purchasing power to 
help our partners achieve their sustainability goals. Together, we 
deliver safer and healthier food for our clients and consumers daily.

One of the actions of our Planet Promise is to deliver a global 
deforestation-free and land-conversion-free supply chain strategy. 
The Group will achieve this through the increased use of sustainable 
palm oil, soy, beef, timber and paper materials in the products our 
businesses source globally, and by reviewing and taking action on 
additional high-risk commodities. 

This year, Restaurant Associates (RA) in the UK&I was awarded an 
outstanding three-star accreditation in the Sustainable Restaurant 
Association’s Food Made Good programme. The award recognises 
RA’s efforts in three key areas: Sourcing, Society and Environment. 

Compass Hong Kong now sources over 60% of ingredients or 
supplies from within the Asia Pacific region, of which 25% is 
being sourced locally. 

Foodbuy US recently launched its Diverse Supplier Accelerator 
programme, which provides selected suppliers with coaching and 
training through formal mentor-mentee relationships that help 
them develop strategies to accelerate business growth.

Delivering animal welfare standards 

In 2022, Compass has driven industry engagement in animal welfare 
through memberships and partnerships such as the Global Coalition 
for Animal Welfare. We have also maintained our Tier 3 status in the 
Business Benchmark on Farm Animal Welfare.

We are on track to meet our 2025 target of 100% cage-free shell 
and liquid eggs globally, with our UK&I business reaching 100% 
cage-free eggs in 2022 and our US business expected to achieve its 
own 100% cage-free eggs target in 2023 following a delay due to 
supply chain disruption.

We are working towards higher welfare standards for the chicken 
purchased by our businesses in North America by 2024 and Europe 
by 2026. Our US business is also developing a roadmap to support 
the Better Chicken Commitment, to be released in 2023, while 
working with Compassion in World Farming to create industry-wide 
action on the issue.

Our US business will transition to group-housed pork (pigs crated 5-7 
days) as a minimum standard by summer 2023, with their priority 
being to source gestation crate-free pork, as has already been rolled 
out across 70% of our US operations this year.

Find out more about how we maintain a safe and sustainable  
supply chain, www.compass-group.com/en/sustainability/planet/
responsible-sourcing

 
42 

STRATEGIC REPORT

PURPOSE CONTINUED

Community impact 

We believe that our businesses must positively impact their 
communities. As well as creating jobs within our operations, we 
support thousands of livelihoods through purchasing, aiming to 
buy local and to champion social enterprises. 

Our continued investment has been significant for many food 
producers and small businesses. We use our skills and resources to 
support the local community: donating food, raising money for 
charities, and supporting groups to drive positive change.

Our businesses invest strategically in local sourcing and social 
enterprises as well as working in partnership with their clients, 
suppliers and other stakeholders. We have also joined the World 
Business Council for Sustainable Development Vision 2050: Time to 
Transform initiative and have contributed to consultations for the 
UN Food Systems Summit, calling for more equitable and sustainable 
food systems. 

In Australia, Compass invests in a range of social purpose focused 
partnerships with OzHarvest, Social Traders, Stop Food Waste 
Australia and Supply Nation. The business is developing new solutions 
to provide healthy, affordable food to remote First Nations 
communities and continues to invest in new supplier and 
product solutions that support Compass’ Planet 
Promise. For example, work is continuing in 
association with Foodbuy Australia and Eco Barge 
Clean Seas Inc. to protect the marine life and 
aquatic environment of the Whitsunday Region. 

Compass has recently partnered more closely 
with Change Please – a 100% coffee company 
that uses all of its profits from selling great 
tasting coffee to train and employ homeless 
people as coffee baristas. Our businesses are 
working with Change Please in over 180 Compass 
client sites across the US, UK, EU, and Australia. By 
supplying coffee to banks, law firms, universities and 
corporate head offices, the partnership has helped over 85 
people out of homelessness.

Another inspiring partnership hails from North America, where the 
Chartwells Higher Education team connects with communities on 
campuses by creating experiences and sharing insights into religious 
and cultural events such as Black History Month. These partnerships 
financially support minority owned businesses while delivering 
authentic food to clients and consumers and building a sense of 
global community on campus.

In Europe, this year, Compass Group Netherlands and The Colour 
Kitchen were named social partnership of the year at the Netherland 
Social Enterprise Festival. Their partnership offers people who still 
need to socially distance the chance to train and develop as part of 
our workforce. 

Supporting health and wellness

Compass oversees many initiatives across the globe that provide 
equitable access to health promoting meals, menu options, and foods 
at affordable prices. We support local community food banks and 
food pantries, donate excess food items, participate in child meal 
programmes, promote food ‘farmacy’ and produce prescription 
programmes, and support community and on-site vegetable gardens. 

We are committed to preventative food and nutrition, or ‘positive 
nutrition’ by offering menus that promote health in all food venues. 
Across all markets, we use research and science backed criteria to 
define our healthy menu items, including following individual country 
dietary guidance and WHO guidelines, whilst focusing on energy 
balance, reducing saturated fat, salt, and added sugar, and 

increasing the use of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes, 

nuts and seeds in our menus. Transparency is critical; our 
businesses provide clients and consumers with the 

information they need to choose food that is right for 
them, and we are committed to having healthy 

menu options in at least 90% of 
our locations globally.

In the last year, Compass Group Sweden 
partnered with En Frisk Generation (A Healthy 
Generation) to raise school-level awareness 
on healthy eating habits. In addition, Eurest 
Portugal’s Club, which promotes fitness and 
teambuilding, enabled colleagues to participate 

in Douro Vinhateiro’s annual race. 

Compass Group North America is also working to meet the 
medical needs of people suffering from diet-related illnesses. Along 
with several US client healthcare systems, the business is piloting 
medically tailored meals, which are provided to patients discharged 
from hospital along with an assessment of the impact of these meals 
on preventing readmission.

Please see pages 33 to 35 for more on Compass’ commitment to 
health and wellbeing.

Priorities for the year ahead

The business will continue to prioritise sustainability initiatives that 
support progress towards our strategy with a focus on food waste 
technology deployment, plant-forward menu development and chef 
engagement. These areas of focus will help us reduce our emissions 
and we will report on our progress in the year ahead. 

COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

  43

We recognise that scenario analysis is limited by the 
availability of data on the long-term impacts of climate 
change, and our disclosures will need to evolve as 
data becomes clearer. We are committed to 
working with experts to broaden the scope of the 
analysis in future years.

Based on today’s predictions and our scenario 
analysis, the greatest financial risk in 2030 
arises from carbon taxation within the low 
carbon transition scenario. We are confident 
in our ability to manage the financial risk 
under this scenario and expect the net 
impact to be immaterial. 

Governance

The Board’s oversight of climate-related risks 
and opportunities

We have a well-established governance structure designed to 
effectively oversee the management of our principal risks, including 
climate change risks and opportunities presented by climate change. 
The Board reviews principal risks biannually and it identified climate 
change as a principal risk in 2021, at which time it was formally 
embedded into our risk management processes. 

The Board has overall responsibility for oversight of the management 
of the risks and opportunities presented by climate change, which it 
exercises through two of its principal committees: the Corporate 
Responsibility (CR) Committee and the Audit Committee.

COMPASS GROUP HAS 
COMMITTED TO PLAY ITS 
PART BY SETTING A TARGET 
TO REACH CLIMATE NET 
ZERO BY 2050 AND BY 
LAUNCHING A SUSTAINABLE 
FINANCING FRAMEWORK.

The CR Committee is responsible for 
overseeing the development and 
implementation of policies and strategy 
supporting sustainability activities, including 
the Group’s climate net zero commitments 
published in October 2021.The CR 
Committee receives reports at every 
meeting from the Group Chief Commercial 
Officer, the Global Director of Sustainability 
and other senior managers to ensure that 
progress is being made towards meeting 
the Group’s specific CR KPIs and ongoing 
CR commitments, including our GHG 
emissions targets. Additionally, during the 
year, the Committee received briefings 
from management in relation to its approach to TCFD and from 
external advisers in relation to developments in the broader 
TCFD disclosure landscape.

The CR Committee meets at least three times a year and comprises 
all the non-executive directors of the Board, together with the Chair 
of the Board, Group Chief Executive Officer and Group Chief Financial 
Officer. More information about the CR Committee can be found 
on page 79. 

The Audit Committee is responsible for reviewing the adequacy and 
effectiveness of the Group’s risk management and internal control 
systems, together with the going concern and viability statements. 
It monitors, reviews and reports to the Board on any significant 
financial reporting issues and judgements made in connection with 
the preparation of the financial statements. This includes the potential 
impact of climate change, the output of the Group’s scenario 
analyses, costs to achieve our climate net zero commitments, and 
their impact on the financial statements and related disclosures.

TASK FORCE ON 
CLIMATE-RELATED 
FINANCIAL 
DISCLOSURES (TCFD)

We set out below our climate-related  
financial disclosures, which are consistent 
with all of the TCFD recommendations.

We cover the four TCFD recommendations and the 11 recommended 
disclosures set out in Figure 4 of Section C of the report entitled 
‘Recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial 
Disclosures’ published in June 2017 by the TCFD.

Summary

The global food system is a leading contributor to climate change, 
responsible for around one-third of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 
annually. As the world’s largest food services group, operating at the 
heart of the global food supply chain, we are 
in a unique position to influence real change 
and to help create a more sustainable global 
food system for all.

The purpose of this TCFD statement is to 
provide investors and wider stakeholders 
with a better understanding of Compass 
Group’s exposure and strategic resilience to 
climate-related risks, whilst also identifying 
climate-related opportunities that are 
material to the Group. 

If left unmitigated, climate change poses a 
significant risk to our planet, our people and 
our economies. Climate change can create 
significant disruptions through chronic and acute weather events and 
corresponding physical risks. As a response to this, Compass has 
committed to play its part by setting a target to reach climate net zero 
by 2050 and by launching a Sustainable Financing Framework, further 
supporting the net zero target. Although if unmitigated the risks could 
be significant, Compass Group has many operational levers which can 
help mitigate supply chain disruptions through procurement scale, 
menu management, and culinary and digital innovation.

We have found the TCFD process to be an important tool in directing 
our efforts and integrating climate-risk awareness into our day-to-day 
operations. For the first time, in 2022, we carried out a quantitative 
scenario analysis of the potential climate-related risks and 
opportunities for our businesses. Our scope covered our largest 
market, the US, representing c.60% of the Group’s total annual 
revenue in 2021. Our assessment was based on the relative ranking of 
climate risks and financial materiality, providing a scope representing 
27% of total US food spend in 2019.1

1.  2019 data was used for the materiality assessment, as this year is the Group’s climate net zero target base year.

 
44 

STRATEGIC REPORT

TCFD CONTINUED

Overall oversight of risks and opportunities presented by climate change

BOARD

CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY COMMITTEE

AUDIT COMMITTEE

Reviews development and implementation of policies and 
strategies, including those on climate change

Reviews the effectiveness of risk management 
and internal control processes

Reviews TCFD analyses

Reviews performance against CR KPIs 

Reviews impact of climate-related risks and  
opportunities on financial statements

EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT

Communicates the climate-related strategy, policies and 
standards to the Corporate Responsibility Committee

GROUP SUSTAINABILITY FUNCTION  
AND COUNTRY TEAMS

Assesses and manages environmental and  
climate-related risks and opportunities

The Audit Committee reviews the effectiveness of the risk 
management and internal control processes and considers the 
potential financial impact of climate change on the financial 
statements at the half-year and full-year. The Audit Committee meets 
three times a year and comprises all the independent non-executive 
directors of the Board. More information about the Audit Committee 
can be found on page 74. 

Management’s role in assessing and managing  
climate-related risks and opportunities

The Group Chief Executive Officer and Group Chief Commercial 
Officer have the highest management-level responsibility for 
climate-related issues and have the responsibility to form, review 
and communicate the Company’s climate-related global strategy, 
policies, and standards to the CR Committee. This includes setting 
and reviewing progress towards targeted KPIs, assessing the 
climate-related risks and managing and monitoring the associated 
opportunities. They are supported in this regard by the Global Director 
of Sustainability who leads the Group Sustainability function, which 
also provides support to the regions and countries to ensure 
sustainability strategies are implemented and climate-related risks 
and corresponding controls and mitigations are reviewed on an 
ongoing basis. 

At Executive Committee level, the regional managing directors are 
responsible for managing climate-related risks and opportunities 
for their respective regions. At country level, the country managing 
directors are responsible for managing climate-related risks and 
opportunities for their respective countries.

Strategy

Climate-related risks and opportunities and their impact 
on the operations of the Group

The process of identifying climate-related risks and opportunities for 
this year’s TCFD statement was conducted via qualitative and 
quantitative risk assessments and scenario analyses, carried out by 
our specialist internal teams and expert external partners. As climate 
risk is integrated into our risk management process, risks and 
opportunities were identified as part of our Major Risk Assessment 
(MRA) process. See the Risk Management section on page 22 for 
further detail. 

The output of this exercise is summarised below. Compass considers 
three years (short-term), four to 10 years (medium-term) and greater 
than 10 years (long-term) to be the relevant time horizons based on 
the Group’s decision-making processes and structure. For reference, 
the Board considers annually a three-year, bottom-up strategic plan 
and a more detailed budget which is prepared for the following year. 
The directors have therefore determined that a three-year period to 
30 September 2025 is an appropriate period over which to provide its 
viability statement on the basis that this is the period reviewed by the 
Board in its strategic planning process and is aligned to the typical 
length of Group company contracts (three to five years). More 
information about the viability statement can be found on page 29. 

COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

  45

S

Short

M

Medium

L

Long-term

Risk/opportunity (time horizon)

Description and impacts

Mitigation

PHYSICAL RISKS

Acute (S/M/L)
Increased severity of extreme 
weather events such as 
heatwaves, floods, cyclones, 
forest fires, pests and 
diseases

Chronic (S/M/L)
Changes in precipitation 
patterns and extreme 
variability in weather 
patterns, rising mean 
temperatures, rising sea 
levels

TRANSITION RISKS

Policy and legal (M/L)
Regulation of existing 
products and services 

Crop stress, reducing yields and/or 
catastrophic crop failure may lead to 
raw materials being harder to procure 
and increased operating costs.

Flexible menu planning arrangements with clients 
that allow us to select local, seasonal and readily 
available ingredients, and reduce reliance on  
single-source ingredients.

Heavy impact on potential yields and 
quality may lead to raw materials 
being harder to procure and 
increased operating costs.

Flexible menu planning arrangements with clients that 
allow us to select local, seasonal and readily available 
ingredients, and reduce reliance on single-source 
ingredients.

Increased costs or reduced demand 
for products and services resulting 
from fines and judgements 
against us.

We are monitoring the evolution of the regulatory 
reporting landscape across our markets, particularly 
in the EU and US.

Policy and legal (M/L)
Increased carbon taxation on 
GHG emissions

Increased operating costs (e.g. higher 
compliance costs or increased 
insurance premiums).

As part of our climate net zero commitment, we will reduce 
our scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions to reduce our exposure to 
any carbon taxation.

Market (S/M/L)
Changing client and 
consumer behaviour

Reduced demand for goods and 
services due to shifts in consumer 
preferences.

We are creating robust plant-forward training for our chefs, 
utilising technology and consumer apps to display carbon 
labelling, and working with our suppliers on new plant-
forward options and reduced-carbon ingredients. 

OPPORTUNITIES

Resource efficiency (S/M/L)
Use of more efficient modes 
of transport; use of more 
efficient production and 
distribution processes; and 
reduction in food waste 
across all operations

Energy sources (S/M)
Use of lower emission 
sources of energy; switch to 
renewable electricity across 
all operations; transition of all 
fleet vehicles globally to 
100% plug-in electric

Reduced operating costs (e.g. 
through efficiency gains and cost 
reductions); increased production 
capacity resulting in increased 
revenues.

Application of technology to understand our food waste 
footprint, and working in partnership to halve it by 2030; 
exploring solutions that allow us to move away from 
single-use and fossil fuel-based plastics towards 
reusable packaging.

Reduced operational costs (e.g., 
through use of lowest cost 
abatement); reputational benefits 
resulting in increased demand for 
goods and services.

We are continuously seeking to improve operational 
efficiency and use new technologies that emerge as the 
sector transitions to a low-carbon economy, including 
increasing adoption of 100% plug-in electric vehicles 
by our businesses.

Menus, products and 
services (S/M)
Shift in consumer 
preferences

Better competitive position to reflect 
shifting consumer preferences 
towards plant-forward diets, resulting 
in increased revenues.

Continue to expand our offer of healthy, plant-based menu 
items; reformulate menus to be low carbon and switch 
towards more plant-based proteins; increase share of 
locally and seasonal sourced products.

Investment in innovation 
(M/L)
Sustainable management of 
living natural resources and 
land use

More resilient supply chain resulting 
in higher availability of products, cost 
reductions, and reputational benefits 
resulting in increased demand for 
goods/ services.

Allocation of funding to regenerative agriculture products, 
vertical farming and hydroponics; transitioning farmers 
from traditional farming.

46 

STRATEGIC REPORT

TCFD CONTINUED

Scenario analysis 

Based on the insights from this qualitative risk assessment, the 
physical impacts of climate change and the impacts of stringent 
climate policies were assessed under three climate scenarios, 
consistent with the recommendations of the TCFD: one physical 
climate impact scenario (RCP8.5) and two low-carbon transition 
scenarios (RCP2.6 and RCP1.9). 

Scope and assumptions

Time horizon
For the purposes of scenario analysis, the medium-term (2030) has 
been considered as climate-related issues often manifest themselves 
over the medium to longer-terms. There is a trade-off involved when 
choosing the appropriate time horizon. If it is too short, developments 
may not be sufficiently differentiated, whereas if it is too long, 
uncertainties may overwhelm useful analysis. A medium-term 
horizon allows for the outcomes of the scenario analysis to be built 
into our strategic planning, and therefore forms the basis of this 
year’s disclosures.

Geography
The US was chosen as Compass’ focus market for the first year of the 
TCFD scenario analysis due to its magnitude, representing c.60% of 
the Group’s total annual revenue in 2021. 

Product scope
The focus areas selected for the scenario analysis were protein (pork, 
beef, dairy and poultry), fruits (top 20 by spend) and vegetables (top 
20 by spend); together accounting for 27% of total US food spend in 
2021. The impacts of carbon pricing on Compass’ scope 1 and 2 GHG 
emissions for the US market were also assessed. 

Materiality assessment
This was based on a relative ranking of climate risks and financial 
materiality (percentage of spend). To determine the average climate 
risk score (1 to 4), a scoring methodology was followed to assign 
climate-related risk to the various categories. These risks were grouped 
under chronic climate change, acute climate events and carbon tax, 
with the financial materiality based on the percentage of spend in each 
category. For the materiality assessment, 2019 data was used based 
on this being the Group’s climate net zero target base year.

The cost increases in 2030 assume no inflation or changes in volume 
from 2021 levels, and no changes in Compass’ business activities.

Risk scenario

Key risk attributes

Focus areas

Rationale and considerations

Business as usual 
RCP8.5 (4°C)

Acute climate change
Increased severity of extreme 
weather events such as heatwaves, 
floods, cyclones, forest fires, pests 
and diseases.

Animal 
protein, 
vegetables 
and fruit.

The most material physical risks 
for Compass food sourcing 
locations were assessed for 
which climate data from credible 
sources was available. 

Chronic climate change
Changes in precipitation patterns 
and extreme variability in weather 
patterns, rising mean temperatures, 
rising sea levels.

Policy and legal 
Carbon taxation on agricultural and 
freight emissions (scope 3).

Low-carbon 
transition  
RCP2.6 (2°C) 
(very stringent)

Low-carbon 
transition 
RCP1.9 (1.5°C) 
(goal of Paris 
Agreement)

Animal 
protein, 
vegetables 
and fruit.

The implications and financial 
costs of mandatory farm 
standards would vary significantly 
across farms, whereas a carbon 
tax will have a material impact on 
all farms and food producers. 
This was therefore selected as a 
likely policy implication to be 
considered for the scenario 
analysis modelling.

Low-carbon 
transition

Policy and legal 
Carbon taxation on emissions  
(scopes 1 and 2).

Emissions.

A carbon tax was found to be 
most material.

Pathway to  
cost increase

Loss in production 
leads to higher 
procurement costs 
(due to costs 
involved in switching 
sourcing). No 
carbon tax. 

Increase in 
sourcing costs due 
to carbon pricing on 
agricultural (farm to 
farm gate) and 
freight emissions. 

Increase in 
sourcing costs due 
to carbon pricing on 
agricultural (farm to 
farm gate) and 
freight emissions. 

Gross cost  

Net cost  

impact1

impact2

Actions to reduce the impact of climate change

Metric  

(Unit)

Target  

2030

Target  

2050

Healthy, ethically sourced and low-carbon food options  

e.g. support programmes for chefs in their menu planning through 

chef engagement and robust culinary training.

Food waste reduction 

e.g. global expansion of our suite of food waste management 

solutions and our proprietary Waste Not 2.0 system.

Flexible menu planning arrangements with clients 

e.g. menu changes which allow us to select ingredients that are 

local, seasonal and readily available.

Pricing 

as standard.

e.g. our client contracts include price adjustments  

Climate-related risks and opportunities are incorporated into our 

procurement strategy over the short, medium and long-term 

e.g. with our scale and effective procurement globally, we have a 

strong track record of managing raw material cost increases, most 

notably during the ongoing highly inflationary environment seen 

globally this year. Supply chain disruptions are commonplace in 

our industry and we are adept at managing them in a way that 

minimises operational impact.

Transition global fleet vehicles to 100% plug-in electric  

(scope 1), e.g. we continue to explore ways to reduce our scope 1 

emissions and have been engaging with manufacturers to make 

electric trucks available for us to purchase in our vehicle fleet, 

whilst also using GPS to optimise transport efficiencies.

Switch to renewable electricity across our controlled operations 

(scope 2), e.g. we continue to explore ways to reduce our scope 2 

emissions with the UK and France having already made 

commitments to switch to 100% renewable electricity across our 

owned and operated sites in 2022. 

GHG 

28% 

emissions 

reduction 

Climate 

net zero

scope 3 

(tCO2e)

Food 

50% 

To be 

waste (kg)

reduction 

determined 

Climate

net zero

46%

reduction;

carbon

neutral

GHG

emissions

scopes 1

and 2

(tCO2e;

absolute;

norm by

revenue)

energy

Percentage  

To be 

To be 

of renewable 

determined

determined 

 
 
 
COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

  47

Summary of scenario analysis findings

Future roadmap on scenario analysis

The most significant impact is that arising from carbon taxes on 
animal protein under RCP1.9 (1.5°C rise), which could result in 
annual cost increases in the range of 5.0-7.5% of the total spend on 
all food categories in scope. While the results refer to this scope only 
and, as such, cannot be extrapolated, the estimated percentage cost 
increase gives a preliminary indication of the potential impact of 
climate risk before any business levers are applied. If we apply the 
business levers at hand in our operational model, the financial impact 
can be reduced substantially. The way we do this is described in the 
resilience section below. 

Our first scenario analysis indicates that carbon tax on our scope 3 
GHG emissions is the key risk to mitigate. Hence this is the focus 
of our current efforts and is highlighted under Metrics and 
Targets below. 

The first scenario analysis conducted this year has provided insights 
on both methodology and climate risk that we will build on. We plan 
to increase the scope of our work including consideration of 
additional geographies, timeframes and risk attributes to enhance 
our risk management and climate change decision-making 
processes, and inform our future strategy and financial planning. 
To accomplish these goals, we are building a roadmap for additional 
scenario analysis for the next two years. 

The resilience of the Group strategy 

The Group benefits from a wide range of strategic and operational 
processes already in place, that can be flexed to address changing 
market dynamics, including recent inflationary pressures and 
climate change. These processes include a combination of 
operational mitigation measures and strategic business model 
levers, which are summarised below. The selected levers are those 
primarily relevant to scope 3 GHG emissions, as this is our key risk 
area. In addition, scope 1 and 2 are also considered.

The table below links scenarios, risk, impact, resilience, metrics 
and targets.

Risk scenario

Key risk attributes

Focus areas

Rationale and considerations

Pathway to  

cost increase

Gross cost  
impact1

Net cost  
impact2

Actions to reduce the impact of climate change

Metric  
(Unit)

Target  
2030

Target  
2050

Business as usual 

Acute climate change

RCP8.5 (4°C)

Increased severity of extreme 

Animal 

protein, 

The most material physical risks 

Loss in production 

for Compass food sourcing 

leads to higher 

weather events such as heatwaves, 

vegetables 

locations were assessed for 

procurement costs 

floods, cyclones, forest fires, pests 

and fruit.

which climate data from credible 

(due to costs 

and diseases.

sources was available. 

involved in switching 

sourcing). No 

carbon tax. 

Chronic climate change

Changes in precipitation patterns 

and extreme variability in weather 

patterns, rising mean temperatures, 

rising sea levels.

Policy and legal 

Carbon taxation on agricultural and 

freight emissions (scope 3).

Low-carbon 

transition  

RCP2.6 (2°C) 

(very stringent)

Low-carbon 

transition 

RCP1.9 (1.5°C) 

(goal of Paris 

Agreement)

Animal 

protein, 

vegetables 

and fruit.

The implications and financial 

Increase in 

costs of mandatory farm 

sourcing costs due 

standards would vary significantly 

to carbon pricing on 

across farms, whereas a carbon 

agricultural (farm to 

tax will have a material impact on 

farm gate) and 

all farms and food producers. 

freight emissions. 

This was therefore selected as a 

likely policy implication to be 

considered for the scenario 

analysis modelling.

Low-carbon 

transition

Policy and legal 

Carbon taxation on emissions  

(scopes 1 and 2).

Emissions.

A carbon tax was found to be 

Increase in 

most material.

sourcing costs due 

to carbon pricing on 

agricultural (farm to 

farm gate) and 

freight emissions. 

Healthy, ethically sourced and low-carbon food options  
e.g. support programmes for chefs in their menu planning through 
chef engagement and robust culinary training.

Food waste reduction 
e.g. global expansion of our suite of food waste management 
solutions and our proprietary Waste Not 2.0 system.

Flexible menu planning arrangements with clients 
e.g. menu changes which allow us to select ingredients that are 
local, seasonal and readily available.

Pricing 
e.g. our client contracts include price adjustments  
as standard.

Climate-related risks and opportunities are incorporated into our 
procurement strategy over the short, medium and long-term 
e.g. with our scale and effective procurement globally, we have a 
strong track record of managing raw material cost increases, most 
notably during the ongoing highly inflationary environment seen 
globally this year. Supply chain disruptions are commonplace in 
our industry and we are adept at managing them in a way that 
minimises operational impact.

Transition global fleet vehicles to 100% plug-in electric  
(scope 1), e.g. we continue to explore ways to reduce our scope 1 
emissions and have been engaging with manufacturers to make 
electric trucks available for us to purchase in our vehicle fleet, 
whilst also using GPS to optimise transport efficiencies.

Switch to renewable electricity across our controlled operations 
(scope 2), e.g. we continue to explore ways to reduce our scope 2 
emissions with the UK and France having already made 
commitments to switch to 100% renewable electricity across our 
owned and operated sites in 2022. 

28% 
reduction 

Climate 
net zero

GHG 
emissions 
scope 3 
(tCO2e)

Food 
waste (kg)

50% 
reduction 

To be 
determined 

Climate
net zero

46%
reduction;
carbon
neutral

GHG
emissions
scopes 1
and 2
(tCO2e;
absolute;
norm by
revenue)

Percentage  
of renewable 
energy

To be 
determined

To be 
determined 

Potential annual food cost increase in 2030 (%)

< 2.5%

2.5-5.0% 

5.0-7.5%

1.  The gross cost impact column indicates the unmitigated annual food cost increase percentage in 2030 of the products in scope for each risk scenario.
2.  The net cost impact column reflects that value, less the effect of having applied the business levers Compass has available within its regular course of business. 

 
 
 
48 

STRATEGIC REPORT

TCFD CONTINUED

RISK MANAGEMENT 

Processes for identifying and assessing climate-related risks

Climate change has been assessed as a principal risk by the Board 
since 2021, recognising the potential impacts it can have on our 
businesses in the medium and long-term.

Climate change risks and opportunities are considered as part of our 
Major Risk Assessment (MRA) process. The MRA is the cornerstone 
of our risk management framework and it is a structured biannual 
bottom-up and top-down risk review completed by all countries that 
considers the key risks facing the Group. The process of identifying 
climate-related risks and opportunities is undertaken via qualitative 
and quantitative risk assessment exercises including scenario 
analyses to identify the climate-related physical and transition risks 
and opportunities that are material to Compass. The process involves 
both country leadership teams and central functions, e.g. finance, 
risk management, legal and sustainability. 

As part of the assessment process, each identified risk is assessed 
against potential impact, probability and exposure with each risk 
being given an overall risk rating. Risks are identified and assessed 
within each country and region, and the Group risks are assessed 
biannually by the Board. 

As per our risk management framework, we assess the key risks and 
opportunities, including climate-related risks and opportunities that 
have a substantive financial or strategic impact if there is a one-off or 
recurring annual profit impact of more than 4% of our profit before 
interest and tax (PBIT). More information about the risk management 
framework can be found on pages 22 and 23.

Processes for managing climate-related risks

At the Executive Committee level, the regional managing directors 
are responsible for managing climate change risks and opportunities 
for their respective regions. At the country level responsibility sits with 
the country managing director. To increase ownership of climate 
risks across the business, a cross-functional steering group has 
also been established. Climate risks and mitigations are monitored 
throughout the year by the Executive Committee, as part of the 
biannual MRA process.

A few examples of how this process has helped inform our 
mitigation efforts are found in the table on page 45 for the identified 
climate-related risks, and include robust plant-forward training for 
our chefs, utilising technology and consumer apps to display carbon 
labelling, and working with our suppliers on new plant-forward menus 
and reduced-carbon ingredients. 

Climate-related risk processes are integrated into overall 
risk management

The Board continues to take a proactive approach to risk 
management, with the aim of protecting the Group’s employees, 
clients and consumers and safeguarding the interests of the Company 
and its shareholders in what is a constantly changing environment.

The identification of risks and opportunities, the development of 
action plans to manage the risks and maximise the opportunities, and 
the continual monitoring of progress against agreed KPIs are integral 
parts of both business process and core activities throughout 
the Group. These KPIs consist mainly of the metrics described in the 
Metrics and Targets section below, namely GHG emissions and food 
waste measurements in line with our strategy and the conclusions of 
our scenario analysis.

Risks and the corresponding controls and mitigations are reviewed 
by country and regional leadership teams on an ongoing basis. Risk 
updates form an integral part of periodic management reviews and are 
also reviewed regularly by the Regional Governance Committees and 
biannually by the Executive Committee and Board. More information 
about the risk management framework can be found on page 22. 

As noted on page 29 the Group’s principal risks are all considered as 
part of the Group’s strategic planning process and viability statement 
assessment. In addition, we note on page 136 how this risk has been 
considered in the basis of preparation of the Group’s consolidated 
financial statements.

COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

  49

METRICS AND TARGETS

Food waste

Metrics and targets focus on food waste and GHG 
emissions in line with our strategy

In line with our commitment to the Paris Agreement and our 
sustainability strategy, which includes climate action, we have 
established climate-related targets and have committed to:

 – reaching climate net zero GHG emissions across our global 

operations and value chain by 2050. The climate net zero goal 
includes interim 2030 targets validated by the Science Based 
Targets initiative (SBTi)

 – reducing absolute scope 1 and scope 2 GHG emissions by 46% 
by 2030 from a 2019 base year, in line with an ambition to limit 
future warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels

 – reducing our absolute scope 3 GHG emissions from all food and 

drink purchased by 28% by 2030 from a 2019 base year, aligned 
with a trajectory to limit global warming to well below 2°C compared 
to pre-industrial levels

We have also committed to achieving carbon neutrality worldwide in 
our Group operations by 2030 (scopes 1 and 2). To achieve this, we 
will compensate and later neutralise remaining scope 1 and 2 direct 
GHG emissions through high quality carbon removal projects.

As a critical step towards lower GHG emissions, we have also 
committed to reducing food waste by 50% by 2030. 

Given that every year one-third of food produced for human 
consumption is lost or wasted globally, we see targeting a 50% 
reduction in food waste as our most immediate contribution to 
reducing GHG emissions. In 2021, Compass’ range of food waste 
management systems tracked waste in kitchens across 26 countries, 
leading to a 28% reduction in food waste. The continued global 
expansion will see food waste technology made available across all 
of Compass’ markets, improving tracking and accountability of 
kitchen waste worldwide while also delivering significant reductions 
in the Group’s scope 3 GHG emissions and clients’ carbon footprints. 
Compass’ efforts will include the expansion of its game-changing 
Waste Not 2.0 system: a state-of-the-art tablet-based waste 
tracking programme, built by chefs for chefs. We actively manage 
and report on our strategy to reduce food waste in our annual 
Sustainability Report.

Scope 1 and scope 2 GHG emissions 

We report our energy usage and scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions 
annually (see page 40). In 2022, we monitored the energy usage and 
GHG emissions of our owned and operated sites across 29 countries 
(2021: 29) which represent 98% of underlying revenue (2021: 98%). 
This year, we have also calculated our scope 2 GHG emissions using 
market-based methodology to recognise the purchasing of low-carbon 
energy. We also disclose our scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions 
normalised by revenue (see page 40).

50 

STRATEGIC REPORT

TCFD CONTINUED

GHG Scope 3 – Category

Comment on data

Purchased goods and 
services 

Spend-based and relevant emissions factors to calculate the emissions of all purchased goods and 
services.

Capital goods category 

Spend-based analysis on capital goods to calculate the emissions.

Fuel and energy-related 
activities1

Well-to-Tank (WTT) and Transmission and Distribution (T&D) losses were applied to 2019 electricity, gas 
and fuel data from leased vehicles.

Upstream transportation 
and distribution1

Waste generated in 
operations1

Business travel category1

The distance travelled and volumes transported.

Quantities of waste were calculated based on the number of sites within each country. 

Business travel was calculated using data provided by Travel Booking Systems for each relevant transport 
type, e.g. airplane, train, car hire, fuel. The distance travelled or volume of fuel used was multiplied by the 
relevant factors with WTT included. Where more country-specific emission factors were available, these 
were used (e.g. EPA for US and Canada, Bilan Carbone for France).

Employee commuting1

A commuting model was used to model emissions from commuting based on the number of FTE staff. 
The model uses published research into average commuting times and most popular forms of transport 
by country.

Upstream leased assets 

Emissions from upstream leased assets were calculated based on primary data on emissions from 
upstream leased assets for UK, US and France and, were estimated using the revenue intensity factor 
to uplift for the remaining countries.

1.  BEIS 2019 emissions factors applied.

Scope 3 GHG emissions 

Remuneration

In 2021 we calculated our scope 3 emissions related to 2019 in line 
with the GHG Protocol Corporate Standard and the UK Government 
GHG Conversion Factors for Company Reporting 2020. BEIS 2019 
emissions factors were applied where relevant.

Calculations of scope 3 emissions going forward

In 2021, we established our scope 3 GHG emissions baseline with 
2019 data through a rigorous global data-gathering exercise and set 
our global 2050 climate net zero target. Our baseline 2019 total scope 
3 emissions amounted to 12,176,517 tCO2e as reported in our 
Sustainability Report 2021 (available with scope 3 category data on 
www.compass-group.com). In order to monitor our progress in 
reaching our science-based targets, we will measure and disclose our 
relevant scope 3 emissions annually starting in 2023.

Internal carbon pricing 

We recognise the importance of having an effective internal carbon 
pricing system in place, as well as the effects of a possible increase 
in price of carbon-offsets going forward. We therefore continue to 
assess how to introduce an internal carbon pricing method as a 
matter of priority.

To further strengthen our targets and commitments, the 
Remuneration Committee will introduce a new ESG incentive for 
2022-2023 to support our sustainability priorities. This will focus on 
further reducing food waste across our operations, targeting an annual 
increase in the number of sites recording food waste using industry 
leading technology. We will prioritise deployment of this technology 
in our largest sites where we can have the most material impact.

Work on other metric categories

As we recognise the importance of measurement and follow-up to 
drive change, we have considered the seven metric categories in the 
TCFD recommendations. In addition to GHG emissions, internal 
carbon prices and remuneration mentioned above, we will continue to 
explore how to measure transition risks, physical risks, climate-related 
opportunities and capital deployment to the extent relevant.

Conclusion

We are committed to working with external experts on broadening the 
scope of our efforts in this area and further improving our TCFD 
disclosures. Based on today’s predictions and our scenario analysis, 
the greatest financial risk to our 2030 targets arises from carbon 
taxation within the low-carbon transition scenario. However, we are 
confident in our ability to manage the financial risk under this scenario 
and expect the net impact to be immaterial to the Group.

COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

  51

NON-FINANCIAL INFORMATION STATEMENT

NON-FINANCIAL 
INFORMATION STATEMENT

The table below sets out where stakeholders can find information in our Strategic Report that relates to non-financial matters detailed under 
section 414CB of the Companies Act 2006.

Reporting requirement

Some of our relevant policies1

Environmental  
matters

 – Sustainability Strategy
 – Environmental 

Policy Statement

Where to read more in this Report about our impact, 
including the principal risks relating to these matters

Purpose Report

GHG Emissions

TCFD reporting

Employees

Human rights

 – Code of Business Conduct
 – Code of Ethics
 – Workplace Health and 
Safety Policy Statement

Chief Executive’s Review – People

People Report 

Principal Risks – Health and Safety, People

 – Code of Business Conduct
 – Code of Ethics
 – Modern Slavery Act 

Transparency Statement

 – Human Rights 

Policy Statement

Safety culture

Whistleblowing, anti-bribery and fraud

Human Rights and Modern Slavery

Employee diversity

Social matters

 – Social Purpose

Chief Executive’s review – Purpose

Anti-bribery and 
corruption

 – Code of Business Conduct
 – Code of Ethics
 – Speak and Listen Up Policy
 – Sourcing Responsibly

Business model

Non-financial KPIs

Principal risks

Stakeholder engagement

Purpose Report

Ethics and Integrity

Principal Risks – Compliance and Fraud

Whistleblowing, anti-bribery and fraud

Business Model

Global Lost Time Incident Frequency Rate

Global Food Safety Incident Rate

Greenhouse gas intensity ratio

Risk management

1.  The Company’s policies, statements and codes are available on the Company’s website, www.compass-group.com.

Page

36-42

40

43-50

6-7

30-35

24-25

10

76

34

31-32

7

68-72

36-42

11

27-28

76

2-3

9, 10

9, 10

9, 40

22-28

The Strategic Report, as set out on pages 2 to 51, has been 
approved by the Board and signed on its behalf by

ALISON YAPP
Group General Counsel and Company Secretary

21 November 2022

52 

GOVERNANCE

GOVERNANCE AND DIRECTORS’ REPORT

IAN MEAKINS
Chair of the Board

Members

At the date of this Report the following are members of the Board:

 – Ian Meakins (Chair)
 – Dominic Blakemore
 – Palmer Brown
 – Gary Green
 – Carol Arrowsmith
 – Stefan Bomhard

 – John Bryant
 – Arlene Isaacs-Lowe
 – Anne-Francoise Nesmes
 – Sundar Raman
 – Nelson Silva
 – Ireena Vittal

At least half the members of the Board, excluding the Chair, 
are independent non-executive directors. Directors’ 
biographies can be found on pages 54 to 57.

Meetings

The Board held six scheduled meetings during the year. The 
Board and committee meeting attendance table can be found 
on page 65.

Matters reserved for the Board 

The Board has a formal schedule of matters reserved for its 
decision as follows:

 – purpose, strategy and management
 – values, culture and stakeholders
 – Board membership and other appointments
 – financial and other reporting and controls
 – audit, risk and internal controls
 – contracts and capital structure
 – communication
 – remuneration
 – delegation of authority
 – corporate governance and other matters

The matters reserved for the Board are reviewed annually to 
ensure that they continue to be fit for purpose. They were last 
reviewed in September 2022. The Board concluded that the 
Matters Reserved for the Board continued to be fit for purpose, 
and no changes were made. Full details can be found on the 
Company’s website, www.compass-group.com.

GOVERNANCE AND 
LEADERSHIP

Dear Shareholder

On behalf of the Board, I am pleased to present Compass Group PLC’s 
annual Corporate Governance and Directors’ Report for the financial 
year ended 30 September 2022. Throughout this and other parts of 
the Annual Report, we aim to provide investors and other stakeholders 
with an insight into the governance activities which have supported 
our performance during the year. 

The Board’s priorities remain consistent, with a continued focus on 
developing and implementing the Group strategy, succession planning, 
maintaining a strong governance framework and risk oversight. 

The directors believe that the Board is well placed to perform its 
stewardship role to ensure that the Company continues to deliver 
long-term sustainable success. We will continue to adapt our 
approach where necessary and to promote and safeguard the 
interests of the Company and its shareholders into the future. 

Board changes, succession planning and talent pipeline

Several changes were made to the Board during the year. Karen Witts 
stepped down as Group Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and John Bason 
retired as a non-executive director after almost 10 years on the Board. 
We appointed Palmer Brown as Group CFO, and Arlene Isaacs-Lowe 
and Sundar Raman as non-executive directors. These changes ensure 
that as we refresh the Board, we have the appropriate blend of skills 
and experience to promote the long-term sustainable success of the 
Company and to deliver on our commitment to Board diversity. 

In the coming year, we plan to continue our work around succession 
planning to ensure that the Board comprises a majority of 
independent non-executive directors with the capability, skills and 
experience necessary to objectively challenge executive management, 
balanced with the need to ensure continuity on the Board. We will also 
endeavour to meet the new requirements prescribed by LR 9.8.6(9) of 
the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) Listing Rules which applies to 
Compass from the financial year ending 30 September 2023, and to 
continue our support of the aims of the FSTE Women Leaders Review 
in relation to gender diversity and of the Parker Review to improve 
ethnic diversity in UK business leadership. 

As announced on 21 November 2022, Carol Arrowsmith will step down 
as the Chair of the Remuneration Committee following the conclusion of 
the Annual General Meeting to be held on 9 February 2023 and will be 
succeeded by John Bryant, Senior Independent Director. To ensure that 
there is continuity and an orderly transition, Carol will remain a member 
of the Committee. John has been a member of the Remuneration 
Committee since his appointment in 2018. He has significant 
experience in business and finance and is considered by the Board to 
have the appropriate experience, skills and attributes to be an effective 
Chair of the Remuneration Committee. On behalf of the Board, I would 
like to thank Carol for her dedication and invaluable service as Chair of 
the Remuneration Committee.

During the year, a number of changes were also made to the Group’s 
Executive Committee. Shelley Roberts was appointed Group Chief 
Commercial Officer and joined the Committee in January. Kathinka 
Friis-Møller was appointed Regional Managing Director, Europe & 
Middle East in February, and became a member of the Executive 

COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

  53

Committee on appointment. On 1 October 2022, Gaétan de L’Hermite 
was appointed Regional Managing Director, Asia Pacific and also 
joined the Executive Committee. Biographies of the members of the 
Executive Committee can be found on pages 58 to 60.

Our commitment to corporate governance

The Board is committed to the high standards of corporate 
governance set out in the Code. The Code can be found on the FRC’s 
website, www.frc.org.uk.

BEIS consultation

During the year, the Company participated in the Department for 
Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) consultation process 
related to the UK government’s proposals for wide-ranging audit and 
corporate governance reforms that will introduce several fundamental 
changes to the corporate governance and reporting landscape. The 
precise nature of the proposed reforms has yet to be determined and 
will be delivered through a variety of mechanisms over a period of 
several years. In July 2022, the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) 
published a summary of how they plan to take forward the activities in 
their remit with a further consultation during the first quarter of 2023. 

We will continue to monitor developments to ensure Compass remains 
well positioned to comply with any new statutory or regulatory changes. 

Board effectiveness

This year, an independent formal external evaluation of the Board and 
its committees was conducted in accordance with the UK Corporate 
Governance Code 2018 (the Code). The evaluation concluded that the 
Board and its Committees continue to be effective, but as ever, we will 
continue to challenge ourselves. More details of the evaluation 
process can be found in the Nomination Committee report on pages 
84 and 85. In the coming year, we will build on the progress we have 
made to date, strengthening our existing governance structure and 
contributing to the ongoing success of the business, focusing on the 
priorities identified by this year’s evaluation process. 

IAN MEAKINS
Chair of the Board

21 November 2022

COMPLIANCE WITH THE UK CORPORATE  
GOVERNANCE CODE 2018

Compliance statement

It is the Board’s view that for the financial year ended 
30 September 2022, the Company has been compliant with 
the principles and provisions set out in the UK Corporate 
Governance Code 2018 (the Code), with the exception of 
provision 38 (alignment of executive director pension 
contribution rates with those available to the workforce), for 
which phased arrangements are in place to ensure compliance 
by 31 December 2022, as detailed in the Remuneration 
Report on page 88. The Board considers it appropriate that 
there is a phased transition of existing pension benefits for 
executive directors in line with the Remuneration Policy which 
was approved by shareholders at the Annual General Meeting 
on 3 February 2022. The Policy also provides that, for 
directors appointed since the Policy was approved, the 
annual maximum pension allowance or contribution will be 
aligned to the maximum rate available to the majority of the 
wider UK workforce.

The Company’s auditor, KPMG 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 FCA’s Listing Rules and to report if it does not 
reflect such compliance. No such report has been made.

This Corporate Governance Report, together with the Directors’ 
Remuneration Report set out on pages 86 to 113, describes how the 
Board has applied the principles and complied with the provisions set 
out in the Code for the year under review.

The Directors’ Report also contains information required to be 
disclosed under the FCA’s Listing Rules and Disclosure Guidance 
and Transparency Rules. To the extent necessary, certain information 
is incorporated into this Report by reference.

Throughout the Governance and Directors’ Report, we have set out 
how we have applied the main principles and complied with the 
relevant provisions of the Code.

This Corporate Governance Report on pages 52 to 113 and the Other 
Statutory Disclosures on pages 114 to 117 together with the Directors’ 
Responsibilities Statement on page 118 and the Strategic Report on 
pages 2 to 51, which have been incorporated into this Report by 
reference, make up the Directors’ Report.

1 Board leadership and company purpose

Compass is led by an effective and committed Board dedicated to 
promoting the long-term sustainable success of the Company, 
generating value for shareholders, and contributing to wider society. 
The Board has established the Company’s purpose, values and 
strategy which are aligned with its culture.

Read more on pages 52 to 73.

2 Division of responsibilities

The roles of the Chair of the Board and the Group Chief Executive 
Officer (CEO) are separate, and there is an appropriate combination of 
executive and independent non-executive directors. The 
responsibilities of the Chair, Group CEO and Senior Independent 
Director (SID) are set out in writing. 

Read more on pages 62 to 64.

3 Composition, succession and evaluation

Appointments are subject to a formal, rigorous and transparent 
procedure. Succession plans, designed to promote diversity of gender, 
social and ethnic backgrounds, and cognitive and personal strengths, 
are in place for the Board and senior management. The Board and its 
committees are evaluated annually, in accordance with the Code.

Read more on pages 82 to 85.

4 Audit, risk management and internal control

Formal, transparent policies and procedures are in place to ensure the 
independence and effectiveness of the internal and external audit 
functions, the integrity of financial and narrative statements, and to 
manage and mitigate risks.

Read more on pages 74 to 78.

5 Remuneration

Compass has remuneration policies designed to support its strategy 
and promote long-term sustainable success. Executive remuneration 
is aligned to the Company’s purpose and values and is clearly linked to 
the delivery of long-term strategy.

Read more on pages 86 to 113.

54 

GOVERNANCE

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

C N

C

C

IAN MEAKINS (66)
Chair of the Board

DOMINIC BLAKEMORE (53)
Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

PALMER BROWN (51)
Group Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

Appointment: Appointed to the Board in 
September 2020. Became Chair of the 
Board in December 2020.

Key skills and competencies: Ian is an 
experienced Chair and former CEO with 
a strong background in B2B and B2C 
businesses across a variety of sectors in 
global organisations.

Current external appointments: Ian is 
non-executive Chair of Rexel SA.

Previous experience: Ian is former Chief 
Executive of Wolseley plc (now Ferguson 
plc),Travelex Holdings Ltd and Alliance 
Unichem plc (until its merger with Boots). 
Prior to that he held positions at Diageo plc, 
Bain & Company and Procter & Gamble, and 
was a founding partner at Kalchas Group 
management consultants. Ian was previously 
a non-executive director of O2 plc and SID at 
Centrica plc. He was formerly non-executive 
Chair of The Learning Network B.V.

Appointment: Joined the Board in February 
2012. Previously held the roles of 
Group CFO, Group COO, Europe and Deputy 
Group CEO. Assumed the role of Group 
CEO in January 2018.

Key skills and competencies: Dominic has 
extensive financial management experience 
in a number of international businesses, 
together with general operational 
management experience. He is a 
chartered accountant.

Current external appointments: Dominic is 
a non-executive director of London Stock 
Exchange Group plc and a member of the 
Council of University College London.

Previous experience: Dominic is a former 
non-executive director of Shire plc, CFO of 
Iglo Foods Group Limited, and European 
Finance & Strategy Director at Cadbury Plc 
having previously held senior finance roles at 
that company. Before that, Dominic was a 
director at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.

Appointment: Appointed to the Board in 
October 2021, having joined the Group 
in 2001. Assumed the role of Group CFO 
in November 2021.

Key skills and competencies: Palmer joined 
Compass in 2001. During his tenure, he has 
held a variety of senior finance, strategy and 
legal positions and played a central role as a 
member of the Executive team in North 
America. He also coordinated many of the 
acquisitions and disposals for the Group. 
Palmer has degrees in business and 
law and is a certified public accountant.

Current external appointments: None.

Previous experience: Palmer is a former 
Group Commercial Director and Chief 
Strategy Officer, Compass Group North 
America. Prior to that, he served as General 
Counsel and Executive Vice President of 
Corporate & Legal Affairs for the Group’s 
US business.

BOARD TENURE1

BOARD BALANCE1

0-5 Years

5-10 Years

> 10 Years

6

4

2

Executive directors

Non-executive directors

Chair of the Board

3

8

1

1.  Data shown as at 30 September 2022.

COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

  55

COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP KEY

A

C

Audit Committee

Corporate Responsibility Committee

N

R

Nomination Committee

Chair 

Designated NED for workforce engagement

Remuneration Committee

Senior Independent Director

Secretary

GARY GREEN (65) 
Group Chief Operating Officer (COO), 
North America

Appointment: Joined the Board in January 
2007. Appointed Group COO, North 
America, in April 2012.

Key skills and competencies: Gary brings 
strong business and operational leadership, 
business development, and wide-ranging 
sales experience. Gary is a chartered 
accountant and has an honorary doctorate 
from Johnson & Wales University in the US.

Current external appointments: None.

Previous experience: 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 US in 1994 as CFO of the Group’s 
North America business and, in 1999, 
became its CEO.

Diversity of skills and experience

A

C

N R

A

C

N R

JOHN BRYANT (57)
Senior Independent Director (SID)

CAROL ARROWSMITH (68)
Non-executive director

Appointment: Appointed to the Board in 
September 2018. Appointed SID in 
February 2021. Will succeed Carol 
Arrowsmith as Chair of the Remuneration 
Committee following the conclusion of the 
AGM on 9 February 2023.

Key skills and competencies: John brings 
over 30 years’ experience to the Board with 
a particular focus on finance, operations, 
M&A, strategy and portfolio transformation.

Current external appointments:  
Non-executive director of Coca-Cola 
Europacific Partners plc, Ball Corporation 
and Macy’s Inc.

Previous experience: John is a former 
Executive Chair and CEO of global consumer 
goods company Kellogg. Prior to joining 
Kellogg in 1998, John held strategic and 
operational roles in several companies, 
worldwide.

Appointment: Appointed to the Board and 
as Chair of the Remuneration Committee in 
June 2014. Will step down as Remuneration 
Committee Chair following the conclusion of 
the AGM on 9 February 2023.

Key skills and competencies: Carol brings 
extensive advisory experience, especially in 
advising boards on executive remuneration 
across a range of sectors. She is a Fellow of 
The Chartered Institute of Personnel and 
Development.

Current external appointments:  
Non-executive director of Centrica plc 
and a director and trustee of Northern 
Ballet Limited. 

Previous experience: Carol is a former 
partner and adviser of Deloitte LLP and 
Vice Chair of their UK business, a director 
of the Remuneration Consultants Group 
and Arrowsmith Advisory Limited, a 
non-executive director of Vivo Energy PLC 
and TMF Group Limited, and a member of 
the Advisory Group for Spencer Stuart.

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H

Director

Ian Meakins

Dominic Blakemore

Palmer Brown
Gary Green

Carol Arrowsmith

Stefan Bomhard

John Bryant

Arlene Isaacs-Lowe

Anne-Francoise Nesmes

Sundar Raman

Nelson Silva 

Ireena Vittal

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
56 

GOVERNANCE

BOARD OF DIRECTORS CONTINUED

A

C

N R

A

C

N R

A

C

N R

STEFAN BOMHARD (55)
Non-executive director

ARLENE ISAACS-LOWE (63)
Non-executive director

ANNE-FRANCOISE NESMES (51) 
Non-executive director

Appointment: Appointed to the Board in 
May 2016.

Appointment: Appointed to the Board in 
November 2021.

Key skills and competencies: Stefan brings 
extensive experience of working in 
international environments, particularly in 
the operation, sales and marketing of 
well-known consumer food and drink brands.

Key skills and competencies: Arlene brings 
over 20 years’ executive experience in 
sustainability, finance, strategy and sales 
across the US, Europe, the Middle East 
and Africa.

Current external appointments: CEO of 
Imperial Brands PLC.

Previous experience: Stefan is a former CEO 
of Inchcape plc. Before joining Inchcape, he 
was President of Bacardi Limited’s European 
region and was also responsible for its global 
commercial organisation and global travel 
retail. Previous roles have included a number 
of worldwide senior positions at Cadbury Plc, 
Unilever PLC, Diageo plc, Burger King and 
Procter & Gamble.

Current external appointments:  
Non-executive director of Equitable 
Holdings, Inc. and Xenia Hotels & Resorts, 
Inc., member of the Advisory Board of 
Agbanga Karite LLC and member of the 
advisory board of Howard University 
School of Business.

Previous experience: Arlene is a former 
Global Head of CSR of Moody’s Corporation, 
where she developed and implemented their 
global CSR strategy. She joined Moody’s 
Corporation in 1998, where she held various 
senior leadership, analytical, commercial 
and relationship management roles. Prior to 
joining Moody’s, Arlene was CFO of Equinox 
Realty Advisors LLC, and before that, she 
was a portfolio manager with MetLife Realty 
Group, Inc.

Appointment: Appointed to the Board in 
July 2018. Appointed Chair of the Audit 
Committee in February 2021.

Key skills and competencies:  
Anne-Francoise has a wealth of experience 
in finance and accounting in international 
organisations with a strong focus on strategy, 
M&A and governance. She is a chartered 
management accountant.

Current external appointments: CFO of 
Smith+Nephew PLC.

Previous experience: Anne-Francoise is a 
former CFO of Merlin Entertainments PLC 
and Dechra Pharmaceuticals PLC, and also 
held a number of senior finance roles during 
her 16-year tenure at GlaxoSmithKline.

COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

  57

COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP KEY

A

C

Audit Committee

Corporate Responsibility Committee

N

R

Nomination Committee

Chair 

Designated NED for workforce engagement

Remuneration Committee

Senior Independent Director

Secretary

A

C

N R

A

C

N R

A

C

N R

SUNDAR RAMAN (47)
Non-executive director

NELSON SILVA (67) 
Non-executive director

Appointment: Appointed to the Board in 
January 2022.

Key skills and competencies: Sundar brings 
over 20 years’ experience as an executive in 
the US, operating in highly competitive 
markets and successfully growing global 
consumer brands. 

Current external appointments: Global 
CEO of Procter & Gamble’s Fabric and Home 
Care business and a member of the Board of 
the National Underground Railroad 
Freedom Center.

Previous experience: Sundar is a former 
Chair of the American Cleaning Institute and 
a former President, Home Care and P&G 
Professional with Procter & Gamble. Sundar 
started his career with Procter & Gamble in 
1998 as a market analyst and has held a 
number of senior leadership roles in business 
intelligence, marketing and innovation 
across a variety of product lines and 
market segments.

Appointment: Appointed to the Board in July 
2015. Appointed Chair of the Corporate 
Responsibility Committee in February 2017.

Key skills and competencies: Nelson has 
considerable executive management 
experience in a variety of senior leadership 
roles within major international companies, 
with a particular focus on Brazil.

Current external appointments:  
Non-executive director of Nutrien Ltd, 
Altera Infrastructure L.P. (private company) 
and an adviser to Appian Capital Advisory LLP 
and HSB Solomon Associates LLC.

Previous experience: Nelson is a former 
executive director of Petróleo Brasileiro S.A., 
CEO of BG Group in South America, 
non-executive director of Cosan Limited, 
Managing Director of Embraer for Europe 
and Africa, CEO of All Logistica in Argentina 
and President of BHP Billiton’s Aluminium 
business unit. Prior to joining BHP Billiton, 
Nelson held a number of senior positions 
at Vale S.A., including Sales and 
Marketing Director. 

IREENA VITTAL (54)
Non-executive director and Designated  
NED for workforce engagement

Appointment: Appointed to the Board in 
July 2015. Appointed Designated NED for 
workforce engagement in October 2019.

Key skills and competencies: Ireena brings 
strong advisory, business and operational 
experience across a variety of retail 
businesses, with a particular focus on India.

Current external appointments:  
Non-executive director of Diageo plc, 
Godrej Consumer Products Limited, 
WIPRO Limited and Housing Development 
Finance Corporation Limited and an 
independent director of UrbanClap 
Technologies India Private Limited.

Previous experience: Ireena is a former 
non-executive director of Titan Company Ltd, 
The Indian Hotels Company Limited, Cipla 
Limited, Tata Global Beverages Limited, Tata 
Industries, Zomato Media Private Limited, 
GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare and 
Axis Bank Limited; and Head of Marketing 
and Sales at Hutchinson Max Telecom and 
partner at McKinsey and Company.

Appointment: Joined the Group in August 
2018. Appointed Group General Counsel and 
Company Secretary in October 2018.

Key skills and competencies: Alison has 
more than 25 years’ international experience 
in FTSE and NYSE listed companies across 
the services, industrial and engineering 
sectors. She has significant experience in 
strategic M&A, crisis and change 
management. Alison is a solicitor.

Current external appointments: None.

Previous experience: Alison is the former 
Chief General Counsel and Company 
Secretary of Amec Foster Wheeler plc, 
Company Secretary and General Legal 
Counsel of Hays plc and Company Secretary 
and Group Legal Adviser of Charter plc. Prior 
to joining Charter, Alison held a number of 
senior legal roles at Johnson Matthey plc and 
was a corporate and commercial lawyer at 
Turner Kenneth Brown. 

A

C

N R

ALISON YAPP (57)
Group General Counsel and 
Company Secretary

58 

GOVERNANCE

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

G

GD

D G T

DOMINIC BLAKEMORE (53)
Group CEO

Appointment: Joined the Board in February 
2012. Previously held the roles of Group 
CFO, Group COO, Europe and Deputy 
Group CEO. Assumed the role of 
Group CEO in January 2018.

Key skills and competencies: Dominic has 
extensive financial management experience 
in a number of international businesses, 
together with general operational 
management experience. He is a 
chartered accountant.

Previous experience: Dominic is a former 
non-executive director of Shire plc, CFO 
of Iglo Foods Group Limited, and European 
Finance & Strategy Director at Cadbury Plc 
having previously held senior finance roles at 
that company. Before that, Dominic was a 
director at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.

ALISON YAPP (57)
Group General Counsel and Company 
Secretary

PALMER BROWN (51)
Group CFO

Appointment: Joined the Group in August 
2018. Appointed Group General Counsel 
and Company Secretary in October 2018.

Key skills and competencies: Alison has 
more than 25 years’ international experience 
in FTSE and NYSE listed companies across 
the services, industrial and engineering 
sectors. She has significant experience in 
strategic M&A, crisis and change 
management. Alison is a solicitor and holds 
an LLB (Hons) from Bristol University. 

Previous experience: Alison is the former 
Chief General Counsel and Company 
Secretary of Amec Foster Wheeler plc, 
Company Secretary and General Legal 
Counsel of Hays plc and Company Secretary 
and Group Legal Adviser of Charter plc. Prior 
to joining Charter, Alison held a number of 
senior legal roles at Johnson Matthey plc and 
was a corporate and commercial lawyer at 
Turner Kenneth Brown.

Appointment: Appointed to the Board in 
October 2021, having joined the Group 
in 2001. Assumed the role of Group CFO 
in November 2021.

Key skills and competencies: Palmer joined 
Compass in 2001. During his tenure, he has 
held a variety of senior finance, strategy and 
legal positions and played a central role as a 
member of the Executive team in North 
America. He also coordinated many of the 
acquisitions and disposals for the Group. 
Palmer has degrees in business and law and 
is a certified public accountant.

Previous experience: Palmer is a former 
Group Commercial Director and Chief 
Strategy Officer, Compass Group North 
America. Prior to that, he served as General 
Counsel and Executive Vice President of 
Corporate & Legal Affairs for the Group’s 
US business.

DIRECT REPORTS TO EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE1

Male

Female

63%

37%

1.  Data shown as at 30 September 2022.

COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

  59

COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP KEY

D

Disclosure Committee

G

General Business Committee

T

Treasury Management Committee

DEBORAH LEE (48)
Group Chief People Officer

GARY GREEN (65)
Group COO, North America

SHELLEY ROBERTS (47)
Group Chief Commercial Officer

G

Appointment: Joined the Board and 
Executive Committee in January 2007. 
Appointed Group COO, North America, 
in April 2012.

Key skills and competencies: Gary brings 
strong business and operational leadership 
as well as business development and  
wide-ranging sales experience. Gary is a 
chartered accountant and has an honorary 
doctorate from Johnson & Wales University 
in the US.

Previous experience: 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 US in 1994 as CFO of the Group’s 
North America business and in 1999 
became its CEO.

Appointment: Appointed to the Executive 
Committee in September 2021, having 
joined the Group in 2019.

Key skills and competencies: Deborah is 
highly experienced in strategic leadership, 
stakeholder engagement and people 
management in multinational environments. 
She is a chemistry graduate from Imperial 
College, London, holds a post-graduate 
qualification in Personnel Management, an 
HR MBA and is a Fellow of The Chartered 
Institute of Personnel and Development.

Previous experience: Deborah started her 
career at BT as a graduate in 1997, where 
she spent almost 20 years in various senior 
leadership roles across HR and learning and 
development.

In 2016, she joined a luxury Italian online 
fashion retailer as Chief People Officer before 
joining Compass in 2019 as Group 
Engagement Director. Deborah possesses a 
wealth of global experience, having studied 
and worked in the US, Europe and the UK.

Appointment: Appointed to the Executive 
Committee in January 2022, having joined 
the Group in 2017.

Key skills and competencies: Shelley has 
extensive strategic, operational and 
commercial management experience, 
including M&A, gained in leadership 
positions with Australian and FTSE listed 
organisations in highly complex operating 
environments. She is a Chartered 
Accountant (ICAEW), a graduate of the 
Australian Institute of Company Directors 
and holds a Bachelor of Business Science 
and Finance (Hons) from the University of 
Cape Town.

Previous experience: Prior to joining 
Compass, Shelley was the Chief Operating 
Officer at Sydney Airport, Managing Director 
of Tiger Airways and also worked in 
investment banking at Macquarie Bank as 
a Division Director in Australia. Shelley 
qualified as a Chartered Accountant at 
KPMG in London, subsequently joining 
easyJet Plc, where she held various senior 
finance and strategy roles in the UK.

60 

GOVERNANCE

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE CONTINUED

COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP KEY

D

Disclosure Committee

G

General Business Committee

T

Treasury Management Committee

ROBIN MILLS (55)
Managing Director, UK & Ireland

Appointment: Appointed to the Executive 
Committee in November 2015, having joined 
the Group in 2008. Appointed Managing 
Director of the Group’s UK & Ireland 
business in November 2019.

Key skills and competencies: Robin holds a 
bachelor’s degree in History. He is a 
respected innovator with significant 
experience in people management and 
business operations.

Previous experience: Robin has held a 
variety of roles at Compass. Previously, Robin 
was Managing Director of Chartwells, UK and 
Group Chief People Officer. Prior to joining 
Compass, Robin’s career included senior HR 
roles at Scottish and Newcastle Breweries, 
Diageo plc and Woolworth’s (part of 
Kingfisher PLC).

GAÉTAN DE L’HERMITE (49)
Regional Managing Director, Asia Pacific

KATHINKA FRIIS-MØLLER (47)
Regional Managing Director,  
Europe and the Middle East

JAMES MEANEY (58)
Regional Managing Director,  
Latin America

Appointment: Appointed to the Executive 
Committee in February 2022, having joined 
the Group in 2012.

Appointment: Joined the Group and 
appointed to the Executive Committee 
in 2017.

Key skills and competencies: James is 
highly experienced in business development 
and leadership and holds a Bachelor’s 
Degree in economics from Notre Dame 
University, an MBA from Harvard and 
completed INSEAD’s advanced 
management programme.

Previous experience: James has spent over 
30 years in Latin America as an 
entrepreneur, executive and non-executive 
Board Member and in several service-based 
organisations in the region, including 
Founder and President of Contax SA, COO 
at Oi SA and Board and Audit Committee 
member at Gol Linhas Aereas. 

Previous experience: Gaétan started his 
career in audit with accounting firm Mazars 
before moving to management consulting at 
Deloitte where he specialised in large scale 
outsourcing projects. Gaétan holds an MSc 
in Management from Emlyon Business 
School.

Key skills and competencies: Kathinka 
has extensive commercial and operational 
experience and significant experience in 
change management. Kathinka holds a 
BI Executive in Board Management from 
Oslo Norwegian Business School, and a 
Bachelor’s degree in International 
Business from Oslo University.

Previous experience: Kathinka has led the 
Group’s Nordic business since 2017 and was 
instrumental in successfully integrating 
Fazer Food Services into the Group following 
its acquisition. She joined Compass in 2012 
as Operations Director for Norway, later 
serving as MD of Norway from 2016 to 2020. 
Prior to joining Compass, Kathinka’s career 
included a number of senior roles, including 
Operations Manager at a Nordic facilities 
management company. 

Appointment: Appointed to the Executive 
Committee in October 2022, having joined 
the Group in 2002. 

Key skills and competencies: Gaétan has 
20 years’ international experience working at 
Compass where he has held a number of 
Managing Director roles in Africa, Central 
Asia, Ireland and more recently in France. 
During his time with the Group, Gaétan has 
acquired strong business development and 
operational leadership acumen and brings 
significant experience in market innovation 
and change management.

COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

  61

DIVERSITY

In accordance with LR 9.8.6(9) of the FCA’s Listing Rules, the tables below set out details of the diversity of the individuals on the Board and 
Executive Committee at the date of this Report.

Gender Identity or Sex

Men
Women
Other categories
Not specified/prefer not to say

Ethnic Background

White British or other white (including minority-white groups)
Mixed/Multiple ethnic groups

Asian/Asian British

Black/African/Caribbean/Black British

Board

Number  
of Board  
members

Number of senior 
positions on the 
Board (CEO, CFO, 
SID and Chair)

Percentage  
of the Board

Number in  
executive 
management

Percentage of 
executive 
management

8
4
–
–

67%
33%
–
–

4
–
–
–

6
4
–
–

60%
40%
–
–

Number of  
Board  
members

Number of senior 
positions on the 
Board (CEO, CFO, 
SID and Chair)

Percentage  
of the Board

Number in  
executive 
management

Percentage of 
executive 
management

9
–

2

1

75%
–

17%

8%

4
–

–

–

9
1

 –

–

90%
10%

–

–

GENDER IDENTITY OR SEX

ETHNIC BACKGROUND

Men

Women

67%

33%

White British or other 
white (including 
minority-white groups)

Asian/Asian British

Black/African/
Caribbean/Black British

75%

17%

8%

Executive Committee

GENDER IDENTITY OR SEX

ETHNIC BACKGROUND

Men

Women

60%

40%

White British or other 
white (including 
minority-white groups)

Mixed/multiple ethnic 
groups

90%

10%

Notes to tables

LR 9.8.6(9) of the FCA’s Listing Rules does not apply to Compass until the financial year ending 30 September 2023. However, in the interests 
of transparency, the Company has chosen to disclose the above information in this year’s Annual Report. 

1.  The information above is stated as at the date of this Report. The date of disclosure has been chosen to reflect the most up to date membership of the Executive 

Committee, which includes the appointment of Gaétan de L’Hermite in October 2022.

2.  The information above for both the Board and the Executive Committee contains data for three executive directors, Dominic Blakemore, Palmer Brown and 

Gary Green who are members of both the Board and the Executive Committee. 

62 

GOVERNANCE

GOVERNANCE AND DIRECTORS’ REPORT CONTINUED

DIVISION OF 
RESPONSIBILITIES

The Board leads the Group’s governance structure

The Board is responsible for establishing the Group’s purpose, values, strategy and objectives to generate and preserve value over the long term 
for shareholders and to contribute to wider society. In carrying out its responsibilities, the Board considers opportunities and risks to the future 
success of the business, the sustainability of the business model and the Group’s governance. The Board is responsible for monitoring progress 
made against strategic objectives, approving proposed actions, ensuring that the appropriate internal controls are in place, and reviewing their 
effectiveness. The Board is assisted by four principal committees (Audit, Corporate Responsibility, Nomination and Remuneration), each of which 
is responsible for reviewing and dealing with matters within its own terms of reference. 

THE BOARD

The Board comprises the Chair, executive directors and non-executive 
directors. It is responsible for establishing the Group’s purpose, values, 
strategy and objectives, and for overseeing the performance of the 
Company, including health and safety, leadership, strategy, values, 
standards, controls and risk management.

AUDIT  
COMMITTEE

Responsible for oversight 
of the Group’s financial 
reporting and the 
effectiveness of the 
internal and external 
audit functions.

CORPORATE 
RESPONSIBILITY 
COMMITTEE

Responsible for the 
oversight of the Group’s 
corporate responsibility, 
people, health, safety and 
sustainability, ethics and 
integrity and stakeholder 
engagement strategies.

NOMINATION  
COMMITTEE

Ensures the Board has 
the necessary balance of 
skills, experience and 
diversity to oversee the 
delivery of strategy.

REMUNERATION 
COMMITTEE

Determines the reward 
strategy for executive 
directors and senior 
management in the 
context of the wider 
workforce to ensure 
reward is aligned with 
shareholders’ interests.

The Company also has a number of other executive management 
committees: Disclosure, Executive, General Business and Treasury 
Management. These have been established to consider various 
matters for recommendation to the Board and its principal 
committees or to deal with day-to-day matters within the authority 
delegated by the Board.

The Executive Committee, led by the Group CEO, is responsible for 
day-to-day operational management and implementation of strategy. 

The General Business Committee deals with general administrative 
matters on behalf of the Company within clearly defined limits 
delegated by the Board. 

The Disclosure Committee oversees the disclosure of market-sensitive 
information and other public announcements (as necessary), while 
the Treasury Management Committee oversees the implementation of 
the treasury policies approved by the Board.

COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

  63

RESPONSIBILITIES 
OF THE BOARD

Ethics and integrity

 – Internal Audit reports
 – annual confirmation of compliance and pledge to continue 

complying with the Code of Ethics and Code of Business Conduct by 
senior managers

 – Speak Up, We’re Listening statistics and trends

Leadership

The Board leads the Group’s governance structure. It provides 
stewardship of the Company to safeguard its long-term sustainable 
success, creating value for shareholders and enabling the Company 
and its subsidiaries to contribute to the communities and wider 
societies in which they operate. The Board is responsible for setting 
the tone from the top by demonstrating leadership.

Purpose, values and culture

The Group’s corporate culture is integral to its success; it defines 
Compass, what the Company stands for, and how it does business. 
Compass’ reputation has been built on a solid foundation of ethical 
values, underpinned by a well-defined and effective system of 
governance. This culture has assisted in the creation and protection of 
the long-term value of the Company and supports its strategy to 
deliver sustainable growth. 

The Board defines the purpose of the Company and the values that 
guide it. A common set of expected behaviours based on Compass’ 
corporate values and an effective system of governance are 
represented in the Code of Business Conduct and Code of Ethics. 
These have shaped and embedded a strong ethical and governance 
culture across the Group. 

The Group CEO and other members of the executive management 
team take an active lead, providing encouragement and support to 
colleagues to ensure that ethical standards are maintained, and good 
governance is put into practice. 

Key functions such as Legal, Finance, People, Ethics and Integrity 
and Internal Audit are also empowered to promote, embed and 
integrate good standards of ethical behaviour and corporate 
governance across the Group. 

The Board, supported by its committees, monitors the alignment of 
the Group’s culture with its purpose, values and strategy through 
a variety of mechanisms, cultural indicators and reporting lines, 
including those summarised below.

Cultural indicators

Health and safety

 – Lost Time Incident Frequency Rate (LTIFR)
 – Food Safety Incident Rate (FSIR)
 – safety walks and results

People

 – results of the global employee engagement survey and 

pulse surveys

 – gender pay gap disclosures
 – Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) statistics

Clients and suppliers

 – adherence to the Global Supply Chain Integrity Standards
 – client retention rates
 – supplier audits

Sustainability

 – greenhouse gas emissions
 – waste reduction
 – sustainable sourcing

Workforce engagement

The Designated Non-executive director for workforce engagement 
provides a communication channel between the Group’s workforce 
and the Board to ensure that the employee voice is represented in the 
boardroom. This year, as part of a structured programme of 
engagement designed and supported by the Group Chief People 
Officer, the Designated Non-executive director for workforce 
engagement, Ireena Vittal, met with a diverse section of employees 
representing different sectors, countries and cultures. In total, four 
meetings were held, and the outcome of the discussions was reported 
back to the Corporate Responsibility Committee. 

Read more about these workforce engagement sessions on page 69.

Governance and risk

The Board is responsible for oversight of risk and for setting risk 
appetite. It ensures that the necessary resources are in place for the 
Company to meet its objectives and measure its performance. 
A robust governance and risk management framework is in place 
to ensure that each business is being operated and managed 
appropriately, and that prudent and effective controls are in place to 
identify emerging and principal risks and to manage and mitigate 
those risks. Read more about risk management on pages 22 to 28.

Group strategy

The Board’s approval, effective oversight and monitoring of the 
implementation of strategy are vital to the long-term sustainable 
success of the Group. The Board considers and approves the Group’s 
strategic aims over the short, medium and long-term. The 
implementation of strategy is monitored and evaluated on an ongoing 
basis. Food service remains at the core of Compass’ strategy. The 
market for food service continues to provide significant structural 
growth opportunities. To ensure Compass remains well placed to 
capture future market opportunities, the business will continue to 
create innovative, bespoke offerings that meet the needs of clients 
and consumers. More details of Compass’ business model and 
strategy can be found on pages 2 to 51.

64 

GOVERNANCE

GOVERNANCE AND DIRECTORS’ REPORT CONTINUED

Accountability to shareholders and consideration  
of other stakeholders

The Board ensures that the Company continues to operate in the best 
interests of its shareholders as a whole and is collectively accountable 
to them for its success. In exercising its duty to promote the success 
of the Company, the Board has regard to other stakeholders, the 
environment, the reputation of the Company and the need to act 
fairly between its members. How the Company engages with its 
stakeholders is described on pages 68 to 72. The Company’s 
Section 172 statement can be found on page 4.

Management delegation and oversight

The Board delegates the delivery of strategy and day-to-day 
operational management of the Group to the Executive Committee 
which is led by the Group CEO.

Roles in the boardroom

The Board comprises executive and non-executive directors, which 
ensures that no individual or small group of individuals dominates the 
Board’s decision-making. All non-executive directors, except the 
Chair of the Board, are considered to be independent. The Chair 
was considered to be independent on appointment. The roles 
and responsibilities of Board members are detailed below and 
demonstrate a clear division between the roles and responsibilities 
of the Board and executive management. The role descriptions of 
the Chair of the Board, Group CEO and SID are reviewed annually 
by the Board and are updated as necessary to reflect changes in 
legislation or best practice. These documents were last reviewed in 
September 2022. It was concluded that the documents in their current 
form continue to be fit for purpose and no changes were made. 

Copies of the documents can be found on the Company’s website, 
www.compass-group.com

Non-executive Chair

Leading the Board and ensuring its overall 
effectiveness in discharging its duties

Independent  
Non-executive directors

Ensuring that no individual or small group 
of individuals can dominate the Board’s 
decision-making

 – shaping the culture in the boardroom and promoting openness, challenge and debate
 – setting the agenda for Board meetings, focusing on strategy, performance, value creation, 

risk management, culture, stakeholders and accountability

 – chairing meetings and ensuring there is timely information flow before meetings and 

adequate time for discussion and debate

 – fostering relationships based on trust, mutual respect and open communication inside and 

outside the boardroom

 – leading relations with major shareholders in order to understand their views on governance 

and performance against strategy

 – independent non-executive directors meeting the independence criteria set out in the 

Code comprise more than half of Board membership

 – providing constructive challenge, giving strategic guidance, offering specialist advice and 

holding executive management to account

Designated Non-executive director 
for workforce engagement

 – bringing the views and experiences of the workforce into the boardroom
 – enabling the Board to consider the views of the workforce in its discussions and  

Providing an effective engagement 
mechanism for the Board to understand 
the views of the workforce

Senior Independent  
Director

Providing a sounding board for the Chair 
of the Board and serving as an 
intermediary for other directors and 
shareholders

decision-making

 – providing the Chair of the Board with support in the delivery of objectives, where necessary
 – working closely with the Nomination Committee, leading the process for the evaluation 

of the Chair of the Board and ensuring orderly succession to the Chair role

 – acting as an alternative contact for shareholders, providing a means of raising concerns 

other than with the Chair of the Board or senior management

Group CEO and Executive directors

 – Group CEO: leads the Executive Committee and is responsible for ensuring its effectiveness 

Leading the implementation of the 
Group’s strategy set by the Board 

Group General Counsel and 
Company Secretary

Supports the Chair of the Board and 
ensures directors have access to the 
information they need to carry out 
their roles

in managing the overall operations and resources of the Group and leading the 
implementation of the Group’s strategy 

 – executive directors: providing information and presentations to the Board and 
participating in Board discussions regarding Group management, financial 
performance and operational matters

 – providing a channel for Board and committee communications and a link between the 

Board and management

 – advising the Board on legal and corporate governance matters and supporting the Board in 

applying the Code and complying with UK listing obligations, and other statutory and 
regulatory requirements 

COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

  65

In addition to health and safety and routine financial and operating 
reports and updates, the Board spends time debating and formulating 
Group strategy and reviewing performance against the strategy.

Meetings between the Chair of the Board and non-executive directors, 
both with and without the presence of the Group CEO, are scheduled 
in the Board’s annual programme. 

During the year, the non-executive directors held regular meetings 
without the presence of the executives, typically following each 
Board meeting. These meetings provide the non-executive directors 
with a forum in which to share experiences and discuss wider 
business topics.

Board meetings

Board meetings are held through a combination of physical and virtual 
attendance. Each year, the Board aims to hold one or two meetings 
overseas. This year, the Board visited the Group’s largest business 
in the US. These visits provide an opportunity to assess local 
management performance and potential, to gain further insight 
into how the business works on a day-to-day basis and to speak 
face-to-face with local management and listen to their views. 

By visiting operations, directors meet with a diverse group of 
colleagues including regional and country management and high 
potential employees on a more informal basis, which supports the 
succession planning process. 

The format of visits often comprises a macroeconomic overview of the 
country, its social and political systems, challenges and opportunities 
facing the business, combined with a review of the competitive 
landscape, and a detailed review of the relevant sectors in which 
the business operates, its people, and three-year plan.

Scheduled Board and committee meeting attendance table1

Carol Arrowsmith
John Bason3
Dominic Blakemore
Stefan Bomhard
Palmer Brown
John Bryant
Gary Green
Arlene Isaacs-Lowe
Ian Meakins
Anne-Francoise Nesmes
Sundar Raman4
Nelson Silva
Ireena Vittal
Karen Witts5

Board

Audit  
Committee 

Corporate 
Responsibility 
Committee 

Nomination  
Committee

Remuneration 
Committee

Eligible to 
attend2

Meetings 
attended

Eligible to 
attend2

Meetings 
attended

Eligible to 
attend2

Meetings 
attended

Eligible to 
attend2

Meetings 
attended

Eligible to 
attend2

Meetings 
attended

6
2
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
5
6
6
–

6
2
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
5
6
6
–

3
–
–
3
–
3
–
3
–
3
2
3
3
–

3
–
–
3
–
3
–
3
–
3
2
3
3
–

3
1
3
3
3
3
–
3
3
3
2
3
3
–

3
1
3
3
3
3
–
3
3
3
2
3
3
–

5
1
–
5
–
5
–
5
5
5
4
5
5
–

5
1
–
5
–
5
–
5
5
5
4
5
5
–

3
–
–
3
–
3
–
3
–
3
2
3
3
–

3
–
–
3
–
3
–
3
–
3
2
3
3
–

1.  In addition to the scheduled meetings above, there were a number of out of schedule Board and committee meetings held during the year to deal with specific 

ad-hoc matters. 

2.  Maximum number of scheduled meetings a member was eligible to attend.
3.  Ceased to be a member of the Audit and Remuneration Committees on 2 February 2021. Retired as a director at the conclusion of the 2022 AGM. 
4.  Appointed to the Board on 1 January 2022.
5.   Stepped down from the Board on 31 October 2021.

 
 
66 

GOVERNANCE

GOVERNANCE AND DIRECTORS’ REPORT CONTINUED

BOARD  
ACTIVITIES

DURING THE FINANCIAL YEAR, THE KEY ACTIVITIES OF THE BOARD WERE:

Strategy and operations

Business reviews

Financial performance

Governance and investor
relations

Risk

46%

17%

14%

11%

12%

Strategy and operations

 – holding a dedicated Group strategy meeting which focused on the 
current contract catering industry, global trends and opportunities, 
digital and other strategic priorities

 – approving the Group strategy
 – reviewing the individual strategies for each of the regions
 – receiving regular reports from the Group CEO on progress against 

the Group strategy

 – considering and approving numerous projects, including the 

decision to launch a sustainable financing framework to enable the 
Group to issue green, social and sustainability bonds, as well as 
other types of financing in support of its ESG objectives, including 
its net zero commitment

 – receiving updates on initiatives to further the Group’s climate net 

zero commitments

 – receiving a presentation on ESG as a commercial differentiator
 – regularly reviewing the M&A pipeline and approving acquisitions 
and disposals as required, including the permanent exit from the 
Group’s Russian business and the move away from all known 
Russian suppliers

 – receiving an in-depth presentation from the Chief People Officer, 

North America, outlining the People strategy for the region 

Business reviews

 – visiting the Group’s US business in the year and meeting with senior 

management and receiving presentations on, amongst other 
matters, risks and opportunities and financial and operational 
performance against strategy

 – receiving updates on sector performance from several country 

managing directors (MDs) and sector heads

 – receiving updates from the Asia Pacific, North America and Europe 

and the Middle East Regional MDs and their leadership teams

Financial performance

 – approving the Group’s budget and three-year plan, and reviewing 
global trends, risks and opportunities, strategic framework and 
priorities including M&A and reward alignment

 – receiving regular reports from the Group CFO and presentations 
from each of the Group’s regional managing directors (RMDs) on 
performance

 – receiving updates from key functional heads, e.g., Legal, Tax, 

Treasury, Information Systems and Technology, and People on 
matters that could have an impact on the Group’s financial or 
operational performance

 – approving the half-year and full-year financial statements and other 

trading updates

Governance and investor relations

 – reviewing the recommendations of the Nomination Committee 

following the external Board and committee evaluation

 – reviewing directors’ independence and any conflicts of interest 
 – reviewing and approving the Modern Slavery Act statement, matters 
reserved for the Board, committee terms of reference, individual 
role specifications for the CEO, Chair of the Board and SID and 
other key Group policy documentation, including the Board 
Diversity Policy

 – holding the AGM, subsequently, discussing any issues arising from 

the AGM

 – receiving reports on investor relations activities, including feedback 

from roadshows and directors’ meetings held with institutional 
investors 

 – considering investor sentiment towards Compass
 – attending the AGM to respond to shareholder questions about the 

Group and to meet on an informal basis with the Company’s 
shareholders

 – approving recommendations from the Nomination Committee in 

relation to changes to the Board composition

 – receiving reports from Ireena Vittal, Designated Non-executive 
director for workforce engagement on her roundtable meetings 
with colleagues from across the businesses – see further details 
on page 69

Risk

 – considering the biannual reviews of the material financial and 

non-financial risks facing the Group’s businesses, including new 
and emerging risks, and agreeing the Group’s principal risks at the 
half and full year

 – identification of risks and opportunities, the development of action 

plans to manage risks and maximise opportunities, and the 
continual monitoring of progress against agreed key performance 
indicators

COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

  67

As part of ongoing training, the Board and its committees receive 
regular updates from expert external advisers such as the Group’s 
auditors, external legal counsel, remuneration advisers and internal 
subject matter experts. The Chair of the Board, supported by the 
Nomination Committee, considers the training needs of directors 
as part of the annual evaluation process. Where a training need is 
identified by the Nomination Committee or the director, this is 
facilitated by the Group General Counsel and Company Secretary.

Conflicts of interest

As part of their ongoing development, executive directors are 
permitted to take on one external non-executive role on a non-
competitor board, subject to prior approval by the Board. Fees 
earned for the appointment may be retained by the director. The 
Board monitors the extent of directors’ other interests and the time 
commitment required to fulfil those interests to ensure that the 
effectiveness of the Board is not compromised.

Each director has a duty under the Companies Act 2006 to avoid a 
situation in which they have, or might 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 owed to the 
Company to disclose to the Board an interest in any transaction or 
arrangement being considered by the Company. The Company’s 
articles of association authorise the directors to approve such 
situations and to apply 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 with no interest in 
the matter under consideration) can make the relevant decision. 
In making a decision, the directors must act in good faith and in a way 
they consider most likely to promote the Company’s success. Further, 
the directors may, if appropriate, impose limits or conditions 
when granting authorisation.

The Board considered and authorised each director’s reported actual 
and potential conflicts of interest at its meeting in July 2022. It also 
considers any changes on an ad-hoc basis throughout the year. Any 
authorised conflicts are reviewed at least every 15 months.

BOARD 
ADMINISTRATION

Information and support

All directors have access to the advice of the Group General Counsel 
and Company Secretary, who helps to ensure that Board procedures 
are followed, and good corporate governance and compliance 
processes and practices are adhered to. Together with the Group CEO 
and the Group General Counsel and Company Secretary, the Chair of 
the Board ensures that the Board is kept properly informed and is 
consulted on all matters reserved for it and that Board papers and 
other information are distributed in a timely fashion to allow directors 
to be properly briefed in advance of meetings.

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.

In accordance with the Company’s articles of association, directors 
have been granted an indemnity 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 potential legal 
action against its directors and officers.

Board effectiveness, induction, training and development

A formal and rigorous annual evaluation of the Board, its committees, 
the Chair of the Board and individual directors is conducted every 
year. The Nomination Committee is responsible for overseeing the 
evaluation process. The Chair of the Board is responsible for acting on 
the evaluation’s results, recognising strengths and addressing any 
areas for action that have been identified. The details of this year’s 
external evaluation process can be found on page 84. 

The Chair of the Board addresses the developmental needs of the 
Board. All directors are required to refresh and update their skills, 
knowledge, expertise, and familiarity with the Company on an ongoing 
basis; ensuring that the Board continues to operate as an effective 
team. A formal, comprehensive and tailored induction is provided to 
all directors following their appointment, including access to external 
training courses where appropriate, visits to key locations within the 
Group, and meetings with members of the Executive Committee, other 
senior executives and functional heads. The induction also covers a 
review of the Group’s governance policies and structures, including 
details of the risks and operating issues facing the Group.

68 

GOVERNANCE

GOVERNANCE AND DIRECTORS’ REPORT CONTINUED

STAKEHOLDER 
ENGAGEMENT

Compass is a geographically and culturally 
diverse business with operations in around 
40 countries. As a result, it has a global and 
diverse community of stakeholders, each  
with their own interests in and expectations  
of the Company. 

As set out in the Strategic Report, we have a decentralised structure 
enabling the development of strategies on a country-by-country and 
sector-by-sector basis. The Board’s role is therefore to provide a 
framework that gives the Group’s businesses the freedom and 
flexibility to make decisions, pursue opportunities, and manage risks. 

Responsibility for day-to-day operational management and 
implementation of Group strategy has been delegated to the Group 
Executive Committee, led by the Group CEO.

Country managing directors and local leadership teams are 
responsible for local strategy, execution, and compliance, in 
alignment with Group values, governance and standards. 
Depending on the region, an additional layer of regional and 
functional leadership is present.

The Group operates on a decentralised basis to ensure the effective 
day-to-day running of the Group’s businesses which are managed 
by local country management teams. Practically, this involves a high 
level of delegation of communication with stakeholders to local 
management. As a result, stakeholder engagement primarily takes 
place at an operational level, and the Board relies on management to 
keep it informed of the impact of the Group’s operations on its 
stakeholders. 

During the year, the Board and the CR Committee considered 
information from across the Group’s businesses and received 
presentations from management. This enabled the Board to consider 
the likely consequences of decisions over the long-term and, where 
relevant, the impact on stakeholders and the environment. Examples 
of decisions made during the year and the stakeholders impacted are 
described on page 73.

A summary of how Compass engages with its stakeholders and 
how the Board is involved and kept informed of stakeholder 
engagement follows. 

CLIENTS

Why we engage

By understanding what is important to clients, Compass can 
ensure that its solutions are tailored to support their individual 
business objectives.

How we engage

Compass maintains open and transparent relationships based on 
honesty and respect. Engagement with clients occurs in many 
ways, including:

 – updating clients through quarterly business reviews
 – creating targeted strategies to meet their sustainability goals
 – hosting sustainability advisory councils
 – gathering insights from social and print media
 – collecting feedback from surveys
 – hosting online events, podcasts and teaching kitchens
 – utilising net promoter scores (NPS) in some markets

Areas of focus

 – talent recruitment and retention
 – on-trend technology solutions
 – DE&I
 – clean, safe environments
 – sustainability commitments: climate net zero, plant-forward menus, 
reduction of food waste and single-use plastics, supporting local 
communities

 – providing cost effective, quality food solutions to our clients 

Engagement in the year

 – Sustainability Advisory Council with key B&I clients in the Group’s 

largest business in the US

 – Stop Food Waste Day
 – Chef Appreciation Week
 – working as part of a global collaborative network for leading 

innovators in the food space

 – developing custom solutions by consulting with clients
 – webinars, roundtables and factsheets on topical issues, including 

inflation and the living wage

How the Board has oversight

The Board is kept informed of business performance by the RMDs, 
who provide an overview of operations at a regional, country and 
sector level. The RMDs are supported by their senior leadership and 
marketing teams, who can offer further analysis of the client base. 
From these reports and those of the Group CEO and Group Chief 
Commercial Officer, the Board can form a view of the interests of the 
Group’s clients and what is important to them. 

COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

  69

Four roundtable meetings were held with employees from a variety of 
sectors and businesses across the Group.

Sessions held

Countries represented

2 March

4 March

22 August

23 August

UK

Australia

Denmark

France

Japan

USA

Colombia

Colombia

UK

Luxembourg

These roundtables provided Ireena with opportunities to hear directly 
from employees in an open environment, which in turn enabled the 
Board to better understand the differing views of our people.

Participants valued the opportunity to share experiences and learn 
from each other. They particularly appreciated the open, intimate 
structure of the sessions and the freedom to explore a variety of topics 
that are important to them. 

The feedback from these roundtables was combined with the 
output from the Group’s wider engagement activities and were 
reported to the CR Committee. The main themes arising from the 
roundtables included:

 – positive sentiment about how Compass considers the wellbeing of 

its employees and the importance of maintaining focus in this area, 
particularly in the current climate

 – increased pride in our brands and offerings has enabled new 
business wins and strong retention. Market conditions remain 
challenging, but through innovation and adaptability, the growth 
opportunity remains significant

 – retention of our people across the business is critical for delivering 

ongoing success 

 – communication at all levels across the organisation has been 

effective in cascading messaging locally 

How the Board has considered the Group’s employees in its decision 
making during the year is set out on page 73.

PEOPLE

Why we engage

People are at the heart of the Group’s strategy for growth. Compass 
wants employees to thrive in a fair and inclusive work environment. 
Understanding their needs and motivations helps to drive business 
performance and to provide a great place to work.

How we engage

Employee engagement is primarily conducted through the Group’s 
supportive management structure. A policy of honesty and openness 
facilitates feedback for discussion. Engagement takes many forms 
including surveys, roundtables, townhall meetings, Speak Up, 
We’re Listening reports, internal social media channels and 
consultative bodies.

Areas of focus

 – health and wellbeing
 – DE&I
 – recognition and careers
 – executive remuneration

Engagement in the year

 – hosting the global leadership conference in London
 – global engagement survey
 – virtual townhalls 
 – roundtables with the Designated Non-executive director for 

workforce engagement, Ireena Vittal 

 – DE&I Be the Difference conference in the US
 – Respectful Behaviours programme in Australia 
 – launching several mobile apps to better connect with front-line 

colleagues

How the Board has oversight

During the year, the Group CEO, Group CFO, Group Chief People 
Officer and other senior executives held townhalls and made 
presentations to update employees on the Group’s strategy and 
performance, and on key initiatives such as the Group’s climate 
net zero commitment. These sessions included a Q&A session for 
employees to ask questions about the Group’s performance and the 
challenges and opportunities facing the business. A proportion of 
the time was also allocated during the sessions to celebrate and 
draw attention to the achievements of front-line colleagues and 
other employees, who were able to share their experiences of 
working at Compass. 

For the first time in two years, the Board was able to travel to the 
Group’s largest business in the US. During the visit, the Board 
received presentations from senior management and met with 
them on an informal basis. The Board also visited two client sites 
and one operational site and met with local management and their 
operational teams, which enabled the directors to engage directly 
with front-line employees.

Designated Non-executive director for workplace 
engagement

During the year, Ireena Vittal, the Designated Non-executive director 
for workforce engagement, engaged directly with employees across 
the Group to understand their views and experiences of working at 
Compass, what could be improved and taking feedback on our 
approach to remuneration.

70 

GOVERNANCE

GOVERNANCE AND DIRECTORS’ REPORT CONTINUED

CONSUMERS

Why we engage

SHAREHOLDERS

Why we engage

Compass serves people nutritious food and drink, which improves 
learning, helps them work better and recover better. As an 
organisation, Compass wants its consumers to thrive and creates 
environments to help them do that.

How we engage

Compass uses a variety of methods to engage with consumers 
including: 

 – gathering external consumer research and trends
 – conducting internal surveys, comment cards, and focus groups
 – front-line staff
 – providing demonstrations through chefs’ tables and 

teaching kitchens

 – executing global campaigns e.g. Stop Food Waste Day 
 – promoting virtual teaching kitchens, podcasts and 

social media posts

Areas of focus

 – clean and safe environments
 – technology enabled solutions including apps to speed up service 
and alternative payment methods such as frictionless payment or 
payroll deduction

 – safe, delicious and healthy food with a variety of offerings, including 

local and global flavours at a competitive price

 – on-trend offers specifically around wellness and sustainability
 – excellent service

Engagement in the year

 – climate-friendly menus
 – Stop Food Waste Day
 – Chef Appreciation Week
 – spotlighting local farmers and producers
 – engaging with diverse suppliers

How the Board has oversight

The Board receives updates on trends from sector leaders, including 
details of opportunities, challenges and developments in consumer 
food services, e.g.,product innovation and consumer interest in brand 
responsibility and sustainability. Understanding what is important to 
the Group’s consumers and responding to evolving consumer trends 
and changes in consumer behaviour is essential to the success of the 
business. Management has well-established processes and solutions 
for capturing market information on changes in consumer trends. 
These are reported to the Board by the Executive team, particularly 
through the Group CEO’s reports and through presentations provided 
by the regional management teams and country managing directors.

Compass’ philosophy is to engage in regular, open, transparent 
dialogue with existing and prospective shareholders. Their views and 
opinions are valued by and are shared with the Board which reviews 
the feedback and, where considered appropriate, takes action to 
address any concerns.

How we engage

Compass engages with existing investors through one-to-one 
and group meetings, webcasts, presentations, conference calls and 
the Company’s AGM.

Areas of focus

 – financial performance
 – competitive positioning
 – strategy and outlook
 – ethical business practices and sound governance
 – leadership and succession planning
 – debt and liquidity
 – sustainability and ESG

Engagement in the year

This year, as part of its proactive engagement programme organised 
by the Group’s Investor Relations team, the Company held 332 
meetings (virtually and in person), with representatives from 
429 institutional investors through a mix of group and one-to-one 
appointments, of which more than 70 were attended by the Group 
CEO and/or Group CFO. The Chair of the Board and the Remuneration 
Committee Chair and other members of the Group’s management 
such as the Group General Counsel and Company Secretary, Group 
Chief People Officer, Group Reward Director and Group Chief 
Commercial Officer, as appropriate, also engaged with investors on a 
wide range of matters including governance, people, remuneration 
and sustainability. The Company also conducted a perception study 
with its top 25 ESG investors to understand their views and welcomed 
the positive feedback. 

The 2022 AGM was held at Twickenham Rugby Football Union 
stadium and was the first time in two years that the Company was able 
to hold a physical AGM. In light of the possibility of continued social 
distancing measures, the Company also offered shareholders the 
opportunity to watch the live meeting online and to ask the Board 
questions through a virtual chat facility in real time. Shareholders were 
also encouraged to submit questions in advance of the meeting. All 
questions and answers and footage of the AGM were posted on the 
Company’s website. 

How the Board has oversight

The Chair of the Board ensures that the Board maintains an 
appropriate dialogue with shareholders. The Group CEO, Group CFO 
and Director of Investor Relations and Corporate Communications 
meet regularly with institutional investors to discuss strategic issues 
and to make presentations on the Company’s results. Committee 
Chairs are available to engage with major shareholders regarding their 
areas of responsibility. Non-executive directors develop an 
understanding of the views of major shareholders through regular 
updates from the Director of Investor Relations and Corporate 
Communications and from external advisers. The Group General 
Counsel and Company Secretary also acts as an important focal point 
for communications on corporate governance matters throughout the 
year, particularly around shareholder meetings. All shareholders are 
invited to attend the Company’s AGM, which provides a forum where 
they can put questions to the Board and meet with individual directors 
and senior executives after the AGM. 

COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

  71

SUPPLIERS

Why we engage

Compass engages with its suppliers to collaborate on building resilient 
and sustainable supply chains through mutually beneficial, lasting 
partnerships; to address shared challenges in responsible and 
sustainable sourcing; and to communicate the Group’s supply 
chain standards, expectations and commitments.

NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS (NGOs)

Why we engage

Compass engages with NGOs to ensure it stays up to date and 
develops effective action plans to enable it to have a positive 
impact on key social, environmental and economic issues relevant 
to our business.

How we engage

How we engage

The Group’s businesses regularly communicate with their suppliers.
Examples of how they engage include: 

Dialogue with NGOs is maintained through regular communications, 
interactions and meetings, as well as through industry association 
memberships and at forums and conferences. 

Areas of focus

 – human rights
 – climate change
 – animal welfare
 – social issues

Engagement in the year

 – contributed to ReFED Insights Engine (an NGO with a focus on food 

waste reduction) in the US

 – key presenter at ReFED Food Waste Solutions summit in the US
 – World Business Council for Sustainable Development workstreams, 

plus Asia Pacific culinary training programme
 – Food Tank Chief Sustainability Officer roundtable
 – founding member of and annual presenter at Menus of Change in 

the US

 – regular dialogue with animal welfare NGOs

How the Board has oversight

The Board is kept up to date on interactions with NGOs which support 
Compass with their knowledge and expertise. The CR Committee 
receives reports from the Group Chief Commercial Officer and the 
Group Sustainability team on key areas of focus, such as human 
rights, climate change and farm animal welfare.

 – regular open dialogue
 – formal supplier surveys, reviews and audits
 – hosting annual summits in large markets with senior operators, and 

with culinary and marketing leaders

 – creating client roundtables for targeted sustainability initiatives
 – utilising NPS
 – attending conferences with key suppliers and NGOs involved in 

supply chain monitoring

Areas of focus

 – food safety and provenance 
 – workplace health and safety
 – supply chain integrity
 – human rights
 – environmental impact
 – food inflation
 – labour shortages in the supply chain

Engagement in the year

 – plastic-free pilots with well-known soft drinks brands
 – supplier collaboration to achieve centre of the plate sustainability 

commitments: e.g. cage-free eggs

 – roundtable participation with ethical suppliers: Responsible Soy 

Association, Sustainable Palm Oil, Seafood Watch, Global Coalition 
for Animal Welfare

 – supplier conferences organised by Foodbuy, the Group’s 

procurement arm

How the Board has oversight

The Board is kept informed about supply chain initiatives through the 
CR Committee, which receives reports from the Group Chief 
Commercial Officer, the Sustainability team and the Group Head of 
E&I, including work to identify and prevent modern slavery and human 
trafficking in the Group’s businesses and supply chains. 

GOVERNMENTS AND REGULATORS

Why we engage

It is important to engage with governments and regulators so as to 
communicate Compass’ views to those who have the responsibility for 
implementing policy, laws and regulations relevant to our business.

How we engage

Compass views are made known through a series of industry 
consultations, forums and conferences.

Areas of focus

 – consumer health and public health policies
 – food safety
 – workplace health and safety
 – human rights
 – climate change
 – legal and regulatory compliance 
 – public sector procurement
 – Government buying standards for food and catering services

Engagement in the year

 – engagement with government departments responsible for 

environment, food and rural affairs

 – consultation on food waste 
 – consultation on public sector procurement legislation 
 – changes to nutritional standards in the public sector
 – participated in the BEIS consultation on audit and corporate 

governance reform

How the Board has oversight

The Group General Counsel and Company Secretary, Group Head of 
Tax and other subject matter experts regularly update the Board and 
its committees on regulatory developments affecting the Company 
and the Group.

72 

GOVERNANCE

GOVERNANCE AND DIRECTORS’ REPORT CONTINUED

COMMUNITIES

Why we engage

Compass engages with the communities in which it operates in order 
to build trust by operating responsibly and sustainably; by addressing 
issues that are important to the communities; and by providing 
training opportunities, careers and support to local people, particularly 
those who are not in education, training or employment.

How we engage

Compass operates many local employment programmes to recruit and 
develop local people to work at its sites. This includes partnering with 
local charities and organisations to raise awareness and donating funds 
to help local causes. Surplus food is also donated to various 
organisations that pass it on to people in their communities who need it. 
Through The Compass Group Foundation, we engaged community 
organisations in the US, UK, Turkey, India and Spain to fund training 
opportunities for the most under-privileged groups.

Areas of focus

 – fair employment and equal opportunities
 – local causes and issues

Engagement in the year

We provided funding via The Compass Group Foundation and 
a number of employees volunteered their skills and expertise 
to amplify our impact:

 – our Indian business is partnering with the Sai Swayam Society and 
Unnati to train young people with speech and hearing disabilities, 
and from very low-income backgrounds, respectively, in hospitality, 
computer, life and soft skills

 – our Spanish business is working with Fundacion Integra to train 

women from disadvantaged groups, including victims of domestic 
violence, and will provide them with free access to hospitality 
certification via Compass Group Spain’s Women’s Academy

 – our Turkish business engaged with the Down’s Syndrome 

Association to train and place people with Down’s Syndrome in jobs 
in the food and hospitality sector and raise awareness of the 
contribution of people with Down’s Syndrome in the job market

 – our UK business engaged with Foodcycle to recruit and train project 
leaders to undertake the running of community kitchens to support 
local communities’ food security and tackle isolation

 – our US business is supporting the Carolina Farm Stewardship 

Association to provide advice and support to small farmers in food 
safety planning and certification, focusing on sustainable farming 
practices and climate resiliency

How the Board has oversight

Compass aims to enrich the communities in which it operates and to 
minimise its impact on the environment. Our companies operate in 
culturally diverse communities with differing characteristics and 
needs. Community engagement is primarily achieved by liaison 
with local organisations and representatives and through initiatives 
sensitive to cultural differences. The Board is kept informed of activity 
through the CR Committee, which receives regular reports from the 
Group Chief Commercial Officer and the Sustainability team, and 
through presentations given by the regional and country 
management teams.

COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

  73

CONSIDERATION OF STAKEHOLDER 
INTERESTS DURING THE YEAR

The examples below give an insight into how the Board had regard for the interests of its 
stakeholders in its decision-making processes during the year.

Key decision

Climate change and 
environmental 
sustainability

All stakeholders

In October 2021, Compass published its commitment to be carbon neutral worldwide on its scope 1 and 2 
greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, and a further commitment to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions 
across its global operations and value chain by 2050. This made Compass the first international company in 
the contract catering industry to announce a global commitment to a 2050 net zero emissions economy. The 
decarbonisation strategy will be delivered through collaboration with clients, industry associates, 
governments and suppliers, through innovation and investments across its global operations, and by 
encouraging sustainable consumption from clients and consumers.

The commitment was made in recognition of the major role that the international food industry has to play in 
reaching climate net zero, and the belief that driving the transition to a healthy and sustainable food system 
through sustainable sourcing and eliminating food waste will transform the environmental impact of the 
Group’s businesses.

The global food supply chain is complex, and the scale of the commitment has not been underestimated. 
The Board is supportive of the Group’s sustainability agenda and believes that the Group’s global reach and 
scale provide a unique opportunity to influence positive change, which will protect the interests of 
shareholders and benefit all stakeholders over the longer-term.

More information on Compass’ sustainability initiatives can be found on pages 36 to 50.

Return of cash to 
shareholders

Shareholders

In May 2022, in recognition of the continued positive momentum that has allowed the Group to rebuild its 
revenues and margins, supported by the strong cash generation of the business, a strong balance sheet and 
excellent growth prospects, the Board approved a share buyback programme of up to £500 million 
consistent with the Company’s capital allocation framework. More details of the share buyback programme 
can be found on pages 115 and 183.

Principal risks

All stakeholders

The Board will continue to monitor the Group’s performance and the potential for rewarding shareholders 
with further returns. Details of the Group’s performance can be found on pages 2 to 51.

During the year, the Board took the decision to include geopolitical risk, including the conflict between 
Russia and Ukraine, as a new principal risk on the basis that the conflict represents a heightened national 
security threat to countries particularly in Europe and NATO, and its disruption to the global energy market 
has contributed to the elevation of the existing cost inflation, economic and cyber security risks. As stated 
earlier in the Strategic Report, Compass has exited the Russian market and moved away from all known 
Russian suppliers.

The Board will continue to monitor the threat of these risks to the Group’s businesses and to assess the 
effectiveness of mitigating actions. Details of the other principal risks and mitigating actions can be found on 
pages 22 to 28.

74 

GOVERNANCE

GOVERNANCE AND DIRECTORS’ REPORT CONTINUED

ANNE-FRANCOISE NESMES
Chair of the Audit Committee

Members

At the date of this Report the following are members of the 
Audit Committee (the Committee):

 –  Anne-Francoise Nesmes (Chair)
 –  Carol Arrowsmith
 –  Stefan Bomhard
 –  John Bryant

 –  Arlene Isaacs-Lowe
 –  Sundar Raman
 –  Nelson Silva
 –  Ireena Vittal

All members of the Committee are independent non-executive 
directors, whose biographies can be found on pages 55 to 57.

Meetings

The Committee held three scheduled meetings during the year 
and the meeting attendance table can be found on page 65.

Main responsibilities

In accordance with its terms of reference the Committee’s main 
responsibilities include:

 – monitoring the integrity of the Company’s and the Group’s 
published financial statements and related disclosures

 – monitoring any formal announcements relating to the Group’s 

financial reporting issues, and key accounting and audit 
judgements related to the preparation of the Company’s and 
the Group’s financial statements

 – reviewing arrangements for the Group’s workforce/

stakeholders to raise concerns in confidence about possible 
improprieties in financial reporting or other matters (via Speak 
Up, We’re Listening), and ensuring that they are investigated
 – reviewing the adequacy and effectiveness of the risk management 
and internal control systems, including the going concern and 
viability statements, and providing assurance to the Board

 – monitoring and reviewing the role, mandate and effectiveness 

of the Group’s Internal Audit function

 – managing the selection, appointment, independence, 

effectiveness and remuneration of the Group’s external auditor, 
including compliance with the non-audit services policy

 – advising the Board on how it has discharged its 

responsibilities and considering whether the Annual Report 
and Accounts, taken as a whole, is fair, balanced and 
understandable, and providing assurance to the Board

AUDIT COMMITTEE 
REPORT

Governance

Anne-Francoise Nesmes has chaired the Audit Committee since 
February 2021. She is the serving Chief Financial Officer of 
Smith+Nephew PLC, is a chartered management accountant and 
is considered by the Board to have recent and relevant financial 
experience and to be competent in auditing and accounting. 
The Chair of the Committee reports to the Board on Committee 
activities and engages regularly with key individuals involved with the 
Company’s governance. The Chair also has regular contact with the 
external Senior Statutory Audit Partner and attends the AGM to 
respond to any shareholder questions on the Committee’s activities.

Members of the Committee are appointed by the Board and 
Committee membership comprises all of the independent non-
executive directors. The Committee meets at least three times a year. 
The quorum necessary for a meeting is two members. Only members 
of the Committee have the right to attend Committee meetings. 
Other individuals, such as the Chair of the Board, the Group CEO, 
Group CFO, Group Financial Controller, Director of FP&A , Group 
Director of Risk and Internal Audit, Group Chief Information Officer 
and external advisers, may be invited to attend all or part of any 
meetings, as and when appropriate. The Group General Counsel and 
Company Secretary, who acts as Secretary to the Committee, attends 
all meetings. The external auditor also attends all meetings of the 
Committee. Other members of senior management are invited to 
present such reports as are required for the Committee to discharge 
its duties. At the end of every meeting, Committee members hold 
private discussions with the external auditor, without executive 
management and other invitees being present. Committee members 
also have discussions with the Group Director of Risk and Internal 
Audit without executive management and other invitees being 
present. The Committee is authorised to seek external legal and 
independent professional advice as it sees fit.

Each member of the Committee has appropriate financial and 
commercial experience in multinational and/or complex organisations, 
combined with a sound understanding of the Company’s business, 
and is therefore considered by the Board to be competent in the 
Company’s sector. The expertise and experience of the directors are 
summarised on pages 55 to 57. The Board considers each member of 
the Committee to be independent within the definition set out in the 
UK Corporate Governance Code 2018 (the Code) and capable of 
assessing the work of management, the assurances provided by the 
Internal Audit function and the external auditor, and the effectiveness 
of the risk management and internal control systems.

The Committee has an annual agenda which is aligned to the key 
events in the Company’s financial calendar. The agenda is flexible 
enough to allow ‘deep-dives’ into topics of particular importance 
to the Committee or to allow it to respond to emerging issues. 
The terms of reference of the Audit Committee were last reviewed in 
September 2022. Several changes were made to the Committee’s 
terms of reference to simplify the language, remove repetition and 
more closely align elements of the terms of reference with the model 
terms published by the Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland, 
which were approved by the Board. A copy of the updated terms 
of reference can be found on the Company’s website,  
www.compass-group.com. 

COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

  75

Committee activities during the year

The key priorites of the Committee are described below.

Financial Reporting and Accounting matters

Monitoring the integrity of the Company’s and Group’s financial 
statements and associated announcements is a key responsibility of 
the Committee. During the year, the Committee reviewed the interim 
and annual financial statements and considered the following:

 – whether the description of the performance of the Group in 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 position and performance, 
business model and strategy

 –  the clarity of disclosures and compliance with financial 

reporting standards and relevant financial and governance 
reporting requirements and guidelines, including Alternative 
Performance Measures

 –  the accounting policies adopted in the Group’s financial statements, 
any proposed changes to them and the adequacy of their disclosure

 – the significant transactions, accounting matters, and key 

judgements and estimates used in preparing the 2022 Annual 
Report and Accounts and the interim financial statements and in 
particular management’s assumptions underpinning the going 
concern and viability statements

 –  the Company’s disclosure in the Strategic Report on the Task Force 

on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) reporting 
requirements and related disclosures in the financial statements

 – non-financial KPIs
 – consideration of the potential implications of the BEIS White Paper: 

Restoring Trust in Audit and Corporate Governance

The Committee is responsible for considering the significant areas of 
complexity, management judgement and estimation in relation to the 
financial statements. Set out in the table below are the significant 
areas of accounting judgement or management estimation and a 
description of how the Committee concluded that such judgements 
and estimations were appropriate.

Areas of significant accounting  
judgement and estimation

Carrying value of goodwill

The Group undertakes a formal goodwill 
impairment exercise for its cash-generating 
units at least once a year in accordance 
with IAS 36 ‘Impairment of Assets’, based 
on the most recent approved budget and 
financial plan.

Tax

The Group operates in multiple tax jurisdictions 
and is subject to the rules of their various 
taxation authorities. Due to the complexity 
and changing nature of tax rules and transfer 
pricing across multiple tax jurisdictions, a 
degree of judgement is required in 
determining levels of tax recognised in 
the financial statements.

Post-employment benefits

The Group’s defined benefit pension schemes 
are assessed annually in accordance with IAS 
19 ‘Employee Benefits’. The present value of 
the defined benefit liabilities is based on 
assumptions determined following independent 
actuarial advice.

Going concern and viability

The going concern and viability statements 
were reviewed in detail.

How each was addressed by the Committee

The recoverability of the carrying value of goodwill involves the use of assumptions, 
including operating cash flow forecasts (revenue and operating margins), growth rates 
and discount rates. The Committee reviewed the key assumptions used to assess the 
recoverability of goodwill, and concluded that these were appropriate. The Committee 
noted that the headroom in the UK cash-generating unit is sensitive to reasonably possible 
changes in key assumptions. The Committee reviewed the goodwill impairment assessment 
disclosures and concluded that these were appropriate.

The Committee oversaw the development and reporting of the Company’s and the 
Group’s tax strategy. It assessed the impact of changes in the approach of governments 
to tax and discussed with management the key judgements made. The Committee also 
reviewed the disclosures relating to the contingent tax liabilities. The external auditor 
reported on all provisions to the Committee. On the basis of the above, the Committee 
was satisfied that the level of tax provisioning for the Group remained appropriate. 

The Committee considered management’s valuation of the liabilities of the Group’s  
post-employment benefit schemes, which is based on advice taken from independent 
actuaries. The Committee noted that the value of the liabilities is sensitive to actuarial 
assumptions, including discount rates, inflation, pension and salary increases and 
mortality and other demographic assumptions. The Committee considered the external 
auditor’s assessment of the reasonableness of the assumptions, together with a 
comparison of the assumptions to those made by other companies, and was satisfied 
that the assumptions made with respect to post-employment benefits were appropriate.

Notwithstanding the recovery in the Group’s performance this year, the assumptions 
and evidence supporting the going concern and viability statements were reviewed and 
challenged by the Committee. Financial models of scenarios prepared by management 
over the assessment periods were considered by the Committee, as well as the liquidity 
position of the Group, the principal risks, the level of headroom against committed 
facilities and compliance with financial covenants attached to issued debt. Having 
considered in detail the analysis undertaken and the assessment of the external 
auditor, the Committee was satisfied that the going concern and viability statements 
were appropriate.

76 

GOVERNANCE

AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT CONTINUED

Fair, balanced and understandable Annual Report  
and Accounts

The Code provides that the Board should provide a fair, balanced and 
understandable assessment of the Company’s position and prospects 
in its Annual Report and Accounts. At the Board’s request, the 
Committee has reviewed the 2022 Annual Report and Accounts to 
determine whether it considered that the document, taken as a whole, 
meets this standard and provides the information necessary for 
shareholders to assess the Company’s position and performance, 
business model and strategy. The Committee has concluded that this 
requirement has been met.

Throughout the Annual Report and Accounts, performance is 
presented against a mix of financial and non-financial KPIs, which 
the Board and executive management consider best reflect the 
Company’s strategic priorities. The Committee has considered these 
KPIs and is satisfied that the information that has been selected by 
the Board and executive management will help to convey an 
understanding of the performance and the culture of the business, 
and the drivers which contribute to its success; and will be of 
interest to stakeholders.

Risk management and internal controls

The Committee is responsible for reviewing the Company’s internal 
financial controls and internal control and risk management systems. 
During the year, the Committee:

 – received and discussed regular reports summarising: the Group’s 

risk management activities, including the impact of macroeconomic 
and geopolitical factors, the identification of new principal risks and 
emerging risks and actions to mitigate risks; and the findings from 
internal audits and the status of resultant actions agreed with 
management

 – reviewed and approved the internal audit plan for 2023 and 

monitored delivery of the 2022 plan

 – reviewed the resources, terms of reference and effectiveness of the 

Internal Audit and Risk Management function

 – received presentations from the Group Head of Ethics and Integrity 
(E&I) on E&I programme activities, business integrity risks, and 
Speak Up, We’re Listening cases and investigations in relation to 
theft and fraud

 – received regular reports from the Head of Group Tax on tax policies, 

uncertain tax positions, and tax audits and enquiries

 – received updates on the activities of the regional governance 

committees

 – received updates in relation to cyber security arrangements and 

assurance over new systems roll outs

The Audit Committee reviews the integrity of any material 
financial statements made by the Company. It monitors and conducts 
a robust review of the effectiveness of the Group’s internal control 
systems, accounting policies and practices and certain compliance 
controls (including key financial controls) as well as the Company’s 
statements on internal control, before they are agreed by the Board 
for inclusion in the Annual Report and Accounts.

During the financial year ended 30 September 2022, there have 
been no changes that have affected materially, or are reasonably 
likely to affect materially, the Company’s internal control over 
financial reporting.

In accordance with the guidance set out in the FRC’s Guidance 
on Risk Management, Internal Control and Related Financial and 
Business Reporting 2014, and in the Code itself, the Group has 
established a risk management framework. This has been in place for 
the full financial year and up to the date on which the financial 
statements were approved. The framework is designed to manage 
rather than eliminate the risk of failure to achieve the Group’s strategic 
objectives, to safeguard the Group’s assets against material loss, to 
fairly report the Group’s performance and position, and to ensure 
compliance with relevant legislation and regulation including that 
related to social, environmental and ethical matters. The framework 
provides reasonable, but not absolute, assurance against material 
misstatement or loss. Further details of the Group’s risk management 
framework and principal risks are set out on pages 22 to 28.

The Audit Committee is responsible for reviewing the risk 
management framework. As part of this process, Group companies 
submit biannual certificates of assurance to the Group CFO on 
internal control and risk management matters. The Group CFO 
summarises these submissions for the Audit Committee, and the 
Chair of the Audit Committee reports to the Board on any matters that 
have arisen from the Committee’s review of the way in which risk 
management and internal control processes have been applied. 
The Committee annually reviews the effectiveness of Compass’ 
approach to risk management and any changes to the risk policy. 
The Committee and the Board remain satisfied that the Company’s 
risk management framework continues to provide the necessary 
flexibility without compromising the integrity of risk management and 
internal control systems.

Whistleblowing, anti-bribery and fraud

The Audit Committee receives updates on any allegations of theft or 
fraud in the businesses at every meeting, with individual updates 
being given to the Committee, as needed, in more serious cases. 
The Group’s theft and anti-fraud policies are a subset of the Code of 
Business Conduct (CBC), which strictly prohibits any activity involving 
fraud, dishonesty or deception. These policies set out how allegations 
of fraud or bribery are dealt with such as through investigations 
conducted by Internal Audit, E&I or local Finance or Legal teams, and 
the frequency of local reporting that feeds in to the regular updates, 
which are presented to the Committee.

The Corporate Responsibility Committee oversees the Group’s overall 
CBC programme, the training of employees on key business integrity 
risk areas and the way in which management obtains assurance in this 
area, including the annual self-certification process via the annual E&I 
declaration and pledge. More information on the CBC, and the Speak 
Up, We’re listening programme is set out on page 11.

The CBC and Code of Ethics are available on the Company’s website, 
www.compass-group.com/en/who-we-are/ethics-and-integrity

Information systems and technology security risk

Information systems and technology risk continues to present an 
increasing threat to the Group and remains a principal risk. At each 
meeting during the year, the Committee received a report from the 
Group Chief Information Officer on progress made on the 
implementation of the IT controls framework including enhanced 
security operations, threat intelligence, the Group’s response to the 
increased threat of ransomware, and the continued drive on cyber risk 
awareness and training across the Group. The Committee reviewed 
the roadmap of future planned activities to further develop cyber 
security across the Group’s technology estate.

COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

  77

Effectiveness of the external audit process

During the year, the Committee considered the effectiveness of the 
external audit process, whether the agreed audit plan for the financial 
year ended 30 September 2021 had been fulfilled, and the reasons for 
any variation from the plan. 

The Committee assessed the ongoing effectiveness of the external 
audit process through a number of methods, commencing with the 
identification of appropriate risks by the external auditor. These were 
reviewed by the Committee in the detailed external audit plan for the 
financial year ended 30 September 2022 at the start of the audit 
cycle. The work performed on these risks by the auditor was used 
to test management’s assumptions and estimates. The effectiveness 
of the audit process in addressing these matters was assessed 
through the reports presented to the Committee at the half and 
full-year. Additionally, the Committee considered the findings of the 
FRC’s Audit Quality Review Team in its assessment.

The Committee also considered how the auditor had exercised 
professional scepticism. During the audit of the Annual Report and 
Accounts, the auditor challenged management as to whether the 
disclosures in the financial statements were consistent with the 
narrative disclosures in the Strategic Report in relation to the impact 
of certain risks and, specifically, how the potential impact of climate 
change on the financial statements had been assessed. The auditor 
also challenged management’s approach to goodwill impairment 
testing and the appropriateness of actuarial assumptions used to 
estimate post-retirement benefit obligations, as well as other sources 
of estimation uncertainty, such as uncertain tax positions. 
Management and the auditors engaged constructively in relation to 
the challenges raised and an unmodified opinion was issued by the 
auditor which is set out on pages 119 to 127.

The review also included a formal evaluation process covering a 
number of aspects of the external audit. A wide range of internal 
stakeholders including Audit Committee members, regional finance 
directors and Group functions (including Internal Audit, Legal, 
Finance and Tax) and local finance directors (excluding countries not 
in scope for KPMG LLP audit) completed questionnaires.

A detailed report on the effectiveness of KPMG’s audit process was 
presented to the Committee meeting in May 2022. Conclusions were 
discussed and opportunities for improvement brought to the attention 
of KPMG. In summary, the Committee concluded, taking into account 
the views of other key internal stakeholders, that the external audit 
process was effective.

Independence of external auditor

Zulfikar Walji was the Senior Statutory Audit Partner for the year under 
review. To ensure the independence and objectivity of the Company’s 
external auditor and the integrity of the audit process, key members 
of the external audit team rotate off the Company’s audit. Additionally, 
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.

In May 2022, as part of the Group Chief Information Officer’s regular 
update, the Committee considered the increased cyber threat arising 
as a consequence of the conflict in Ukraine and reviewed the 
monitoring activity in place to identify threat groups and actors.

Internal audit

The Internal Audit team is led by the Group Director of Risk and 
Internal Audit, who reports functionally to the Chair of the Audit 
Committee and operationally to the Group CFO. The purpose, scope 
and authority of the Internal Audit function is set out in its terms of 
reference which are approved by the Committee. The Audit 
Committee is responsible for monitoring and reviewing the 
effectiveness of the Group’s Internal Audit function, including 
resources, plans and performance as well as the degree to which the 
function is free from management or other restrictions. To help the 
Committee gain assurance that the Internal Audit function is 
independent, the Committee meets with the Group Director of Risk 
and Internal Audit at least once a year without the presence of 
management. The Committee met with the Group Director of Risk and 
Internal Audit on two occasions during the year under review without 
the presence of management.

During the course of the year, the Committee monitored the 
performance of Internal Audit. The Committee reviewed and approved 
the Group’s annual internal audit plan (the Plan). The Plan is designed 
with reference to the Group’s principal risks. Further information 
on the Principal Risks is available on pages 22 to 28. The Committee 
receives regular updates on progress against the Plan and Internal 
Audit’s findings, together with the management actions taken to 
address recommendations. The Committee remains satisfied that the 
Internal Audit function has the necessary resources, objectivity, and 
competency to fulfil its mandate. It has also satisfied itself that the 
Internal Audit function has adequate standing and is free from 
management influence or other restrictions. 

External audit

External auditor

The Audit Committee is responsible for the development, 
implementation and monitoring of the Company’s policy on external 
audit. The Committee has oversight responsibility for monitoring the 
external auditor’s independence, objectivity and compliance with 
ethical, professional and regulatory requirements. The Audit 
Committee is responsible for the re-tendering selection process and 
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 and sets the terms, areas of 
responsibility and scope of the audit as set out in the external auditor’s 
engagement letter, including: 

 – the overall work plan for the forthcoming year, together with the 

associated fee proposal and cost effectiveness of the audit

 – the external auditor’s independence
 – 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

 – the auditor’s overall performance

78 

GOVERNANCE

AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT CONTINUED

In assessing the independence and objectivity of the external auditor, 
the Committee takes into account the assurances and information 
provided by the external auditor at the planning stage of the audit, 
including a written disclosure of the relationships (including the 
provision of non-audit services) that could have an impact on the 
external auditor’s independence and objectivity and the safeguards 
put in place to address such threats. As part of this process, the 
Committee receives a statement from the external auditor advising 
that all partners and staff annually confirm their compliance with 
KPMG’s ethics and independence policies and procedures including, 
in particular, that they have no prohibited shareholdings and their 
ethics and independence policies are fully consistent with the 
requirements of the FRC Ethical Standard. The Committee has 
concluded that KPMG was independent of the Group for the year 
under review.

The Company operates a policy on non-audit fees which it 
reviews annually and under which it discloses the ratio of audit 
to non-audit fees paid in each financial year. The Committee monitors 
the extent of non-audit work which the external auditor can perform, 
to ensure that the provision of those non-audit services falls within the 
agreed policy and does not impair the external auditor’s objectivity or 
independence. The Group’s policy on non-audit services is aligned to 
the FRC’s 2019 Ethical Standard for auditing practices for what is 
permissible for public interest entities and no services outside this are 
approved by the Committee. 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 (e.g., the half-year 
limited review) with a fee which is not significant in the context of the 
audit or are other audit-related services. Within the constraints of 
applicable UK rules, the external auditor could undertake certain  
non-audit work. The provision of non-audit services within such 
constraints and the agreed policy is assessed on a case-by-case basis 
to ensure that the adviser best placed to undertake the work is 
retained. In accordance with the Group’s policies, the Group CFO 
approves individual non-audit services with fees up to £50,000 and 
non-audit services with combined fees up to £100,000. Audit 
Committee approval is sought for non-audit services over and 
above these limits. 

The total fees paid to KPMG in the year ended 30 September 2022 
were £7.1 million, of which £0.3 million related to non-audit work 
(2021: £6.6 million of which £0.3 million related to non-audit work). 
Having considered the non-audit work undertaken by KPMG LLP 
during the year, it was agreed by the Committee that the tasks 
undertaken represent permitted non-audit services (as set out in 
Section 5 of the Financial Reporting Council’s Revised Ethical 
Standard 2019). The principal non-audit services provided by KPMG 
related to the half-year review of the Group’s interim financial report, 
audit-related assurance work in respect of government support 
schemes and comfort letters for the annual extension of the Euro 
Medium Term Note programme as well as the issuance of new bonds 
under the Sustainable Financing Framework. The Committee believes 
that KPMG, as external auditor, was best placed to undertake these 
non-audit services and that the level of fees for these services did not 
impact their integrity, objectivity or independence. Further disclosure 
of the non-audit fees paid during the year can be found in note 2 
on page 147.

Reappointment of external auditor

There are no contractual restrictions on the Company’s 
choice of external auditor and, in making its recommendation to 
reappoint KPMG, the Committee considered, amongst other matters, 
the tenure, objectivity and independence of KPMG and the continuing 
effectiveness and cost of the audit process, as well as the availability 
of firms within the wider audit market.

KPMG has expressed its willingness to continue as auditor of the 
Company. Separate resolutions proposing KPMG’s reappointment and 
the determination of its remuneration by the Audit Committee will be 
proposed at the 2023 AGM.

Audit tender

The Company confirms that, during the period under review, it 
has complied with the provisions of The Statutory Audit Services for 
Large Companies Market Investigation (Mandatory Use of Competitive 
Tender Processes and Audit Committee Responsibilities) Order 2014 
which requires the Company to put its statutory audit services 
engagement out to tender not less frequently than every 10 years.

KPMG LLP was appointed as the Company’s external auditor as 
successor to Deloitte LLP in March 2014. KPMG’s audit for the year 
ended 30 September 2022 is its ninth year. During the year, the Audit 
Committee, with the support of executive management, considered 
the future external audit requirements of the Company and the Group, 
and approved the commencement of a formal audit tender process. 
Further details of the audit tender process and the outcome will be 
announced at the appropriate time, and a recommendation will be 
made to shareholders at the 2024 AGM. 

Committee evaluation

The priorities set by the Committee as a result of last year’s evaluation 
process were:

 – continuing to allocate time to reviewing controls based on risk
 – continuing to focus more time on high-impact risks (e.g., cyber 

security and ESG matters)

 – maintaining time management and ensuring sufficient time for 

discussion of key topics

 – considering ‘deep-dive’ topics for the year ahead
 – considering training topics for 2022, including TCFD reporting and 

audit and corporate governance reforms

These themes, together with the Committee’s regular programme of 
work, shaped the Committee’s agenda and were included in the 
principal activities during the year under review.

During the year, an external evaluation of the effectiveness of the 
Committee was conducted as part of the wider external evaluation of the 
Board and its committees. Details can be found on pages 84 and 85. 

The evaluation concluded that the Committee continued to operate 
effectively and identified a number of priorities for the coming year: 

 – continuing to focus on meeting management including time 

management, and ensuring sufficient time is spent on 
Committee priorities

 – continuing training, particularly with regard to TCFD and 
sustainability reporting, together with other corporate 
reporting changes 

 – further developing year-end reporting to support the Committee’s 

review of the integrity of financial controls

 – continuing positive engagement with the external auditor

These matters, together with the regular work of the Committee, will 
inform the Committee’s agenda for the coming year.

ANNE-FRANCOISE NESMES
Chair of the Audit Committee

21 November 2022

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  79

CORPORATE 
RESPONSIBILITY 
COMMITTEE 
REPORT

Governance

Nelson Silva has chaired the Corporate Responsibility (CR) Committee 
since February 2017. The Chair of the Committee reports to the Board 
on the Committee’s activities and attends the AGM to meet with 
shareholders and answer any questions on the Committee’s activities.

Members of the Committee are appointed by the Board and 
Committee membership comprises the non-executive directors, the 
Chair of the Board, the Group CEO and Group CFO. The Committee 
meets at least three times a year. The quorum necessary for a 
meeting is two, at least one of which must be an independent 
non-executive director. 

Only members of the Committee have the right to attend Committee 
meetings. Other individuals, such as the Group Chief Commercial 
Officer, Group Chief People Officer, Group Head of E&I and 
external advisers, may be invited to attend all or part of any 
meetings, as and when appropriate. The Group General Counsel 
and Company Secretary, who acts as Secretary to the Committee, 
attends all of its meetings.

The Committee is authorised to seek external legal or independent 
professional advice as it sees fit. The terms of reference of the CR 
Committee are reviewed annually to ensure they continue to be fit 
for purpose. They were last reviewed in September 2022. Several 
changes were made including amendments to expand the description 
of stakeholders. A copy of the terms of reference can be found on the 
Company’s website, www.compass-group.com. 

The Board has delegated responsibility to the Committee to oversee 
and to make recommendations to the Board on the development, 
implementation and effectiveness of the Group’s People, Corporate 
Responsibility, Health, Safety and Sustainability (including climate 
change), Ethics and Integrity, and Stakeholder Engagement 
strategies. 

To help it to perform its role effectively, the Committee receives 
reports from the Group Chief Commercial Officer, Group General 
Counsel and Company Secretary, Group Chief People Officer, 
Group Head of E&I, and other senior managers. These reports ensure 
that progress is being made towards meeting the Group’s specific CR 
KPIs and commitments.

The Committee also receives reports from the Group General Counsel 
and Company Secretary to ensure the Board is appropriately prepared 
for legislative, regulatory and best practice changes.

NELSON SILVA
Chair of the Corporate Responsibility Committee 

Members

At the date of this Report the following are members of the 
Corporate Responsibility (CR) Committee (the Committee):

 – Nelson Silva (Chair)
 – Carol Arrowsmith
 – Dominic Blakemore
 – Stefan Bomhard
 – Palmer Brown
 – John Bryant

 – Arlene Isaacs-Lowe
 – Ian Meakins
 – Anne-Francoise Nesmes
 – Sundar Raman
 – Ireena Vittal

Biographies of Committee members can be found on pages 
54 to 57.

Meetings

The Committee held three scheduled meetings during the year 
and the meeting attendance table can be found on page 65.

Main responsibilities

In accordance with its terms of reference the Committee’s main 
responsibilities include:

 –  reviewing and monitoring the effectiveness of the Group’s 

Health, Safety, Sustainability (including climate change) and 
People strategies

 – monitoring the Group’s CR policies and practices for 

alignment with the Company’s culture, purpose and values
 – reviewing and recommending for approval the Company’s 

annual Modern Slavery Act statement

 – overseeing the Group’s Ethics and Integrity (E&I) programme
 – receiving updates on non-financial related reports from the 

whistleblowing helpline Speak Up, We’re Listening

 – overseeing appropriate and effective engagement with the 

Company’s stakeholders including employees

 – approving the content of the Purpose Report, TCFD 

disclosure and the CR Committee Report for the Annual 
Report and Accounts

80 

GOVERNANCE

CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY COMMITTEE CONTINUED

Committee activities during the year

Sustainability

Health and safety 

The health and safety (H&S) of the Group’s employees and consumers 
is a top priority for Compass. At each meeting, the Committee 
considers a safety moment relating to certain aspects of health or 
safety, or a particular incident. Each briefing aims to help 
the Committee develop a deeper understanding of the H&S risks and 
challenges facing the business and how the lessons learned from 
specific incidents are applied to help prevent a recurrence. 

The Committee received regular H&S reports from the Group Chief 
Commercial Officer to enable it to monitor H&S performance, in 
particular, performance against two KPIs which are considered 
essential to the H&S of our colleagues and consumers – the 
Lost Time Incident Frequency Rate (LTIFR) and Food Safety  
Incident Rate (FSIR). 

The Committee sets limits for these KPIs at the beginning of the year. 
Performance outcomes are linked to the management bonus scheme. 
The Committee, together with the Remuneration Committee, 
considers these measures to be appropriate as they align with the 
Company’s priority of keeping employees and consumers across the 
Group safe. More detail on the Group’s LTIFR and FSIR performance 
is set out on page 9.

During the year, the Committee considered the output of ‘deep-dives’ 
it had requested into food safety and occupational safety. The 
Committee endorsed the support that was being provided to the 
regions through best practice sharing and leveraging digital 
capabilities within safety systems to further embed a strong safety 
culture across the Group. 

Ethics and integrity

The Committee oversees the Group’s E&I strategy, programme, 
policies and activities, and receives regular presentations and 
reports from the Group Head of E&I. In November 2021, the 
Committee received an update on the refreshed E&I strategy and 
framework and the plans for optimising compliance technologies, 
strengthening policies, communicating these to colleagues and 
providing training. The Committee noted the ongoing development of 
the programmes and was supportive of plans for wider ranging training 
topics delivered to a larger population with increased regularity and on 
a ‘risk-to-role’ basis. Throughout the year, the Committee monitored 
the progress of programme and policy developments, training 
activities and completion rates, as well as global initiatives such as 
the launch of a new Global Supplier Code of Conduct across the 
Group’s businesses, which sets out the ethical standards, 
principles, expectations and behaviours we expect from our 
supply chain partners.

Following the re-launch of the Group’s Speak Up, We’re Listening 
programme (the independent confidential reporting mechanism for 
raising concerns) and new Speak and Listen Up Policy, the Committee 
received regular reports in relation to the continued programme and 
policy implementation. The Committee also received regular reports 
on the number and nature of concerns raised through the programme, 
and any emerging themes and effectiveness indicators. 

Learn more about our Ethics and Integrity and Speak Up, 
We’re Listening programmes on the Company’s website, 
www.compass-group.com/en/who-we-are/ethics-and-integrity

During the year, Compass published its Planet Promise: its response 
to climate change and a commitment to a sustainable future for all. 
Compass was the first international company in the contract catering 
industry to announce a commitment to reaching climate net zero GHG 
emissions across its global operations and value chains by 2050, 
underpinned by interim 2030 targets validated by the Science Based 
Targets initiative. The Group also announced a further commitment to 
be carbon neutral worldwide across its own operations (scopes 1 and 
2) by 2030. 

The Committee continued its focus on environmental matters. In 
particular, the Committee received briefings from internal subject 
matter experts including an update on the key outcomes from the 
COP26 climate change conference held in Glasgow. The Committee 
considered the key outcomes from COP26 in the context of Compass’ 
own road map to climate net zero and its Task Force on Climate-
related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) reporting obligations. The 
Committee also monitored the emerging TCFD reporting environment 
and received reports from management on progress being made by 
the Group to implement these requirements. The Committee reviewed 
the Company’s TCFD disclosures, which are set out on pages 43 to 50.

The Company recognises that food waste is a key contributor towards 
climate change and therefore has committed to halving food waste 
across the Group by 2030. To assist in building a robust basis for 
measurement, the Group is deploying technology to understand its 
food waste footprint. This will help the Company measure, monitor 
and reduce food waste, and to develop an accurate and consistent 
measurement of progress. At its meeting held in September 2022, 
the Committee reviewed and approved the target for the year to 
30 September 2023 increasing the number of sites deploying 
technology to accurately measure and report food waste.

More details on the Group’s sustainability initiatives, can be found 
on pages 36 to 50.

People

Overseeing the development, implementation and effectiveness of 
the Group’s People policies, strategies, processes and initiatives is 
an important aspect of the Committee’s work, and to assist the 
Committee, it received regular reports and presentations from the 
Group Chief People Officer.

The Committee reviewed the results of the 2021 global employee 
engagement survey, Your Voice. The views and data from the survey 
helped the Committee’s oversight of the implementation of the 
Group’s People strategy and provided assurance to the Committee 
that the strategy remains effective. The survey results also highlighted 
areas where improvements were required to enhance the experience 
of employees, which were being addressed by management. 

The Committee also reviewed summaries of the roundtables which 
Ireena Vittal, the Company’s Designated Non-executive director for 
workforce engagement, held with employees from across the Group’s 
businesses, noting that the format continued to be popular and the 
forums were well received by those employees who took part. 

More details of the Group’s People initiatives, including the employee 
engagement roundtables with Ireena Vittal, can be found on pages 
30 to 35 and 69.

COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

  81

Committee evaluation

The priorities set by the Committee as a result of last year’s evaluation 
process were:

 – reviewing the Committee’s forward agenda and ensuring it remains 

relevant and focused on significant issues

 – focusing on ESG matters and reviewing the ESG strategy and 

performance over the year

 – maintaining training in areas such as TCFD reporting

These themes, together with the Committee’s regular programme 
of work, shaped the Committee’s agenda during the year.

This year’s external evaluation of the Committee’s effectiveness was 
conducted as part of the wider review of the Board and its 
committees. Details can be found on pages 84 and 85. 

The evaluation concluded that the Committee continued to operate 
effectively. A number of priorities for the coming year were identified:

 – continuing to focus on timing and structure of meetings to ensure 

appropriate focus on the wide range of key issues in the 
Committee’s remit

 – continuing training and education for Committee members
 – monitoring the roadmap and performance against targets designed 
to help the Company achieve its climate net zero commitments

These matters, together with the regular work of the Committee will 
inform the Committee’s agenda for the coming year.

NELSON SILVA
Chair of the Corporate Responsibility Committee 

21 November 2022

Human rights, modern slavery and supply chain 
visibility and integrity

The Committee reviewed the Group’s Human Rights Policy to ensure 
that it remained aligned to the Group’s People Purpose and 
Performance strategy. The Committee considered the proposed 
changes to the policy which were intended to reinforce the Company’s 
ongoing commitment to respecting human rights in its businesses’ 
operations and their supply chains and to provide a link between this 
commitment and our culture and strategy. The Committee 
recommended the revised Human Rights policy to the Board for 
approval, and the Board approved the policy.

The Committee also considered the significant work undertaken by 
management to further develop and enhance the Company’s 
approach to reducing the risk of modern slavery in its businesses and 
their supply chains. An update was provided by management on a 
number of initiatives implemented during the year which included, 
among others, the launch of the Global Supplier Code of Conduct, 
expanding representation on the Company’s Human Rights 
Working Group and further rolling out the Supplier Ethical Data 
Exchange (Sedex).

The Committee reviewed the Company’s Modern Slavery Act (MSA), 
statement and concluded that the MSA statement reflected the 
progress made in the year and met the requirements of section 54 of 
the Modern Slavery Act 2015. The Committee recommended the 
MSA statement to the Board for approval and the Board approved 
the statement.

Copies of Compass’ 2022 Modern Slavery Act statement and the 
Company’s Human Rights Policy are available on the Company’s 
website, www.compass-group.com

Stakeholder engagement

The Committee considered the Group’s engagement activities with its 
clients, consumers, suppliers, communities and NGOs, noting key 
areas of focus and that sustainability was a common theme among 
stakeholder groups. In addition to the areas of focus, the Committee 
reviewed the purpose and methods of engagement with stakeholders. 

Information on the approach to stakeholder engagement including 
how the Board is appraised of the views of the Company’s 
stakeholders, and how the matters set out in section 172 of the 
Companies Act 2006 have been considered in board discussions 
and decision-making, is set out on pages 68 to 73.

Engagement with the Group’s employees is described on page 69 
and in more detail in the People Report on page 34.

82 

GOVERNANCE

GOVERNANCE AND DIRECTORS’ REPORT CONTINUED

IAN MEAKINS
Chair of the Nomination Committee 

Members

At the date of this Report the following are members of the 
Nomination Committee (the Committee):

 – Ian Meakins (Chair)
 – Carol Arrowsmith
 – Stefan Bomhard
 – John Bryant
 – Arlene Isaacs-Lowe

 – Anne-Francoise Nesmes
 – Sundar Raman
 – Nelson Silva
 – Ireena Vittal

All the members of the Committee (except for the Committee 
Chair), are independent non-executive directors. Biographies of 
the Committee members can be found on pages 54 to 57.

Meetings

The Committee held five scheduled meetings during the year 
and the meeting attendance table can be found on page 65.

Main responsibilities

In accordance with its terms of reference the Committee’s main 
responsibilities include:

 – leading the process for Board appointments, ensuring plans 
are in place for orderly succession to the Board and senior 
management positions, and overseeing the development of a 
diverse pipeline for succession

 – reviewing the structure, size and composition of the Board 
and its committees, recommending to the Board any new 
appointees and the reappointment of existing directors and 
committee members

 – ensuring there is a balance of skills, knowledge, experience 

and diversity on the Board

 – reviewing senior leadership needs to enable the Group to 

compete effectively in the marketplace

 – advising on succession planning for executive directors
 – overseeing a formal and rigorous annual evaluation of the 

Board, its committees and directors

 – overseeing the Company’s policy, objectives and strategy on 

diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I)

NOMINATION 
COMMITTEE 
REPORT

Governance

Ian Meakins has chaired the Committee since December 2020. 
The Chair of the Committee reports to the Board on Committee 
activities and attends the AGM to meet with shareholders and answer 
any questions on the Committee’s activities.

Members of the Committee are appointed by the Board and 
Committee membership comprises the non-executive directors and 
the Chair of the Board. The Committee meets at least twice a year. 
A quorum for a meeting is three, of which, the majority must 
be independent non-executive directors.

The Chair of the Board acts as Chair of the Committee, except when 
the Committee is dealing with the matter of the succession of the 
Chair of the Board, when the meetings will usually be chaired by the 
Senior Independent Director (SID). 

Only members of the Committee have the right to attend Committee 
meetings. Other individuals, such as the Group CEO, the Group Chief 
People Officer and external advisers may be invited to attend all or 
part of any meeting, as and when appropriate. The Group General 
Counsel and Company Secretary, who acts as secretary to the 
Committee, attends all meetings of the Committee.

The Committee is authorised to seek external legal or independent 
professional advice as it sees fit. 

The terms of reference of the Nomination Committee are reviewed 
annually to ensure that they continue to be fit for purpose. They were 
last reviewed in September 2022 when they were updated to reflect 
the new diversity disclosure requirements of the FCA’s Listing Rules 
which will apply to Compass from the financial year ending 
30 September 2023. A copy of the Committee’s terms of reference 
can be found on the Company’s website, www.compass-group.com.

Committee activities during the year

Board succession planning

Succession planning is an important aspect of the Committee’s work. 
The Nomination Committee ensures plans are in place for an orderly 
succession at Board and senior management levels. The Committee 
also oversees the development of a diverse pipeline of talent.

When assessing succession planning for the Board, the Committee 
considers and evaluates the skills, knowledge and experience of its 
directors to ensure that the Board and its committees are well placed 
to discharge their duties, taking into account the need for diversity to 
reflect a broad range of backgrounds, experience and views. 

The tenure of independent non-executive directors is also reviewed 
regularly to facilitate future refreshing of the Board and to maintain an 
appropriate balance. From these reviews, the Committee determines 
the skills, experience, and attributes for new appointees to ensure the 
Board and its committees continue to operate effectively.

COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

  83

The search processes for the appointment of Arlene Isaacs-Lowe and 
Sundar Raman are described in full on page 113 of last year’s Annual 
Report which can be found on our website, www.compass-group.com.

Induction process

On joining the Company, all new directors receive a formal, 
comprehensive and tailored induction designed to suit the individual’s 
needs and role. The induction programme includes meetings with 
senior management and external advisers; together with technical 
briefings and site visits, all of which are effective in introducing the 
new director to the Group’s businesses and culture. The induction 
process is structured to ensure that the new director has the 
information and support needed to understand the business, and to 
be effective in the role. 

During the year, Palmer Brown, Arlene Isaacs-Lowe and Sundar 
Raman, completed personalised inductions. As a result, the new 
directors have successfully integrated into their roles and are 
contributing effectively to Board and committee discussions. 
All three directors stood for election at the 2022 AGM and received 
strong support from shareholders, attracting almost 100% of the 
votes cast in favour of the resolutions for their elections.

Non-executive director tenure 

Stefan Bomhard was appointed to the Board in May 2016 and 
completed his second three-year term in office during the year. 
In deciding whether Stefan’s term should be renewed for a further 
three-year term, the Committee considered: the balance of 
perspectives, skills, experience and expertise needed on the Board 
to help the Company achieve its strategic goals; the performance, 
skills and experience of Stefan, and his ability to devote sufficient 
time to his responsibilities at Compass.

Taking into account these factors, the Committee recommended 
the reappointment of Stefan Bomhard for a further three-year term, 
which was approved by the Board. Stefan stood for re-election at the 
2022 AGM. The resolution for his re-election received close to 100% 
of the votes cast in favour of his re-election.

Senior management succession planning

The Committee oversees the development of a strong and diverse 
pipeline of high-calibre individuals capable of discharging executive- 
level responsibilities. 

The succession planning process includes a review of talent at senior 
level across all regions and countries within the Group. This enables 
the Committee to monitor and evaluate the strength of the talent 
pipeline, its composition, its diversity and the training and 
development needs within the Group’s senior leadership.

During the year, the Committee reviewed succession planning for 
senior management, recognising the importance of culture in the 
context of the evolution of the People, Performance and Purpose 
strategy. As part of that review, the Committee considered the talent 
management building blocks: strengthening the succession pipeline, 
increasing diversity, improving talent mobility, and developing future 
leaders. The Committee also reviewed the profiles of the individuals in 
the talent pipeline.

During the year, the Committee reviewed Board succession plans 
over the medium to longer-term. In the course of this assessment, 
it considered, for illustrative purposes, a model of potential 
requirements for succession planning. The model considered 
the structure, size and composition of the Board taking into account 
the Company’s commitments to comply with the UK Corporate 
Governance Code 2018 (the Code), targets set by the FTSE Women 
Leaders Review (the successor to the Hampton-Alexander review) 
and the Parker Review. 

Board appointment process

The procedures for appointing new directors are set out in the 
Committee’s terms of reference. The appointment process is led by 
the Chair of the Board, except where the appointment is for their 
successor, when it is usually led by the SID. 

When appointing a new Chair of the Board, the process includes an 
assessment of the time commitment expected, recognising the need 
for the Chair of the Board to be available in the event of a crisis.

Before an appointment is made, the Nomination Committee prepares 
a candidate specification setting out the role and capabilities required. 
The Board promotes an environment which is supportive of all 
individuals from diverse backgrounds, and in identifying suitable 
candidates, the Nomination Committee:

 – uses open advertising or the services of external advisers to 

facilitate the search

 – considers candidates from different genders and a wide range of 

backgrounds

 –  considers candidates on merit and against objective criteria taking 

into account the benefits of diversity on the Board

 – ensures that appointees have enough time to devote to the position, 

in light of any other significant commitments

Depending on the strategic and succession plans of the Company, 
to ensure the best possible chance of attracting a diverse pool of 
candidates, where appropriate, the Company will expand its search 
to consider individuals who may not have direct PLC experience, but 
who have experience of leading complex, global-scale organisations. 
The Committee believes that this broad approach supports the 
development of a diverse pipeline of candidates.

The Nomination Committee considers the selection and reappointment 
of directors carefully before making a recommendation to the Board. 
Non-executive directors and the Chair of the Board are generally 
appointed for an initial period of three years, which may be renewed 
for a further two three-year terms. Reappointment is not automatic 
at the end of a term.

Board changes

There were several changes in the Board’s membership over the year: 

 – 4 October 2021: Palmer Brown appointed Group CFO Designate 

and as a director

 – 31 October 2021: Karen Witts stepped down as a director and 

Group CFO

 – 1 November 2021: Palmer Brown succeeded Karen Witts as 

Group CFO

 – 1 November 2021: Arlene Isaacs-Lowe appointed as a non-

executive director

 – 1 January 2022: Sundar Raman appointed as a non-executive 

director

 – 3 February 2022: John Bason retired as a non-executive director at 

the conclusion of the 2022 AGM

84 

GOVERNANCE

NOMINATION COMMITTEE REPORT CONTINUED

Diversity, equity and inclusion

At Board level, the approach to appointing new directors reflects the 
Committee’s objective to ensure that there is always an appropriate 
balance of experience and backgrounds on the Board. The Committee 
places great emphasis on ensuring that Board membership embodies 
diversity in its broadest sense. For this reason, members of the Board 
are drawn from a wide range of disciplines, industries and cultures. 
The Company has a Board Diversity Policy, which is published on the 
Company’s website, www.compass-group.com.

In line with the recommendations of the Hampton-Alexander 
review, as at 30 September 2022, the percentage of female 
directors on each of the Board and Executive Committee (the 
primary senior management committee of the Group) was 33% 
and 40% respectively. 

The FTSE Women Leaders Review (FWLR), which was published in 
February 2022, recommends as a target that FTSE 350 boards and 
leadership teams have a minimum of 40% women by the end of 2025. 
It further advocates that FTSE 350 companies have at least one 
woman in the Chair or SID role, and/or one woman in the CEO or CFO 
role, in the same time frame. The Company is supportive of these 
aims and will seek to comply with them. 

The Board also supports the aims of the Parker Review to improve 
ethnic diversity in UK business leadership so that the diversity of the 
Group’s stakeholders (including employees, consumers and the 
communities in which the Group operates) are better reflected in 
the boardroom. 

The Parker Review, first published in 2017, made a series of 
recommendations aimed at improving ethnic diversity on FTSE 100 
boards. The composition of the Board exceeds the Parker Review 
recommendations and the Nomination Committee will continue its 
work to maintain a balance on the Board of individuals representing 
a wide cross-section of experience, cultural backgrounds and 
specialisms. 

The Committee noted that the recommendations of the FWLR and 
Parker Review have been reflected in the FCA’s Listing Rules and are 
effective for financial years commencing after 1 January 2022 and 
will therefore apply to the Company for the financial year ending 
30 September 2023. However, in the interests of transparency, 
the Company has chosen to disclose the information required by 
LR 9.8.6(9) on page 61. 

The Committee also reviews the Group’s policies on workforce 
DE&I, and their objectives and links to strategy. The Group operates 
open and inclusive hiring and staff management practices and, in 
reviewing the Group’s policies, the Committee was satisfied that 
they supported the development of a more diverse workforce and 
leadership within the business, and were consistent with the Group’s 
winning, caring culture. 

During the year, the Committee received an update on the Group’s 
DE&I programme from the Group Chief People Officer and the 
Chief People Officer of the Group’s North America business. This 
included a presentation on DE&I experiences of employees and an 
explanation of the programme’s rationale, the progress in 

implementing the strategy across the Group, and the priority being 
given at country level to meeting local needs and reflecting local 
legislation, demographics and cultural nuances. The Committee is 
supportive of management’s view that focusing on local requirements 
will help to build a stronger sense of community and belonging 
across the Group. The Committee also endorsed initiatives to 
embed DE&I in talent and capability approaches, including for 
example, the use of an external partner to evaluate inclusive 
leadership behaviours, and management’s efforts to further 
strengthen the pipeline of women across the Group’s businesses 
through managed career paths, improved access to opportunities 
and the removal of barriers to progression. 

More details on the Group’s DE&I initiatives can be found on pages 
30 to 35. Information on Board and Executive Committee gender and 
ethnicity can be found on page 61. Gender diversity of Executive 
Committee direct reports can be found on page 58.

Time commitment and training and development

In line with its terms of reference (which were reviewed during the 
year), the Committee performed an annual review of the time required 
from the Chair of the Board, SID and non-executive directors to 
perform their duties. As part of this process, the Committee reflected 
on directors’ attendance at scheduled meetings and their availability 
at other times during the year. 

In consultation with the Chair of the Board, the Committee also 
considered the training that had been received by directors in the 
year, including technical updates from the Group General Counsel 
and Company Secretary and other in-house and external subject 
matter experts and advisers. They also considered future training 
needs that had been identified. 

In this regard, during the year, the directors received a briefing from 
Dr Paul Litchfield, the Company’s Chief Medical Adviser, on mental 
health illness in the workplace, its impact on the workforce and a 
company’s performance. This gave the Board a greater understanding 
of the importance of this topic and the potential impact on its 
colleagues and the Group, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Board and committee evaluation

During the year, an independent formal external evaluation was 
conducted in line with the triennial external requirement set out in the 
Code. Lintstock Limited (Lintstock), which is independent of and has 
no other links with the Company or its directors, was reappointed to 
conduct the external evaluation and to provide continuing and 
ongoing support to the evaluation process in the coming years.

In May, Lintstock was given a clear and comprehensive brief by the 
Chair of the Board and the Group General Counsel and 
Company Secretary. The evaluation process comprised a series of 
questionnaires which focused on the efficacy of the Board and its 
principal committees. The questionnaires were completed by all 
directors and the Group General Counsel and Company Secretary and 
took into account and built on the key themes which had emerged 
from preceding evaluations, including the 2019 external evaluation, 
also undertaken by Lintstock.

COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

  85

Lintstock conducted interviews with the Chair of the Board, each 
member of the Board and the General Counsel and Company 
Secretary. The interviews explored a number of themes, such as: 

Nomination Committee evaluation

The priorities set by the Committee as a result of last year’s evaluation 
process were as follows:

 – Board composition (including diversity in terms of gender and 

ethnic background)
 – stakeholder oversight
 – Board dynamics
 – management and focus of meetings
 – Board and committee support
 – strategic oversight
 – risk oversight
 – executive remuneration
 – succession planning
 – people oversight

 – continuing the development of succession planning for the Board 

and senior management in both the short and longer term

 – continuing to focus on DE&I to ensure a diverse pipeline of talent

These themes, together with the Committee’s regular programme of 
work, shaped the Committee’s agenda and were included in the 
principal activities during the year under review.

This year’s external evaluation of the Nomination Committee 
confirmed that the Committee continued to be effective and identified 
two key priorities for the year ahead: 

 – continuing to effectively support the Board in relation to Board and 

and any other matters which directors wished to raise. 

Executive Committee succession planning 

 – continuing the development of a diverse talent pipeline including 

gender, ethnicity and culture

These matters, together with the regular work of the Committee will 
inform the Committee’s agenda for the coming year.

IAN MEAKINS
Chair of the Nomination Committee

21 November 2022

The outcome of the evaluation process (except the performance 
appraisal of the Chair of the Board, which was reviewed by the SID) 
was initially shared with the Chair of the Board and the Group General 
Counsel and Company Secretary followed by the other directors. All 
reports were subsequently presented to the directors by Lintstock, at 
the Committee meeting held in July.

The evaluation concluded that the Board and its committees 
continued to be effective, benefiting from a broad range of skills 
relevant to the business, and a breadth of experience in key 
international markets reflecting Compass’ global footprint. With the 
positive and inclusive leadership style demonstrated by the Chair of 
the Board, the newer non-executive directors were contributing 
effectively to Board debate and the management of meetings 
continued to be an area of strength. 

The evaluation also concluded that each of the directors continued to 
contribute effectively to Board and committee meetings.

A number of priorities were identified for the Board in the year ahead:

 – continuing focus on Board and Executive Committee succession 

planning for key leadership roles and future non-executive director 
succession

 – refocusing the forward agendas for the Board and committees 
in light of the evolving environmental, societal and governance 
landscapes to promote and support strategic discussions

 – ensuring that directors have regular opportunities to meet in person 

and informally to further develop relationships

These priorities, together with the regular work of the Board, will 
inform the Board’s agenda for the coming year.

The priorities identified from this year’s evaluation of the Audit, CR 
and Remuneration Committees can be found on pages 78, 81 and 
113 respectively.

86 

GOVERNANCE

DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT

REMUNERATION 
COMMITTEE 
REPORT

Dear Shareholder

On behalf of the Board, I am pleased to present the Directors’ 
Remuneration Report (DRR) for the financial year ended 
30 September, 2022. The Report is split into the following sections:

 – this Annual Statement which contains the Committee’s key 
activities in the year and an ‘at a glance’ summary of the 
remuneration decisions made during the year

 – the 2022-2025 Remuneration Policy (the 2022 Policy), approved 

by shareholders at the 2022 AGM

 – the Annual Remuneration Report on the implementation of the 
Policy in the year ended 30 September 2022 and proposed 
implementation of the Policy in 2022-2023

A strong recovery

Compass has produced a strong set of results for the financial year under 
review. The Group’s significant acceleration in growth and ongoing 
recovery has led to an increase in revenue above pre-COVID-19 levels, 
largely as a result of new business wins and base volume recovery.

CAROL ARROWSMITH
Chair of the Remuneration Committee

Members

At the date of this Report the following are members of the 
Remuneration Committee (the Committee):

 – Carol Arrowsmith (Chair)
 – Stefan Bomhard
 – John Bryant
 – Arlene Isaacs-Lowe

 – Anne-Francoise Nesmes
 – Sundar Raman
 – Nelson Silva
 – Ireena Vittal

The Committee consists entirely of independent non-executive 
directors, as defined in the UK Corporate Governance Code 
2018 (the Code). Biographies of the Committee members can 
be found on page 55 to 57. 

Our strong financial performance and disciplined capital allocation 
framework has also allowed us to reward our shareholders through the 
declaration of a final dividend, the announcement of a further share 
buyback and a reduction in our net debt to EBITDA ratio.

Meetings

The Committee held three scheduled meetings during the year 
and the meeting attendance table can be found on page 65. 

Main responsibilities

The Committee determines the Company’s Remuneration 
Policy and is responsible for setting remuneration terms and 
conditions of employment for the Chair of the Board, executive 
directors and the Executive Committee.

The Committee ensures that members of the Executive 
Committee are appropriately incentivised to enhance the 
Group’s performance and are rewarded for their contribution 
to the long-term sustainable success of the business by 
designing, monitoring and assessing incentive arrangements, 
including setting stretching targets and assessing 
performance and outcomes. 

The Committee reviews remuneration arrangements for other 
senior executives within the Group and has regard to the wider 
remuneration philosophy of the organisation when developing 
policy and considering executives’ packages, monitoring the 
relationship between the remuneration arrangements of 
executives and those of the wider workforce.

The Committee maintains an active dialogue with major 
shareholders, and ensures their views and those of their 
advisers are sought and considered when determining the 
Remuneration Policy.

As a Committee, we believe our new Remuneration Policy, approved 
by shareholders at the 2022 AGM, is well placed to continue 
to support the delivery of our strategy. 

Notwithstanding the strong financial performance in 2022, there 
are emerging global inflationary pressures and macroeconomic 
uncertainties. Compass has a strong leadership team in place both to 
seize the growth opportunities and to mitigate the potential challenges 
ahead. Our people continue to be at the centre of our recovery, and 
our focus on their health, safety and well-being is critical to the 
continued success of our business. We have put in place a number 
of programmes to support our people through these challenging 
times, including financial wellbeing and free food offerings. Our UK&I 
business also has a ‘Helping Hands’ fund providing financial support 
for colleagues in need. Our people are at the heart of who we are and 
what we do, and we will continue to invest in supporting them through 
these challenging times.

Performance and remuneration outcomes in 2021-2022

In determining outcomes for the year, we maintained our focus on 
rigorous assessment of performance, together with a balanced appraisal 
of the context and stakeholder experience. The outcomes under the 
bonus plan 2021-2022 and LTIP 2019-2020 are described on page 87. 

2021-2022 bonus

The 2021-2022 annual bonus plan was based on performance measures 
designed to support the continued delivery of resilient and profitable 
business recovery. Measures were aligned to the financial and strategic 
objectives of the Group and, where relevant, regional performance. 
Each measure within the plan is independently set and assessed. 

COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

  87

For executive directors, the annual bonus plan for 2021-2022 was 
based on operating margin, absolute revenue, cash conversion and 
health, safety and environmental measures (HSE) (based on the 
Lost Time Incident Frequency Rate (LTIFR) and Food Safety 
Incident Rate (FSIR)). 

The Committee has measured the outcome against the targets and 
assessed the Group’s performance on a holistic basis, ensuring that 
the bonus outcomes are a fair reflection of performance and are 
aligned with the interests of shareholders.

The Group performed strongly in 2021-2022 both in terms of revenue 
growth and margin improvement, with underlying operating profit 
nearly doubling to £1.6 billion. The Group has continued its focus on 
margin, delivering an annual underlying operating margin of 6.2%, 
representing a 170bps year-on-year improvement. Organic revenue 
growth was 37.5% with net new business of 7.5%. Revenue levels in 
all sectors and regions operated above pre-pandemic levels during 
the second half of 2022. The Group generated a strong underlying 
operating cash flow of £1,351 million (2021: £1,004 million) which 
represented a conversion rate of 85%, back in line with our typical 
pre-COVID levels. Health & Safety performance saw another year of 
improvement with outcomes being within the limits set under the 
bonus plan. 

The Committee considered the overall performance of the Group in 
the year and concluded that the formulaic outcomes of the annual 
bonus, being 100% of maximum for each executive director, were 
appropriate and that no discretion would be applied. Karen Witts’ bonus 
payment was pro-rated to reflect the period in which she was a director.

The Committee is pleased to note that participants in bonus plans 
throughout the organisation will receive payments based on 
performance against a combination of the above measures calibrated 
at Group, regional or country levels as appropriate.

More details are set out in the Annual Remuneration Report on pages 
101 to 102.

2019-2020 Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP)

The three-year performance period in respect of the 2019-2020 LTIP 
award came to an end on 30 September 2022.

The LTIP awards held by Dominic Blakemore, Gary Green and 
Karen Witts were subject to targets based on Adjusted Free Cash Flow 
(AFCF), Return on Capital Employed (ROCE) and Total Shareholder 
Return (TSR) performance measures. In the financial year ended 
30 September 2022, the Group performed strongly against all of these 
performance metrics, and has outperformed sector peers. Reported 
ROCE for the Group improved from 8.7% in 2021 to 15.8% in 2022, 
reflecting the near doubling of underlying operating profit, and the 
Group generated £890 million of underlying free cash flow at a 
conversion rate of 56%. We reinstated dividends in 2021 and have 
recently completed a £500 million share buyback programme. The 
above results have contributed to strong share price performance.

Notwithstanding this strong recovery, the performance conditions for 
this LTIP award were set in November 2019, i.e. prior to the onset of 
the pandemic. Although the Group has performed strongly in the 
circumstances, the scale of recovery required to overcome the 
cumulative impact of the pandemic required an unrealistic level of 
financial and share price performance in the final year of the 
performance period to meet the original thresholds that had been set. 

Consistent with the principles of the Code, the Committee undertook a 
holistic review of performance for the period. It was noted that this is 
the third consecutive LTIP award where, in spite of superior sector 
performance, the impact of the pandemic on our business was so 
severe that the performance conditions were not met.  

The Committee considered the potential use of positive discretion in 
respect of the vesting outcome of this award to reflect the success of 
the business recovery, growth trajectory and record business 
retention. Overall, the Committee concluded that the performance of 
the executive directors and their impact on the business could have 
justified some level of vesting under the 2019-2020 LTIP award. 
However, the Committee was also mindful of shareholder and proxy 
agency views, the current social and economic environment, as well 
as the wider stakeholder experience. Accordingly, positive discretion 
was not exercised and the conditional share awards for the executive 
directors under the 2019-2020 award lapsed in full.

Remuneration Policy

As described in last year’s Directors’ Remuneration Report, we 
reviewed our Remuneration Policy and submitted our updated Policy 
for shareholder approval at the 2022 AGM. The changes included a 
review of maximum LTIP award levels, the introduction of a mandatory 
deferral of one-third of the annual bonus for executive directors from 
the 2022-2023 bonus year and an enhancement to our share 
ownership guidelines.

We received a 67.50% vote in favour of our Remuneration Policy. 
The Board noted that, although over two-thirds of shareholders were 
supportive of the new Directors’ Remuneration Policy, some 
shareholders did not vote in favour of this resolution. 

Ahead of last year’s AGM, and as part of developing the Remuneration 
Policy, we consulted extensively with the Company’s largest 
shareholders, investor representative groups and proxy agencies 
and received broad support. Since last year’s AGM, in line with our 
commitment to an open and transparent dialogue with shareholders, 
the Committee Chair continued to engage, inviting major 
shareholders representing over 50% of the Company’s issued share 
capital to provide further input. The Committee received helpful 
feedback from these engagements, including support for the Policy 
from the majority of those consulted. The Committee also has an 
understanding of the reasons why a minority of shareholders were 
not supportive of the Policy. The reasons were primarily in relation to 
the increase in the future LTIP award quantum for executive directors. 

The Committee continues to believe the increase in LTIP quantum 
allows us to better align with the market and to enhance the retention 
and motivation of our best talent. Adjusting LTIP award levels also 
best meets the interests of our shareholders, by ensuring pay is 
performance-tested, long-term and share-based. We are mindful of 
investor feedback and we will continue to review outcomes from 
future LTIP awards to ensure that they are supported by the 
underlying performance of the business.

The Committee would like to thank those shareholders that have 
taken part in these engagements and values the feedback and 
insights gained.

Remuneration framework for 2022-2023

Base salary

In reviewing the executive directors’ salaries, the Committee considered 
the matter holistically, particularly taking into consideration the broader 
macro-economic environment and the wider workforce. The sustained 
strong absolute and relative performance of the Group was taken into 
consideration along with the current external market and increases 
applicable to the wider population.

The Committee agreed salary increases of just under 4.8% for all 
executive directors which take effect from 1 January 2023. 
The average increase for employees across the wider UK population 
is expected to be c. 8% during 2023. 

88 

GOVERNANCE

DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED

Pension alignment

LTIP award

As detailed on page 90, the phased reduction of executive directors’ 
pension rates will continue and they will be fully aligned with the 
maximum contribution available to the majority of the UK workforce by 
31 December 2022. As a result, with effect from 31 December 2022, 
Dominic Blakemore’s pension allowance will reduce from 10% to 6% 
of salary, and Gary Green’s pension allowance will reduce from 18% to 
6% of salary. In accordance with the prevailing Remuneration Policy, 
Palmer Brown was appointed with a pension allowance of 6%.

The Committee will make LTIP awards to Dominic Blakemore of 400% 
of salary, and to Gary Green and Palmer Brown of 350% of salary, 
in line with the 2022 Directors’ Remuneration Policy. Awards will 
continue to be based on AFCF, ROCE and TSR, as these link to our 
strategy and the creation of shareholder value. The Committee 
believes that the targets are suitably stretching and are aligned with 
shareholders’ interests. Further details on the targets can be found 
on page 107.

Bonus plan

Looking ahead

I will be stepping down as Chair of the Remuneration Committee 
following the conclusion of the 2023 AGM, and consequently, this will 
be my final report to you before handing over to John Bryant.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank our major shareholders 
and the key institutional investor bodies for the time taken to engage 
with us during my tenure as Chair. The feedback provided by investors 
has influenced our perspective and contributed greatly to the 
decision-making of the Committee. 

I know that under John’s leadership, the Committee will continue to 
engage with shareholders and institutional investor bodies in the 
development of our remuneration policies and structures and will 
continue to emphasise the links to performance and to consider 
wider stakeholders in its deliberations.

I hope that you will join the Board in supporting the resolution to 
approve the 2022 Remuneration Report.

CAROL ARROWSMITH
Chair of the Remuneration Committee

21 November 2022

The Committee continually reviews remuneration arrangements to 
ensure they are aligned to the business strategy. Overall, 85% of the 
bonus will be based on financial metrics, with the remaining 15% 
based on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) performance 
measures, aligned to the Group’s ESG objectives. We have made two 
changes to the bonus measures for the year ahead. 

The Committee has decided that the time is right to revert to the 
historic organic revenue growth measure, as on a constant currency 
basis, revenues are now consistently at or above pre-pandemic levels. 
This change reflects the business’s evolution from recovery to growth, 
and replaces the absolute revenue measure with the same weighting.

Within the ESG component, the Committee believes food waste to be a 
meaningful and impactful measure. Food is at the core of our business 
and one of the ways we can make a significant impact on climate 
change is by reducing food waste. Food waste is a key contributor 
towards carbon emissions and reducing this also has a high 
correlation with operating margin improvement. By raising awareness 
through measurement we will drive a significant reduction in food 
waste. This approach will also help meet the Group’s Science Based 
Targets initiative (SBTi) targets and complement its work, in 
partnership with clients and suppliers, to halve food waste by 2030.

To assist in building a robust basis for measurement, we are deploying 
technology to understand our food waste footprint. This will help our 
teams measure, monitor and reduce food waste and enable the Group 
to develop an accurate and consistent measurement of progress. 
Given that focus on measurement will drive the greatest initial returns, 
in year one, the Committee has elected to measure the increase in the 
number of sites with technology deployed to accurately measure and 
report food waste. The measure will focus on core countries and on 
larger sites, to influence a significant proportion of our revenue base in 
a meaningful way. 

The food waste measure will be weighted at 5% of bonus opportunity, 
with a corresponding reduction in the weighting of the operating 
margin measure from 50% to 45%. 

As we deploy the technology, the Committee will continue to keep 
this metric under review in future years. Over time, the objective is 
expected to evolve to include a more direct target for reduction in 
food waste, aligned with our strategic goals in this area.

For annual bonus periods commencing after the 2022 AGM, i.e. with 
effect from the 2022-2023 annual bonus year, executive directors will 
be required to defer one-third of any bonus earned into shares for a 
period of three years.

COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

  89

Activity during the year

The key activities of the Committee during the year ended 
30 September 2022 are set out below. In addition, the 
Committee monitors performance and reviews regularly any 
discretionary matters in relation to individuals below executive 
director level in relation to the Company’s share plans. The 
Committee also agrees the appointment and exit terms for 
executive directors and other members of the Executive Committee.

October 2021

 – reviewed terms for outgoing and incoming Group CFO

November 2021 (scheduled)

 – approved the 2022 Directors’ Remuneration Policy to be put 

forward to shareholders at the 2022 AGM

 – reviewed and updated the share ownership guideline policy 

in line with the proposed 2022 Policy 

 – reviewed salaries for the Executive Committee and executive 
directors effective 1 January 2022, taking into consideration 
salary review budgets across the Group

 – determined performance outcomes for the 2018-2019 LTIP 

and 2020-2021 bonus plans

 – set targets under the 2021-2022 bonus plan
 – approved the structure and proposed quantum of  

2021-2022 LTIP awards

 – approved the draft DRR for 2020-2021
 – assessed share ownership compliance against the Policy

February 2022

 – approved the post-AGM statement for release to the London 

Stock Exchange

 – approved the 2021-2022 LTIP awards

May 2022 (scheduled)

 – considered the post-AGM consultation update
 – received an update on external remuneration trends and 

market practice from external advisers

 – considered ESG measures in future incentive arrangements 
 – received a half-year update on the 2021-2022 annual bonus 

performance

 – received a half-year update on in-flight LTIP performance
 – considered the wider employee perspective 
 – considered share schemes including a report on the 

application of notional dividend awards and approved the 
Deferred Annual Bonus Plan Rules

September 2022 (scheduled)

 – received an update on progress against full-year 2021-2022 

bonus targets and in-flight LTIP awards

 – considered the use of discretion in respect of the 2019-2020 

LTIP award 

 – determined the structure and measures for the 2022-2023 

LTIP award and bonus plan

 – reviewed the draft DRR for 2021-2022
 – reviewed the fee for the Chair of the Board
 – reviewed the terms of reference of the Committee

COMMITTEE 
SUMMARY

Governance

Carol Arrowsmith has chaired the Remuneration Committee since 
June 2014. Membership comprises the Chair of the Committee and all 
of the non-executive directors. Members are appointed by the Board 
following recommendation by the Nomination Committee. 

The Committee meets at least twice a year and the quorum necessary 
for a meeting is two. The meeting attendance table can be found 
on page 65. The Chair of the Committee attends the AGM to 
respond to any shareholder questions that might be raised on the 
Committee’s activities.

Only members of the Committee have the right to attend Committee 
meetings. The Group General Counsel and Company Secretary acts as 
Secretary to the Committee and attends all of its meetings. The Group 
Chief People Officer and the Group Reward Director are typically 
invited to attend Committee meetings to advise on remuneration 
matters. The Chair of the Board, Group CEO and Group CFO may also 
attend by invitation. No individual attends meetings where their own 
remuneration is discussed or in other circumstances where their 
attendance would not be appropriate. Details of advisers to the 
Committee can be found on page 113.

The Committee is authorised to seek external legal or independent 
professional advice as it sees fit. The terms of reference of the Committee 
are reviewed annually to ensure that they continue to be fit for purpose. 
They were last reviewed in September 2022 when they were updated 
to bring them in line with the model terms of the Chartered 
Governance Institute UK & Ireland. A copy of the terms of reference 
can be found on the Company’s website, www.compass-group.com.

Structure and content of the DRR

This DRR has been prepared on behalf of the Board by the Committee 
in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act (CA 
2006),The Large and Medium-sized Companies and Groups (Accounts 
and Reports) (Amendment) Regulations 2013 (the 2013 regulations), 
The Companies (Miscellaneous Reporting) Regulations 2018 (the 2018 
regulations) and The Companies (Directors’ Remuneration Policy and 
Directors’ Remuneration Report) Regulations 2019 (the 2019 
regulations). The sections include:

 – the Company’s Remuneration Policy which applied with effect 

from 3 February 2022 when it was approved by shareholders at the 
Company’s AGM

 – how the Policy was implemented in the year ended 30 September 
2022 and how the Policy will be implemented in the next financial 
year (the Annual Remuneration Report)

 – how the Committee engaged with major shareholders during 

the year

Auditable disclosures are the:

 – executive directors’ single total figure of remuneration (page 100)
 – non-executive directors’ remuneration (pages 104 and 105)
 – long term incentive awards (page 107)
 – extant equity incentive awards held by executive directors (page 108)
 – director changes during the year (page 109)
 – directors’ interests (page 109)

90 

GOVERNANCE

DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED

REMUNERATION  
AT A GLANCE

Linking our reward and business strategy

Our remuneration policy is designed to link directly to our 
Group strategic KPIs and how we measure our business 
performance:

 – organic revenue growth
 – operating efficiencies
 – competitive advantage
 – people and purpose

Our role as a Remuneration Committee is to determine the Company’s 
Remuneration Policy, with responsibility for setting the remuneration 
terms and conditions of employment for the Chair of the Board, 
executive directors and Executive Committee. We do this by:

 – ensuring members of the Executive Committee are appropriately 

incentivised to enhance the Group’s performance and are 
rewarded for their contribution to the success of the business

 – considering executives’ remuneration arrangements and 

monitoring the relationship between them and those of the 
wider workforce

 – reviewing the remuneration arrangements for other senior 
executives within the Group, having regard to the wider 
remuneration philosophy of the organisation when 
developing policy

 – maintaining active dialogue with shareholders and ensuring 

their views and those of their advisers are sought and considered 
when setting executive remuneration policy

SUMMARY OF THE 2022 DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION POLICY

Fixed pay: Base salary, pension and benefits

Salary: Group CEO: £1,095,000; Group CFO: $1,016,500; Group COO, North America: $1,626,870 with effect from 1 January 2023.

Pension: Pension contributions or equivalent cash allowance for any new hires will be aligned with the wider UK workforce at 6% of 
salary. Pension cash allowances for the Group CEO and Group COO, North America will reduce to 6% with effect from 31 December 
2022. The Group CFO was appointed with a pension allowance of 6% of base salary.

For Group CEO, reducing from 
10% of base salary to:

For Group COO, North America, 
reducing from 18% of base salary to:

31 Dec 22 

6%

31 Dec 22 

6%

Benefits: Include healthcare for executive directors and 
their dependants, limited financial advice, life assurance, 
car benefit, and where appropriate international 
assignment support.

Annual bonus: Short-term variable remuneration

 – to incentivise and reward the achievement of stretching one-year 

key performance targets

 – maximum: 200% (Group CEO) and 150% (other executive 
directors) of salary. Awards subject to malus and clawback 
for a period of three years

Cash element

One-third of the bonus earned  
will be deferred for three years

Mandatory deferral applies from the 2022-2023 annual bonus year

Long-term incentive plan: Long-term variable remuneration

 – encourages delivery of longer-term financial performance and 
shareholder value. Performance is measured over a three-year 
period and vested shares will be held for a further two years. 
Awards are subject to malus and clawback for a period of 
three years

 – award size: 400% (Group CEO) and 350% (other executive 

directors) of salary

 – shareholding guidelines of 400% (Group CEO) and 350% 

(other executive directors) apply

3-year  
performance period

2-year  
holding period

Awards are subject to malus, clawback, and post-employment holding 
requirements

COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

  91

2022 OUTCOMES

ANNUAL BONUS
Outcomes of 2021-2022 plan: 100%

LONG TERM INCENTIVE PLAN
Outcomes of 2019-2020 award: 0%

The maximum annual bonus opportunity is 200% of base salary for the 
Group CEO and 150% of base salary for other executive directors. 
One-third of the bonus is deferred into shares for executive directors 
who have not achieved the pro-rata share ownership guideline, with 
all other payouts in cash. All cash bonuses and deferred bonus share 
awards are subject to malus and clawback. Further details can be 
found on pages 101 to 102.

Awards of 300% of base salary for the Group CEO and 250% of base 
salary for other executive directors were granted in 2019-2020. 
The three-year performance period ended on 30 September 2022. 
Further details can be found on page 104.

1: Operating margin

2: Cash conversion

3: Absolute revenue

4: LTIFR

5: FSIR

50%

20%

20%

5%

5%

Outcome: 50%

Outcome: 0%

Minimum: 0%

Target: 25%

Maximum: 50%

Minimum: 0%

Target: 10%

Maximum: 20%

Outcome: 20%

Outcome: 20%

1

2

3

Threshold: 0%

Outcome: 0%

Threshold: 0%

Outcome: 0%

1: ROCE

2: 3-year cumulative AFCF

3: Relative TSR

40%

40%

20%

As noted in the Remuneration 
Committee Chair’s statement, 
the targets for the 2019-2020 
LTIP award were set prior to the 
onset of the pandemic. None 
of the performance conditions 
were met and this award lapsed, 
notwithstanding the strong 
relative performance delivered 
over the period.

Maximum: 100%

Maximum: 100%

Minimum: 0%

Target: 10%

Maximum: 20%

Below median: 0% Median: 25%

Upper quartile: 100%

Outcome: 5%

Maximum: 5%

Outcome: 5%

Maximum: 5%

1

2

3

4

5

2022 EXECUTIVE SINGLE TOTAL FIGURE OF REMUNERATION

EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS’ SHAREHOLDING 

Dominic Blakemore

22

21

Palmer Brown

22

21

N/A

Gary Green

22

21

£3,299k

£3,211k

88%

502%

430%

£2,191k

0%

100%

200%

300%

400%

500%

600%

£3,338k

£3,124k

Dominic Blakemore

Shareholding requirement for Group CEO – 400%

Palmer Brown1

Gary Green

Shareholding requirement for other executive 
directors – 350%

1.  Palmer Brown was appointed to the Board on 4 October 2021 and has 
five years from date of appointment, or date of increase in shareholding 
requirement, whichever is the later, in which to achieve the required 
holding. Compliance with the share ownership guidelines is assessed 
annually on a pro-rata basis. His current shareholding exceeds the 
pro-rated shareholding requirement. In November and December 2022, 
a total of 42,540 shares will vest, and the net of tax and social security 
balance of shares will be retained by Palmer. 

92 

GOVERNANCE

REMUNERATION POLICY

REMUNERATION 
POLICY

This section of the Report sets out the Company’s Remuneration 
Policy. We consulted with shareholders extensively during 2021 
when the 2022 Policy was being formulated. The Policy applied with 
effect from 3 February 2022 when it was approved by shareholders 
at the Company’s Annual General Meeting and is intended to apply 
until 2025.

The 2022 Policy is designed to incentivise executives to deliver the 
Company’s strategic objectives. A significant portion of remuneration 
is performance-related, based on a selection of targets linked to key 
business drivers which can be measured and understood by both 
executives and shareholders.

The Committee may make minor amendments to the Policy (for 
example for tax, exchange control, regulatory or administrative 
purposes) without obtaining shareholder approval.

The Committee reserves the right to make any remuneration 
payments, and payments for loss of office (including any discretion 
available to it in connection with such payments), notwithstanding 
that they are not in line with the policy set out below where the terms 
of the payment were agreed: (i) before 3 February 2022 when the 
2022 Policy (approved by shareholders in accordance with section 
439A of the Companies Act) came into effect, provided that the terms 
of the payment were consistent with the Directors’ Remuneration 
Policy (approved by shareholders in accordance with section 439A of 
the Companies Act) in force at the time they were agreed; or (ii) at a 
time when the relevant individual was not a director of the Company 
and, in the opinion of the Committee, the payment was not in 
consideration of the individual becoming a director of the Company. 
For these purposes ‘payments’ includes the Committee satisfying 
awards of variable remuneration and, in relation to an award over 
shares, the terms of the payment are ‘agreed’ at the time the 
award is granted.

The Committee considers the 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 Committee. 
Executive directors have a greater proportion of their total 
remuneration package at risk than other employees; however, the 
structure and principles of incentives are broadly consistent. 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.

The Company is committed to ongoing engagement and seeks major 
shareholder views in advance of proposing significant changes to its 
remuneration policies.

Remuneration Policy and practices in the context of 
the UK Corporate Governance Code 2018 (the Code)

The Committee has considered the Remuneration Policy and 
practices in the context of the principles of the Code, as follows:

Clarity – the Committee is committed to having a transparent 
approach to pay, by engaging regularly with Executives, 
shareholders and their representative bodies in order to explain 
the approach to executive pay and how it links to the Compass 
strategy. We are also committed to clear and transparent 
disclosure on all aspects of executive remuneration.

Simplicity – the purpose, structure and strategic alignment of 
each element of pay has been clearly laid out in the 
Remuneration Policy. The incentive arrangements are well 
understood by both participants and shareholders. The 
Committee monitors the structure of both the annual bonus and 
long-term incentives to ensure they are easy to understand and 
avoid complexity. Additionally, the Committee ensures there is 
sufficient flexibility to exercise discretion and override formulaic 
outcomes, where necessary.

Risk – the Committee ensures the careful balance between 
competitive pay and performance driven incentives is 
appropriate, in order to mitigate any risk of excessive rewards or 
encouraging the wrong behaviours. There is an appropriate mix 
of fixed and variable pay elements, which, alongside the 
Committee’s ability to exercise overarching discretion on 
Compass’ performance within the year, allow for a holistic 
assessment of performance in the year. Additionally, there are 
robust measures in place to ensure alignment with long-term 
shareholder interests, including the post-vesting retention period, 
shareholding requirement, malus and clawback provisions and, 
from 2022-2023, mandatory bonus deferral into shares.

Predictability – our Directors’ Remuneration Policy contains both 
target and maximum opportunity details for our incentives, with 
actual performance outcomes dependent upon performance 
achieved against the targets for the period. Additionally, potential 
remuneration opportunities under different performance 
scenarios are set out on page 97 of this Report.

Proportionality – executives are incentivised to achieve 
stretching, business-linked targets over annual and three-year 
performance periods ensuring strong alignment with the 
business objectives and creation of long-term value for 
shareholders. The Committee assesses performance holistically 
at the end of each period, taking into account underlying 
business performance as well as the internal and external 
market context. The Committee may exercise discretion to 
ensure that payouts appropriately reflect the experience of the 
Group during the year.

Alignment with culture – to ensure alignment across the 
organisation, the Executives have committed to a phased 
reduction of pension allowances so that they are in line with 
the maximum contribution available to the majority of the wider 
UK workforce by 31 December 2022. Additionally, the health 
and safety of our employees, clients and consumers has 
always been a top priority for Compass. We have progressively 
increased the weighting of our ESG measures within the bonus 
plan, from 5% to 15% over three years. Our measures are 
meaningful to our business, reflecting the importance of health 
and safety, and the impact of reducing food waste on the 
environment.

COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

  93

Component parts of the remuneration package

The key components of executive directors’ remuneration for the 2022 Policy period are summarised below:

Component and link 
to strategy

Base salary

Reflects the individual’s role, 
experience and contribution.

Set at levels to attract and retain 
individuals of the calibre required 
to lead the business.

Performance 
measures

None.

Operation of 
component

Maximum 
opportunity

Base salaries are reviewed annually 
with any increases normally taking 
effect on 1 January of each year. 
Salaries are appropriately 
benchmarked and reflect the role, 
job size and responsibility as well as 
the performance and effectiveness 
of the individual.

Whilst there is no prescribed 
formulaic maximum, any increases 
will take into account prevailing 
market and economic conditions 
as well as increases for the wider 
workforce. Increases may be above 
this when an executive director: 
progresses in the role; gains 
substantially in experience; 
experiences a significant increase 
in the scale of the role; or was 
appointed on a salary below the 
market median. These will be 
appropriately explained in the 
relevant year’s Annual Report.

Benefits and pension

To provide a competitive level 
of benefits.

Benefits include, but are not limited 
to: healthcare for executive 
directors and their dependants, 
limited financial advice, life 
assurance and car benefit.

The cost of providing these benefits 
can vary in accordance with market 
conditions, which will, therefore, 
determine the maximum value.

None.

These are offered to executive 
directors as part of a competitive 
remuneration package.

The Committee has the discretion 
to offer additional allowances or 
benefits to executive directors, 
if considered appropriate and 
reasonable to the circumstances. 
These may include but are not 
limited to relocation expenses, 
housing allowance and school 
fees where appropriate.

Executive directors are invited to 
participate in the Company’s 
defined contribution pension 
scheme (or local plan) or to take a 
cash allowance in lieu of pension 
entitlement.

For the Company’s pension cash 
allowance (or pension contribution 
as appropriate), from 4 February 
2021 the annual maximum will be 
aligned to the maximum rate 
available to the majority of the 
wider UK workforce (currently 6% 
of base salary).

Pension contributions for current 
executive directors will be aligned 
to this rate over time.

Dominic Blakemore’s pension 
allowance of 10% of salary will 
reduce to 6% on 31 December 
2022.

Gary Green’s pension allowance of 
18% of salary will reduce to 6% on 
31 December 2022.

Palmer Brown is eligible to 
participate in the local US 
arrangements with Company 
contributions capped at 6% 
of salary.

94 

GOVERNANCE

REMUNERATION POLICY CONTINUED

Component and link  
to strategy

Annual bonus

Incentivises and rewards the 
achievement of stretching one 
year key performance targets set 
by the Committee at the start of 
each financial year.

Operation of  
component

Maximum  
opportunity

Performance  
measures

The annual bonus is earned by the 
achievement of performance over 
the financial year against targets set 
by the Committee at the start of 
each financial year. It is delivered in 
cash or a combination of cash and 
deferred bonus shares.

The maximum award for the Group 
CEO is 200% of base salary and for 
the other executive directors it is 
150% of base salary.

No bonus is payable for 
performance below threshold level. 

The Committee retains discretion to 
adjust the bonus outcomes to 
ensure that they reflect underlying 
business performance.

The annual bonus is subject to 
malus and/or clawback for a period 
of three years following the date of 
payment or grant of an award in the 
event of discovery of: a material 
misstatement in the accounts or 
in the assessment of a relevant 
performance condition; where the 
action or conduct of a participant 
amounts to fraud or serious 
misconduct or has a detrimental 
impact on the reputation of the 
Group; a material corporate failure; 
or the occurrence of any other 
exceptional event as determined at 
the discretion of the Committee.

For 2021-2022, bonus will be 
deferred when share ownership 
guidelines have not been met, 
usually with a minimum level of 
deferral of one third of the bonus 
earned and typically deferred for 
a period of three years.

With effect from the 2022-2023 
bonus plan year, one third of the 
bonus for executive directors will be 
subject to mandatory deferral into 
shares, for a period of three years.

Dividend equivalents may be 
accrued on Deferred Bonus Shares.

Performance is measured over 
the financial year. Performance 
measures are determined by 
the Committee each year and 
may vary to ensure that they 
promote the Company’s 
business strategy and 
shareholder value.

The performance measures 
and their percentage 
weightings may vary, 
depending upon a director’s 
area of responsibility.

Performance measures may 
include, but are not limited to, 
profit, revenue, margin and 
cash flow. Strategic KPIs 
including ESG measures may 
also be chosen. However, the 
overall metrics will normally be 
weighted to financial 
measures.

Annual bonus targets are set 
with reference to internal 
budgets and analyst consensus 
forecasts, with maximum 
payout requiring performance 
well ahead of budget.

A bonus underpin may be 
operated so that the bonus 
outcome is reduced if the 
underpin performance is not 
met.

Details of the specific 
measures and targets applying 
to each element of the bonus 
for 2022-2023 are shown in 
the Annual Remuneration 
Report on page 106.

COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

  95

Component and link 
to strategy

Operation of 
component

Maximum 
opportunity

Performance 
measures

Awards may be made at the 
following levels of salary:

Performance is measured 
over three financial years.

 – Group CEO: 400%
 – other executive directors: 

350%

Performance measures for the 
2022-2023 award are ROCE, 
AFCF and TSR, applying 40%, 
40% and 20% respectively.

For performance measures, 
other than TSR, 0% of the 
award vests for below threshold 
performance, increasing to 
50% vesting on a straight line 
basis for achievement of on 
target performance, increasing 
to maximum vesting for 
achievement of maximum 
performance.

The element of an award based 
on relative 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.

LTIP targets are set with 
reference to a range of 
relevant reference points 
which may include internal 
budgets and analysts’ 
consensus forecasts, with 
maximum payment requiring 
performance well ahead of 
budget.

Details of the targets for the 
LTIP award to be made in 
2022-2023 are set out as 
required in the Annual 
Remuneration Report on 
page 107.

The Committee has discretion 
to use different or additional 
performance measures or 
weightings for awards in future 
years to ensure that the LTIP 
remains appropriately aligned 
to the prevailing business 
strategy and objectives. The 
Committee would consult with 
major shareholders prior to 
making material changes to 
performance measures.

Long term incentive plan 
(LTIP)

Incentivises and rewards 
executive directors for the 
delivery of longer term 
financial performance and 
shareholder value.

Share based to provide alignment 
with shareholder interests.

Return on capital employed 
(ROCE)

ROCE supports the strategic 
focus on growth and margin 
through ensuring that cash is 
reinvested to generate strong 
returns with capital discipline.

Adjusted free cash flow 
(AFCF)

The generation of cash is 
fundamental to the ongoing 
success of the Group and the use 
of AFCF as an LTIP performance 
measure directly aligns to this.

Relative total shareholder 
return (TSR)

TSR provides direct alignment 
between the interests of executive 
directors and shareholders.

An annual conditional award of ordinary 
shares which may be earned after a three 
year performance period, based on the 
achievement of stretching performance 
conditions. Executive directors normally 
hold vested LTIP shares (net of any 
shares sold to meet tax and social 
security liabilities) for a period of two 
years post vesting.

Calculations of the achievement of the 
targets are independently assessed and 
are approved by the Committee. The 
Committee will consider the Group’s 
underlying performance over the 
performance period and has discretion to 
adjust the final vesting level to take this 
into account.

Dividend equivalents may be accrued on 
the shares earned from LTIP awards.

Malus and clawback rules operate in 
respect of the LTIP. The Committee may 
decide at any time before an award vests, 
or for a period of three years after an 
award vests, that any participant will be 
subject to malus and/or clawback in the 
event of: discovery of a material 
misstatement in the accounts or in the 
assessment of a relevant performance 
condition; the action or conduct of a 
participant amounting to fraud or serious 
misconduct or having a detrimental 
impact on the reputation of the Group; a 
material corporate failure; or any other 
exceptional event as determined at the 
discretion of the Committee.

Awards are delivered in shares. However, 
the rules contain provisions to deliver 
value in cash if necessary (for example, 
due to securities laws), subject to the 
discretion of the Committee, determined 
at any time up to their release.

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.

96 

GOVERNANCE

REMUNERATION POLICY CONTINUED

Incentive plans

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 Policy the Group CEO and 
all other executive directors are required to build up and maintain a 
personal shareholding of 400% and 350% of base salary respectively.

The shareholding guideline may be achieved by executive directors 
retaining shares received as a result of participating in the Company’s 
share plans. The guidelines specifically exclude the need to make a 
personal investment should awards not vest. The required level of 
executive shareholding is expected to be achieved within a five year 
period, commencing from the date of appointment or date of increase 
in shareholding requirement, whichever is the later.

Directors’ shareholdings are reviewed annually by the Committee 
to ensure that directors are on course to achieve their guideline 
shareholding within the period required. However, if it becomes 
apparent to the Committee that the guidelines are unlikely to be met 
within the timeframe, then the Committee will discuss with the 
director a plan to ensure that they are met over an acceptable 
timeframe. The Committee reserves the right to make the granting of 
future LTIP awards to an executive director conditional upon reaching 
the appropriate threshold in the required timeframe. For annual bonus 
awards for executive directors for periods commencing on or after 
1 October 2022, a minimum of one third of their annual bonus earned 
will be deferred into shares for three years.

A post employment shareholding requirement was implemented 
under the share ownership guideline policy for executive directors and 
applies to awards acquired after the effective date of the 2021 Policy 
(4 February 2021). The Policy requires executive directors to hold the 
lower of (i) their shareholding at the date of termination of 
employment; or (ii) shares equivalent to their share ownership 
guideline at that date, for a period of two years post employment.

Non-executive directors are required to build up and retain a personal 
shareholding equal to the value of their base fee over four years. 
Non-executive directors are generally 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.

Details of the interests of directors in shares and equity incentives are 
set out on page 109, together with the extent to which each of the 
directors has complied with the share ownership guidelines as at 
30 September 2022.

The LTIP described in the table on page 95 (known as The Compass 
Group PLC Long Term Incentive Plan 2018) is the primary form of 
equity incentive for executive directors.

Dilution limits

All of the Company’s equity based incentive plans incorporate 
the current Investment Association’s Principles of Remuneration 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 monitors the position regularly and prior to making 
an award, ensures that the Company remains within these limits. 
Any awards which are required to be satisfied by market purchased 
shares are excluded from such calculations. On 30 September 2022, 
the Company held 25,202,499 treasury shares. During the financial 
year ended 30 September 2022, 317,052 shares were purchased in 
the market by the trustees of The Compass Group PLC All Share 
Schemes Trust. 320,851 treasury shares and 280,371 market 
purchased shares were used in the year to satisfy the Company’s 
obligations under the Group’s employee equity incentive schemes. 
As at 30 September 2022, the Company’s headroom position, 
which remains within the current Principles, was as shown in 
the charts below:

Headroom as at 30 September 2022

10% IN 10 YEARS 

Headroom

LTIP

Discretionary 
options

8.96%

0.87%

0.17%

8.96%

5% IN 10 YEARS

3.96%

Headroom

LTIP

Discretionary 
options

3.96%

0.87%

0.17%

COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

  97

Illustrations of application of the 2022 remuneration policy

The scenarios in the graphs are as follows:

The graphs below show an estimate of the remuneration that could be 
received by executive directors in office at the date of this DRR under 
the 2022 Policy. The charts illustrate for each executive director: 
remuneration payable at minimum, target and maximum outcomes, 
along with maximum outcome incorporating an illustrative share price 
appreciation of 50% on shares granted under the LTIP. 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, the 
LTIP and LTIP including share price appreciation.

TOTAL REMUNERATION

Dominic Blakemore

MINIMUM

100%100%

TARGET

26%26%

24%24%

50%50%

MAXIMUM

MAXIMUM +50% SHARE 
PRICE GROWTH

16%16%

12%12%

28%28%

22%22%

56%56%

£000

£1,177

£4,417

£7,447

 – fixed pay includes:

 – annual base salary as at 1 October 2022, or date of 

appointment if later

 – value of benefits as noted in the single figure table on page 100  
for the Group CEO and Group COO, North America. The Group 
CFO received relocation benefits during 2021-2022, therefore an 
amount has been included in the scenario charts which reflects a 
more usual benefit provision

 – pension cash allowance, where appropriate, reflecting the phase 

down arrangements on page 90

 – annual bonus is shown as a maximum percentage of base salary, 
with minimum, target and maximum performance shown as 0%, 
50% and 100% respectively

 – LTIP is shown as a maximum of base salary, with minimum, target 

and maximum performance shown as 0%, 52.5% and 100% 
respectively. Target payout of 52.5% is based on AFCF and ROCE 
performance measures vesting at 50% of maximum and the TSR 
measure vesting at 62.5% of maximum (midway between threshold 
and maximum payout)

66%66%

£9,537

 – share price appreciation has been calculated as a 50% increase in 

the value of the LTIP between the date of grant and vesting

 – no dividend accrual has been incorporated in the values relating to 

Palmer Brown1

MINIMUM

100%100%

TARGET

31%31%

20%20%

49%49%

MAXIMUM

19%19%

24%24%

57%57%

£000

£864

£2,827

£4,657

MAXIMUM +50% SHARE 
PRICE GROWTH

14%14%

19%19%

67%67%

£5,985

1.  Palmer Brown is paid in US dollars. For reporting purposes, this pay is 

converted into sterling at an exchange rate of $1.2785/£1.

Gary Green2

MINIMUM

100%100%

TARGET

31%31%

20%20%

49%49%

MAXIMUM

19%19%

24%24%

57%57%

£000

£1,391

£4,534

£7,464

MAXIMUM +50% SHARE 
PRICE GROWTH

15%15%

19%19%

66%66%

£9,590

2.  Gary Green is paid in US dollars. For reporting purposes, this pay is converted 

into sterling at an exchange rate of $1.2785/£1.

Fixed pay

Annual bonus

LTIP

the LTIP

Approach to recruitment remuneration

The Committee will apply the 2022 Policy when considering 
the recruitment of a new executive director in respect of base salary, 
pension and benefits, and short and long term incentives. Executive 
directors will be provided with a pension cash allowance (or 
contribution) in line with the maximum level of pension provided to the 
majority of the wider UK workforce (currently 6% of base salary). It is 
envisaged that the maximum level of variable remuneration which 
may be granted to a new executive director would be within plan rules 
and consistent with the 2022 Policy maximum opportunity for existing 
executive directors and the Group CEO. 

Other arrangements may be established specifically to 
facilitate recruitment of a particular individual, albeit that any such 
arrangement would be made within the context of aiming to minimise 
the cost to the Company. The policy for the recruitment of executive 
directors includes the facility to provide a level of compensation for 
forfeited remuneration arrangements from an existing employer, if 
these are required in order to achieve a successful recruitment. Any 
arrangement established specifically to facilitate the recruitment of a 
particular individual would be intended to be of comparable form, 
timing, commercial value to the benefits forfeited, and capped as 
appropriate. The quantum, form and structure of any buyout 
arrangement will be determined by the Committee taking into account 
the terms of the previous arrangement being forfeited. The buyout 
may be structured as an award of cash or shares. However, the 
Committee will normally have a preference for replacement awards to 
be made in the form of shares, deliverable no earlier than the original 
awards. Where an executive director is appointed from either within 
the Group or following corporate activity/reorganisation, the normal 
policy would be to honour any legacy incentive arrangements to run 
off in line with their original terms and conditions.

98 

GOVERNANCE

REMUNERATION POLICY CONTINUED

In cases where an executive director must be relocated from their 
home location as part of their appointment, additional benefits in 
kind and other allowances may be payable at the Committee’s 
discretion, including but not limited to relocation, education, 
repatriation costs, tax equalisation or other reasonable international 
assignment support, normally consistent with the relevant policies 
applicable to the wider workforce.

It is the Board’s intention that the policy on the recruitment of 
new non-executive directors during the 2022 Policy period will apply 
remuneration elements consistent with those in place for the existing 
non-executive directors. It is not intended that cash supplements, 
day rates or benefits in kind be offered, although in exceptional 
circumstances such remuneration may be required in currently 
unforeseen circumstances. Non-executive directors are not eligible 
for pension scheme membership, bonus or incentive arrangements.

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

Change  
of control

Notice period

Termination 
payment

 – base salary, pension and benefits
 – car benefit
 – family private health insurance
 – life assurance
 – financial planning advice
 – minimum of 25 days’ paid annual leave
 – participation in the annual bonus plan, 

subject to plan rules

 – participation in the LTIP, subject to 

plan rules

 – no special contractual provisions apply 

in the event of a change of control

 – 12 months’ notice from the Company
 – 6 months’ notice from the director 

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 their loss 
such that payments will either reduce, or 
cease completely, in the event that the 
director gains new employment/
remuneration

Restrictive 
covenants

 – during employment and for 12 months 

after leaving

(12 months from Dominic Blakemore)

Gary Green

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. Gary Green’s 
service contract is based on this historic policy. When introducing the 
revised policy in June 2008 and after careful consideration, the 
Committee concluded that it was not in shareholders’ interests to 
migrate such contracts onto the amended policy. Service contracts 
for Dominic Blakemore and Palmer Brown fully comply with the policy 
in effect from June 2008. All executive directors’ service contracts 
impose a clear obligation to mitigate such payment should a 
departing executive director take on new employment or receive 
alternative remuneration.

Gary Green’s service contract was entered into before 27 June 2012 
and it has not been renewed on or after that date. Consequently, 
remuneration payments or payments for loss of office that are 
required to be made under Gary Green’s contract are not 
required to be consistent with the current Policy.

The Company may also pay for reasonable costs in relation 
to termination of employment, for example tax, legal and 
outplacement support, where appropriate.

Whilst unvested share awards will normally lapse, the Committee may 
in its absolute discretion allow for awards to continue until the normal 
vesting date, or for vesting to be accelerated (for example on death), 
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. 
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 performance 
prior to the date of leaving. The malus and clawback provisions would 
continue to apply in the event that any such discretion was exercised.

The executive directors in office at the date of this DRR have served 
on the Board for the periods shown below and have service 
agreements dated as follows:

Executive director

Dominic Blakemore

Palmer Brown3

Date of contract

12 Dec 2011 
7 Nov 20171
29 Dec 2006 
27 Nov 20072
3 Oct 2021

Length of Board service  
as at 30 Sep 2022

10 years, 7 months

15 years, 9 months

1 year, 0 months

1.  Appointment was formally revised from 1 October 2017.
2.  Appointment was formally revised from 1 November 2007.
3.  Appointed to the Board on 4 October 2021.

COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

  99

Non-executive  
director

Original date 
of appointment

Letter of 
engagement1

Carol Arrowsmith

1 Jun 2014

Stefan Bomhard

5 May 2016

John Bryant

1 Sep 2018

14 May 2014 
8 Mar 20171 
19 Mar 20201
5 May 2016 
13 Mar 20191
17 Mar 20221
17 May 2018
12 May 20211
22 Oct 2021

Arlene  
Isaacs-Lowe2
Ian Meakins 

1 Nov 2021

1 Sep 2020 

17 Aug 2020 

Anne-Francoise 
Nesmes
Sundar Raman3

1 Jul 2018

1 Jan 2022

17 May 2018 
12 May 20211
22 Oct 2021

Nelson Silva

16 Jul 2015

Ireena Vittal

16 Jul 2015

16 Jul 2015 
8 Mar 20181 
19 Mar 20211
16 Jul 2015 
8 Mar 20181 
19 Mar 20211

1.  Date on which appointment was formally revised.
2.  Appointed to the Board on 1 November 2021.
3.  Appointed to the Board on 1 January 2022.

Total length of 
service as at
30 Sep 2022

8 years,  
4 months

6 years,  
4 months

4years,  
1 month
0 years,  
11 months
2 years,
1 month 
4 years, 
3 months
0 years,  
9 months
7 years,  
2 months

7 years,  
2 months

Chair of the Board

The fee for the Chair of the Board (Chair) is reviewed annually by the 
Committee with any increase normally taking effect on 1 October. 
The Chair is not eligible for pension scheme membership, bonus or 
incentive arrangements. Costs in relation to business travel are 
reimbursed. The Chair’s appointment is terminable without 
compensation on six months’ notice from either side.

Ian Meakins has a letter of engagement dated 17 August 2020 in 
respect of his original appointment as a non-executive director, for a 
period of three years from 1 September 2020, and his subsequent 
appointment as Chair. Ian succeeded Paul Walsh as Chair on 
1 December 2020. The fee paid to Ian Meakins for the year ended 
30 September 2022 is set out on page 104.

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 and 
may be increased if considered appropriate. All non-executive 
directors receive a base fee. Additional fees are payable for other 
Board duties and time commitments, including acting as Chair of 
the Audit, Remuneration or Corporate Responsibility Committee, 
and undertaking the role of Senior Independent Director (SID). 
An additional fee may be payable for the role of Designated Non-
executive director for workforce engagement. Non-executive directors 
are not eligible for pension scheme membership, bonus, incentive 
arrangements or other benefits, save reimbursement of travel costs 
and associated tax due if applicable. Fees paid for the year ended 
30 September 2022 are set out on page 105.

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 the appointments of non-executive directors 
(in office at the date of this DRR) which are terminable without 
compensation are set out in the table opposite, together with the 
dates on which their appointments have been formally revised.

100 

GOVERNANCE

ANNUAL REMUNERATION REPORT

ANNUAL REMUNERATION REPORT

Implementation of the 2022 Policy during the year ended 30 September 2022

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 in 
office for the year ended 30 September 2022.

Fixed pay
Base salary
Taxable benefits1
Pension
Total fixed pay
Performance related pay
Bonus2
LTIP3
Restricted shares4
Total long term incentives
Total variable pay
Single total figure of remuneration

Dominic Blakemore

Palmer Brown5,6

Gary Green6

Karen Witts5

2022 
£000

2021 
£000

2022 
£000

2021 
£000

2022 
£000

2021 
£000

2022 
£000

1,034
59
116
1,209

2,090
–
–
–
2,090
3,299

1,000
50
162
1,212

1,999
–
–
–
1,999
3,211

752
250
51
1,053

1,138
–
–
–
1,138
2,191

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

1,200
67
249
1,516

1,822
–
–
–
1,822
3,338

1,084
93
327
1,504

1,620
–
–
–
1,620
3,124

56
12
8
76

84
–
–
–
84
160

2021 
£000

674
28
110
812

1,010
–
163
163
1,173
1,985

1.  Taxable benefits comprise healthcare insurance, limited financial advice, life assurance and car benefit. Palmer Brown relocated from the US to the UK prior to his 

appointment as Group CFO and during 2021-2022 received benefits relating to his ongoing assignment costs which are included in this figure.

2.  In line with the 2022 Remuneration Policy, the 2021-2022 bonus for executive directors was paid in cash. Details of the performance achieved is shown on pages 

101 to 102.

3.  The LTIP award due to vest on 21 November 2022 lapsed in full as the performance conditions were not met. Details of the performance measures and 

performance achieved are shown on page 104.

4.  Karen Witts was granted a restricted share award in recognition of awards forfeited at her previous employer. The 2021 figure has been updated to show the actual 

value of the vested award based on the share price of £15.28 at vesting in December 2021. None of the value is attributable to share price appreciation.
5.  The base salary, taxable benefits and pension figures for Palmer Brown and Karen Witts for 2021-2022 are prorated for their time in office during the year.
6.  Palmer Brown and Gary Green’s base salary and other emoluments for the same period are shown in sterling at an exchange rate of $1.2785/£1 (2021: $1.3653/ £1).

Base salary

The annual rate of base salary for each executive director for the year ended 30 September 2022 is set out below:

Director

Base salary

Effective date

Increase

Reason

Dominic Blakemore

£1,045,000

1 January 2022

4.5%

Palmer Brown

$970,000

1 January 2022

–

Gary Green

$1,552,870

1 January 2022

4.5%

The Committee reviewed base salaries in the 
context of the Group’s strong performance in the 
year, its relative market positioning when measured 
against companies of appropriate size, scale and 
complexity and also took into account the average 
salary increase in the wider population. The base 
salary increase percentage for each executive 
director was lower than the average percentage 
increase for the wider UK population.

COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

  101

Pensions

At 30 September 2022, there were no executive directors actively participating in any Compass Group defined benefit pension arrangements and 
none of the executive directors were accruing additional entitlements to benefits under any arrangements that existed prior to their appointment 
as executive directors.

Under the 2022 Policy, the allowance receivable by the executive directors is being reduced on a phased basis such that, by 31 December 2022, 
it will be aligned with the maximum contribution available to the majority of employees in the UK wider workforce, currently 6%. Palmer Brown is 
eligible to receive a pension cash allowance of 6% of base salary in line with the 2022 Policy. During the year, the pension cash allowance for 
Dominic Blakemore and Gary Green reduced as set out below:

Director 

Dominic Blakemore
Gary Green

Annual bonus plans

2021-2022 bonus

Pension cash 
allowance  effective
1 Oct 2021

Pension cash 
allowance effective 
1 Jan 2022 

Average pension cash 
allowance received  
during the year 

15%
28%

10%
18%

11.25%
20.50%

The bonus targets and outcomes for the year ended 30 September 2022 are set out below. The achievement of targets is calculated on a 
straight-line basis between Minimum and Target (par) and between Target and Maximum, and by reference to budgeted exchange rates.

As was the case in previous years, the measurement of the achievement of the financial results is based on the underlying outcome achieved in 
the financial year, with gains/losses attributable to currency movements, charges and the impacts of restructuring and/or acquisitions/disposals 
usually being excluded.

2021-2022 bonus structure, performance measures, targets and outcomes

Structure

The bonus plan for 2021-2022 was designed to align the plan to the Group’s recovery strategy and to establish targets that were achievable, fair 
and within management’s control.

The bonus structure for 2021-2022 is set out below:

Measure1

Operating margin

Cash conversion

Absolute revenue

HSE2

Total

Description of measure

operating margin (%): this demonstrates the efficiency of the Group’s operations in 
delivering great food and support services. The operating margin can be managed to 
reflect the revenue level, and is therefore a more appropriate measure in a period where 
volumes and revenues are difficult to predict
cash conversion (%): this demonstrates the Group’s ability to convert profit into cash – by 
setting a target percentage of profit to be converted to cash. Regardless of absolute profit, 
it aims to ensure a certain conversion rate is achieved and incorporates key levers under 
management control
absolute revenue: this embodies the Group’s success in growing and retaining its customer 
base, as well as the Group’s ability to drive volumes in its existing business and maintain 
appropriate pricing levels that take into account input cost inflation
HSE measures equate to 10% of the plan, emphasising the Group’s commitment to its 
health and safety culture

Weighting 

50%

20%

20%

10%

100%

1.  All measures are assessed at a Group level with the exception of the bonus for Gary Green where all measures (save for 5% of Group operating margin) are 

measured by reference to regional North America performance.

2.  The HSE measures are Lost Time Incident Frequency Rate (LTIFR) and Food Safety Incident Rate (FSIR), weighted equally.

102 

GOVERNANCE

ANNUAL REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED

Performance measures and targets

When determining the performance measures and targets for the 2021-2022 bonus plan, the Committee concluded in the context of the Group’s 
continued recovery that a return to the pre-COVID practice of setting full-year targets, was appropriate. The outcomes against the targets are set 
out below:

Dominic Blakemore, Palmer Brown and Karen Witts
Measures1

Group operating margin2

Group absolute revenue3

Group cash conversion4

Group HSE improvement

Lost Time Incident Frequency Rate
Food Safety Incident Rate

Gary Green
Measures1

Group operating margin2
Regional operating margin5
Regional absolute revenue6
Regional cash conversion7

North America HSE improvement

Lost Time Incident Frequency Rate
Food Safety Incident Rate

Measures1

Group operating margin2
Group absolute revenue3
Group cash conversion4
Regional operating margin5
Regional absolute revenue6
Regional cash conversion7
HSE
Total

Value of bonus

Weighting

50%

20%

20%

Weighting

5%
5%

Minimum

5.54%

Par (target)

5.84%

Maximum

6.14%

Achieved

6.15%

£19,989m

£20,822m

£21,655m

£24,832m

72.59%

77.59%

82.59%

83.96%

Limit

2.79
0.24

Achieved

2.27
0.14

Weighting

Minimum

Par (target)

Maximum

Achieved

5%
45%
20%
20%

5.54%
6.40%
£12,429m
76.77%

5.84%
6.70%
£12,825m
81.77%

6.14%
7.00%
£13,222m
86.77%

6.15%
7.25%
£16,002m
92.49%

Weighting

5%
5%

Limit

4.20
0.11

Achieved

3.85
0.03

Dominic Blakemore  
% of performance 
target achieved

Palmer Brown  
% of performance 
target achieved

Gary Green  
% of performance 
target achieved

Karen Witts8
% of performance 
target achieved

50/50
20/20
20/20
–
–
–
10/10
100/100

50/50
20/20
20/20
–
–
–
10/10
100/100

5/5
–
–
45/45
20/20
20/20
10/10
100/100

50/50
20/20
20/20
–
–
–
10/10
100/100

Dominic Blakemore

Palmer Brown

Gary Green

Karen Witts8

£2,090,000

$1,455,000

$2,329,305

£84,250

Notes to bonus table:
1.  Financial targets for 2021-2022 bonus purposes are all set and measured at 2022 foreign exchange budget rates not actual rates.
2.  Group operating margin is based on the absolute underlying revenue and underlying operating profit.
3.  Group absolute revenue is the absolute underlying revenue for the Group.
4.  Group cash conversion is the underlying cash flow expressed as a percentage of the underlying operating profit for the Group.
5.  Regional operating margin is based on the absolute underlying revenue and underlying operating profit for the North America business.
6.  Regional absolute revenue is the absolute underlying revenue for the North America business.
7.  Regional cash conversion is the underlying cash flow expressed as a percentage of the underlying operating profit for the North America business.
8.  Karen Witts was entitled to a bonus for the period 1 October 2021 to 31 October 2021. 

COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

  103

Long term incentive awards

Scheme interests awarded during the year

2021-2022 LTIP award
During the year ended 30 September 2022, executive directors received a conditional award of shares which may vest after a three 
year performance period which will end on 30 September 2024, based on the achievement of stretching performance conditions. Performance 
conditions were ROCE, AFCF and Relative TSR, weighted 40%, 40% and 20% respectively. The maximum levels achievable under these awards 
are set out in the table below:

Director

Dominic Blakemore
Palmer Brown
Gary Green

Type of award

LTIP 2018
LTIP 2018
LTIP 2018

Value of award  
(as a % of
base salary)1

400%
350%
350%

Value
of award
£000

4,180
2,5123
4,0213

Number of
shares awarded2

241,385
145,040
232,195

1.  Value of award calculated by reference to base salary at date of grant.
2.  The share price used to calculate the award was the average closing market price of the three trading days prior to the grant date of 8 February 2022, being £17.32.
3.  Face value of award was converted to sterling at the time of award at an exchange rate of $1.3517/£1.

Executive directors are required to hold vested awards for a period of two years following vesting so as to strengthen the long-term alignment 
of executives’ remuneration packages with shareholders’ interests and, if required, to facilitate the implementation of provisions related 
to clawback. For awards granted after 4 February 2021 a two-year post-employment shareholding requirement also applies. 

In setting the performance targets, the Committee considers internal budgets and the Group’s strategic plan, market expectations and general 
economic conditions.

ROCE and AFCF targets

Level of performance

Threshold
Par (target)
Maximum

TSR target

Level of performance

Below median
Median
Upper quartile

Definition of measure

Vesting % of  
each component

0%
50%
100%

ROCE

17.05%
17.55%
18.05%

AFCF

£2,570m
£2,705m
£2,840m

Vesting % of each 
component

0%
25%
100%

ROCE The definition aims to measure the underlying economic performance of the Group. ROCE is calculated at the end of the three-year 
performance period as net underlying operating profit after tax (NOPAT) divided by 12 month average capital employed. ROCE targets are 
updated at the end of the performance period to reflect actual acquisition spend, changes in accounting standards and constant currency.

Adjusted FCF The definition aims to measure the cash generation of the Group and is calculated as the three-year cumulative underlying FCF 
adjusted for constant currency.
TSR Performance is compared to that of constituent members of the FTSE 100 (excluding the financial services sector). 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).

104 

GOVERNANCE

ANNUAL REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED

Scheme interests vesting during the year

2019-2020 LTIP award

Awards were made to Dominic Blakemore, Gary Green and Karen Witts in 2019-2020, which were subject to achievement of three-year 
performance targets for the year ended 30 September 2022. Performance conditions were ROCE, AFCF and Relative TSR, weighted 40%, 
40% and 20% respectively. The targets and outcomes are set out below:

ROCE target
Level of performance

Vesting % of component

As at date of award
Reconciled at the end of the performance period1

AFCF target
Level of performance

Vesting % of each component
AFCF

TSR target
Level of performance

Vesting % of each component

Threshold

0%

17.39%
17.74%

Maximum

100%

18.34%
18.72%

Achieved

0%

–
14.6%

Threshold

Maximum

Achieved

0%
£2,776m

100%
£3,068m

0%
£2,046m

Below median

Median

Upper quartile

Achieved2

0%

25%

100%

0%

1.  ROCE targets are updated at the end of the performance period to reflect actual acquisition spend, changes in accounting standards and constant currency.
2.  TSR ranking was 48th out of the 76 constituents in the comparator group.

The Committee applied the established framework to deal with items that were unforeseen at the time the targets were set in 2019-2020 and 
which were in the long term interests of shareholders. None of the performance measures were met at the end of the three-year performance 
period, such that the LTIP awards made in the 2019-2020 year lapsed in full. Details of awards held for each executive director are set out below:

Director

Dominic Blakemore
Gary Green
Karen Witts

Number of  
shares awarded

Number of  
shares lapsed

152,700
146,385
86,135

152,700
146,385
86,135

Value of shares  
on vesting  
£000

0
0
0

Non-executive directors’ remuneration

The fee for the Chair of the Board is reviewed annually by the Committee with any increase taking effect on 1 October. For the year ended 
30 September 2022 the fee paid was £537,500 per annum inclusive of any Board committee memberships. The fee paid for the year 
ended 30 September 2021 was prorated to reflect Ian Meakins’ time as Chair.

Details of amounts received by Ian Meakins in his role as Chair of the Board during the year ended 30 September 2022 are shown below:

Chair

Ian Meakins

Fees
£000

538

Benefits
£000

–

Total 2022  
£000

538

Total 2021
£000

438

COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

  105

The fees for the non-executive directors are reviewed and determined by the Board each year to reflect appropriate market conditions. The base 
fee paid to non-executive directors for the year ended 30 September 2022 was £90,000 which includes membership of the Audit, Corporate 
Responsibility, Nomination and Remuneration Committees (as appropriate).

An additional fee of £30,000 per annum is payable where a non-executive director acts as Chair of the Audit, Remuneration or Corporate 
Responsibility Committee and an additional fee of £30,000 per annum is also payable to the director nominated as SID.

Details of the amounts received by each of the non-executive directors in office for the year ended 30 September 2022 are set out below:

Non-executive director

Carol Arrowsmith
John Bason2
Stefan Bomhard
John Bryant2

Arlene Isaacs-Lowe3
Ian Meakins4
Anne-Francoise Nesmes2
Sundar Raman3
Nelson Silva
Ireena Vittal

Fees  
£000

Benefits1
£000

Total 2022  
£000

Total 2021
£000

120
31
90
120

83
–
120
68
120
90

–
–
1
2

3
–
–
–
2
–

120
31
91
122

86
–
120
68
122
90

118
109
88
108

–
15
108
–
118
88

1.  Travel costs relating to attending Board meetings held in the UK are treated as a benefit.
2.  During 2020-2021 John Bason stepped down as the SID and Chair of the Audit Committee and as a member of the Remuneration and Audit Committees at the 
conclusion of the 2021 AGM. He was succeeded by John Bryant as SID and Anne-Francoise Nesmes as Chair of the Audit Committee from that date, and their 
respective fees for the 2020-2021 year reflect these changes. John Bason retired from the Board at the conclusion of the 2022 AGM and his fees for 2021-2022 
reflect his time in office.

3.  Arlene Isaacs-Lowe and Sundar Raman were appointed to the Board during 2021-2022 on 1 November 2021 and 1 January 2022 respectively and their fees reflect 

their time in office.

4.  Ian Meakins was appointed to the Board and the Nomination and Corporate Responsibility Committees on 1 September 2020. He succeeded Paul Walsh as Chair of 
the Board on 1 December 2020. Fees paid to Ian Meakins as a non-executive director during 2020-2021 reflect the period 1 October 2020 to 30 November 2020. 
Fees paid to Ian in respect of 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 as Chair of the Board are set out on page 104.

Implementation of the Remuneration Policy for the 2022-2023 financial year

A summary of how the Directors’ Remuneration Policy will be applied during the 2022-2023 financial year is set out below.

Base salary

The Committee considered salary reviews of executive directors holistically, taking into account the macroeconomic environment, cost of living 
and inflationary challenges faced by the business and our employees. The Committee also reviewed base salaries in the context of the Group’s 
strong performance in the year, along with our relative market positioning when measured against companies of appropriate size, scale and 
complexity. Salary increase budgets for the wider employee population were taken into consideration and the Committee determined that the 
base salary increase percentage for each executive director would be lower than the average percentage increase for the wider UK population.

The base salaries for the executive directors with effect from 1 January 2023, as determined by the Committee, are set out in the table below.

Director

Dominic Blakemore
Palmer Brown
Gary Green

With effect from  
1 January 2023

Effective from 
1 January 2022

£1,095,000
$1,016,500
$1,626,870

£1,045,000
$970,000
$1,552,870

% change

4.78%
4.79%
4.77%

106 

GOVERNANCE

ANNUAL REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED

Pension

In line with the Remuneration Policy, the pension cash allowance for each executive director is being reduced on a phased basis to align with the 
maximum rate available to the majority of the wider UK workforce (currently 6% of base salary). The details of this phased reduction for each 
executive director is shown in the table below.

Director

Dominic Blakemore
Gary Green

Effective  
1 Jan 2022

Effective  
31 Dec 2022

10%
18%

6%
6%

Palmer Brown is eligible to receive a pension cash allowance of 6% of base salary in line with the 2022 Policy.

Annual bonus plan

For the 2022-2023 financial year, the maximum bonus opportunities for each executive director will be in line with the Remuneration Policy, as 
shown in the table below:

Director

Dominic Blakemore
Palmer Brown
Gary Green

% salary

200%
150%
150%

The construct of the 2022-2023 plan broadly remains the same as the previous plan year, with two amendments. To reflect the recovery of 
revenue to the pre-pandemic level as the business transitions to a growth phase, the plan will revert to back to organic revenue growth, 
(previously absolute revenue for 2020-2021 and 2021-2022).

An additional ESG measure, based on food waste, will be added to the current HSE measures. One of the most impactful ways to prevent climate 
change is to reduce food waste. Food waste is a key contributor towards carbon emissions and reducing this also has a high correlation with 
operating margin improvement. We have established that by raising awareness through measurement we will drive a significant reduction in food 
waste. This approach will also help us meet our Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) targets and complement our work, in partnership with our 
clients and suppliers, to halve food waste by 2030. The food waste measure will be weighted at 5% of bonus opportunity, with a corresponding 
reduction in the weighting of the operating margin measure. The total weighting for ESG measures, including FSIR and LTIFR, will be 15%, 
(previously 10%).

The measures and weightings will be as follows:

Measure1

Operating margin

Cash conversion

Organic revenue growth

ESG2

Total

Description of measure

operating margin (%): this demonstrates the efficiency of the Group’s operations in delivering 
great food and support services
cash conversion (%): this demonstrates the Group’s ability to convert profit into cash – by setting 
a target percentage of profit to be converted to cash
organic revenue growth (%): Organic revenue growth compares the revenue delivered from 
continuing operations in the current year with that from the prior year, adjusting for the impact of 
acquisitions, disposals and exchange rate movements
Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG): emphasising the Group’s commitment to its health 
and safety culture, and the impact of reducing food waste on climate change

Weighting

45%

20%

20%

15%

100%

1.  All measures are assessed at Group level with the exception of the bonus for Gary Green where all measures (save for 5% of Group operating margin) are measured 

by reference to regional North America performance.

2.  The ESG measures are Lost Time Incident Frequency Rate (LTIFR), Food Safety Incident Rate (FSIR) and food waste, weighted equally.

The Committee has chosen not to disclose the details of the targets in this DRR, as it is the opinion of the Committee they are commercially 
sensitive. However, the specific targets and the extent to which the targets have been met (both at Group and regional levels) will be disclosed in 
next year’s DRR.

COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

  107

Long-term incentive plan award

The Committee intends to grant LTIP awards to the executive directors during the financial year 2022-2023, with award levels in line with the 
2022 Policy, as shown in the following table:

Director

Dominic Blakemore
Palmer Brown
Gary Green

% salary

400%
350%
350%

The extent to which these LTIP awards will vest will be dependent on performance assessed over the three financial years 2022-2025, using the 
following three performance measures, and with targets as shown in the table below.

Definition measure

ROCE The definition aims to measure the underlying economic performance of the Group. ROCE is calculated at the end of the three-year 
performance period as net underlying operating profit after tax (NOPAT) divided by 12 month average capital employed. ROCE targets are 
updated at the end of the performance period to reflect actual acquisition spend, changes in accounting standards and constant currency.
Adjusted FCF The definition aims to measure the cash generation of the Group and is calculated as the three-year cumulative underlying FCF 
adjusted for constant currency.
TSR Performance is compared to that of constituent members of the FTSE 100 (excluding the financial services sector). 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).

Measure

Return On Capital Employed (ROCE)
Vesting (of this component)
Adjusted Free Cash Flow (AFCF)
Vesting (of this component)
Relative Total Shareholder Return (TSR)
Vesting (of this component)

Weighting  
(% of award)

40%

40%

20%

Threshold

Par (target)

Maximum

17.33%
0%
£2,897m
0%
Median
25%

17.83%
50%
£3,049m
50%

18.33%
100%
£3,201m
100%
– Upper quartile
100%
–

There is no vesting for below threshold performance and straight-line vesting between points shown.

In line with the Policy, executive directors are required to hold vested awards for a period of two years following vesting so as to strengthen the 
long-term alignment of executives’ remuneration packages with shareholders’ interests; and, if required, to facilitate the implementation 
of provisions related to clawback. For awards granted after 4 February 2021 a two-year post-employment shareholding requirement applies.

Non-executive director fees

The fees for non-executive directors for financial year 2022-2023 are set out below. Following a review of the market, the fee for the Chair was 
increased from £537,500 to £562,500 (4.65%) with effect from 1 October 2022. The base fee for non-executive directors was increased from 
£90,000 to £94,000 (4.44%) also with effect from 1 October 2022. The additional fees for acting as Chair of a committee or as the Senior 
Independent Director remain unchanged.

Chair
Base fee1
Chair of Audit, Remuneration or Corporate Responsibility Committee
Senior Independent Director

Fees 2023 
£000

Fees 2022
£000

563
94
30
30

538
90
30
30

1.  The Non-executive director base fee is inclusive of the membership of the Audit, Corporate Responsibility, Nomination and Remuneration Committees (as 

appropriate).

108 

GOVERNANCE

ANNUAL REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED

Extant equity incentive awards held by executive directors 

Details of all existing equity incentive awards as at the date of this DRR, including the awards conditionally made under the long term incentive 
plans to the executive directors at any time during the year ended 30 September 2022, are shown in the table below:

LTIP1

Director

Dominic Blakemore

Total
Palmer Brown2
Total
Gary Green

Total
Karen Witts3

Total

As at  
30 Sep 2021:  
number of shares

Awarded  
during the year:  
number of shares

Released  
during the year:  
number of shares

Lapsed  
during the year:  
number of shares

As at  
30 Sep 2022: 
number of shares

Market price at
date of award:5
£

Date of award

Maturity date

161,385
152,700
195,907
–
509,992
–
–
162,810
146,385
181,939
–
491,134
120,880
86,135
110,034
317,049

–
–
–
241,385
241,385
145,040
145,040
–
–
–
232,195
232,195
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

161,3854
–
–
–
161,385
–
–
162,8104
–
–
–
162,810
120,8804
–
–
120,880

–
152,700
195,907
241,385
589,992
145,040
145,040
–
146,385
181,939
232,195
560,519
–
86,135
110,034
196,169

16.73
19.16
13.78
17.60

21 Nov 2018
27 Nov 2019
1 Dec 2020
8 Feb 2022

1 Oct 2021
1 Oct 2022
1 Oct 2023
1 Oct 2024

17.60

8 Feb 2022

1 Oct 2024

16.73
19.16
13.78
17.60

17.78
19.16
13.78

21 Nov 2018
27 Nov 2019
1 Dec 2020
8 Feb 2022

1 Oct 2021
1 Oct 2022
1 Oct 2023
1 Oct 2024

16 May 2019
27 Nov 2019
1 Dec 2020

1 Oct 2021
1 Oct 2022
1 Oct 2023

Deferred Annual Bonus Award

Director

Palmer Brown2

Total
Karen Witts3

Total

As at  
30 Sep 2021:  
number of shares

Awarded  
during the year:  
number of shares

Released  
during the year:  
number of shares

Lapsed  
during the year:  
number of shares

As at  
30 Sep 2022: 
number of shares

Market price at
date of award:5
£

Date of award

Maturity date

–

–
6,784
–
6,784

20,243

20,243
–
22,138
22,138

–

–
–
–
–

–

–
–
–
–

20,243

20,243
6,784
22,138
28,922

15.08

15 Dec 2021 15 Dec 2024

18.37
15.08

12 Dec 2019 12 Dec 2022
15 Dec 2021 15 Dec 2024

Restricted Share Award (RSA)

Director

Karen Witts3
Total

As at  
30 Sep 2021:  
number of shares

Awarded  
during the year:  
number of shares

Released  
during the year:  
number of shares

Lapsed  
during the year:  
number of shares

As at  
30 Sep 2022: 
number of shares

Market price at
date of award:5
£

Date of award

Maturity date

21,366
21,366

–
–

10,683
10,683

10,683
10,683

–
–

17.78

16 May 2019

1 Jul 2021

1.  Each LTIP award is based on a three-year performance period. Awards granted from 4 February 2021 onwards are subject to a two-year post-employment holding 

period.

2.  At the date of his appointment, Palmer Brown had an interest in 137,026 LTIP awards that were granted to him prior to him becoming a director of the Company. 
On 23 November 2021 and 14 December 2021, 29,082 and 7,008 shares respectively were released. Concurrent with these releases, he sold 13,040 shares and 
3,144 shares at £14.55 per share and £15.2842 per share respectively to cover tax and social security obligations, and retained the balance of the shares. A further 
42,540 shares granted to Palmer prior to his appointment to the Board, are due to vest in November and December 2022. Subsequent to his appointment to the 
Board, Palmer was granted 165,283 shares of which 20,243 shares were granted as a deferred bonus award.

3.  Of the 120,880 LTIP awards granted to Karen Witts on 16 May 2019, 28,110 were in respect of the agreed buyout arrangement for awards forfeited in her 

former employment. The award lapsed in full. The awards granted to Karen Witts under the Karen Witts Restricted Share Award Plan on 16 May 2019 were granted 
in recognition of awards forfeited at her previous employer. The final tranche (21,366 shares) vested as follows in respect of the financial underpins: 50% (10,683 
shares) vested in respect of the net debt to EBITDA ratio and the remaining 50% lapsed. Vested shares under this award are not subject to a further holding period.
4.  The performance period of the award granted on 21 November 2018 came to an end on 30 September 2021. None of the threshold performance conditions were 

met and the award lapsed in full.

5.  The market price at the date of each award is shown to two decimal places.

COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

  109

Share ownership guidelines and directors’ interests in shares

In order that their interests are aligned 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 in the Policy on page 96. The required level of shareholding is expected to be 
achieved within a five-year period, commencing from the date of appointment or date of increase in shareholding requirement, whichever is the 
later. Compliance is assessed on a pro-rata basis during the five-year period.

The Committee reviewed and noted that the guidelines were satisfied by all directors in office during the year. The interests of the directors in 
office during the year ended 30 September 2022 in shares (including the interests of Persons Closely Associated) and share incentives are shown 
in the table below:

Executive directors

Non-executive 
directors

Beneficial

Conditional

Shares held as at
30 Sep 20221

Shares held as at 
30 Sep 2021

LTIP/RSA 
holdings as at
30 Sep 20221

LTIP/RSA  
holdings as at  
30 Sep 2021

Shareholding
required2

Compliance with 
share ownership
guidelines3

Dominic Blakemore
Palmer Brown4
Gary Green
Karen Witts
Carol Arrowsmith
John Bason
Stefan Bomhard

John Bryant
Arlene Isaacs-Lowe
Ian Meakins
Anne-Francoise Nesmes
Sundar Raman
Nelson Silva

Ireena Vittal

276,789
19,906
275,560
27,762
13,083
21,658
10,743

15,781
2,500
58,362
11,907
5,030
10,323

5,461

276,789
–
275,560
27,762
12,916
21,658
10,743

15,781
–
58,362
11,907
–
10,323

5,350

589,992
266,219
560,519
225,091
–
–
–

509,992
137,026
491,134
345,199
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

–

–
–
–
–
–
–

–

400%
350%
350%
250%
100%
100%
100%

100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%

100%


















1.  Shares held at 30 September 2022 or the date of leaving. Arlene Isaacs-Lowe and Sundar Raman were appointed to the Board on 1 November 2021 and 1 January 

2022 respectively. John Bason retired from the Board at the conclusion of the 2022 AGM. Karen Witts stepped down as Group CFO on 31 October 2021.

2.  As a percentage of base salary or fee.
3.  Under the current share ownership guidelines executive directors are required to achieve the percentage shareholding shown in the table above within a five-year 
period commencing on the date of appointment or date of increase in shareholding requirement, whichever is the later. For the current executive directors the 
guideline changed on 3 February 2022 and, as such, they have five years from that date to comply. Compliance is assessed annually on a pro-rata basis. 
Non-executive directors are required to achieve the percentage shareholding shown in the table above within a four-year period.

4.  Palmer Brown’s LTIP holding includes 20,243 Deferred Bonus Award shares and 100,936 LTIP shares granted prior to his appointment as a director, of which 

42,540 shares are due to vest in November and December 2022. Palmer will retain the net number of vested shares following the sale of sufficient shares to cover 
the income tax and social security obligations due on vesting. 

There were no changes in directors’ interests between 30 September 2022 and 21 November 2022.

Director and role changes during the year

John Bason retired from the Board on 3 February 2022 at the conclusion of the 2022 AGM. Other than the fees and expenses payable to John for 
the period up to 3 February 2022, no payment was made to him in connection with him ceasing to be a director of the Company.

Karen Witts stepped down from the Board on 31 October 2022. Palmer Brown was appointed as Group CFO designate on 4 October 2021 and 
became Group CFO on 1 November 2021.

Arlene Isaacs-Lowe and Sundar Raman were appointed to the Board on 1 November 2021 and 1 January 2022 respectively.

Payments to past directors

Karen Witts

Karen Witts stepped down from the Board of Compass Group PLC on 31 October 2021. A statement to this effect was prepared pursuant to 
Section 430(2B) of the CA 2006 and can be found on the Company’s website, www.compass-group.com.

In line with the current Policy, Karen received her base salary, pension cash allowance and benefits to 31 October 2021, details of which are 
included in the single figure table on page 100. She remained an employee of the Company on her existing terms of employment until 8 June 
2022. As an employee, Karen continued to be paid a salary and receive her existing benefits through to that date. On 9 June 2022, Karen was 
appointed a director of Dunelm plc and ceased to be employed by Compass. In accordance with her contractual terms, as the new full-time 
employment did not fully mitigate her position, she continued to be eligible for payments in lieu of her unserved notice period from (9 June 2022 
to 30 September 2022), subject to an offset for the salary and pension allowance she received from her new employer in that period. 

Karen was entitled to a prorated bonus for that part of the 2021-2022 financial year for which she served as Group CFO details of which can be 
found in the single figure table.

Karen’s share awards under the Company’s Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) are preserved in accordance with the ‘good leaver’ provisions of the 
plan, subject to achievement of the relevant performance conditions and a time prorating adjustment, and in accordance with the Policy are 
subject to a two-year post-vest holding period. Her deferred bonus awards are also preserved in accordance with the ‘good leaver’ provisions and 
will vest in full. Information relating to the vesting of shares under the LTIP can be found on page 104.

110 

GOVERNANCE

ANNUAL REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED

The Company made a contribution towards Karen’s legal fees of £13,000 plus VAT.

Payments for loss of office

There were no payments for loss of office during the year.

External non-executive director appointments

Executive directors may take up one non-executive directorship outside the Company, subject to the Board’s approval and provided that such an 
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. Dominic Blakemore received fees of £110,000 in respect of his directorship at London Stock Exchange Group plc for 
the period under review. At the date of this DRR, Palmer Brown and Gary Green do not hold any paid external appointments.

Remuneration in detail for the year ended 30 September 2022

Total shareholder return (TSR)

The performance graph below shows the Company’s TSR performance against the performance of the FTSE 100 over the 10 year period to 
30 September 2022. 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 shareholder return indices – Compass vs FTSE 100 (£)

400

300

200

100

0

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022
(SEP)

Compass

FTSE 100 (Rebased)

Pay for performance

The Committee believes that the Policy and the supporting reward structure provide a clear alignment with the strategic objectives and 
performance of the Group. To maintain this relationship, the Committee regularly reviews the business priorities and the environment in which the 
Group operates. The table below shows the Group CEO’s total remuneration over the last 10 years and the achieved annual variable and long-term 
incentive pay awards as a percentage of the plan maximum.

Single total figure of remuneration 
£000
Annual variable element: 
award payout against 
maximum opportunity %
LTIP vesting rates against 
maximum opportunity %

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

20181

2019

2020

2021

2022

5,532

6,298

5,325

5,822

5,617

4,568

4,659

1,162

3,211

3,299

84.5

87.3

88.7

85.8

68.9

95.9

78.3

98.0

100

79.0

84.5

74.5

95.0

100

0

0

99.9

100

0

0

1.  Dominic Blakemore was Deputy Group CEO from 1 October 2017 to 31 December 2017 and Group CEO from 1 January 2018.

COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

  111

Remuneration in the wider context

Our approach to workforce engagement is set out on page 69, including the approach taken to gathering the views of the workforce. Ireena Vittal, 
a member of the Committee, is the current Designated Non-executive director for workforce engagement and is responsible for ensuring the views 
of the workforce are communicated to the Board, and explaining how executive remuneration aligns with wider Company pay policies.

When considering executive remuneration and setting the Directors’ Remuneration Policy, the Committee takes into consideration the wider 
workforce. An employee landscape dashboard was considered by the Committee at the May 2022 meeting. Each section of the dashboard is 
shown below:

Employee landscape dashboard:

Inflationary  
pressures

CEO pay ratio

Minimum and living wage 
data

Gender pay  
gap reporting

Short-term  
incentives

Long-term 
incentives

Embedded equity

Diversity

Group CEO pay ratio

The ratio between the Group CEO’s remuneration and the median, lower quartile and upper quartile of UK employees is disclosed below. The ratio 
shows the comparisons between the 25th, median and 75th percentile employees in the UK, with reference to remuneration paid in the past 
three financial years to 30 September, and the Group CEO’s total remuneration as set out in the single figure table on page 100.

Year and component

2021-2022 total remuneration
2020-2021 total remuneration
2019-2020 total remuneration

Method

Option A
Option A
Option A

25th percentile
pay ratio

159:1
172:1
63:1

Median
pay ratio

129:1
138:1
54:1

75th percentile
pay ratio

115:1
125:1
42:1

Compass has chosen to use prescribed Option A to calculate the ratio as it is considered to be the most accurate approach. This method includes 
total full-time equivalent remuneration for UK employees received by an individual in respect of the financial year ended 30 September 2022 and 
is calculated in line with the methodology for the ‘single figure of remuneration’ for the Group CEO. The best equivalents for the three UK 
employees whose hourly rates of pay were at the 25th, median and 75th percentiles were selected, with a small number of employees around 
each quartile reviewed, to ensure that the employees chosen at the three percentile points were, within reason, representative of the pay of the 
UK workforce at each quartile.

The Committee has considered the pay data for the three employees identified and believes that it fairly reflects pay at the relevant quartiles 
amongst the UK workforce. The three individuals identified did not receive any remuneration which would otherwise inflate their pay figures.

The Group CEO’s remuneration is weighted more heavily towards variable pay than that of the wider workforce and, as a result, the ratio will 
fluctuate each year depending on the performance of the Company. This is particularly relevant for the 2019-2020 year where remuneration paid 
to the Group CEO was significantly lower due to the impact of a voluntary reduction in salary, the waiver of annual bonus otherwise earned, and 
the broader effect of COVID-19 on the performance-related incentive elements of pay. During the two financial years that followed, total 
remuneration did not include the vesting of long-term incentive awards due to the continued impact of COVID-19. 

The salary and total remuneration is set out in the table below:

Financial year

2021-2022

2020-2021

2019-2020 

Component

Salary
Total remuneration
Salary
Total remuneration
Salary
Total remuneration

Group CEO  
£000

25th percentile  
£000

Median  
£000

75th percentile  
£000

£1,034
£3,299
£1,000
£3,211
£894
£1,162

£18
£21
£16
£19
£17
£18

£22
£26
£19
£23
£21
£21

£26
£29
£24
£26
£26
£28

112 

GOVERNANCE

ANNUAL REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED

Annual percentage change in remuneration of directors and employees

As required by the 2019 regulations, the table below shows a comparison of the annual change in each individual director’s pay to the annual 
change in average employee pay for the year ended 30 September 2022.

Average employee pay is based on a full time equivalent (FTE) calculation, using a mean average. The year-on-year variance in base salary or fees 
paid to the directors between 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 is due to the six month period of salary reductions in 2020 made in response to 
COVID-19. The benefits figure for 2019-2020 for most directors included an amount in respect of the taxable benefit which was deemed to have 
occurred as a result of their personal investment in the Company’s shares under the May 2020 equity raise. The non-executive director benefits 
relating to travel costs were mitigated in 2020-2021 as meetings were held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Change in pay between  
30 September 2021 and  
30 September 2022

Change in pay between
30 September 2020 and  
30 September 2021

Change in pay between  
30 September 2019 and  
30 September 2020

Base salary/
fees
% change1

Bonus %
change2

Benefit %
change3

Base salary/
fees
% change1

Bonus %
 change2

Benefit %
change3

Base salary/
fees
% change1

Bonus %
change2

Benefit %
change3

3.4%
N/A6
3.6%
0%

18.1%
4.6%
N/A6
N/A6
5.3% (32.4)%
6.3%
0.1%

–
1.7%
–
(17.2)%
–
2.3%
–
11.5%
–
N/A6
–
18.9%
–
11.5%
–
N/A6
–
1.7%
–
2.3%
3.8% 191.8%

N/A6
N/A6
N/A6
N/A6
N/A6
N/A6
N/A6
N/A6
N/A6
N/A6
2.5%

11.9%
N/A6
10.5%
9.0%

10.3%
(18.9)%
10.3%
35.0%
N/A6
467.0%
35.0%
N/A6
10.3%
10.3%
5.2%

N/A6
N/A6
N/A6
N/A6

(27.4)%
N/A6
(15.5)%
(11.5)%

(6.5)%
N/A6
(6.3)%
(6.3)%

(100)% 105.0%
N/A6
N/A6
49.7%
(100)%
(100)% 116.9%

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
113.1%

(100)%
(100)%
(100)%
(100)%
N/A6
(100)%
(100)%
N/A6
(100)%
(100)%
7.5%

(7.8)%
(3.3)%
(7.3)%
(7.3)%
N/A6
–
(7.3)%
N/A6
(7.8)%
(7.3)%

–
79.1%
N/A6
–
– 1,012.9%
162.6%
–
N/A6
–
–
–
N/A6
–
 N/A6
–
23.8%
–
27.7%
–
3.4% (12.3)% (13.4)%

Executive directors
Dominic Blakemore
Palmer Brown7
Gary Green
Karen Witts8
Non-executive directors
Carol Arrowsmith
John Bason4
Stefan Bomhard
John Bryant4
Arlene Isaacs-Lowe
Ian Meakins4
Anne-Francoise Nesmes4
Sundar Raman
Nelson Silva
Ireena Vittal
Average pay of UK employees5

1.  The annual percentage change in salary is calculated by reference to actual salary paid and for directors is calculated on a full-time equivalent basis. Base salary/

fees paid to the directors for the year ended 30 September 2020 were reduced to reflect the wider stakeholder experience as a result of COVID-19.

2.  The annual percentage change in bonus is calculated by reference to the bonus payable in respect of performance applicable to the financial year for executive 

directors, and by reference to all bonus payments received during the financial year for UK employees. The 2022 increase for UK employees is due to the 
comparison between bonuses paid in respect of the 2021 financial year, compared to bonuses paid in respect of the 2020 financial year, the latter being minimal 
due to the impact of COVID-19.

3.  The annual percentage change in benefits is calculated by reference to the value of benefits received in respect of the financial year. Non-executive directors’ travel 
expenses to/from meetings in the UK are considered a benefit and are disclosed in the DRR. The increase in benefits from 2019 to 2020 paid to the directors is 
attributable to an increase in the value of these expenses, and/or to the inclusion of the benefit of the discount on the subscription price in respect of the May 2020 
equity placing, in which the majority of directors in office at the time participated, alongside, and on the same terms as, other shareholders.

4.  The annual percentage increase/decrease in fees reflects a change in role during the year as more fully detailed on page 105. The percentage change is calculated 

on a full time equivalent basis.

5.  Average employee pay is calculated by reference to the mean average pay of employees within the UK.
6.  N/A refers to a nil value in the previous year, meaning that a year on year change cannot be calculated.
7.  Appointed to the Board on 4 October 2021.
8.  Appointed to the Board on 8 April 2019 and stepped down from the Board on 31 October 2021. The % change is calculated on a full time equivalent basis.

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 2021 and 
2022.

Dispersals

Share buybacks2
Dividends paid3
Total employee costs4

2022  
£m

438
418
12,163

2021  
£m

–
–
9,328

Change
%1

N/A
N/A
30.4%

1.  The year on year percentage change in dispersals represents the Company’s continued recovery from the impact of COVID-19.
2.  At the AGM on 3 February 2022, shareholders approved Resolution 23 to give the directors authority to make limited on-market purchases of up to 10% of the 
Company’s ordinary shares. 24,151,566 shares were repurchased during the financial year ended 30 September 2022 at a cost of £438 million excluding 
transaction costs. The directors consider it desirable for such general authority to be available to maintain an efficient capital structure whilst at the same time 
retaining the flexibility to fund any bolt-on acquisitions.

3.  The total dividend paid during the financial year ended 30 September 2022 was £418 million. The share capital in issue on 30 September 2022 and on the same 

date in 2021 was 1,785 million ordinary shares of 111⁄20 pence each.

4.  Total employee costs include 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 operations during 2022, was 513,707 (2021: 478,070).

COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

  113

Remuneration of other senior executives and management

A number of senior executives and the executive directors comprise the Executive Committee. These key management roles influence the ability 
of the Group to meet its strategic targets. The Remuneration Committee sets the remuneration for these individuals and takes into account the 
remuneration levels and structure of the wider business. Total remuneration including base salary and other short-term benefits, bonus and the 
expected value of long-term incentives for this group is summarised in note 3 to the consolidated financial statements on page 148.

Remuneration advice

The Group Chief People Officer and the Group Reward Director are normally invited to attend each Committee meeting to advise on remuneration matters. 
The Chair of the Board, Group CEO and Group CFO may also attend from time to time by invitation. They are not paid a fee for attending the Committee 
in addition to their normal remuneration from the Company under their service contracts. None of the foregoing attend when their own remuneration 
is discussed. Details of the members of the Committee who served during the year ended 30 September 2022 are set out on pages 55 to 57.

The Committee appointed Deloitte LLP (Deloitte) as its independent remuneration adviser in September 2021. Deloitte’s fees during the 2021-2022 year 
were £40,750 (2021: £79,250). Fees are charged on a time and materials basis and covered advice on executive remuneration, attendance at 
Committee meetings, general advice and updates on remuneration developments. Deloitte provided advice to the Group in relation to tax and 
accounting, technology and other consulting services in the year under review. Deloitte is a member of the Remuneration Consultants Group and 
complies with its Code of Conduct.

Alithos Limited (Alithos) was appointed by the Company in 2002. During the year, Alithos provided information for the testing of the TSR performance 
conditions for the Company’s LTIP awards, for which it received fixed fees of £24,000 (2021: £24,000). Alithos also provided other share price and 
TSR data to the Committee during the year for which it received fees of £500 (2021: £500). Alithos provided additional TSR analysis to the Company 
during the year for which it received a fee of £2,000 (2021: £5,500).

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 Carol Arrowsmith, Chair of the Committee, who until 2014 was a remuneration consultant with Deloitte.

Committee evaluation

The priorities set by the Committee as a result of last year’s evaluation process were:

 – continuing to monitor the fast changing macro environment
 – maintaining positive engagement with shareholders
 – continuing to ensure an emphasis on pay for performance
 – considering ESG measures for future incentives

These themes, together with the Committee’s regular programme of work, shaped the Committee’s agenda and were included in the principal 
activities during the year under review.

During the year, an external evaluation of the effectiveness of the Committee was conducted as part of the wider external evaluation of the Board 
and its committees. Details can be found on pages 84 to 85. The evaluation concluded that the Committee continued to operate effectively and 
identified a number of priorities for 2022-2023:

 – determining appropriate performance measures and targets, including ESG metrics
 – considering the economic/geopolitical environment when assessing performance

These matters, together with the regular work of the Committee, will inform the Committee’s agenda for the coming year.

Shareholder vote at the 2022 annual general meeting

The table below sets out the voting outcome at the AGM held on 3 February 2022:

Number of votes  
‘For’ & ‘Discretionary’

973,341,831
1,288,670,998

% of votes cast

67.50
87.98

Number of votes  
‘Against’

468,571,337
176,100,487

% of votes cast

Total number  
of votes cast

Number of votes
‘Withheld’1

32.50
12.02

1,441,913,168
1,464,771,485

34,029,557
11,171,239

Remuneration Policy2
Annual Remuneration Report3

1.  A vote withheld is not a vote in law.
2.  Binding vote.
3.  Advisory vote.

The Committee welcomed the endorsement of the DRR and Policy by the majority of shareholders and took steps, where practicable, to 
understand the concerns of shareholders who withheld their support for the Policy. At the 2023 AGM, shareholders will be invited to vote on the 
2022 Annual Remuneration Report (advisory vote). 

On behalf of the Board

CAROL ARROWSMITH
Chair of the Remuneration Committee

21 November 2022

114 

GOVERNANCE

OTHER STATUTORY 
DISCLOSURES

The directors present their Annual Report and the audited 
consolidated financial statements of the Company and its 
subsidiaries for the financial year ended 30 September 2022.

This Directors’ Report forms part of the management report as 
required under the FCA’s Disclosure Guidance and Transparency 
Rules (DTR) 4. The Company has chosen, in accordance with Section 
414C(11) of the CA 2006, to include certain matters in its Strategic 
Report that would otherwise be required to be disclosed in this 
Directors’ Report. The Strategic Report can be found on pages 2 to 51 
and includes an indication of future likely developments in the 
Company, details of important events and the Company’s business 
model and strategy. The Corporate Governance Report on pages 
52 to 113, the Other Statutory Disclosures on pages 114 to 117 
and the Directors’ Responsibilities Statement on page 118 
are incorporated into the Directors’ Report by reference.

Specifically, the following disclosures have been included elsewhere 
within the Annual Report and are incorporated into this Directors’ 
Report by reference:

Disclosure

Financial risk management
Future developments in the business
Statement of directors’ responsibilities including disclosure 
of information to the auditor
Disclosure of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
TCFD disclosure
Shareholder information
Viability statement
Going concern statement

Page

16
7

118
40
43
220
29
19

Results and dividends

In the year ended 30 September 2022, the Group delivered an 
underlying profit before tax of £1,490 million (2021: £698 million), an 
increase of 113.5%; and a statutory profit before tax of £1,469 million 
(2021: £464 million), an increase of 216.6%.

Last year, the Board announced the reinstatement of the dividend 
with a policy to pay out around 50% of underlying earnings through 
an interim and final dividend. It is proposed that a final dividend 
of 22.1 pence per share be paid in respect of the financial year 
ended 30 September 2022 on 2 March 2023 to shareholders on the 
register on 20 January 2023. The final dividend of 22.1 pence per 
share will be paid gross and a Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRIP) 
will be available. The last date for receipt of elections for the DRIP 
will be 9 February 2023.

Year

2022
2022
2021
2021

Dividend

Final
Interim
Final
Interim

Pence per share

22.1
9.4
14.0
Nil

Generally, the trustee of the employee benefit trust, the Compass 
Group PLC All Share Schemes Trust (ASST), which operates in 
connection with the Company’s share plans, waives its right to 
receive dividends on any shares held by it. Details of the ASST 
can be found on page 115 of this Report. The value of the dividends 
payable during the year ended 30 September 2022 that were waived 
by the ASST was £75,024 (2021: £nil).

At the date of this Report, there were 28,650,048 111⁄20 pence 
ordinary shares held in treasury for the purpose of satisfying the 
Company’s obligations under the Company’s employee equity 
incentive schemes. Shares held in treasury are not entitled to 
receive dividends. If dividends were paid on treasury shares the 
value of such dividends paid in the year under review would have 
equalled £447,405.

Share capital

The Company has a single share class which is divided into 
ordinary shares of 111⁄20 pence each. At the date of this Report, 
1,785,403,977 ordinary shares of 111⁄20 pence each (of which 
28,650,048 are held in treasury) have been issued, are fully paid up 
and are quoted on the London Stock Exchange. Each share (excluding 
treasury shares) has one vote. The total voting rights attaching to the 
issued ordinary share capital (excluding treasury shares) at the date of 
this Report is 1,756,753,929. In addition, the Company sponsors a 
Level I American Depositary Receipt programme with BNY Mellon, 
through 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 2022, 268,518 options 
were exercised and 437,444 awards released pursuant to the 
Company’s share option schemes, long-term incentive plans and 
other discretionary share schemes. All options exercised and awards 
released were satisfied, as appropriate, by the reissue of 320,851 
treasury shares and the release of 280,371 shares from the ASST. 
No treasury shares have been reissued and no shares have been 
released by the ASST since the end of the financial year to the date 
of this Report to satisfy awards under these schemes.

There are no restrictions on the transfer of ordinary shares in the 
capital of the Company other than those restrictions which may from 
time to time be imposed by law. 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 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, and those conferred by 
law, are set out in the Company’s articles of association.

Articles of Association 

The Company’s articles of association were adopted by shareholders 
at the 2021 AGM and may only be amended by special resolution at a 
general meeting of shareholders and are available on the Company’s 
website, www.compass-group.com.

Purchase of own shares

As permitted by the Articles, the Company obtained shareholder 
authority at the 2022 AGM to purchase its own shares up to a 
maximum of 178,386,000 ordinary shares.

On 26 May 2022, the Company announced, consistent with its 
capital allocation framework, the commencement of a share 
buyback programme of up to £500 million to end no later than 
28 September 2022 to reduce the Company’s share capital and 
return cash to shareholders. Subsequently, on 16 September 2022, 
the Company announced an extension of the duration of the 
programme to 16 November 2022, to ensure sufficient time to 
complete the programme ahead of the Company’s full-year results 
announcement on 21 November 2022. During the financial year 
ended 30 September 2022, the Company purchased and 
subsequently transferred 24,151,566 ordinary shares of 111⁄20 pence 
into treasury. The cost of the shares purchased was £438 million 
excluding transaction costs. A further 3,447,549 shares have been 
repurchased from 1 October 2022 to the date of this Report at a 
cost of £62 million excluding transaction costs. As at the date of 
this Report there are 28,650,048 ordinary shares held in treasury 
(representing 1.6% of the issued ordinary shares) for the purpose of 
satisfying the Company’s obligations under employee equity incentive 
schemes. Shares held in treasury are not eligible to participate in 
dividends and do not carry any voting rights. Further details of treasury 
shares and the share buyback programme are set out on page 183.

At the 2023 AGM, a special resolution will be proposed to renew the 
directors’ limited authority (last granted at the 2022 AGM) to 
purchase the Company’s ordinary shares in the market. 

Issue of shares

At the 2023 AGM, the directors will ask shareholders to renew 
the authority last granted to them at the 2022 AGM 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 Investment Association Share Capital Management 
Guidelines, the directors 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 the resolution is passed, or at the conclusion of the Company’s 
2024 AGM, whichever is the sooner.

Changes in the Company’s share capital during 2022, including 
details of purchases and releases by the ASST, and the reissue of 
treasury shares during the year, together with details of options 
granted over unissued capital, are set out in notes 24 and 25 to 
the consolidated financial statements.

Substantial shareholdings

As at 30 September 2022, and up to the date of this Report, the 
following information has been received in accordance with 
DTR 5, from holders of notifiable interests in the Company’s 
issued share capital:

% of Compass Group PLC’s voting rights

Blackrock, Inc.
Artisan Partners Limited Partnership
Invesco Limited
Massachusetts Financial Services Company

9.99
5.01
4.95
4.60

The information provided above was correct at the date of notification, 
but may have changed since. However, the holder is not required to 
make another notification to the Company until the next notifiable 
threshold (as defined in DTR 5) is crossed.

COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

  115

Employee share trusts

The Compass Group Employee Share Trust (ESOP) was established on 
13 January 1992 in connection with the Company’s share option 
plans. The Compass Group Long Term Incentive Plan Trust was 
established on 5 April 2001 in connection with the Company’s long- 
term incentive plans and, in 2019, was adapted to allow it to source 
shares for all of the Company’s share schemes and was renamed the 
Compass Group PLC All Share Schemes Trust.

Details of employee equity incentive schemes are set out in 
the Directors’ Remuneration Report on pages 86 to 113. As at 
30 September 2022, the trustees of the ESOP and ASST held nil 
(2021: nil) and 221,909 (2021: 185,228) ordinary shares of the 
Company respectively.

Awards under employee share schemes

Details of awards made during the year and held by executive 
directors as at 30 September 2022 are disclosed in the Directors’ 
Remuneration Report on pages 86 to 113.

Details of employee equity incentive schemes and grants made during 
the year ended 30 September 2022, and extant awards held by 
employees are disclosed in the consolidated financial statements 
on pages 185 and 186.

Employee engagement

Compass places particular importance on engaging with employees, 
recognising that its people are vital in delivering the Group’s 
commitments and strategy and to living its values. Employee 
engagement is based on commitments to respect, teamwork and 
growth within the workforce. Senior leaders across the Group meet 
with their teams through roundtables, townhalls and site visits. 
Mobile apps are used to communicate directly with front-line staff, 
and webcasts, blogs, newsletters, in-house publications and other 
communication channels are also deployed to share relevant 
information and invite comments and questions. These channels 
provide mechanisms to keep employees regularly informed on 
matters of concern to them as employees, and to promote a common 
awareness of the financial, economic and environmental factors 
affecting the performance of the Company. In the European Economic 
Area (EEA), Group businesses are represented on Compass Group’s 
European Works Council (EWC). Employees from across the Group’s 
EEA business have been elected to employee representative roles on 
the EWC which provides a forum for exchanging information and 
engaging in consultation on the Group’s performance and plans, 
and relevant transnational issues affecting those countries in the EEA. 
In the Group’s North America business, employees participate 
in Compass Community Councils and zone meetings which provide 
forums for employees across multiple sectors in the same geographic 
location to exchange best practices. Employees regularly share 
feedback about how it feels to work at Compass through engagement 
surveys. These provide management with useful information that 
helps the businesses to form a good understanding of how employees 
feel about their workplace and to understand what more can be done 
to make Compass a great place to work.

Certain employees globally are eligible to participate in the Company’s 
share schemes, details of which are published on pages 185 and 186, 
and UK-based employees are eligible to participate in the Company’s 
Share Incentive Plan.

The directors maintain oversight of employee matters through the 
Board and committee meeting processes and information flows, 
including regular updates on employee matters and feedback 
received through employee engagement surveys. The Designated 

116 

GOVERNANCE

OTHER STATUTORY DISCLOSURES CONTINUED

Non-executive director for workforce engagement maintains close 
links with colleagues tasked with employee engagement across the 
Group, holds roundtable meetings and is available for direct 
engagement with employee groups, and feeds back relevant 
information and issues to the Board. How the directors have engaged 
with employees and have considered their interests when taking key 
decisions is further detailed on pages 69 and 73.

The Group continues to operate on a decentralised basis. This 
provides a foundation for an entrepreneurial approach 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.

Employee benefits and policies

Eligible employees in the UK are invited to join the Company’s defined 
contribution pension arrangement, Compass Retirement Income 
Savings Plan (CRISP). CRISP has a corporate trustee, CRISP Trustees 
Limited. The Chair, Nigel Palmer, and the other five trustee directors 
are current or former employees of Compass Group Holdings PLC or 
Compass Group, UK and Ireland Limited. Two of the employee 
directors were nominated as directors of the corporate trustee by 
CRISP members and there is one vacancy. Applications are currently 
being sought in respect of this vacancy.

Those UK employees who transferred from the public sector under 
TUPE were, typically up until 31 March 2015, eligible to join the 
Compass Group Pension Plan (the Plan), a defined benefit pension 
arrangement which has otherwise been closed to new entrants since 
2003. However, in accordance with the Government’s revised 
guidance for ‘Fair Deal for staff pensions’, the approach has been to 
continue participation in the relevant public sector pension scheme 
and so the Plan is closed to future entrants. The Plan also has a 
corporate trustee, Compass Group Pension Trustee Company Limited. 
The board of the corporate trustee comprises Philip Whittome, 
independent Chair, one other independent trustee director, and five 
directors that are UK-based employees or former employees of 
Compass Group Holdings PLC or Compass Group, UK and Ireland 
Limited. Three of the employee directors were nominated as directors 
of the corporate trustee by Plan members.

The Company is subject to the Pension Automatic Enrolment 
Regulations for its workforce in the UK. All new UK employees who 
meet the statutory eligibility criteria, and who do not join CRISP, are 
automatically enrolled into the National Employment Savings Trust 
(NEST). Responsibility for the Group’s ongoing compliance with the 
Pension Automatic Enrolment Regulations and for ensuring that the 
administration and investment of funds relating to automatic 
enrolment remain appropriate lies with the Group’s Pension 
Automatic Enrolment Governance Committee.

Permanent employees outside the UK are usually offered membership 
of local pension arrangements, if and where they exist, and 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. 
Employment of people with disabilities is considered on merit with 
regard only to the ability of any applicant to carry out the role. 
Arrangements to enable people with disabilities to carry out the duties 
required will be made if it is reasonable to do so. An employee who 
becomes disabled would, where appropriate, be offered retraining.

Employee diversity and human rights

Our Code of Ethics was developed in consultation with the EWC 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, 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 10 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 people are instrumental to the success of the Group. The 
individuality and diversity that every employee brings to the Group 
are respected and valued, and relationships with employees are based 
on respect for the dignity of the individual and fair treatment for all. 
The Company publishes an annual statement in accordance with 
the requirements of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and a copy 
of the statement is available on the Company’s website,  
www.compass-group.com.

As at 30 September 2022, there were 513,707 (2021: 478,070) 
people employed by the Group (average number of employees 
including directors and part-time employees) of whom 290,778 were 
female (2021: 272,500) and 222,929 were male (2021: 205,570). 
514 were senior managers, of which 165 were female and 349 were 
male (2021: 173 female and 341 male), which includes members of 
our global leadership team and statutory directors of corporate 
entities whose financial information is consolidated in the 
Group’s financial statements in this Annual Report.

As at 30 September 2022, there were 12 directors, eight of whom 
were male and four were female. Prior to any appointment to the 
Board, the Nomination Committee gives due regard to diversity and 
gender with a view to recommending the appointment of the most 
suitable candidate for the role.

Compass seeks to create a positive and open working environment. 
Employee policies are set locally to comply with local law within an 
overall Group framework and employee satisfaction and engagement 
is monitored through a number of key performance indicators.

Consideration is given to the concerns of the wider communities in 
which the Group’s businesses operate, including national and local 
interests, and utilising relevant expertise to help contribute to the 
wellbeing of communities in ways which are appropriate to the 
Group’s business objectives. Furthermore, the Group supports the 
rights of all people as set out in the UN Universal Declaration of 
Human Rights (UN Declaration) and considers carefully before doing 
any business in countries that do not adhere to the UN Declaration.

Business relationships

The directors regard positive business relationships with suppliers, 
clients, consumers and others as critical to the Company’s long-term 
success. The Group’s culture, values and behaviours support open 
and honest engagement with its stakeholders. High standards of 
ethical behaviour and probity are maintained in all of Compass’ 
business dealings. For further information on how the Company 
fosters business relationships and how the directors have had 
regard to stakeholders’ interests in their principal decision-making 
processes see pages 68 to 73.

Non-financial reporting directive

The Companies, Partnerships and Groups (Accounts and Non-
Financial Reporting) Regulations 2016 (the Regulations) require 
companies to disclose non-financial information necessary to provide 
investors and other stakeholders with a better understanding of a 

COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

  117

company’s development, performance, position and impact of 
its activity. The Audit Committee, which advises the Board on 
such matters, has concluded that the Company is compliant with 
the Regulations.

Group charitable donations

2022
2021

£m

7.0
11.0

Throughout this Annual Report the directors have disclosed a mix 
of financial and non-financial KPIs that they believe best reflect the 
Group’s strategic priorities and will help convey an understanding 
of the Group’s culture and the drivers contributing to the ongoing 
success of the Company. The non-financial information statement on 
page 51 identifies where information relating to non-financial matters 
can be found.

Post balance sheet events

Except for the matters set out below, there are no material post balance 
sheet events for the financial year ended 30 September 2022.

On 3 October, the Group sold its businesses in Central and Eastern 
Europe, namely Hungary, Romania, Slovakia and Czech Republic, for 
consideration of approximately £62 million. The aggregate net assets 
of the businesses sold were not material to the consolidated financial 
statements at 30 September 2022.

On 21 November 2022, a final dividend in respect of 2022 of 
22.1 pence per share, £389 million in aggregate, was proposed.

In the period from 1 October to 21 November 2022, 3,447,549 shares 
were repurchased for a total price, excluding transaction costs, 
of £62 million under the share buyback programme announced 
in May 2022. 

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 
directly controlled facilities. Details of our emissions during the year 
ended 30 September 2022 are set out within the Purpose section of 
the Strategic Report on page 40 and form part of the Directors’ Report 
disclosures and are incorporated by reference. Further details of the 
Group’s actions to reduce emissions can also be found in the Purpose 
and TCFD sections of this Annual Report on pages 36 to 50. This Annual 
Report is certified carbon neutral by sponsoring a cause to offset the 
emissions arising from the production, printing and delivery of this 
Report. This year, the Company has sponsored community-based 
projects in Kenya and Malawi, through a combination of forest 
protection and the distribution of clean cookstoves to deliver 
significant emissions reductions, protect an important area of 
biodiversity value, and address the health risks of indoor pollution. 

Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures 
(TCFD)

In accordance with the requirements of the UK Listing Rules, the 
Company is required to state whether it has made disclosures 
consistent with the TCFD’s recommendations, or if not, to provide an 
explanation of why it has not complied and a description of the steps 
that are being taken or will be taken to enable the Company to make 
consistent disclosures in the future and the timeframe for compliance. 
Details of Compass TCFD progress and compliance are set out in the 
Strategic Report on pages 43 to 50 and form part of the Directors’ 
Report disclosures and are incorporated by reference.

Donations and political expenditure

Charitable objectives support the Company’s CR strategy and have 
primarily focused on 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 political expenditure (as such terms were defined under 
the then relevant legislation) not exceeding a monetary limit approved 
by shareholders. 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 CBC, 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 CBC can be found on page 76 of this Annual 
Report and on the Company’s website, www.compass-group.com.

The directors propose to renew the authority granted at the 
2022 AGM 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 maintain the limit of such 
authority at £100,000.

CREST

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

Disclosures required under LR 9.8.4

There are no disclosures required to be made under the FCA’s 
LR 9.8.4 which have not already been disclosed elsewhere in this 
Report. Details of long-term incentive plans can be found in the 
Directors’ Remuneration Report on pages 86 to 113 and details of 
dividends waived by shareholders can be found on page 114.

AGM

The Notice of Meeting setting out the resolutions to be proposed 
at the 2023 AGM, together with explanatory notes, will be sent to 
shareholders as a separate document and made available on the 
Company’s website, 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

ALISON YAPP
Group General Counsel and Company Secretary

21 November 2022

Compass Group PLC 
Registered in England and Wales, No. 4083914

118 

GOVERNANCE

DIRECTORS’ RESPONSIBILITIES STATEMENT

Directors’ Responsibilities Statement 

The Annual Report and Accounts complies with the Disclosure 
Guidance and Transparency Rules of the United Kingdom’s 
Financial Conduct Authority and the UK Corporate Governance 
Code 2018 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 Group’s position and 
performance, business model and strategy

 – the financial statements, prepared in accordance with the 
applicable set of accounting standards, 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 fair 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

The directors have permitted the auditor to undertake whatever 
inspections it considers to be appropriate for the purpose of 
enabling the auditor to give its audit opinion. 

On behalf of the Board

ALISON YAPP 
Group General Counsel and Company Secretary 

21 November 2022

Statement of directors’ responsibilities in respect of the 
annual report and the financial statements 

The directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and the 
Group and Parent Company financial statements in accordance with 
applicable law and regulations. 

Company law requires the directors to prepare Group and Parent 
Company financial statements for each financial year. Under that law 
they are required to prepare the Group financial statements in 
accordance with international accounting standards in conformity 
with the requirements of UK-adopted international accounting 
standards and applicable law and have elected to prepare the 
Parent Company financial statements in accordance with UK 
accounting standards and applicable law, including FRS 101 
Reduced Disclosure Framework.

Under company law the directors must not approve the financial 
statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair 
view of the state of affairs of the Group and Parent Company and of 
the Group’s profit or loss for that period. In preparing each of the 
Group and Parent Company financial statements, the directors 
are required to:

 – select suitable accounting policies and then apply them 

consistently 

 – make judgements and estimates that are reasonable, relevant, 

reliable and prudent

 – for the Group financial statements, state whether they have been 

prepared in accordance with international accounting standards in 
conformity with the requirements of UK-adopted international 
accounting standards 

 – for the Parent Company financial statements, state whether 

applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to 
any material departures disclosed and explained in the Parent 
Company financial statements

 – assess the Group and Parent Company’s ability to continue as a 
going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to 
going concern

 – use the going concern basis of accounting unless they either intend 

to liquidate the Group or the Parent Company or to cease 
operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so

The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting 
records that are sufficient to show and explain the Parent Company’s 
transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the 
financial position of the Parent Company and enable them to ensure 
that its financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. 
They have a general responsibility for taking such steps as are 
reasonably open to them to safeguard the assets of the Group and to 
prevent and detect fraud and other irregularities. 

Under applicable law and regulations, the directors are also 
responsible for preparing a Strategic Report, Directors’ Report, 
Directors’ Remuneration Report and Corporate Governance 
Statement that comply with that law and those regulations. 

The directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of 
the corporate and financial information included on the Company’s 
website. Legislation in the UK governing the preparation and 
dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in 
other jurisdictions. In accordance with Disclosure Guidance and 
Transparency Rule 4.1.14R, the financial statements will form part 
of the annual financial report prepared using the single electronic 
reporting format under the TD ESEF Regulation. The auditor’s report 
on these financial statements provides no assurance over the 
ESEF format.

Disclosure of relevant audit information

The directors confirm that, so far as they are each aware, there is no 
relevant audit information of which KPMG 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 KPMG is aware of that information. 

COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

  119

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO 
THE MEMBERS OF COMPASS GROUP PLC 

1. Our opinion is unmodified

We have audited the financial statements of Compass Group PLC (‘the 
Company’) for the year ended 30 September 2022 which comprise 
the Consolidated Income Statement, the Consolidated Statement of 
Comprehensive Income, the Consolidated Statement of Changes in 
Equity, the Consolidated Balance Sheet, the Consolidated Cash Flow 
Statement, the Parent Company Balance Sheet and the Parent 
Company Statement of Changes in Equity, and the related notes, 
including the accounting policies on pages 134 to 143 of the Group 
financial statements and page 215 and 216 of the Parent Company 
financial statements.

Overview

Materiality:  
Group financial 
statements as 
a whole 

Coverage

Key audit matters

Event driven

£63m (2021:£62m)
4.29% of Group profit before tax (2021:
0.35% of revenue)

90% (2021:89%) of Group profit before
tax

vs 2021

Goodwill impairment in respect of 
the UK cash generating unit

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 
2022 and of the Group’s profit for the year then ended;

 – the Group financial statements have been properly prepared in 

accordance with UK-adopted international accounting standards;

 – the parent Company financial statements have been properly 

prepared in accordance with UK accounting standards, including 
FRS 101 Reduced Disclosure Framework; and

 – the financial statements have been prepared in accordance with 

the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

Basis for opinion 

We conducted our audit in accordance with international Standards 
on Auditing (UK) (“ISAs (UK)”) and applicable law. Our responsibilities 
are described below. We believe that the audit evidence we have 
obtained is a sufficient and appropriate basis for our opinion. Our 
audit opinion is consistent with our report to the Audit Committee. 

We were first appointed as auditor by the directors on 14 March 2014. 
The period of total uninterrupted engagement is for the nine financial 
years ended 30 September 2022. We have fulfilled our ethical 
responsibilities under, and we remain independent of the Group in 
accordance with UK ethical requirements including the FRC Ethical 
Standard as applied to listed public interest entities. No non-audit 
services prohibited by that standard were provided.

Recurring risks

Uncertain direct tax provisions

Recoverability of the Parent
Company’s investment in
subsidiaries and amounts
owed by Group undertakings

2. Key audit matters: our assessment of risks of material 
misstatement

Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional 
judgement, were of most significance in the audit of the financial 
statements and include the most significant assessed risks of material 
misstatement (whether or not due to fraud) identified by us, including 
those which had the greatest effect on: the overall audit strategy; the 
allocation of resources in the audit; and directing the efforts of the 
engagement team. We summarise below the key audit matters, in 
decreasing order of audit significance, in arriving at our audit opinion 
above, together with our key audit procedures to address those 
matters and, as required for public interest entities, our results from 
those procedures. These matters were addressed, and our results are 
based on procedures undertaken, in the context of, and solely for the 
purpose of, our audit of the financial statements as a whole, and in 
forming our opinion thereon, and consequently are incidental to that 
opinion, and we do not provide a separate opinion on these matters.

120 

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF COMPASS GROUP PLC CONTINUED

Goodwill 
impairment in 
respect of the 
UK cash 
generating unit

UK CGU 
Goodwill £1,481 
million (2021: 
£1,456 million)

Refer to page 75 
(Audit 
Committee 
Report), pages 
135 and 139 
(Accounting 
Policies) and 
pages 153 and 
154 (Financial 
Disclosures).

  The risk

  Forecast-based valuation:

The Group has a significant carrying amount of goodwill 
which is spread across a range of cash-generating units 
(CGUs) in different countries.

The value in use calculation for the CGUs, which represents 
the estimated recoverable amount, is subjective due to the 
inherent uncertainty involved in forecasting and 
discounting estimated future cash flows (specifically the 
key assumptions such as revenue, operating margin, 
long-term perpetuity growth rate and discount rate).

Estimation uncertainty in relation to the UK business has 
increased as a result of inflationary pressures from the 
macro economic effects of COVID-19 and the geo-political 
environment.

The effect of these matters is that, as part of our risk 
assessment, we determined that the carrying amount of 
the UK CGU has a high degree of estimation uncertainty, 
with a potential range of reasonable outcomes greater than 
our materiality for the financial statements as a whole, and 
possibly many times that amount.

The financial statements (note 8) disclose the sensitivity 
estimated by the Group. These disclosures give relevant 
information about the estimation uncertainty including the 
risk of a reduction in the headroom or need for an 
impairment as a result of a reasonably possible change in 
one or more of the key assumptions.

  Our response

We performed the tests below rather than seeking to rely 
on any of the Group’s controls because the nature of the 
balance is such that we would expect to obtain audit 
evidence primarily through the detailed procedures 
described.

Our procedures included: 

 – Benchmarking assumptions and historical comparison: 
We assessed and challenged the operating cash flow 
assumptions used by the Group through retrospective 
review; compared to external industry forecasts; and 
analysis of analysts’ reports.

 – Our sector experience: Using our valuations experts, we 
challenged the appropriateness of discount rates by 
deriving our own independent range and compared 
long-term perpetuity growth rates to market data.
 – Sensitivity analysis: We estimated the value in use 

recoverable amount utilising independent and more 
conservative forecasts and independently derived 
discount rates and assessed whether this resulted in 
impairment.

 – Historical comparisons: We evaluated the track record 
of historical assumptions used against actual results 
achieved.

 – Assessing transparency: We assessed whether the 

Group’s disclosures about the sensitivity of the outcome 
of the impairment assessment to a reasonably possible 
change in key assumptions, reflects the risks inherent in 
the estimation of the recoverable amount of goodwill.

Our results

We found the Group’s conclusion that there is no 
impairment of UK CGU’s goodwill to be acceptable (2021 
result: acceptable) and we found the sensitivity disclosures 
made to be acceptable (2021 result: acceptable).

Uncertain direct 
tax provisions

Refer to page 75 
(Audit 
Committee 
Report), pages 
135 and 138 
(Accounting 
Policies) and 
pages 150 to 
151 (Financial 
Disclosures).

  The risk

Subjective estimate:

The Group operates across a large number of jurisdictions 
and is subject to periodic challenges by local tax authorities 
on a range of tax matters during the normal course of 
business, including transfer pricing.

As a result of the complexities of tax rules on transfer 
pricing and other tax legislation, the provisioning for 
uncertain direct tax positions is judgemental and requires 
the directors to make estimates in relation to these 
uncertainties.

The directors’ estimation includes assessing the likelihood 
of potentially material exposures as a result of changes in 
local tax regulations and evaluating ongoing inspections by 
local tax authorities and international bodies, which could 
materially impact the amounts recorded in the Group 
financial statements.

COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

  121

  Our response

We performed the tests below rather than seeking to rely on 
any of the Group’s controls because the small number of 
transactions meant that detailed testing is inherently the 
most effective means of obtaining audit evidence.

Our procedures included: 

 – Our taxation expertise: With the assistance of our tax 

specialists, we analysed and challenged the assumptions 
used to determine the provisions recognised using our 
knowledge and experience of the application of 
international and local legislation by the relevant 
authorities and courts, and assessing whether the 
approach applied by the Group is supported by custom 
and practice.

 – With the help of our tax specialists we considered 

whether the judgements applied to each significant 
provision, including the maximum potential exposure 
and the likelihood of a payment being required were 
appropriate.

 – Tests of detail: We examined the calculations prepared 
by the directors and agreed key assumptions used to 
underlying data.

 – We inspected correspondence with relevant tax 

authorities and assessed third-party tax advice received 
to evaluate the conclusions drawn in the advice where 
relevant to the significant exposures faced by the Group, 
and how these have been used by the directors in their 
assessment of the likelihood of any outflow and estimate 
of the provision.

 – Assessing transparency: We assessed the adequacy of 
the Group’s disclosures in respect of tax and uncertain 
direct tax positions.

Our results

We found the level of tax provisioning to be acceptable 
(2021: acceptable).

122 

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF COMPASS GROUP PLC CONTINUED

  The risk

  Low risk, high value

The carrying amount of the Parent Company’s investments 
in subsidiaries held at cost less impairment and 
intercompany receivables represent 88% (2021: 88%) of 
the Parent Company’s total assets.

We do not consider the recoverability of these investments 
and intercompany receivables to be at a high risk of 
significant misstatement, or to be subject to a significant 
level of judgement. However, due to their materiality in the 
context of the Parent Company financial statements as a 
whole, this is considered to be the area which had the 
greatest effect on our overall audit strategy and allocation 
of resources in planning and completing our Parent 
Company audit.

Recoverability 
of the Parent 
Company’s 
investment in 
and amounts 
owed by Group 
undertakings 

Investments 
£1,105 million 
(2021: £1,074 
million)

Intercompany 
receivables 
£10,699 million 
(2021: £9,159 
million)

Refer to pages 
215 (Accounting 
Policies) and 
page 217 
(Financial 
Disclosures).

  Our response

We performed the tests below rather than seeking to rely on 
any of the Parent Company’s controls because the nature 
of the balance is such that we would expect to obtain audit 
evidence primarily through the detailed procedures 
described.

Our procedures included: 

 – Test of detail: Compared a sample of the investment 
and intercompany receivables’ carrying amounts to 
the net assets of the relevant subsidiary included 
within the Group consolidation, to identify whether 
the net asset value, being an approximation of the 
minimum recoverable amount, was in excess of 
their carrying amount.

 – Assessing subsidiary net assets: For the relevant 
subsidiaries (investment holding companies), we 
compared the net assets of the relevant subsidiary to 
the final net assets in the prior year audited financial 
statements. Based on the knowledge acquired during 
the audit of the consolidated Group, including reporting 
received from component auditors for the underlying 
trading operations, we considered whether there were 
any events indicating that the net assets would be 
materially different from the prior year position.
 – Test of detail: When the net assets of the relevant 

subsidiary was insufficient to support the carrying value 
we considered the performance of the underlying 
investments held by the relevant subsidiary in order to 
assess whether there was an indication of impairment.

 – Our sector experience: In addition, for certain 
investments and receivables, we evaluated the 
assumptions used in the applicable impairment model, 
in particular those relating to forecast profit growth, 
using our knowledge and historic experience of the 
profitability of the underlying trading Group.

 – Assessing expected credit losses: For a sample of the 
intercompany receivables we evaluated the expected 
credit losses determined by the directors, in particular 
the likely risk of default with reference to the credit 
worthiness of the counterparty and any recent evidence 
of incurred credit losses.

 – Benchmarking assumptions: We compared the 

assumptions in the applicable impairment model for the 
investment to externally derived data in relation to 
projected economic growth and discount rates.

Our results 

We found the Parent Company’s conclusion that there is no 
impairment of its investments in subsidiaries and amounts 
owed by Group undertakings to be acceptable (2021: 
acceptable).

In the prior year, we reported a key audit matter in respect of the recoverability of contract related non-current assets (contract fulfilment assets 
and contract costs, right of use assets, property, plant & equipment, and intangible assets) due to significant decline in profitability from the 
impacts of COVID-19 globally and in particular in the US. Following the Group’s improvement in financial performance including the increase in 
revenue (2022: £25,512 million, 2021: £17,908 million) and operating profit (2022: £1,500 million, 2021: £545 million) and the limited impact 
on overall financial performance due to the structural effects of COVID-19 (e.g. increased home working) we have not assessed this as one of the 
most significant risk in our current year audit and, therefore, it is not separately identified as a key audit matter in our report this year.

We continue to perform procedures over recoverability of contract related non-current assets.

COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

  123

GROUP PROFIT BEFORE TAX

GROUP MATERIALITY

£1,469 million
(2021: £464 million)

£63 million 
(2021: £62 million)

£63 million
Whole financial
statements materiality 
(2021: £62m)

£51 million
Range of materiality at 15 
components (£5m to £51m) 
(2021: £3m to £53m)

£47.2 million
Whole financial statements 
performance materiality 
(2021: £46.5m)

£3.1 million
Misstatements reported to the
Audit Committee (2021: £3.1m)

  Full scope for Group audit
purposes 2022  

Residual components

Full scope for Group audit
purposes 2021

Residual components

  Full scope for Group audit
purposes 2022

Residual components

Full scope for Group audit
purposes 2021 

Residual components 

  Full scope for Group audit
purposes 2022

Residual components

Full scope for Group audit
purposes 2021

Residual components

89%

11%

89%

11%

90%

10%

89%

11%

90%

10%

92%

8%

  Group profit before tax

Group materiality

GROUP REVENUE

89% (2021: 89%)

GROUP PROFIT BEFORE TAX

90% (2021: 89%)

GROUP TOTAL ASSETS

90% (2021: 92%)

3. Our application of materiality and an overview of the 
scope of our audit

Materiality for the Group financial statements as a whole was set at 
£63 million, determined with reference to a benchmark of Group profit 
before tax, of which it represents 4.29%.

In 2021, materiality for the Group financial statements as a whole was 
set at £62 million determined with reference to a benchmark of Group 
revenue, of which it represented 0.35%.

In the current period we have used the Group profit before tax 
benchmark because the Group’s profits have substantially recovered 
to pre-pandemic levels.

Materiality for the Parent Company financial statements as a whole 
was set at £49 million (2021: £49 million), determined with reference 
to a benchmark of Parent Company total assets, of which it represents 
0.4% (2021: 0.4%).

In line with our audit methodology, our procedures on individual 
account balances and disclosures were performed to a lower 
threshold, performance materiality, so as to reduce to an acceptable 
level the risk that individually immaterial misstatements in individual 
account balances add up to a material amount across the financial 
statements as a whole.

Performance materiality was set at 75% (2021: 75%) of materiality 
for the financial statements as a whole, which equates to £47.2 million 
(2021: £46.5 million) for the Group and £36.7 million (2021: £36 
million) for the Parent Company. We applied this percentage in our 
determination of performance materiality because we did not identify 
any factors indicating an elevated level of risk.

We agreed to report to the Audit Committee any corrected or 
uncorrected identified misstatements exceeding £3.1 million 
(2021: £3.1 million), in addition to other identified misstatements that 
warranted reporting on qualitative grounds.

Of the Group’s 51 (2021: 52) reporting components, we subjected 15 
(2021: 16) to full scope audits for Group purposes.

The components within the scope of our work accounted for the 
percentages illustrated opposite.

The remaining 11% (2021: 11%) of total Group revenue, 10% (2021: 
11%) of Group profit before tax and 10% (2021: 8%) of Group total 
assets is represented by 36 (2021: 36) Group reporting components, 
none of which individually represented more than 3% (2021: 3%) 
of any of total Group revenue, Group profit before tax or Group total 
assets. For these components, we performed analysis at an 
aggregated Group level to re-examine our assessment that there 
were no significant risks of material misstatement within these.

The Group team instructed component auditors as to the significant 
areas to be covered, including the relevant risks detailed above and 
the information to be reported back. The Group team approved the 
component materialities, which ranged from £5 million to £51 million 
(2021: £3 million to £53 million), having regard to the mix of size and 
risk profile of the Group across the components. The work on 12 of the 
15 components (2021: 13 of the 16 components) was performed by 
component auditors and the rest, including the audit of the Parent 
Company, was performed by the Group team.

124 

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF COMPASS GROUP PLC CONTINUED

The scope of the audit work performed was predominately substantive 
as we placed limited reliance upon the Group’s internal control over 
financial reporting.

The Group team visited 4 (2021: 0) component locations to assess the 
audit risk and strategy. Video and telephone conference meetings 
were also held with these component auditors and the others that 
were not physically visited. At these visits and meetings, the findings 
reported to the Group team were discussed in more detail, and any 
further work required by the Group team was then performed by the 
component auditor.

4. The impact of climate change on our audit

In planning our audit, we considered the potential impacts of climate 
change on the Group’s business and its financial statements.

The Group has set out in the Strategic Report its commitment to reach 
climate net zero green house gas emissions (GHGs) across the global 
value chain by 2050 and to reach climate neutrality in the Group’s 
direct operations by 2030 and its commitment to several other 
shorter-term targets.

As a part of our audit, we have performed a risk assessment, including 
enquiries of management, to understand how the impact of 
commitments made by the Group in respect of climate change, as well 
as the physical or transition risks of climate change, may affect the 
financial statements and our audit. There was no impact of this work 
on our key audit matters.

Whilst the Group is still undertaking work to quantify and assess the 
potential impact of climate change on the business, based on the 
procedures we performed in reviewing and challenging the Group’s 
road map for transitioning to net zero GHGs, we did not identify any 
significant risk in this period of climate change having a material 
impact on the Group’s critical accounting estimates. This is due to the 
shorter-term nature of certain estimates (tax provisioning), the nature 
of the estimate itself (pension liabilities) and the level of headroom 
(impairment of goodwill and intangible assets). In addition, we did not 
identify any significant risks in this period to the carrying value and 
useful economic lives of property, plant and equipment caused by the 
projected physical risks of climate change or the transition to a net 
zero operating model.

We have read the disclosures of climate related information in the 
annual report and considered their consistency with the financial 
statements and our audit knowledge. We have not been engaged to 
provide assurance over the accuracy of the climate risk disclosures in 
the Annual Report.

5. Going concern 

The directors have prepared the financial statements on the going 
concern basis as they do not intend to liquidate the Group or the 
Parent Company or to cease their operations, and as they have 
concluded that the Group’s and the Parent Company’s financial 
position means that this is realistic. They have also concluded that 
there are no material uncertainties that could have cast significant 
doubt over their ability to continue as a going concern until at least 
31 March 2024 (‘the going concern period’).

We used our knowledge of the Group, its industry, and the general 
economic environment to identify the inherent risks to its business 
model and analysed how those risks might affect the Group’s and 
Parent Company’s financial resources or ability to continue operations 
over the going concern period. The risks that we considered most 
likely to adversely affect the Group’s available financial resources and/
or metrics relevant to debt covenants over this period that were:

 – The impact of cost inflation on the Group’s performance and the 
ability of the Group to mitigate and recover the medium-term 
impact of persistent inflation; and

 – The ability of the Group to sustain significant short-term volume 

reductions due to a resurgence of COVID-19.

We also considered less predictable but realistic second-order 
impacts, such as a significant decline in volumes as a consequence of 
a global economic downturn.

We considered whether these risks could plausibly affect the liquidity 
or covenant compliance in the going concern period by comparing 
severe, but plausible downside scenarios that could arise from these 
risks individually and collectively against the level of available financial 
resources and covenants indicated by the Group’s financial forecasts.

We considered whether the going concern disclosure on page 134 of 
the Group financial statements gives a full and accurate description of 
the directors’ assessment of going concern, including the identified 
risks and related sensitivities.

Our conclusions based on this work:

 – we consider that the directors’ use of the going concern basis of 
accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is 
appropriate;

 – we have not identified, and concur with the directors’ assessment 

that there is not, a material uncertainty related to events or 
conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant 
doubt on the Group’s or Parent Company’s ability to continue as a 
going concern for the going concern period;

 – we have nothing material to add or draw attention to in relation to 

the directors’ statement on page 19 of the Group financial 
statements on the use of the going concern basis of accounting with 
no material uncertainties that may cast significant doubt over the 
Group and Parent Company’s use of that basis for the going 
concern period, and we found the going concern disclosure on page 
134 to be acceptable; and

 – the related statement under the Listing Rules set out on page 19 is 
materially consistent with the financial statements and our audit 
knowledge.

However, as we cannot predict all future events or conditions and as 
subsequent events may result in outcomes that are inconsistent with 
judgements that were reasonable at the time they were made, the 
above conclusions are not a guarantee that the Group or the Parent 
Company will continue in operation.

COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

  125

6. Fraud and breaches of laws and regulations – ability  
to detect

Identifying and responding to risks of material misstatement 
due to non-compliance with laws and regulations

Identifying and responding to risks of material misstatement 
due to fraud

To identify risks of material misstatement due to fraud (‘fraud risks’) 
we assessed events or conditions that could indicate an incentive or 
pressure to commit fraud or provide an opportunity to commit fraud. 
Our risk assessment procedures included:

 – Enquiring of directors, the Audit Committee, Internal Audit and 
inspection of policy documentation as to the Group’s high-level 
policies and procedures to prevent and detect fraud, including the 
Internal Audit function, and the Group’s channel for 
‘whistleblowing’, as well as whether they have knowledge of any 
actual, suspected or alleged fraud.

 – Reading Board and all relevant committee minutes.
 – Considering remuneration incentive schemes (primarily the annual 

bonus plan) and performance targets for management and 
directors including revenue, margin and cash flow targets for 
management remuneration.

 – Using analytical procedures to identify any unusual or unexpected 

relationships.

 – Using our own forensic specialists to assist us in identifying fraud 
risks based on discussions of the circumstances of the Group.

We communicated identified fraud risks throughout the audit team 
and remained alert to any indications of fraud throughout the audit. 
This included communication from the Group audit team to 
component audit teams of relevant fraud risks identified at the Group 
level and request to component audit teams to report to the Group 
audit team any instances of fraud that could give rise to a material 
misstatement at Group.

As required by auditing standards, and taking into account possible 
pressures to meet profit targets and our overall knowledge of the 
control environment, we perform procedures to address the risk of 
management override of controls and the risk of fraudulent revenue 
recognition, in particular the risk that Group and component 
management may be in a position to make inappropriate 
accounting entries.

We did not identify any additional fraud risks.

In determining the audit procedures we took into account the 
results of our evaluation of some of the Group-wide fraud risk 
management controls.

We performed procedures including:

 – Identifying journal entries and other adjustments to test based on 
risk criteria and comparing the identified entries to supporting 
documentation. These included those posted by senior 
management and those posted to unexpected account pairings.

 – Assessing significant accounting estimates for bias.

We identified areas of laws and regulations that could reasonably 
be expected to have a material effect on the financial statements 
from our general commercial and sector experience and through 
discussion with the directors and other management (as required by 
auditing standards), and from inspection of the Group’s regulatory 
and legal correspondence and discussed with the directors and other 
management the policies and procedures regarding compliance with 
laws and regulations.

We communicated identified laws and regulations throughout our 
team and remained alert to any indications of non- compliance 
throughout the audit. This included communication from the 
Group audit team to component audit teams of relevant laws and 
regulations identified at the Group level, and a request for component 
auditors to report to the Group team any instances of non-compliance 
with laws and regulations that could give rise to a material 
misstatement at Group.

The potential effect of these laws and regulations on the financial 
statements varies considerably.

Firstly, the Group is subject to laws and regulations that directly affect 
the financial statements including financial reporting legislation 
(including related companies legislation), distributable profits 
legislation and taxation legislation and we assessed the extent of 
compliance with these laws and regulations as part of our procedures 
on the related financial statement items.

Secondly, the Group is subject to many other laws and regulations 
where the consequences of non-compliance could have a material 
effect on amounts or disclosures in the financial statements, for 
instance through the imposition of fines or litigation. We identified the 
following areas as those most likely to have such an effect: health and 
safety, anti-bribery, competition and employment law. Auditing 
standards limit the required audit procedures to identify non-
compliance with these laws and regulations to enquiry of the directors 
and other management and inspection of regulatory and legal 
correspondence, if any. Therefore, if a breach of operational 
regulations is not disclosed to us or evident from relevant 
correspondence, an audit will not detect that breach.

Context of the ability of the audit to detect fraud or breaches 
of law or regulation

Owing to the inherent limitations of an audit, there is an unavoidable 
risk that we may not have detected some material misstatements in 
the financial statements, even though we have properly planned and 
performed our audit in accordance with auditing standards. For 
example, the further removed non-compliance with laws and 
regulations is from the events and transactions reflected in the 
financial statements, the less likely the inherently limited procedures 
required by auditing standards would identify it.

In addition, as with any audit, there remained a higher risk of 
non-detection of fraud, as these may involve collusion, forgery, 
intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal 
controls. Our audit procedures are designed to detect material 
misstatement. We are not responsible for preventing non-compliance 
or fraud and cannot be expected to detect non-compliance with all 
laws and regulations.

126 

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF COMPASS GROUP PLC CONTINUED

We are also required to review the viability statement, set out on page 
29 under the Listing Rules. Based on the above procedures, we have 
concluded that the above disclosures are materially consistent with 
the financial statements and our audit knowledge.

Our work is limited to assessing these matters in the context of only 
the knowledge acquired during our financial statements audit. As we 
cannot predict all future events or conditions and as subsequent 
events may result in outcomes that are inconsistent with judgements 
that were reasonable at the time they were made, the absence of 
anything to report on these statements is not a guarantee as to the 
Group’s and Company’s longer-term viability.

Corporate governance disclosures 

We are required to perform procedures to identify whether there is a 
material inconsistency between the directors’ corporate governance 
disclosures and the financial statements and our audit knowledge.

Based on those procedures, we have concluded that each of the 
following is materially consistent with the financial statements and our 
audit knowledge:

 – the directors’ statement that they consider that the annual report 
and financial statements taken as a whole is fair, balanced and 
understandable, and provides the information necessary for 
shareholders to assess the Group’s position and performance, 
business model and strategy;

 – the section of the Annual Report describing the work of the Audit 

Committee, including the significant issues that the Audit 
Committee considered in relation to the financial statements, and 
how these issues were addressed; and

 – the section of the Annual Report that describes the review of 

the effectiveness of the Group’s risk management and internal 
control systems.

We are required to review the part of the Corporate Governance 
Statement relating to the Group’s compliance with the provisions of 
the UK Corporate Governance Code specified by the Listing Rules for 
our review. We have nothing to report in this respect.

7. We have nothing to report on the other information in 
the Annual Report

The directors are responsible for the other information presented in 
the Annual Report together with the financial statements. Our opinion 
on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, 
accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion or, except as explicitly 
stated below, any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, 
consider whether, based on our financial statements audit work, 
the information therein is materially misstated or inconsistent with 
the financial statements or our audit knowledge. Based solely on 
that work we have not identified material misstatements in the 
other information.

Strategic report and directors’ report 

Based solely on our work on the other information:

 – we have not identified material misstatements in the strategic 

report and the directors’ report; 

 – in our opinion the information given in those reports for the financial 

year is consistent with the financial statements; and 

 – in our opinion those reports have been prepared in accordance with 

the Companies Act 2006. 

Directors’ remuneration report 

In our opinion the part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report to be 
audited has been properly prepared in accordance with the 
Companies Act 2006.

Disclosures of emerging and principal risks and longer-term 
viability 

We are required to perform procedures to identify whether there is a 
material inconsistency between the directors’ disclosures in respect of 
emerging and principal risks and the viability statement, and the 
financial statements and our audit knowledge.

Based on those procedures, we have nothing material to add or draw 
attention to in relation to:

 – the directors’ confirmation within the viability statement on page 29 
that they have carried out a robust assessment of the emerging and 
principal risks facing the Group, including those that would threaten 
its business model, future performance, solvency and liquidity;

 – the Emerging and Principal Risks disclosures describing these risks 
and how emerging risks are identified, and explaining how they are 
being managed and mitigated; and

 – the directors’ explanation in the viability statement of how they have 
assessed the prospects of the Group, over what period they have 
done so and why they considered that period to be appropriate, and 
their statement as to whether they have a reasonable expectation 
that the Group will be able to continue in operation and meet its 
liabilities as they fall due over the period of their assessment, 
including any related disclosures drawing attention to any 
necessary qualifications or assumptions.

COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

  127

8. We have nothing to report on the other matters on which 
we are required to report by exception 

10. The purpose of our audit work and to whom we owe 
our responsibilities 

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.

ZULFIKAR WALJI (SENIOR STATUTORY AUDITOR) 

for and on behalf of KPMG LLP, Statutory Auditor  
Chartered Accountants 
15 Canada Square, London E14 5GL 

21 November 2022

Under the Companies Act 2006, we are required to report to you if, in 
our opinion:

 – 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 and the part of the 

Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited are not in agreement 
with the accounting records and returns; or

 – certain disclosures of directors’ remuneration specified by law are 

not made; or

 – we have not received all the information and explanations we 

require for our audit.

We have nothing to report in these respects. 

9. Respective responsibilities 

Directors’ responsibilities 

As explained more fully in their statement set out on page 118, the 
directors are responsible for: the preparation of the financial 
statements including being satisfied that they give a true and fair view; 
assessing the Group and parent Company’s ability to continue as a 
going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going 
concern; and using the going concern basis of accounting unless they 
either intend to liquidate the Group or the parent Company or to cease 
operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so. In addition the 
directors are responsible for such internal control as they determine is 
necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are 
free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

Auditor’s responsibilities 

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the 
financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, 
whether due to fraud or error, and to issue our opinion in an auditor’s 
report. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but does 
not guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) 
will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. 
Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered 
material if, individually or in aggregate, they could reasonably be 
expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the 
basis of the financial statements.

A fuller description of our responsibilities is provided on the FRC’s 
website at www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities.

The Company is required to include these financial statements in an 
annual financial report prepared using the single electronic reporting 
format specified in the TD ESEF Regulation. This auditor’s report 
provides no assurance over whether the annual financial report has 
been prepared in accordance with that format.

128 
128 

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT 
For the year ended 30 September 2022 

  Revenue 
  Operating costs  

  Operating profit before joint ventures and associates 
  Share of results of joint ventures and associates 

  Underlying operating profit1 
  Acquisition-related costs 
  COVID-19 resizing credit/(costs) 
  One-off pension charge 
  Tax on share of profit of joint ventures 
  Operating profit 
  Net (loss)/gain on sale and closure of businesses 

  Finance income 
  Finance expense 
  Other financing items 

  Finance costs 

  Profit before tax 
  Income tax expense 
  Profit for the year 

  ATTRIBUTABLE TO 
  Equity shareholders  
  Non-controlling interests 

  Profit for the year 

  BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE 
  DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE 

1. Operating profit excluding specific adjusting items (see note 33). 

Notes

1 
2 

1, 13 

1, 33
33
2, 33
33
33

1 
26, 33 

4 
4 
4, 33 

5 
5 

6 

6 

6 

2022 

£m 

£m  
25,512   
(24,057)  

1,455   
45   

2021 

£m 

£m

17,908 
(17,394)

514 
31 

1,590
(92)
4
–
(2)

11
(111)
76

811 
(106) 
(157) 
(2) 
(1) 

7 
(120) 
22 

545 
10 

(91)

464 
(107)

357 

357 
– 

357 

20.0p 

20.0p 

1,500   
(7)  

(24)  

1,469   
(352)  
1,117   

1,113   
4   

1,117   

62.6p   

62.6p   

  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME 
For the year ended 30 September 2022 

Profit for the year 

Other comprehensive income 
Items that will not be reclassified to the income statement 
Remeasurement of post-employment benefit obligations 
Return on plan assets, excluding interest income  
Change in asset ceiling, excluding interest income 
Change in fair value of financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income 
Tax charge on items relating to the components of other comprehensive income 

Items that may be reclassified to the income statement 
Currency translation differences1 
Reclassification of cumulative currency translation differences on sale of businesses 
Tax credit on items relating to the components of other comprehensive income 

Total other comprehensive income/(loss) for the year 

Total comprehensive income for the year 

ATTRIBUTABLE TO 
Equity shareholders 
Non-controlling interests 

Total comprehensive income for the year 

1. Includes a loss of £190m in relation to the effective portion of net investment hedges (2021: £37m gain). 

COMPASS GROUP PLC | ANNUAL REPORT 2022 
COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

129 
  129

Notes 

23 
23 
23 
14 
5 

26 
5 

2022 
£m 

1,117 

1,038 
(668)
3 
(133)
(65)

175 

591 
7 
– 

598 

773 

1,890 

1,886 
4 

1,890 

2021 
£m 

357 

(66)
(6)
(7)
4 
(5)

(80)

(154)
(24)
1 

(177)

(257)

100 

100 
– 

100 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
130 
130 

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY 
For the year ended 30 September 2022 

At 1 October 2021 

Profit for the year 

Other comprehensive income  
Remeasurement of post-employment benefit obligations 
Return on plan assets, excluding interest income 
Change in asset ceiling, excluding interest income 
Change in fair value of financial assets at fair value through 

other comprehensive income 
Currency translation differences 
Reclassification of cumulative currency translation 

differences on sale of businesses  

Tax charge on items relating to the components of other 

comprehensive income 

Total other comprehensive income for the year 

Total comprehensive income for the year 

Fair value of share-based payments 
Change in fair value of non-controlling interest put options 
Changes to non-controlling interests due to acquisitions and 

disposals 

Purchase of non-controlling interests 
Reclassification of non-controlling interest put option 

reserve on exercise of put options 

Release of share awards settled in existing shares 

purchased in the market 

Purchase of own shares – share buyback programme2 
Purchase of own shares – employee share-based payments 
Transfer3, 4 

Dividends paid to equity shareholders 
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests 
Cost of shares transferred to employees 

At 30 September 2022 

Attributable to equity shareholders 

Notes 

Share 
capital 
£m 
198 

Share 
premium 
£m 
189 

Capital 
redemption 
reserve 
£m 
295 

Own 
Other 
reserves1 
shares 
£m 
£m 
(2) 3,969 

Retained 
earnings/ 
(losses) 
£m 
242 

Non-
controlling 
interests 
£m 
28 

Total 
equity
£m 
4,919

–  1,113 

4 

1,117

23 
23 
23 
14 

26 

5 

25 

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 

– 
– 

– 

– 

– 

– 
– 
– 

– 
– 

– 

– 
– 
– 

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 

– 
– 

– 

– 

– 

– 
– 
– 

– 
– 

– 

– 
– 
– 

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 

– 
– 

– 

– 

– 

– 
– 
– 

– 
– 

– 

– 
– 
– 

7 

198 
– 
– 
– 

198 

189 
– 
– 
– 

189 

295 
– 
– 
– 

295 

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 

– 
– 

– 

– 

– 

– 
– 
– 

– 
– 

– 

–  1,038 
(668) 
– 
– 
3 
(133) 
– 

591 
7 

– 
– 

– 

(65) 

598 

175 

598  1,288 

34 
(2) 
(7) 

– 
5 

– 
– 
–  

(7) 
– 

(4) 

– 

(502)
(6)
(13)

– 
– 
(301) 

– 
– 
314 

(523) 4,292  1,837 
(418) 
– 
– 

– 
– 
– 

– 
– 
4 

(519) 4,292  1,419 

– 
– 
– 
– 

– 
– 

– 

– 

4 

– 
– 
8 

(1)
(5)

– 

– 
– 
– 

34 
– 
(3)
– 

31 

1,038
(668)
3
(133)

591
7

(65)

773

1,890

34
(2)
1

(8)
–

(4)

(502)
(6)
–

6,322
(418)
(3)
4

5,905

1. Other reserves are analysed in note 24. 
2. Including stamp duty and brokers’ commission. 
3. The share-based payments reserve has been transferred to retained earnings on the basis that it is more appropriately presented as a component of retained 

earnings for equity-settled share-based payment schemes. 

4. To ensure consistency in the presentation of own shares, the value of shares in Compass Group PLC purchased in previous years and held in treasury at 30 

September 2022 has been transferred from retained earnings to the own shares reserve. 

Own shares 

The own shares reserve comprises 24,151,566 shares in Compass Group PLC purchased under the share buyback programme announced in 
May 2022 and held in treasury, 1,050,933 shares in Compass Group PLC purchased in previous years and held in treasury, and 221,909 shares 
in Compass Group PLC held by the Compass Group PLC All Share Schemes Trust (ASST).  

In May 2022, the Company announced that it was commencing a share buyback programme to repurchase up to £500m of its own shares. During 
the year, 24,151,566 shares were repurchased for a total price, including transaction costs, of £440m, of which £425m was paid in cash during 
the year. These shares are held in treasury. The mandate issued to the broker to purchase the shares was irrevocable at 30 September 2022 and, 
therefore, a creditor in respect of the value of the shares not yet purchased under the programme has been recognised. The share buyback 
programme was completed in November and, in total, 27,599,115 shares were repurchased under the programme for a total price, including 
transaction costs, of £503m. 

The ASST is a discretionary trust for the benefit of employees and the shares held are used to satisfy some of the Group’s liabilities to employees 
for long-term incentive plans. At 30 September 2022, the nominal value of the shares in the ASST was £24,521 (2021: £20,468), with a market 
value of £4.0m (2021: £2.8m).  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
COMPASS GROUP PLC | ANNUAL REPORT 2022 
COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

131 
  131

Attributable to equity shareholders 

Share 
capital 
£m 
198

Share 
premium 
£m 
189 

Capital 
redemption 
reserve 
£m 
295 

Own 
shares 
£m 
(2)

Other 
reserves1 
£m 
4,145 

Retained 
(losses)/ 
earnings  
£m 
(35) 

Non-
controlling 
interests 
£m 
23 

  Notes 

At 1 October 2020 
Profit for the year 

Other comprehensive income 
Remeasurement of post-employment benefit obligations 
Return on plan assets, excluding interest income 
Change in asset ceiling, excluding interest income 
Change in fair value of financial assets at fair value through 

other comprehensive income 
Currency translation differences 
Reclassification of cumulative currency translation 

differences on sale of businesses  

23 
23 
23 
14 

26 

Tax credit/(charge) on items relating to the components of 

5 

other comprehensive income 

Total other comprehensive loss for the year 

Total comprehensive (loss)/income for the year 

Fair value of share-based payments 
Change in fair value of non-controlling interest put options 
Changes to non-controlling interests due to acquisitions and 

25 

26 

disposals 

Release of share awards settled in existing shares 

purchased in the market 

Purchase of own shares – employee share-based payments 

Cost of shares transferred to employees 

At 30 September 2021 

1. Other reserves are analysed in note 24. 

–

–
–
–
–

–
–

–

–

–

–
–
–

–

–

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 

– 
– 

– 

– 

– 

– 
– 
– 

– 

– 

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 

– 
– 

– 

– 

– 

– 
– 
– 

– 

– 

198
–

198

189 
– 

189 

295 
– 

295 

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 

– 
– 

– 

– 

– 

– 
– 
– 

– 

(3)

(5)
3 

(2)

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 

(154) 
(24) 

357 

(66) 
(6) 
(7) 
4 

– 
– 

1 

(5) 

(177) 

(177) 

20 
(16) 
– 

(3) 

– 

(80) 

277 

– 
– 
– 

– 

– 

3,969 
– 

3,969 

242 
– 

242 

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 

– 
– 

– 

– 

– 

– 
– 
5 

– 

– 

28 
– 

28 

Total 
equity
£m 

4,813

357

(66)
(6)
(7)
4

(154)
(24)

(4)

(257)

100

20
(16)
5

(3)

(3)

4,916
3

4,919

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
132 
132 

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET 
At 30 September 2022 

NON-CURRENT ASSETS 
Goodwill 
Other intangible assets 
Costs to obtain and fulfil contracts 
Right-of-use assets 
Property, plant and equipment 
Interests in joint ventures and associates 
Other investments 
Post-employment benefit assets 
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 

Assets held for sale 

Current assets 

Total assets 
CURRENT LIABILITIES 
Borrowings 
Lease liabilities 
Derivative financial instruments 
Provisions 
Current tax liabilities 
Trade and other payables 

Current liabilities 
NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES 
Borrowings 
Lease liabilities 
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 
Capital redemption reserve 
Own shares 
Other reserves 
Retained earnings 

Total equity shareholders’ funds 
Non-controlling interests 

Total equity 

Approved by the Board of Directors on 21 November 2022 and signed on its behalf by: 

DOMINIC BLAKEMORE, Director 
PALMER BROWN, Director 

Notes  

30 September 
2022  
£m 

2021 
£m 

8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
23 
15 
5 
19 

16 
15 

17 
19 

26 

18 
11 
19 
22 

21 

18 
11 
19 
23 
22 
5 
21 

24 

24 

5,119 
1,960 
1,106 
821 
948 
270 
790 
581 
162 
230 
76 

12,063 

511 
3,988 
106 
1,983 
71 

6,659 
26 

6,685 

4,550
1,617
923
759
835
256
166
353
129
212
116

9,916

327
2,684
82
1,840
2

4,935
17

4,952

18,748 

14,868

(693) 
(194) 
(6) 
(269) 
(245) 
(5,626) 

(7,033) 

(3,271) 
(719) 
(237) 
(759) 
(310) 
(160) 
(354) 

(5,810) 

(12,843) 

5,905 

198 
189 
295 
(519) 
4,292 
1,419 

5,874 
31 

5,905 

(481)
(180)
(9)
(298)
(169)
(4,090)

(5,227)

(3,154)
(665)
(7)
(224)
(283)
(84)
(305)

(4,722)

(9,949)

4,919

198
189
295
(2)
3,969
242

4,891
28

4,919

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
COMPASS GROUP PLC | ANNUAL REPORT 2022 
COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

133 
  133

CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT 
For the year ended 30 September 2022 

CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES 
Cash generated from operations 
Interest paid 
Tax received 
Tax paid 

Net cash flow from operating activities 
CASH FLOW FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES 
Purchase of subsidiary companies 
Purchase of interests in joint ventures and associates 
Net proceeds/(payments) from sale of subsidiary companies, joint ventures and associates net of exit 

costs2 

Purchase of intangible assets 
Purchase of contract fulfilment assets 
Purchase of property, plant and equipment 
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment/intangible assets/contract fulfilment assets 
Purchase of other investments 
Proceeds from sale of other investments 
Dividends received from joint ventures and associates 
Interest received 

Net cash flow from investing activities 
CASH FLOW FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES 
Purchase of own shares – share buyback programme 
Purchase of own shares – employee share-based payments 
Increase in borrowings 
Repayment of borrowings 
Net cash flow from derivative financial instruments 
Repayment of principal under lease liabilities 
Purchase of non-controlling interests 
Dividends paid to equity shareholders 
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests 

Net cash flow from financing activities 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS 
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 
Cash and cash equivalents at 1 October  
Currency translation gains/(losses) on cash and cash equivalents 

Sub-total 
Cash reclassified from held for sale 

Cash and cash equivalents at 30 September 
Cash and cash equivalents3 
Bank overdrafts3 
Cash and cash equivalents at 30 September 

Notes 

27 

26 
13 
26 

10 

14 

13 

7 

28 

17 
18 

2022 
£m 

2,024 
(96)
31 
(363)

1,596 

(263)
(28)
35 

(177)
(218)
(282)
37 
(42)
3 
51 
10 

(874)

(425)
(6)
677 
(297)
(67)
(152)
(2)
(418)
(3)

(693)

29 
1,656 
47 

1,732 
– 

1,732 

1,983 
(251)

1,732 

20211 
£m 

1,492 
(121)
29 
(229)

1,171 

(157)
(5)
(11)

(155)
(231)
(228)
44 
(20)
3 
28 
5 

(727)

– 
(3)
– 
(7)
11 
(153)
– 
– 
– 

(152)

292 
1,387 
(25)

1,654 
2 

1,656 

1,840 
(184)

1,656 

1. Re-presented to disaggregate cash flows from borrowings and derivative financial instruments in the consolidated cash flow statement. Accordingly, the prior year 

increase in borrowings has reduced from £11m to £nil and a net cash inflow from derivative financial instruments of £11m has been included. 

2. Includes £15m of tax receipts (2021: £43m of tax payments) in respect of prior year business disposals. 
3. As per the consolidated balance sheet. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Climate change and the Group’s net zero commitments are not 
expected to have a material impact during the going concern period. 
However, the Group is exposed to inflation, supply chain disruption 
and labour shortages caused by macroeconomic and geopolitical 
factors, as well as a potential resurgence of COVID-19 and, 
accordingly, the Group has performed a stress test against the base 
case to determine the performance level that would result in a 
reduction in headroom against its committed facilities to nil or a 
breach of its covenants.  

The leverage covenant would be reached in the event that underlying 
EBITDA reduced by more than 60% of the strategic plan level. The 
directors do not consider this scenario to be likely given the Group’s 
ability to continue in operation throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, 
its recovery in underlying revenue in the year to 105% of 2019 levels 
on a constant-currency basis and the potential for future revenue and 
profit growth above historical rates. The stress test assumes no share 
buybacks or new acquisitions and disposals as mitigating actions. 
Other mitigating actions available to the Group include reductions in 
discretionary capital expenditure and ceasing dividend payments. 

Consequently, the directors are confident that the Group and 
parent company will have sufficient funds to continue to meet their 
liabilities as they fall due for at least the period to 31 March 2024 
and, therefore, have prepared the financial statements on a going 
concern basis. 

Changes in accounting policies 

There were no new accounting standards or amendments to existing 
standards effective in the current year that had a significant impact on 
the Group’s consolidated financial statements. There are also a 
number of changes to accounting standards, effective in future years, 
which are not expected to significantly impact the Group’s 
consolidated financial statements. 

134 
134 

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

GROUP ACCOUNTING POLICIES 
For the year ended 30 September 2022 

Introduction 

The significant accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the 
Group’s financial statements are set out below: 

Basis of preparation 

The Group has prepared its consolidated financial statements in 
accordance with UK-adopted International Accounting Standards 
and in conformity with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006. 
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical 
cost convention, as modified by the revaluation of certain 
financial instruments. 

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 on pages 2 to 51. The financial position of the 
Group, its cash flows, liquidity position and borrowing facilities are 
discussed in the Financial Review on pages 14 to 19. The financial 
statements are prepared on a going concern basis which the directors 
believe to be appropriate for the reasons stated below. 

At 30 September 2022, the Group’s financing arrangements included 
sterling and Euro bonds (£2,783m) and US dollar US Private 
Placements (USPP) (£927m). In addition, the Group had Revolving 
Credit Facilities of £2,000m (£140m committed to August 2024 and 
£1,860m committed to August 2026), which were fully undrawn, and 
£1,732m of cash, net of overdrafts. At the date of approving these 
consolidated financial statements, the liquidity position of the Group 
has remained substantially unchanged. 

In September, the Group issued €500m (£439m) and £250m of 
sustainable bonds maturing in 2030 and 2032, respectively. The new 
bonds effectively pre-finance debt maturities of €500m (£439m) in 
January 2023 and $352m (£315m) in October 2023. There are no 
other debt maturities in the 18 months to 31 March 2024, with the 
next maturity in July 2024, a €750m (£658m) Eurobond. 

The USPP debt is subject to leverage and interest cover covenants 
which are tested on 31 March and 30 September each year. The 
Group met both covenants at 30 September 2022. The Group’s other 
financing arrangements do not contain any financial covenants. 

For the purposes of the going concern assessment, the directors 
have prepared monthly cash flow projections for the period to 
31 March 2024 (the assessment period) from the most recent  
three-year strategic plan. We consider 18 months to be a reasonable 
period for the going concern assessment as it enables us to consider 
the potential impact of macroeconomic and geopolitical factors over 
an extended period. 

The cash flow projections show that the Group has significant 
headroom against its committed facilities and meets its financial 
covenant obligations under the USPP debt agreements without 
any refinancing. 

Judgements and estimates 

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements requires 
management to make judgements and estimates that affect the 
application of policies and reported amounts of assets, liabilities, 
income and expenses. These judgements and estimates are based 
on historical experience and other factors that are believed to be 
reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ 
from these estimates. 

Accounting judgements 

There are no judgements that management considers to be critical 
in the preparation of these financial statements. 

Consistent with the prior year, there is a significant judgement in 
respect of the classification of cash payments relating to contract 
fulfilment assets in the cash flow statement. Contract fulfilment assets 
originate when payments are made, normally up front at the start of 
the client contract, that provide enhanced resources to the Group over 
the contract term. The Group classifies additions to contract fulfilment 
assets as investing activities in accordance with IAS 7 Statement of 
Cash Flows as they arise from cash payments in relation to assets that 
will generate long-term economic benefits. Further details are 
provided in note 10. 

Estimation uncertainty 

Major sources of estimation uncertainty 
The Group’s major sources of estimation uncertainty are in relation to 
goodwill and post-employment benefits on the basis that a reasonably 
possible change in key assumptions could have a material effect on 
the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities in the next 12 months. 

–  Goodwill 
The Group tests at least annually whether goodwill has suffered any 
impairment in accordance with IAS 36 Impairment of Assets. The 
recoverable amounts of the Group’s cash-generating units (CGU) are 
determined based on value-in-use calculations which 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 and 
sensitivity analysis are set out in note 8. 

–  Post-employment benefits 
The Group’s defined benefit pension schemes and similar 
arrangements are assessed half-yearly in accordance with IAS 19 
Employee Benefits. The present value of the defined benefit liabilities 
is based on assumptions determined with independent actuarial 
advice. The size of the net surplus/deficit is sensitive to the market 
value of the assets held by the schemes and to actuarial assumptions, 
including discount rates, inflation, pension and salary increases, and 
mortality and other demographic assumptions. The key assumptions 
used to value the liabilities and sensitivity analysis are set out in 
note 23. 

COMPASS GROUP PLC | ANNUAL REPORT 2022 
COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

135 
  135

Other sources of estimation uncertainty 
In addition to the major sources of uncertainty, management has 
identified other sources of estimation uncertainty which are 
summarised below. Whilst these are not considered to be major 
sources of uncertainty as defined by IAS 1 Presentation of Financial 
Statements, the recognition and measurement of certain material 
assets and liabilities are based on assumptions and/or are subject to 
longer-term uncertainties. 

–  Taxes 
The Group has operations in around 40 countries that are subject to 
direct and indirect taxes. The tax position is often not agreed with tax 
authorities until sometime after the relevant period end and, if subject 
to a tax audit, may be open for an extended period. In these 
circumstances, the recognition of tax liabilities and assets requires 
management estimation to reflect a variety of factors, including the 
status of any ongoing tax audits, historical experience, interpretations 
of tax law and the likelihood of settlement. 

The changing regulatory environment affecting all multinationals 
increases the estimation uncertainty associated with calculating the 
Group’s tax position. This is as a result of amendments to tax law at 
the national level, increased co-operation between tax authorities and 
greater cross-border transparency. 

The Group estimates and recognises additional tax liabilities as 
appropriate based on management’s interpretation of country-
specific tax law, external advice and the likelihood of settlement. 
Where the final tax outcome of these matters is different from the 
amounts that were initially recorded, such differences will impact the 
results in the year in which such determination is made. 

In addition, calculation and recognition of temporary differences 
giving rise to deferred tax assets requires estimates and judgements to 
be made on the extent to which future taxable profits are available 
against which these temporary differences can be utilised. 

Further details of this are provided in note 5 and note 29. 

–  Conflict in Ukraine 
During the year, the Group exited the Russian market in response to 
the conflict in Ukraine, with the disposal of the business completing in 
March 2022. As noted in the principal risks section of the Strategic 
Report on page 26, geopolitical tension, including the conflict 
between Russia and Ukraine, has been recognised as a new principal 
risk due to the heightened national security threats to countries, 
particularly in Europe and NATO, and the disruption to the global 
energy market which has contributed to the elevation of the existing 
cost inflation, economic and cyber security risks. The potential impact 
of the conflict in Ukraine on the reported amounts in the financial 
statements has been considered, in particular the exacerbation of 
global inflationary pressures on: 

–  the assessment of the carrying value of goodwill, contract-related 

non-current assets and trade receivables 

–  the cash flow forecasts used for the purposes of the going concern 

and viability assessments 

There was no impact on the reported amounts in the financial 
statements as a result of this review. 

136 
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CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

GROUP ACCOUNTING POLICIES CONTINUED 
For the year ended 30 September 2022 

–  Climate change 
Climate change is identified as a principal risk as its impact on the 
environment may lead to issues around food sourcing and supply 
chain continuity in some of the Group’s markets (see page 24). The 
potential impact of climate change has been assessed with scenario 
analysis conducted in line with the Task Force on Climate-related 
Financial Disclosures (TCFD) recommendations (see pages 46 and 
47). In October 2021, the Group announced a commitment to reach 
climate net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across its global 
operations and value chain by 2050 (see page 49). 

The potential impact of climate change and the Group’s net zero 
commitments on the reported amounts in the financial statements 
has been considered as follows: 

–  the cash flow forecasts used in the impairment assessments of  
the carrying value of non-current assets, in particular goodwill 
(see note 8) 

–  the cash flow forecasts used to determine the recoverability of 

deferred tax assets (see note 5) 

–  the valuation of post-employment benefit assets and liabilities (see 

note 23) 

–  the going concern (18 months) and viability (three years) 

assessments during which the potential impact of climate change is 
not expected to be significant 

–  the useful economic lives of tangible fixed assets and their exposure 

to the physical risks posed by climate change which are not 
expected to be significant due to the low capital intensity of 
the Group 

There was no impact on the reported amounts in the financial 
statements as a result of this review. 

UK market volatility 

The 2022 year end has coincided with a period of significant 
volatility in the UK market following the government’s mini-budget 
announcement on 23 September. In the week after the 
announcement, sterling weakened against the US dollar, and 
bond yields and interest rates increased. These movements 
exacerbated the trends already observed in these variables during 
the year which have had a significant impact on the Group’s 
financial statements as follows: 

–  There is a £591m exchange gain (2021: £154m loss) in the 

translation reserve mainly reflecting the impact of the weakening of 
sterling against the US dollar from £1:$1.35 at 30 September 2021 
to £1:$1.12 at 30 September 2022 on the Group’s US dollar-
denominated assets. The impact of exchange includes a loss of 
£190m in relation to the effective portion of net investment hedges 
(2021: £37m gain) (see page 129). 

–  There is a £1,038m gain (2021: £66m loss) on the remeasurement 
of pension liabilities largely driven by higher discount rates based 
on the yield on high-quality corporate bonds. This gain is partly 
offset by a £668m reduction (2021: £6m) in the market value of 
pension assets (see page 129 and note 23). 

–  As a result of an increase in interest rates, there is a £70m gain in 
the income statement and corresponding increase in the fair value 
of derivative financial instruments held to minimise volatility in 
short-term underlying finance costs under which the Group 
receives floating and pays fixed interest rates. There is a £317m 
reduction in the fair value of derivative financial instruments held to 
swap longer-term fixed-rate debt to floating interest rates which is 
offset by a £320m reduction in the carrying value of those 
borrowings through fair value hedge accounting (see notes 4 
and 19). 

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 arrangements 
and associates made up to 30 September each year. 

Subsidiaries, joint arrangements and associates 
Subsidiaries 

Subsidiaries are entities over which the Company has control. Control 
exists when the Company has power over an entity, exposure to 
variable returns from its involvement with an entity and the ability to 
use its power over the entity to affect its returns. The existence and 
effect of potential voting rights that are currently exercisable or 
convertible are also considered when assessing control. 

Joint arrangements 

Joint arrangements are entities in which the Group holds an interest 
on a long-term basis and which are jointly controlled by the Group and 
other entities under a contractual agreement. The Group accounts for 
its own share of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses measured 
according to the terms of the agreements covering the joint 
operations. Joint ventures are accounted for using the equity method. 

Associates 

Associates are undertakings that are not subsidiaries or joint 
arrangements 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. 

Adjustments 

Where necessary, adjustments are made to the financial statements 
of subsidiaries to bring the accounting policies used in line with those 
used by the Group. 

Acquisitions and disposals 

The results of subsidiaries, associates or joint arrangements acquired 
or disposed of during the year 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 operation of the Group, profits or losses are eliminated to the 
extent of the Group’s interest in the relevant joint operation. 

COMPASS GROUP PLC | ANNUAL REPORT 2022 
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Acquisitions 

Revenue and contract costs 

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 consolidated income statement. 

Where not all the equity of a subsidiary is acquired, the non-controlling 
interest is recognised at the non-controlling interest’s proportionate 
share of the net assets of the subsidiary. Put options over non-
controlling interests are recognised as a financial liability measured at 
fair value which is re-evaluated at each year end with a corresponding 
entry in other reserves. 

Foreign currency 

The consolidated financial statements are prepared in sterling, which 
is the functional and reporting currency of the Company. 

In preparing the financial statements of individual companies within 
the Group, transactions in currencies other than the companies’ 
functional currency 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 consolidated income statement for 
the year, 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 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 exchange rate. 

Revenue represents income derived from contracts for the provision 
of food and support services by the Group to customers in exchange 
for consideration in the normal course of business. The Group’s 
revenue is comprised of revenues under its contracts with clients. 
Clients engage the Group to provide food and support services at their 
locations. Depending on the type of client and service, we are paid 
either by our client and/or directly by the consumers to whom we 
have been provided access by our client, such as the client’s 
employees, visitors, pupils, patients and spectators. Payment terms 
are set at contract level and vary according to country, sector and 
individual client. 

Performance obligations 

The Company recognises revenue when its performance obligations 
are satisfied. Performance obligations are satisfied as control of the 
goods and services is transferred to the client and/or consumers. 
In certain cases, clients engage us to provide food and support 
services in a single multi-service contract. We recognise revenue for 
each separate performance obligation in respect of food and support 
services as these are provided. There is little judgement involved in 
determining if a performance obligation has been satisfied. 

At contract inception, the contract is assessed to identify each 
promise to transfer either a distinct good or service or a series of 
distinct goods or services that are substantially the same and have 
the same pattern of transfer to the customer. Goods and services are 
distinct and accounted for as separate performance obligations in the 
contract if the customer can benefit from them either on their own or 
together with other resources that are readily available to the 
customer and they are separately identifiable in the contract. 
Performance obligations are usually clearly identified within contracts 
and revenue is recognised for each separate performance obligation. 
Generally, where the Group has the obligation to its clients to make 
available the provision of food service for a predetermined period, its 
performance obligation represents a series of services delivered over 
time. There are also contracts under which the Group sells products 
directly to consumers and these performance obligations represent a 
transfer of a good at a point in time. 

Transaction price 

The transaction price is the amount of consideration to which the 
Group expects to be entitled in exchange for transferring the promised 
goods and services to the customer, excluding value added tax and 
similar sales taxes. For example, the transaction price may be based 
on a price per meal, which may vary with volume, or could be based 
on costs incurred plus an agreed management fee. 

The Group makes a variety of ongoing payments to clients, mainly 
commissions, concession rentals and reimbursement of utility costs. 
These are assessed for treatment as consideration paid to customers 
and where they are not in exchange for a distinct good or service they 
are recognised as a reduction of the transaction price. In addition, the 
Group may make a cash payment to a client typically at the start of a 
contract which is not an investment in service assets and does not 
generate or enhance the Group’s resources. Such payments are 
reported as prepayments and, as they are considered not to be in 
exchange for a distinct good or service, they are charged to the 
income statement as a deduction to revenue recognised over the 
contract term rather than as an operating cost. 

138 
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CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

GROUP ACCOUNTING POLICIES CONTINUED 
For the year ended 30 September 2022 

Timing of revenue recognition 

Revenue is recognised as performance obligations are satisfied as 
control of the goods and services is transferred to the customer. 
For each performance obligation within a contract, the Group 
determines whether it is satisfied over time or at a point in time. 

Whenever impairment indicators exist, the Group determines the 
recoverability of the contract fulfilment assets and capitalised costs to 
obtain a contract by comparing their carrying amount to the remaining 
amount of consideration that the Group expects to receive less the 
costs that relate to providing services under the relevant contract. 

The Group has determined that most of its performance obligations 
are satisfied over time as the client simultaneously receives and 
consumes the benefits provided by the Group as the food service 
and/or support service are rendered at the client site. In these 
circumstances, revenue is recognised at the amount which the 
Group has the right to invoice, where that amount corresponds 
directly with the value to the customer of the Group’s performance 
completed to date. Where the Group is contracted to sell directly to 
consumers, for example, in a retail café concession, the performance 
obligation is satisfied at a point in time, namely when the products 
are sold to the consumer. 

The nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows 
for performance obligations within a contract that are satisfied over 
time and at a point in time are considered to be similar and they are 
affected by the same economic factors. 

Costs to obtain a contract 

Costs incurred during the bidding period, prior to a contract being 
awarded, are expensed to the income statement. Costs incurred in 
securing the contract after preferred bidder status has been obtained 
are generally expensed as incurred, unless they fulfil the conditions for 
capitalisation as an asset. 

The incremental costs to obtain a contract with a customer, such as 
commissions to the salesforce, are capitalised if it is expected that 
those costs will be recoverable. Only commissions directly attributable 
to an individual contract award are capitalised, while commissions 
payable due to multiple contract wins or due to a portfolio of client 
contracts are expensed as incurred as they cannot be directly 
attributable to an identified contract. Costs to obtain a contract that 
would have been incurred regardless of whether the contract was 
obtained are recognised as an expense in the period. 

Costs to fulfil a contract 

Costs incurred in the fulfilment of the Group’s obligations to the client 
under the contract are recognised in the consolidated balance sheet 
and include contributions towards service assets, such as kitchen and 
restaurant fit-out costs and equipment, which are capitalised as 
contract fulfilment assets. Contract fulfilment costs covered within the 
scope of another accounting standard, such as property, plant and 
equipment and intangible assets, are not capitalised as contract 
fulfilment assets, but are treated according to other standards. 

Utilisation, derecognition and impairment of contract 
fulfilment assets and capitalised costs to obtain a contract 

Contract fulfilment assets are amortised on a straight-line basis over 
the shorter of the life of the client contract and the useful economic 
life of the assets. The amortisation charge is included within operating 
costs. Costs incurred to obtain a contract are unwound over the life of 
the client contract as an expense. 

Capitalised costs are derecognised either when disposed of or 
when no further economic benefits are expected to flow from their 
use or disposal. 

Rebates and other amounts received from suppliers 

Rebates and other amounts received from suppliers include agreed 
discounts from suppliers’ list prices, 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. 

Rebates received in respect of plant and equipment are deducted 
from the costs capitalised and are recognised in the consolidated 
income statement in line with depreciation. 

Agreed discounts relating to inventories are credited to the income 
statement within cost of sales 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. 

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. 

Operating profit 

Operating profit is stated after the share of profit after tax of joint 
ventures and associates, and before finance costs. 

Specific adjusting items 

Specific adjusting items are disclosed and described separately in the 
consolidated 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. 
Further details are provided in note 33. 

Tax 

Income tax expense comprises current and deferred tax. Tax is 
recognised in the consolidated 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 in respect of that period at the balance sheet date. Tax 
benefits are recognised if it is probable that these will be accepted by 
the relevant tax authorities. 

Subsequently, they are reviewed each year to assess whether 
provisions against full recognition of the benefits are necessary. 

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 the initial recognition of 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. 

Deferred tax liabilities are recognised for taxable temporary 
differences arising on investments in subsidiaries and associates, and 
interests in joint arrangements, 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 enacted or substantively enacted 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. 

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 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 CGUs 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 and relates to 
the total business for a country. 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 consolidated 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. 

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Other intangible assets 

Intangible assets acquired separately are capitalised at cost or, if 
acquired as part of a business combination, at fair value at the date 
of the acquisition.  

Group investment in rights to generate significant consumer revenue 
under client contracts is recognised at cost as other intangible assets. 

Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) arrangements are service contracts 
providing the Group with the right to access the cloud provider’s 
software over the contract period. As such, the Group does not receive 
a software intangible asset at the contract commencement date. 
Implementation services are assessed to determine whether they 
are distinct from the underlying use of the software. Where 
implementation services are not distinct, the cost is expensed as 
incurred. Where implementation services are distinct, an intangible 
asset is recognised if it satisfies the conditions for recognition as an 
intangible asset in accordance with IAS 38 Intangible Assets, 
otherwise the cost is expensed as incurred. 

Amortisation is charged on a straight-line basis over the expected 
useful lives of the assets. Intangible assets are reviewed for 
impairment annually. 

The following rates applied for the Group: 

–  client contract-related intangible assets: the life of the contract 
–  computer software: 10% to 33% per annum 

The typical useful life of contract-related intangibles ranges from 2 to 
20 years. 

Client contract-related intangible assets arising on acquisition of a 
business are recognised at fair value and amortised over the life of the 
contract, including the renewal period where appropriate. 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. 

Other intangible assets are tested for impairment if there are any 
indicators of impairment. 

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: 2% per annum 
–  plant and machinery: 8% to 33% per annum 
–  fixtures and fittings: 8% to 33% per annum 

When assets are sold, the difference between the sales proceeds and 
the carrying amount of the assets is recognised in the consolidated 
income statement. 

Property, plant and equipment is tested for impairment if there are 
any indicators of impairment. 

140 
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CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

GROUP ACCOUNTING POLICIES CONTINUED 
For the year ended 30 September 2022 

Assets held for sale 

Investments 

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.  

Assets held for sale are measured at the lower of carrying value and 
fair value less costs to sell. Goodwill is allocated to the held for sale 
business on a relative fair value basis where this business forms part 
of a larger CGU. Investments in joint ventures and associates that have 
been classified as held for sale are no longer accounted for using the 
equity method. 

If the non-current asset or disposal group that ceases to be classified 
as held for sale is a subsidiary, joint venture or associate, prior year 
comparatives are restated for the periods since classification as held 
for sale and accounted for retrospectively. 

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. 

Other investments comprising debt and equity instruments are 
recognised at fair value plus direct transaction costs. 

Debt instruments are classified at fair value through other 
comprehensive income. Gains and losses arising from changes in 
fair value are recognised directly in other comprehensive income, 
except for impairment gains or losses, interest income and foreign 
exchange gains and losses, which are recognised in the income 
statement. When the debt instrument is derecognised, cumulative 
amounts in other comprehensive income are reclassified to the 
income statement. 

Equity investments have been irrevocably designated at fair value 
through other comprehensive income. Gains and losses arising from 
changes in fair value are recognised directly in other comprehensive 
income, and are not subsequently reclassified to the Group income 
statement, including on derecognition. Impairment losses are not 
recognised separately from other changes in fair value. Dividends are 
recognised in the Group income statement when the Group’s right to 
receive payment is established. 

Other investments that are not equity investments, whose cash flows 
are not solely principal and interest or are not held in order to collect 
contractual cash flows, are classified and measured at fair value 
through profit and loss. Investments are included in non-current 
assets unless management intends to dispose of the investment 
within 12 months of the balance sheet date. 

Financial instruments 

Trade receivables 

Financial assets and liabilities are recognised on the Group’s balance 
sheet when the Group becomes a party to the contractual provisions 
of the instrument and derecognised when it ceases to be party to such 
provisions. Financial assets are classified as current if they are 
expected to be received within 12 months of the balance sheet date. 
Financial liabilities are classified as current if they are legally due to be 
paid within 12 months of the balance sheet date. 

Financial assets and liabilities, including derivative financial 
instruments, denominated in foreign currencies are translated into 
sterling at period-end exchange rates. Financial assets are classified 
as either fair value through profit and loss, fair value through other 
comprehensive income or amortised cost. Classification and 
subsequent remeasurement depends on the Group’s business model 
for managing the financial asset and its cash flow characteristics. 
Assets that are held for collection of contractual cash flows, where 
those cash flows represent solely payments of principal and interest, 
are measured at amortised cost. 

The carrying value of all trade receivables is recorded at amortised 
cost and reduced by provisions for impairment, which are measured 
at an amount equal to lifetime expected credit losses. In determining 
credit risk, the Group considers reasonable and supportable 
information that is relevant and available without undue cost or effort. 
This includes both quantitative and qualitative information and 
analysis based on the Group’s historical experience, and forward-
looking information. 

Cash and cash equivalents 

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash at bank and in hand, money 
market funds and short-term deposits with an original maturity of 
three months or less. Cash and overdrafts are presented on a net basis 
when the Group has a legally enforceable right to set off the balances 
and it regularly settles the balances on a net basis. 

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 adjusted for the fair value attributable 
to the risk being hedged. 

Trade payables 

Trade payables are not interest bearing and are stated at their 
nominal value. 

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Equity instruments 

Equity instruments issued by the Company are recorded at the 
proceeds received, net of direct issue costs. 

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 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. 

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 Group 
designates these as a hedge of its net investments in foreign 
operations and recognises the gains or losses on the retranslation 
of the borrowings in other comprehensive income. If the Group 
uses derivatives as the hedging instrument, the effective portion of 
the hedge is recognised in other comprehensive income, with any 
ineffective portion being recognised immediately in the income 
statement. Exchange differences arising from a monetary item 
receivable from or payable to a Group foreign operation, the 
settlement of which is neither planned nor likely in the foreseeable 
future, are considered to form part of a net investment in a foreign 
operation and are recognised directly in equity in the 
translation reserve. 

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 an unrecognised firm 
commitment, or net investment hedges where they hedge the 
exposure to foreign currency arising from a net investment in 
foreign operations. 

Gains and losses accumulated in other comprehensive income are 
recycled through the consolidated income statement on disposal of 
the foreign operation. 

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 consolidated 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. 

On adoption of IFRS 9 Financial Instruments, the Group elected to 
continue to apply hedge accounting guidance in IAS 39 Financial 
Instruments: Recognition and Measurement. 

Fair value hedges 
In relation to fair value hedges which meet the conditions for 
hedge accounting, any gain or loss from remeasuring the hedging 
instrument at fair value is recognised immediately in the consolidated 
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 consolidated income statement. 
Where the adjustment is to an unrecognised firm commitment, an 
asset or liability is recognised on the balance sheet. When the 
hedged transaction occurs, that asset or liability is recognised in 
the initial measurement of the acquisition cost and carrying amount 
of the asset or liability. 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. 

Leases 

At the inception of a contract, the Group assesses whether the 
contract is, or contains, a lease. A contract is, or contains, a lease if it 
conveys the right to control the use of an identified asset for a period 
of time in exchange for consideration. Control is conveyed where the 
Group has both the right to direct the identified asset’s use and to 
obtain substantially all the economic benefits from that use. The 
Group allocates the consideration in the contract to each lease and 
non-lease component. The non-lease component, where it is 
separately identifiable, is not included in the right-of-use asset. 

When a lease is recognised in a contract the Group recognises a right-
of-use asset and a lease liability at the lease commencement date. 
The Group recognises a right-of-use asset and a corresponding lease 
liability with respect to all lease arrangements in which it is the lessee, 
except for leases of low value assets with an initial fair value less than 
approximately £5,000 and short-term leases of 12 months or less. For 
these leases, the lease payments are charged to the income 
statement as an operating expense on a straight-line basis over the 
period of the lease. 

The right-of-use asset is initially measured at cost, comprising the 
initial lease liability adjusted for any lease payments already made, 
plus any initial direct costs incurred and an estimate of restoration 
costs, less any lease incentives received. The right-of-use asset is 
subsequently depreciated on a straight-line basis over the shorter of 
the lease term or the useful life of the underlying asset. The estimated 
useful lives of right-of-use assets are determined on the same basis as 
those of property, plant and equipment. The right-of-use asset is 
tested for impairment if there are any indicators of impairment. 

142 
142 

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

GROUP ACCOUNTING POLICIES CONTINUED 
For the year ended 30 September 2022 

The lease liability is measured at the present value of the lease 
payments that are reasonably certain and not paid at the 
commencement date, discounted at the lessee’s incremental 
borrowing rate specific to the term, country and start date of the lease. 
The lease liability is subsequently measured at amortised cost using 
the effective interest method. The lease liability is remeasured, with a 
corresponding adjustment to the right-of-use asset, by discounting the 
revised lease payments as follows: 

– using the initial discount rate at the inception of the lease when 
lease payments change as a result of changes to residual value 
guarantees and changes in an index other than a floating 
interest rate 

– using a revised discount rate when lease payments change as a 
result of the Group’s reassessment of whether it is reasonably 
certain to exercise a purchase, extension or termination option, 
changes in the lease term or as a result of a change in floating 
interest rates 

The lease term is the non-cancellable period beginning at the contract 
commencement date plus periods covered by an option to extend the 
lease, if it is reasonably certain that the Group will exercise the option, 
and periods covered by an option to terminate the lease, if it is 
reasonably certain that the Group will not exercise this option. 

Variable lease payments that are not included in the measurement of 
the lease liability are recognised in the consolidated income 
statement in the period in which the event or condition that triggers 
payment occurs. 

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. Restructuring 
provisions are recognised if a detailed restructuring plan is in place, a 
valid expectation that the plan will be implemented has been created 
in those impacted by it and there is a reliable estimate of the costs 
involved. Restructuring provisions only include the direct costs of the 
restructuring and exclude future operating costs. A provision for 
onerous contracts is recognised when the expected benefits to be 
derived by the Group from a contract are lower than the unavoidable 
cost of meeting its obligations under the contract. 

Employee benefits 
Pension obligations 

The Group operates two types of pension plans: 

– defined contribution plans where the Group makes contributions to 
a member’s pension plan, but has no further payment obligations 
once the contributions have been paid 

– defined benefit plans which provide pension payments upon 

retirement to members as defined by the plan rules 

For defined contribution plans, the Group pays contributions to 
separately administered pension plans. The Group has no further 
payment obligations once the contributions have been paid. The 
contributions payable by the Group in respect of defined contribution 
plans are charged to the consolidated income statement when they 
are due. Payments made to state-managed schemes are treated 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. 

For defined benefit plans, the calculation of the defined benefit 
obligation is performed half-yearly by a qualified actuary using the 
projected unit credit method. The consolidated balance sheet reflects 
a net asset or net liability for each defined benefit pension plan. The 
net asset or liability recognised is the present value of the defined 
benefit obligation discounted using the yields on high-quality 
corporate bonds, less the fair value of plan assets (at bid price), if any. 
If the fair value of the plan assets exceeds the defined benefit 
obligation, a pension surplus is only recognised if the Group considers 
that it has an unconditional right to a refund. 

For the UK defined benefit plan, the Group considers that it has an 
unconditional right to a refund of a surplus, assuming the gradual 
settlement of the plan liabilities over time until all members have left 
the plan. The trustees cannot unconditionally wind up the plan or use 
the surplus to enhance member benefits without employer consent. 
The Group’s judgement is that these trustee rights do not prevent the 
Group from recognising an unconditional right to a refund and 
therefore a surplus. 

Net interest income (if a plan is in surplus) or net interest expense (if a 
plan is in deficit) is calculated using yields on high-quality corporate 
bonds and recognised in the consolidated income statement. A 
current service cost is recognised which represents the expected 
present value of the defined benefit pension entitlement earned by 
members in the period. 

Remeasurements, which include gains and losses as a result of 
changes in actuarial assumptions, the effect of the limit on the plan 
surplus (if any) and returns on plan assets (other than amounts 
included in net interest) are recognised in the consolidated statement 
of comprehensive income in the period in which they occur. 
Remeasurements are not reclassified to profit or loss in 
subsequent periods. 

COMPASS GROUP PLC | ANNUAL REPORT 2022 
COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

143 
  143

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. 

The non-qualified deferred compensation plan in the US (Rabbi Trust) 
does not meet the definition of a defined contribution scheme under 
IAS 19 and is, therefore, accounted for as a defined benefit scheme. 

Share-based payments 

The Group issues equity-settled share-based payments to certain 
employees which 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 the Black-Scholes pricing model. The 
expected life used in the model is adjusted, based on management’s 
best estimate, for the effects of exercise restrictions and behavioural 
considerations. 

Holiday pay 

Paid holidays and similar entitlements are regarded as an employee 
benefit and are charged to the consolidated 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. 

Government grants 

Government grants are recognised at fair value when there is 
reasonable assurance that the conditions associated with the grants 
have been complied with and the grants will be received. Grants 
compensating for expenses incurred are recognised as a deduction 
against the related expenses in the consolidated income statement 
on a systematic basis in the same periods in which the expenses 
are incurred. 

Own shares 

The own shares reserve represents shares in Compass Group PLC 
held either in treasury, including transaction costs, or by employee 
share trusts to satisfy liabilities to employees for long-term incentive 
plans. Own shares are treated as a deduction to equity until the shares 
are cancelled, reissued or sold, at which point they are transferred to 
retained earnings. The nominal value of shares in the Company 
purchased and subsequently cancelled is shown as a reduction in 
share capital and an equal and opposite transfer to the capital 
redemption reserve. 

144 
144 

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
For the year ended 30 September 2022 

1  SEGMENTAL ANALYSIS 
The management of the Group’s operations, excluding Central activities, is organised within three segments: North America, Europe and Rest of 
World. 

REVENUE1,2 
YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2022 
Business & Industry 
Education 
Healthcare & Senior Living 
Sports & Leisure 
Defence, Offshore & Remote 
Underlying revenue3, 4 
Less: Share of revenue of joint ventures 

Revenue 

YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2021 
Business & Industry 
Education 
Healthcare & Senior Living 
Sports & Leisure 
Defence, Offshore & Remote 
Underlying revenue3, 4 
Less: Share of revenue of joint ventures 

Revenue 

Geographical segments 

North America 
£m 

Europe  
£m 

Rest of World  
£m 

Total 
£m 

4,805 
3,782 
5,437 
2,854 
261 

17,139 
(18)

17,121 

2,759 
2,449 
4,582 
1,169 
211 

11,170 
(21)

11,149 

2,660 
874 
1,001 
738 
662 

5,935 
(241) 

5,694 

2,100 
680 
930 
330 
601 

4,641 
(207) 

4,434 

936 
173 
404 
89 
1,095 

2,697 
– 

2,697 

746 
137 
389 
46 
1,007 

2,325 
– 

2,325 

8,401
4,829
6,842
3,681
2,018

25,771
(259)

25,512

5,605
3,266
5,901
1,545
1,819

18,136
(228)

17,908

1. There is no inter-segment trading. 
2. An analysis of revenue recognised over time and at a point in time is not provided on the basis that the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash 

flows is considered to be similar. 

3. Revenue plus share of revenue of joint ventures. 
4. Underlying revenue arising in the UK, the Group’s country of domicile, was £1,975m (2021: £1,446m). Underlying revenue arising in the US region was £16,274m 

(2021: £10,582m). Underlying revenue arising in all countries outside the UK from which the Group derives revenue was £23,796m (2021: £16,690m). 

PROFIT 
YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2022 
Underlying operating profit/(loss) before results of joint ventures  

and associates 

Add: Share of profit before tax of joint ventures 
Add: Share of results of associates 
Underlying operating profit/(loss) 1 
Less: Acquisition-related costs2 
Add: COVID-19 resizing credit2 
Less: Tax on share of profit of joint ventures2 
Operating profit/(loss) 
Net loss on sale and closure of businesses2 
Finance costs 

Profit before tax 
Income tax expense 

Profit for the year 

1. Operating profit excluding specific adjusting items (see note 33).  
2. Specific adjusting item (see note 33). 

Geographical segments 

North America 
£m 

Europe 
£m 

Rest of World  
£m 

Central activities 
£m 

Total 
£m 

1,226 

1 
9 

1,236 
(57)
4 
– 

1,183 

262 

28 
9 

299 
(30)
– 
(2)

267 

141 

(86) 

1,543

– 
– 

141 
(4) 
– 
– 

137 

– 
– 

(86) 
(1) 
– 
– 

(87) 

29
18

1,590
(92)
4
(2)

1,500

(7)
(24)

1,469
(352)

1,117

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
COMPASS GROUP PLC | ANNUAL REPORT 2022 
COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

145 
  145

1  SEGMENTAL ANALYSIS CONTINUED 

PROFIT 
YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2021 
Underlying operating profit/(loss) before results of joint ventures 

and associates 

Add: Share of profit before tax of joint ventures 
Add: Share of results of associates 
Underlying operating profit/(loss)1 
Less: Acquisition-related costs2 
Less: COVID-19 resizing costs2 
Less: One-off pension charge2 
Less: Tax on share of profit of joint ventures2 
Operating profit/(loss) 
Net gain on sale and closure of businesses2 
Finance costs 

Profit before tax 
Income tax expense 

Profit for the year 

1. Operating profit excluding specific adjusting items (see note 33). 
2. Specific adjusting item (see note 33). 

AT 30 SEPTEMBER 2022 
Total assets 
Total liabilities  

Net assets/(liabilities) 

Total assets include: 
Interests in joint ventures and associates 
Non-current assets1 
AT 30 SEPTEMBER 2021 
Total assets 
Total liabilities 

Net assets/(liabilities) 
Total assets include: 
Interests in joint ventures and associates 
Non-current assets1 

Geographical segments 

North America 
£m 

Europe 
£m 

Rest of World  
£m 

Central activities
£m 

605

3
(1)

607
(47)
–
–
–

560

117 

130 

30 
– 

147 
(57)
(149)
(2)
(1)

(62)

– 
– 

130 
(2) 
(8) 
– 
– 

120 

(73)

– 
– 

(73)
– 
– 
– 
– 

(73)

Total 
£m 

779 

33 
(1)

811 
(106)
(157)
(2)
(1)

545 

10 
(91)

464 
(107)

357 

Geographical segments 

North 
America
£m 

Europe
£m 

Rest of World
£m 

Central 
activities 
£m 

Unallocated 
Current and 
deferred tax 
£m 

Net debt
£m 

Total
£m 

9,872 
(4,768)

5,104 

4,500
(1,512)

2,988

1,196 
(770)

426 

84 
7,187 

182
3,340

4 
527 

6,885 
(2,913)

3,972 

4,285
(1,444)

2,841

979 
(589)  

390 

44 
5,258 

180
3,362

32 
510 

714 
(268) 
446 

– 
703 

467 
(254) 

213 

– 
458 

336 
(405) 
(69) 

2,130
(5,120)

(2,990)

18,748 
(12,843)

5,905 

– 
230 

–
76

270 
12,063 

294 
(253) 

41 

1,958
(4,496)

(2,538)

14,868 
(9,949)

4,919 

– 
212 

–
116

256 
9,916 

1. Non-current assets located in the UK, the Group’s country of domicile, were £1,927m (2021: £1,923m). Non-current assets located in the US region were £6,749m 

(2021: £4,872m). Non-current assets located in all foreign countries in which the Group holds assets were £10,136m (2021: £7,993m). 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
146 
146 

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 
For the year ended 30 September 2022 

1  SEGMENTAL ANALYSIS CONTINUED 

YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2022 
Additions to other intangible assets 
Additions to contract fulfilment assets 
Additions to right-of-use assets 
Additions to property, plant and equipment 
Amortisation of other intangible assets1 
Amortisation of contract fulfilment assets 
Depreciation of right-of-use assets 
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment 
Impairment losses 
Impairment reversals 
Other non-cash expenses2 
Assets held for sale 
YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2021 
Additions to other intangible assets 
Additions to contract fulfilment assets 
Additions to right-of-use assets 
Additions to property, plant and equipment 
Amortisation of other intangible assets1 
Amortisation of contract fulfilment assets 
Depreciation of right-of-use assets 
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment 
Impairment losses 
Impairment reversals 
Other non-cash expenses2 
Assets held for sale 

1. Including the amortisation of intangibles arising on acquisition. 
2. Other non-cash expenses represent share-based payments. 

Geographical segments 

Notes 

North America 
£m 

Europe 
£m 

Rest of World  
£m 

Central activities  
£m 

9 
10 
11 
12 
9 
10 
11 
12 
2 
2 
25 
26 

9 
10 
11 
12 
9 
10 
11 
12 
2 
2 
25 
26 

117 
211 
63 
166 
124 
208 
70 
148 
5 
– 
14 
– 

90 
226 
48 
129 
100 
192 
65 
129 
25 
– 
9 
– 

26 
3 
43 
84 
51 
3 
74 
74 
10 
(2)
7 
– 

27 
3 
48 
70 
45 
4 
77 
80 
12 
(4)
4 
– 

7 
4 
15 
34 
11 
3 
11 
37 
– 
– 
4 
26 

4 
2 
12 
26 
11 
4 
13 
39 
2 
– 
2 
17 

27 
– 
1 
– 
5 
– 
1 
1 
– 
(2) 
9 
– 

33 
– 
– 
– 
3 
– 
1 
2 
– 
– 
5 
– 

Total 
£m 

177
218
122
284
191
214
156
260
15
(4)
34
26

154
231
108
225
159
200
156
250
39
(4)
20
17

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2  OPERATING COSTS 

OPERATING COSTS 
Cost of food and materials: 
Cost of inventories consumed 
Labour costs: 
Employee remuneration 
Overheads: 
Commissions and fees paid to clients 
Amortisation – other intangible assets 
Amortisation – contract fulfilment assets 
Depreciation – right-of-use assets 
Depreciation – property, plant and equipment 
Impairment losses – other intangible assets1 
Impairment losses – contract fulfilment assets1 
Impairment losses – right-of-use assets1 
Impairment losses – property, plant and equipment1 
Impairment reversals – right-of-use assets 
Impairment reversals – property, plant and equipment 
COVID-19 resizing (credit)/costs2 
Net impairment losses/(gains) on trade receivables 
Net impairment losses on other receivables 
Expense relating to short-term leases, low-value assets and variable lease payments 
Audit and non-audit services (see below) 
Other expenses 
Operating costs before acquisition-related costs2 
Amortisation – intangible assets arising on acquisition 
Impairment losses – intangible assets arising on acquisition 
Acquisition transaction costs 
Adjustment to contingent consideration on acquisition 

Total 

COMPASS GROUP PLC | ANNUAL REPORT 2022 
COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

147 
  147

Notes  

2022
£m 

2021 
£m 

6,931 

4,490 

3 

12,163 

9,328 

9 
10 
11 
12 
9 
10 
11 
12 
11 
12 

15 
15 
11 

9 
9 
26 

1,054 
100 
214 
156 
260 
3 
3 
4 
5 
(3)
(1)
(4)
23 
6 
122 
7 
2,922 

23,965 
91 
– 
10 
(9)

24,057 

359 
79 
200 
156 
250 
8 
11 
5 
10 
– 
(4)
157 
(28)
7 
87 
7 
2,166 

17,288 
80 
5 
10 
11 

17,394 

1. 2021 impairment losses on contract-related non-current assets (£32m) and other assets (£2m) re-presented by asset category. 
2. Specific adjusting item (see note 33). 

COVID-19 resizing costs 

When the pandemic began in March 2020, the Group adjusted its business model to the new trading environment, and incurred £122m of 
resizing costs in the year ended 30 September 2020 and a further charge for costs of £157m was recognised in the year ended 30 September 
2021. These costs were excluded from the Group’s underlying results (see note 33). No COVID-19 resizing costs were recognised during the year 
ended 30 September 2022, although there was a £4m reversal of unutilised provisions (2021: £nil). A total of £57m (2021: £186m) has been paid 
during the year in relation to programmes aimed at resizing the business.  

Government grants and other COVID-19 assistance 

During the year ended 30 September 2022, the Group continued to utilise government support to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic 
where appropriate and recognised £51m (2021: £254m) in respect of temporary wage and other support schemes.  

Audit and non-audit services 

AUDIT AND NON-AUDIT SERVICES 
AUDIT SERVICES 
Fees payable for the audit of the Company and consolidated financial statements 
Fees payable for the audit of the Company’s subsidiaries and joint ventures 

Total  
NON-AUDIT SERVICES 
Audit-related assurance 

Total 
AUDIT AND NON-AUDIT SERVICES 
Total 

2022
£m 

2021 
£m 

1.8 
5.0 

6.8 

0.3 

0.3 

7.1 

1.4 
4.9 

6.3 

0.3 

0.3 

6.6 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
148 
148 

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 
For the year ended 30 September 2022 

3  EMPLOYEES 

AVERAGE NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES, INCLUDING DIRECTORS AND PART-TIME EMPLOYEES 
North America 
Europe 
Rest of World 

Total 

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 

Notes 

25 
23 
23 

2022 

2021 

248,937 
158,503 
106,267 

513,707 

2022 
£m 

10,285 
1,645 
34 
175 
24 

12,163 

229,740
150,331
97,999

478,070

2021 
£m 

7,769
1,391
20
124
24

9,328

In addition to the pension costs shown in operating costs above, there is an interest charge on net post-employment benefit obligations of £12m 
(2021: £2m income). 

The remuneration of directors and key management personnel1 is set out below. Additional information on directors’ and key management 
remuneration, long-term incentive plans, pension contributions and entitlements can be found in the audited section of the Directors’ 
Remuneration Report on pages 86 to 113 and forms part of these accounts. 

REMUNERATION OF KEY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL1 
Salaries  
Other short-term employee remuneration 
Share-based payments  
Pension salary supplement 
Termination payments2 
Total 

2022 
£m 

7.7 
10.2 
6.1 
0.6 
– 

24.6 

2021 
£m 

7.4
8.5
3.8
1.2
0.2

21.1

1. Key management personnel is defined as the Board and the individuals who made up the Executive Committee from time to time during the year, more details of 

which can be found on pages 54 to 60. 

2. Termination payments include compensation for loss of office and statutory redundancy and exclude contractual pay in lieu of notice. 

 
 
 
 
4  FINANCE COSTS 

FINANCE COSTS 
Interest on cash and cash equivalents 
Interest on net post-employment benefit assets 
Other 

Finance income 

Interest on bank loans and overdrafts  
Interest on other borrowings1 
Interest on lease liabilities 
Unwinding of discount on provisions 

Finance expense 

Net gains on derivative financial instruments in a fair value hedge 
Net gains on derivative financial instruments at fair value through profit or loss 
Change in fair value of investments at fair value through profit or loss 
Dividends received from Rabbi Trust investments2 
Interest on net post-employment benefit obligations2 
Other 
Other financing items3 
Total 

COMPASS GROUP PLC | ANNUAL REPORT 2022 
COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

149 
  149

Notes 

23 

11 
22 

14 
14 
23 

2022
£m 

9 
– 
2 

11 

(3)
(68)
(35)
(5)

2021 
£m 

4 
2 
1 

7 

(4)
(78)
(35)
(3)

(111)

(120)

3 
70 
(5)
20 
(12)
– 

76 

(24)

11 
11 
1 
– 
– 
(1)

22 

(91)

1. Includes interest income on derivative financial instruments in a fair value hedge of £19m (2021: £34m) and interest income on derivative financial instruments at 

fair value through profit or loss of £2m (2021: £7m expense). 

2. See page 181. 
3. Specific adjusting item (see note 33). 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
150 
150 

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 
For the year ended 30 September 2022 

5  TAX 

INCOME TAX EXPENSE  
CURRENT TAX 
Current year 
Adjustment in respect of prior years 

Current tax expense 
DEFERRED TAX 
Current year  
Impact of changes in statutory tax rates 
Adjustment in respect of prior years 

Deferred tax charge/(credit) 
TOTAL 
Income tax expense  

2022 
£m 

322 
28 

350 

39 
2 
(39) 

2 

2021 
£m 

226
(7)

219

(84)
(16)
(12)

(112)

352 

107

The income tax expense for the year is based on the effective UK statutory rate of corporation tax for the period of 19% (2021: 19%). Overseas tax 
is calculated at the rates prevailing in the respective jurisdictions. 

The income tax effects of the adjustments between statutory and underlying results are shown in note 33 to the consolidated financial statements. 
There is no difference between the statutory and underlying net cash tax paid of £332m (2021: statutory and underlying £200m). 

RECONCILIATION OF EFFECTIVE TAX RATE 
Profit before tax 

Notional income tax expense at the effective UK statutory rate of 19% (2021: 19%) 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 joint ventures and associates 
Unrelieved current year tax losses  
Prior year items 

Income tax expense 

2022 
£m 
1,469 

279 
69 

2 
11 
– 
(1) 
3 
(11) 

352 

2021 
£m 
464

88
43

(16)
12
(2)
(1)
2
(19)

107

Permanent differences includes the current year movement in our estimated liability for uncertain tax positions, the benefit of tax credits and 
incentives and internal financing that is in place to ensure the Group’s overseas businesses are appropriately capitalised. Prior year items relate to 
the reassessment of prior year tax estimates and the resolution of open items. 

Tax uncertainties and associated risks are increasing for all multinational groups as a consequence of changes to local and international tax rules. 
Tax risk can arise from unclear regulations and differences in interpretation but, most significantly, where tax authorities apply diverging 
standards in assessing intra-group cross-border transactions. The Group has recognised provisions in respect of uncertain tax positions, none of 
which is individually material. In determining such liabilities, having regard to the specific circumstances of each tax position and external advice 
where appropriate, the Group assesses the range of potential outcomes and estimates whether additional tax may be due. 

The Group is currently subject to a number of reviews and audits in jurisdictions around the world that primarily relate to complex corporate tax issues.  

The Canadian Revenue Agency is continuing its enquiry into an intra-group financing arrangement implemented in July 2015. Compass Group 
Canada Limited and Canteen of Canada Limited have received assessments to additional federal and provincial taxes totalling £79m (£60m of tax 
and £19m of interest) and further assessments may be issued. We have considered a range of possible outcomes in assessing the liability and the 
provision is unchanged from the previous year. 

In March 2022, the UK tax authority indicated that it may seek to challenge aspects of an intra-group refinancing undertaken in 2013. The 
challenge relates to the deductibility of interest for UK corporation tax purposes for the period from June 2013 to December 2016 on certain loans 
which formed part of that refinancing. We have had further discussions with the tax authority and, although they have not determined whether or 
how to challenge the arrangement, we consider that it is now appropriate to record a provision based on a range of possible outcomes. Our 
maximum potential liability is £62m of tax and £12m of interest. 

The Group does not currently anticipate any material changes to the amounts recorded at 30 September 2022 (see also note 29). 

 
 
 
COMPASS GROUP PLC | ANNUAL REPORT 2022 
COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

151 
  151

5  TAX CONTINUED 
The global nature of the Group’s operations gives rise to various factors which could affect the future tax rate. These include the mix of profits, 
changes to overseas statutory tax rates or tax legislation and the foreign exchange rates applicable when those profits are translated into sterling. 
The UK government has enacted an increase in the UK corporation tax rate from 19% to 25% with effect from 1 April 2023. In addition, the future 
tax charge may be affected by the impact of acquisitions, disposals or other restructurings and the resolution of open issues with tax authorities. 

The OECD Pillar Two framework and subsequent UK draft legislation to introduce a global minimum tax rate for large multinationals will, as 
currently proposed, apply to the Group for the year ending 30 September 2025. The impact is not expected to be material and the Group is 
continuing to monitor developments. 

TAX CHARGED TO OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME 
Current and deferred tax charge on actuarial and other movements on post-employment benefits 
Current and deferred tax credit on foreign exchange movements 

Total 

2022
£m 

65 
– 

65 

MOVEMENT IN NET DEFERRED 
TAX ASSET/(LIABILITY) 
At 1 October 2020 
Credit/(charge) to income 
(Charge)/credit to other 

comprehensive income 

Sale and closure of businesses 
Exchange adjustment 

At 30 September 2021 
Credit/(charge) to income 
Charge to other comprehensive 

income 

Business acquisitions 
Sale and closure of businesses 
Reclassification 
Exchange adjustment 

At 30 September 2022 

Tax 
depreciation 
£m 
(75)
48 
– 

Intangibles 
and contract 
fulfilment assets 
£m 
(396)
(1)
– 

Net pensions 
and post- 
employment 
benefits 
£m 
94
14
(5)

Net self-funded 
insurance 
provisions  
£m 
76 
(1) 
– 

Net short-term 
temporary 
differences 
£m 
266 
20 
1 

Tax losses 
£m 
61 
32 
– 

– 
6 

(21)
(15)
– 

– 
– 
– 
(20)

(56)

– 
15 

(382)
4 
– 

(6)
– 
(2)
(59)

(445)

–
(7)

96
6
(63)

–
– 
–
31

70

– 
(3)

90 
2 
– 

– 
– 
– 
3 

95 

– 
(3) 

72 
6 
–  

– 
–  
– 
16 

94 

(1)
(13)

273 
(5)
– 

– 
(1)
2 
43 

312 

2021 
£m 

5 
(1)

4 

Total 
£m 

26 
112 
(4)

(1)
(5)

128 
(2)
(63)

(6)
(1)
– 
14 

70 

Net short-term temporary differences relate principally to provisions and other liabilities of overseas subsidiaries. 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 

2022
£m 
230 
(160)

70 

2021 
£m 
212 
(84)

128 

Deferred tax assets of £230m (2021: £212m) include £95m (2021: £90m) relating to the carry forward of unused tax losses. These arose 
predominantly in subsidiaries that incurred losses during the COVID-19 period, including charges incurred for restructuring costs. The directors 
consider it probable that sufficient taxable profit will be available against which the unused tax losses can be utilised. Management expects these 
deferred tax assets to be utilised over a period of between one and five years. In evaluating whether it is probable that taxable profits will be 
earned in future accounting periods, management derived their forecasts from the most recent three-year strategic plan approved by 
management used for the purposes of reviewing goodwill for impairment (see note 8), updated for the effect of applicable tax laws and regulations 
relevant to those future taxable profits. No reasonably possible change in any of the key assumptions would result in a significant reduction in 
projected taxable profits such that the recognised deferred tax asset would not be realised.  

Deferred tax assets have not been recognised in respect of tax losses of £323m (2021: £267m) and other temporary differences of £21m (2021: 
£21m). Of the unrecognised tax losses, £269m (2021: £236m) will expire at various dates between 2023 and 2031. These deferred tax assets 
have not been recognised as the timing of recovery is uncertain. 

The Group does not recognise any deferred tax liability on temporary differences relating to potentially taxable unremitted earnings of overseas 
subsidiaries totalling £636m (2021: £567m) because it is able to control the timing of reversal of these differences. It is probable that no reversal 
will take place in the foreseeable future. 

 
152 
152 

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 
For the year ended 30 September 2022 

6  EARNINGS PER SHARE 
The calculation of earnings per share is based on profit for the year attributable to equity shareholders and the weighted average number of 
shares in issue during the year. 

PROFIT FOR THE YEAR ATTRIBUTABLE TO EQUITY SHAREHOLDERS 
Profit for the year attributable to equity shareholders 

AVERAGE NUMBER OF SHARES  
Average number of shares for basic earnings per share 
Dilutive share options 

Average number of shares for diluted earnings per share 

EARNINGS PER SHARE  
Basic 
Diluted 

2022  
£m 
1,113 

2021 
£m 
357 

2022  
Ordinary shares 
of 111/20p each 
millions 
1,779 
– 
1,779 

2022 
pence 
62.6p 
62.6p 

2021 
Ordinary shares 
of 111/20p each 
millions 

1,784 
1 

1,785 

2021 
pence 
20.0p 
20.0p 

Underlying earnings per share for the year ended 30 September 2022 was 63.0p (2021: 29.5p). Underlying earnings per share is calculated 
based on earnings excluding the effect of acquisition-related costs, COVID-19 resizing costs, one-off pension charge, gains and losses on sale and 
closure of businesses and other financing items, together with the tax attributable to these amounts (see note 33). 

7  DIVIDENDS 
A final dividend in respect of 2022 of 22.1p per share, £389m in aggregate1, has been proposed, giving a total dividend in respect of 2022 of 
31.5p per share (2021: 14.0p per share). The proposed final dividend is subject to approval by shareholders at the Annual General Meeting to be 
held on 9 February 2023 and has not been included as a liability in these financial statements. 

DIVIDENDS ON ORDINARY SHARES 
Amounts recognised as distributions to equity shareholders during the year: 
Final 2021 
Interim 2022 

Total 

2022 

Dividends 
per share 
pence 

14.0 
9.4 

23.4 

£m 

250 
168 

418 

2021 

Dividends  
per share  
pence 

– 
– 

– 

£m 

–
–

–

1. Based on the number of ordinary shares, excluding treasury shares, in issue at 30 September 2022 (1,760m shares). 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
8  GOODWILL 

GOODWILL 
COST 
At 1 October 
Business acquisitions 
Sale and closure of businesses 
Currency adjustment 

At 30 September 
IMPAIRMENT 
At 1 October 
Currency adjustment 

At 30 September 
NET CARRYING AMOUNT 
At 30 September 

GOODWILL BY BUSINESS SEGMENT 
US 
Canada 

North America 
UK1  
Finland 
Other 

Europe  

Japan 
Other 

Rest of World 

Total  

COMPASS GROUP PLC | ANNUAL REPORT 2022 
COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

153 
  153

2022 
£m 

2021 
£m 

5,058 
122 
(5)
489 

5,664 

508 
37 

545 

5,189 
17 
(1)
(147)

5,058 

520 
(12)

508 

5,119 

4,550 

2022 
£m 

2,498 
219 

2,717 

1,481 
125 
506 

2,112 

107 
183 

290 

2021 
£m 

1,996 
193 

2,189 

1,456 
123 
510 

2,089 

115 
157 

272 

5,119 

4,550 

1. Includes £1.3bn which arose in 2000 on the Granada transaction. 

Approach to impairment testing 

The Group tests goodwill annually for impairment, or more frequently if there are indications that goodwill might be impaired. Consistent with the 
monitoring and management of the business, the cash-generating units (CGU) relate to the total business for each country in which the Group 
operates. The recoverable amount of a CGU is determined from value-in-use calculations.  

Key assumptions 

The key assumptions for the value-in-use calculations are operating cash flow forecasts from the most recent three-year strategic plan approved 
by management, externally-derived long-term growth rates and pre-tax discount rates.  

The strategic plan is based on expectations of future outcomes taking into account past experience, adjusted for anticipated revenue growth, 
from both new business and like-for-like growth, and taking into consideration macroeconomic and geopolitical factors, including the impact of 
inflation and climate change.  

Cash flows beyond the three-year period covered by the plan 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 (WACC) adjusted for specific risks relating to the country 
in which the CGU operates. This year, consistent with IAS 36 Impairment of Assets, the company-specific beta and gearing ratio assumptions 
used in the calculation of the Group’s WACC have been replaced with market participant measures based on the averages of a number of 
companies with similar assets. The comparative discount rates would have been lower had this change been made in the prior year. The change 
in the calculation of the discount rates has not resulted in a change in the conclusion that the Group’s goodwill balances are not impaired and is 
not, therefore, considered to be a change in an accounting estimate as defined by IAS 8 Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates 
and Errors. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
154 
154 

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 
For the year ended 30 September 2022 

8  GOODWILL CONTINUED 

GROWTH AND DISCOUNT RATES 
US 
Canada 
UK 
Finland 
Rest of Europe1 
Japan 
Rest of World 

2022 

2021 

Pre-tax discount 
rates 

Long-term growth 
rates 
2.2% 
2.0% 
2.3% 
1.4% 

9.2% 
9.6% 
9.5% 
8.3% 
0.8% – 14.4%  8.2% – 27.5% 
8.2% 
1.3% – 4.4%  7.9% – 16.1% 

0.9% 

Pre-tax discount 
rates 

Long-term growth 
rates 
2.0% 
2.0% 
1.7% 
1.6% 

10.3%
11.1%
10.2%
9.5%
0.9% – 9.4%  9.3% – 24.1%
10.9%
1.3% – 4.5%  9.1% – 17.0%

1.0% 

1. Rest of Europe includes Turkey which has residual growth rate and pre-tax discount rate assumptions of 14.4% (2021: 9.4%) and 27.5% (2021: 24.1%), 

respectively. Excluding Turkey, the residual growth rate and pre-tax discount rate assumptions for Rest of Europe range from 0.8% to 2.7% (2021: 0.9% to 4.0%) 
and 8.2% to 11.7% (2021: 9.3% to 14.0%), respectively. 

Results 

No impairments were identified as a result of the goodwill impairment testing. Consistent with prior years, the goodwill impairment testing was 
performed as at 31 July. Subsequent to this date, management has considered whether there have been any indicators that the goodwill may be 
impaired. The potential impact of the recent market volatility in the UK and increases in discount rates and inflation have been considered. There 
was no impact on the reported amounts of goodwill as a result of this review. 

Sensitivity analysis 

The Group has performed a sensitivity analysis based on changes in key assumptions considered to be reasonably possible by management, 
including assumptions relating to the potential impact of climate change considering the results of the scenario analysis performed consistent 
with the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) (see pages 46 and 47). There was no impact on the 
reported amounts of goodwill as a result of this review. 

The UK CGU is sensitive to reasonably possible changes in key assumptions. Most of the UK goodwill arose in 2000 on the Granada transaction. 
The estimated recoverable amount of the Group’s operations in the UK exceeds its carrying value by £535m (2021: £102m). The associated 
impact of changes in key assumptions on the impairment assessment is presented in the table below. The sensitivity analysis presented is 
prepared on the basis that a change in each key assumption would not have a consequential impact on other assumptions used in the 
impairment review. 

DECREASE IN RECOVERABLE AMOUNT  
Increase in pre-tax discount rate by 0.1% 
Decrease in projected operating profit by 3% 
Decrease in the long-term growth rate by 0.1% 

UK 

2022 
£m 

(32) 
(70) 
(29) 

2021
£m 

(24)
(59)
(18)

In order for the recoverable amount to be equal to the carrying value, the pre-tax discount rate would have to be increased by 2.1% (2021: 0.5%), 
projected operating profit decreased by 23% (2021: 5%) or the long-term growth rate decreased to a decline of 0.1% (2021: growth of 1.1%). The 
directors consider that changes in key assumptions of this magnitude are reasonably possible in the current environment. 

Other than as disclosed above, the directors do not consider that any reasonably possible changes in the key assumptions would cause the value 
in use of the net operating assets of the individually significant CGUs disclosed above to fall below their carrying values. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
9  OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS 

OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS 
COST 
At 1 October 2020 
Additions  
Disposals 
Business acquisitions 
Reclassification 
Currency adjustment  

At 30 September 2021 
Additions  
Disposals 
Business acquisitions 
Sale and closure of businesses 
Reclassification 
Currency adjustment  

At 30 September 2022 
AMORTISATION 
At 1 October 2020 
Charge for the year  
Impairment 
Disposals  
Reclassification 
Currency adjustment  

At 30 September 2021 
Charge for the year  
Impairment 
Disposals  
Reclassification 
Currency adjustment  

At 30 September 2022 
NET BOOK VALUE 
At 30 September 2021 

At 30 September 2022 

COMPASS GROUP PLC | ANNUAL REPORT 2022 
COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

155 
  155

Computer 
software 
£m 

Arising on 
acquisition1 
£m 

Other2 
£m 

Total 
£m 

451 
82 
(39)
– 
5 
(12)

487 
140 
(15)
– 
– 
6 
52 

670 

276 
36 
– 
(20)
3 
(8)

287 
41 
2 
(12)
5 
30 

353 

200 

317 

1,494 
– 
(8) 
15 
2 
(56) 

1,447 
– 
(6) 
140 
(1) 
– 
205 

1,785 

338 
80 
5 
(8) 
1 
(12) 

404 
91 
– 
(6) 
– 
62 

551 

1,043 

1,234 

629 
72 
(35)
– 
28 
(28)

666 
37 
(11)
– 
– 
– 
115 

807 

282 
43 
8 
(33)
5 
(13)

292 
59 
1 
(9)
2 
53 

398 

374 

409 

2,574 
154 
(82)
15 
35 
(96)

2,600 
177 
(32)
140 
(1)
6 
372 

3,262 

896 
159 
13 
(61)
9 
(33)

983 
191 
3 
(27)
7 
145 

1,302 

1,617 

1,960 

1. Intangible assets arising on acquisition mainly relate to client contracts and brands. 
2. Other intangible assets mainly relate to payments made to clients to obtain the right to generate significant consumer revenue. 

The net book value of intangible assets arising on acquisition includes £232m (2021: £254m) in respect of the acquisition of Fazer Food Services 
in January 2020 relating to client contracts and brands with remaining useful lives of between 9 and 27 years. There are no other individually 
significant items in other intangible assets. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
156 
156 

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 
For the year ended 30 September 2022 

10  CONTRACT BALANCES 
The following table provides information about contract costs, assets and liabilities from contracts with customers and other contract-related 
balances. 

CONTRACT BALANCES 
CONTRACT COSTS 
Contract fulfilment assets 
Costs to obtain contracts 

Costs to obtain and fulfil contracts 
CONTRACT ASSETS 
Accrued income 
CONTRACT LIABILITIES 
Deferred income 
OTHER CONTRACT BALANCES 
Contract prepayments 
Trade receivables 

Net contract balances 

Notes 

15 

21 

15 
15 

2022  
£m 

1,024 
82 

1,106 

362 

2021 
£m 

866
57

923

261

(475) 

(370)

141 
2,939 

4,073 

97
1,937

2,848

The Group’s accrued and deferred income balances solely relate to revenue from contracts with customers. The timing of revenue recognition 
may differ from the timing of invoicing to customers. Accrued income typically arises where the timing of the related billing cycle occurs in a 
period after the performance obligation is satisfied and is recognised as a contract asset. Deferred income generally arises as a result of upfront 
payments under client contracts, including prepaid customer cards, and is recognised as contract liabilities, which are released over the term of 
the contract as revenue is recognised. Generally, such contract liabilities are recognised as revenue within 12 months. Movements during the year 
were driven by transactions entered into by the Group within the normal course of business. 

Contract fulfilment assets relate to contributions towards assets that the Group uses in the performance of its obligations in its contracts 
with clients. 

CONTRACT FULFILMENT ASSETS 
At 1 October 
Additions 
Derecognition 
Amortisation charge for the year 
Impairment 
Reclassification  
Currency adjustment 

At 30 September 

2022  
£m 
866 
218 
(13) 
(214) 
(3) 
(1) 
171 

1,024 

2021 
£m 
919
231
(18)
(200)
(11)
(19)
(36)

866

Cash payments in respect of contract balances are classified as cash flows from operating activities, with the exception of contract 
fulfilment assets which are classified as cash flows from investing activities as they arise from cash payments in relation to assets that will 
generate long-term economic benefits. During the year, the purchase of contract fulfilment assets in cash flows from investing activities is 
£218m (2021: £231m). 

Impairment 

Contract fulfilment assets and capitalised costs to obtain contracts are reviewed annually to identify indicators of impairment. When such 
indicators exist, the Group determines the recoverability by comparing their carrying amount with the remaining consideration that the Group 
expects to receive less the costs associated with providing services under the relevant contract. Management is required to make an assessment 
of the costs that relate to providing services under the relevant contract. Impairment losses of £3m were recognised on contract fulfilment assets 
during the year (2021: £11m). 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
COMPASS GROUP PLC | ANNUAL REPORT 2022 
COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

157 
  157

11 LEASES 
The Group’s lease portfolio consists of office premises, concession rentals and other assets, such as catering equipment, vending machines and 
motor vehicles. Lease terms are negotiated on an individual basis and contain a broad range of terms and conditions. 

Information regarding leases for which the Group is a lessee is provided below. The Group does not have any material arrangements where it 
acts as a lessor. 

Right-of-use assets 

RIGHT-OF-USE ASSETS 
At 1 October 2020 
Additions 
Amendments1 
Depreciation charge for the year 
Impairment 
Sale and closure of businesses 
Reclassification  
Currency adjustment 

At 30 September 2021 
Additions 
Amendments1 
Depreciation charge for the year 
Impairment 
Impairment reversal 
Business acquisitions 
Reclassification 
Currency adjustment 

At 30 September 2022 

Land and 
buildings
£m 
607 
72 
– 
(100)
(5)
(11)
(2)
(14)

547 
64 
20 
(100)
(4)
3 
7 
(1)
42 

578 

Plant and 
machinery 
£m 
246 
35 
(5) 
(53) 
– 
(2) 
(1) 
(10) 

210 
57 
(1) 
(54) 
– 
– 
– 
(5) 
35 

242 

Fixtures and 
fittings
£m 
7 
1 
– 
(3)
– 
(1)
(1)
(1)

2 
1 
– 
(2)
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

1 

Total
£m 

860 
108 
(5)
(156)
(5)
(14)
(4)
(25)

759 
122 
19 
(156)
(4)
3 
7 
(6)
77 

821 

1. Amendments include lease terminations, modifications, reassessments and extensions to existing lease agreements. 

158 
158 

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 
For the year ended 30 September 2022 

11 LEASES CONTINUED 

Lease liabilities 

LEASE LIABILITIES 
Current 
Non-current 

Total 

A maturity analysis of contractual undiscounted cash flows relating to lease liabilities is presented in note 19. 

Income statement 

AMOUNTS RECOGNISED IN THE INCOME STATEMENT 
Leases of low-value assets, excluding short-term leases of low-value assets 
Short-term leases 
COVID-19 rent concessions 
Variable lease payments 

Expense relating to short-term leases, low-value assets and variable lease payments 
Depreciation expense of right-of-use assets 
Impairment 
Impairment reversal 
Interest on lease liabilities 

Total  

Cash flow statement 

2022  
£m 

194 
719 

913 

2022  
£m 
37 
69 
(2) 
18 

122 
156 
4 
(3) 
35 

314 

2021 
£m 

180
665

845

2021 
£m 
30
44
(4)
17

87
156
5
–
35

283

The Group had total cash outflows for leases of £187m (2021: £188m), comprising £35m (2021: £35m) of interest in cash flow from operating 
activities and £152m (2021: £153m) of principal in cash flow from financing activities. The Group has various non-cancellable lease contracts 
that had not yet commenced at 30 September 2022. The future lease payments for these non-cancellable lease contracts are £3m within one 
year (2021: £nil), £15m between one and five years (2021: £5m) and £18m thereafter (2021: £8m). 

Other disclosures 

Some lease agreements contain variable payments that are not linked to an index or rate, but are based on the performance of the underlying 
asset. The variable payments depend on sales and, consequently, on overall economic developments over the next few years. Variable payment 
terms are used to link rental payments to cash flows and reduce fixed costs. 

The Group does not expect any significant changes in the overall ratio of the variable payments to the Group’s entire lease portfolio. 

Extension and termination options are included in a number of lease agreements and provide the Group with operational flexibility. These options 
are assessed at contract commencement as to whether they are reasonably certain to be exercised and are reassessed if a significant event or 
change in circumstances occurs which is in the control of the Group. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
12  PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT 

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT 
COST 
At 1 October 2020 
Additions 
Disposals 
Business acquisitions  
Sale and closure of businesses 
Reclassification 
Reclassification from assets held for sale  
Currency adjustment  

At 30 September 2021 
Additions 
Disposals 
Business acquisitions  
Sale and closure of businesses 
Reclassification 
Currency adjustment  

At 30 September 2022 
DEPRECIATION 
At 1 October 2020 
Charge for the year  
Impairment 
Impairment reversal 
Disposals 
Sale and closure of businesses 
Reclassification 
Reclassification from assets held for sale  
Currency adjustment 

At 30 September 2021 
Charge for the year  
Impairment 
Impairment reversal 
Disposals 
Sale and closure of businesses 
Reclassification 
Currency adjustment 

At 30 September 2022 
NET BOOK VALUE 
At 30 September 2021 

At 30 September 2022 

COMPASS GROUP PLC | ANNUAL REPORT 2022 
COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

159 
  159

Land and 
buildings 
£m 

Plant and 
machinery  
£m 

Fixtures and 
fittings 
£m 

390 
11 
(25)
– 
(11)
11 
– 
(15)

361 
15 
(21)
1 
– 
3 
40 

399 

214 
23 
3 
– 
(20)
(4)
8 
– 
(8)

216 
23 
– 
– 
(18)
– 
3 
24 

248 

145 

151 

1,732 
155 
(163) 
2 
(61) 
10 
2 
(68) 

1,609 
198 
(141) 
5 
(1) 
11 
205 

1,886 

1,149 
156 
4 
(1) 
(138) 
(39) 
14 
2 
(44) 

1,103 
167 
1 
(1) 
(127) 
– 
4 
130 

1,277 

506 

609 

790 
59 
(77)
– 
(1)
(2)
– 
(23)

746 
71 
(45)
1 
(1)
2 
50 

824 

579 
71 
3 
(3)
(67)
(1)
(3)
– 
(17)

562 
70 
4 
– 
(43)
(1)
2 
42 

636 

184 

188 

Total 
£m 

2,912 
225 
(265)
2 
(73)
19 
2 
(106)

2,716 
284 
(207)
7 
(2)
16 
295 

3,109 

1,942 
250 
10 
(4)
(225)
(44)
19 
2 
(69)

1,881 
260 
5 
(1)
(188)
(1)
9 
196 

2,161 

835 

948 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
160 
160 

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 
For the year ended 30 September 2022 

13  INTERESTS IN JOINT VENTURES AND ASSOCIATES 

INTERESTS IN JOINT VENTURES AND ASSOCIATES 
NET BOOK VALUE 
At 1 October 
Additions 
Share of results of joint ventures  
Share of results of associates 
Transfer to other investments 
Transfer to held for sale1 
Dividends received 
Currency and other adjustments  

At 30 September  

COMPRISED OF 
Interests in joint ventures 
Interests in associates 

Total 

Notes 

14 

2022  
£m 

256 
28 
27 
18 
– 
(27) 
(51) 
19 

270 

85 
185 

270 

2021 
£m 

345
5
32
(1)
(69)
(17)
(28)
(11)

256

80
176

256

1. At 30 September 2022, £26m is held for sale after £1m of adverse exchange translation (see note 26). 

Significant interests in joint ventures and associates measured using the equity method are as follows: 

SIGNIFICANT JOINT VENTURES AND ASSOCIATES  
Twickenham Experience Limited1 
Abu Dhabi National Hotels Compass Middle East LLC 

Interest 
Associate 
Joint venture 

Holding  
% 
40% 
50% 

Principal 
place of business 
UK 
UAE 

Carrying amount
2022 
£m 
79 
73 

2021 
£m 
83 
67 

1. The holding of 40% is based on the Group’s share of voting rights. Based on the nominal value of share capital, the Group’s holding is 16% (see note 35). 

The Group’s joint ventures and associates provide food and/or support services. None of these investments is considered to be individually 
material to the results or financial position of the Group. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
COMPASS GROUP PLC | ANNUAL REPORT 2022 
COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

161 
  161

14  OTHER INVESTMENTS 

OTHER INVESTMENTS 
NET BOOK VALUE 
At 1 October 
Additions 
Transfer from post-employment benefit obligations1 
Transfer from interests in joint ventures and associates 
Disposals 
Change in fair value of investments at fair value through other comprehensive income 
Change in fair value of investments at fair value through profit or loss 
Rabbi Trust contributions 
Rabbi Trust benefits paid 
Dividends received from Rabbi Trust investments 
Currency adjustment 

At 30 September 

COMPRISED OF 
Rabbi Trust investments1 
Mutual fund investments2 
Life insurance policies2 
Trade investments3  
Other investments 

Total 

Notes 

23 
13 

4 

23 
4 

2022 
£m 

166 
42 
546 
– 
(3)
(133)
(5)
61 
(44)
20 
140 

790 

566 
52 
33 
127 
12 

790 

2021 
£m 

75 
20 
– 
69 
(3)
4 
1 
– 
– 
– 
– 

166 

– 
38 
34 
76 
18 

166 

1. In 2022, the assets of the Rabbi Trust valued at £566m are presented as other investments rather than offset against post-employment benefit obligations (see 

page 181). The assets mainly comprise funds with investments in quoted equities and bonds. 

2. Held by overseas companies to meet the cost of unfunded post-employment benefit obligations (see page 181). 
3. Primarily represents a 19% effective interest in Wildlife Holdings, Inc. 

The loss from the change in fair value of investments at fair value through other comprehensive income of £133m (2021: £4m gain) mainly 
reflects a reduction in the market value of investments held by the Rabbi Trust. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
162 
162 

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 
For the year ended 30 September 2022 

15  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  
Provision for impairment of trade receivables 
Net trade receivables 
Other receivables1, 2 
Provision for impairment of other receivables 
Net other receivables  

Accrued income  
Prepayments 

Total 

Current 
£m 

2,684 
924 
380 

3,988 

3,035 
(96)

2,939 

562 
(28)

534 

362 
153 

2022 

Non-current 
£m 

129 
11 
22 

162 

– 
– 

– 

184 
(25)

159 

– 
3 

Total 
£m 

2,813 
935 
402 

4,150 

3,035 

(96)  

2,939 

746 
(53)  

693 

362 
156 

Current  
£m 

2,319 
455 
(90) 

2,684 

2,014 
(77) 

1,937 

396 
(24) 

372 

261 
114 

3,988 

162 

4,150 

2,684 

2021 

Non-current  
£m 

99 
32 
(2) 

129 

– 
– 

– 

147 
(19) 

128 

– 
1 

129 

Total 
£m 

2,418
487
(92)

2,813

2,014
(77)

1,937

543
(43)

500

261
115

2,813

1. Includes the net contract prepayments balance of £141m (2021: £97m). 
2. Included within other receivables is £8m of government grants receivable (2021: £28m). These relate to government support under temporary wage and other 

subsidy schemes available in different countries. The Group does not have any unfulfilled obligations relating to these support programmes. 

The ageing of gross trade receivables and of the provision for impairment is as follows: 

TRADE RECEIVABLES 
Expected loss rate 

Gross trade receivables 
Provision for impairment of trade receivables 

Total 

TRADE RECEIVABLES  
Expected loss rate 

Gross trade receivables 
Provision for impairment of trade receivables 

Total 

Not yet due 
£m 
– 

2,434 
(11)

2,423 

Not yet due 
£m 
1% 

1,655 
(12)

1,643 

2022 

0-3 months 
overdue 
£m 
4% 

3-6 months 
overdue 
£m 
28% 

6-12 months 
overdue  
£m 
100% 

Over 12 months 
overdue  
£m 
85% 

489 
(18)

471 

54 
(15)

39 

2021 

17 
(17) 

– 

41 
(35) 

6 

0-3 months 
overdue 
£m 
4% 

3-6 months 
overdue 
£m 
52% 

6-12 months 
overdue  
£m 
100%  

Over 12 months 
overdue  
£m 
100%  

295 
(12)

283 

23 
(12)

11 

11 
(11) 

– 

30 
(30) 

– 

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 
Reclassification 
Currency adjustment 

At 30 September 

2022 

2021 

Trade 
£m 
77 
28 
(5)
(21)
9 
8 

96 

Other 
£m 
43 
9 
(3)
(1)
– 
5 

53 

Total 
£m 

120 
37 
(8)  
(22)  
9 
13 

149 

Trade  
£m 
137 
5 
(33) 
(9) 
(17) 
(6) 

77 

Other  
£m 
31 
9 
(2) 
(5) 
10 
– 

43 

Trade receivable days at 30 September 2022 were 39 days (2021: 35 days on a constant-currency basis). 

Total 
£m 

3%

3,035
(96)

2,939

Total 
£m 

4% 

2,014
(77)

1,937

Total 
£m 

168
14
(35)
(14)
(7)
(6)

120

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
16  INVENTORIES 

INVENTORIES 
NET BOOK VALUE 
At 1 October 
Business acquisitions 
Sale and closure of businesses 
Reclassification from assets held for sale 
Net movement 
Currency adjustment 

At 30 September 

17  CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS BY TYPE 
Cash at bank and in hand 
Short-term bank deposits 
Money market funds 

Total 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS BY CURRENCY 
Sterling 
US dollar 
Euro 
Japanese Yen 
Other 

Total 

COMPASS GROUP PLC | ANNUAL REPORT 2022 
COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

163 
  163

2022 
£m 

327 
6 
– 
– 
122 
56 

511 

2022 
£m 

429 
1,080 
474 

1,983 

2022 
£m 
1,473 
193 
50 
7 
260 

1,983 

2021 
£m 

310 
1 
(25)
3 
50 
(12)

327 

2021 
£m 

434 
900 
506 

1,840 

2021 
£m 
782 
764 
23 
4 
267 

1,840 

The Group’s policy to manage the credit risk associated with cash and cash equivalents is set out in note 19. The book value of cash and cash 
equivalents represents the maximum credit exposure. 

Master netting or similar agreements 

The Group has an agreement with a bank counterparty such that, following each quarter end, all balances are net settled simultaneously to a 
single sterling value which is transferred to the sterling bank account of Compass Group PLC and included in cash and cash equivalents at the 
balance sheet date. The cash and overdraft figures before netting are shown in the table below: 

Cash and cash equivalents 
Bank overdrafts 

Gross 
£m 
2,378 
(646)

2022 

Offset 
£m 
(395)
395 

Net
£m 
1,983 
(251)

Gross  
£m 
2,119 
(463) 

2021 

Offset 
£m 
(279)
279 

Net
£m 
1,840 
(184)

 
 
 
 
 
 
164 
164 

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 
For the year ended 30 September 2022 

18  BORROWINGS 

BORROWINGS BY TYPE 
US Private Placement 
Eurobond 
US Private Placement 
Eurobond 
US Private Placement 
Eurobond 
US Private Placement 
Eurobond 
US Private Placement 
Eurobond 
Eurobond 
Eurobond 
Eurobond 

Issued debt 
Bank loans 
Bank overdrafts 

Total 

COMPRISED OF 
Current 
Non-current 

Total 

Nominal value 
$398m 
€500m 
$352m 
€750m 
$100m 
£250m 
$300m 
£250m 
$300m 
€500m 
£300m 
€500m 
£250m 

Redeemable 
Oct 2021 
Jan 2023 
Oct 2023 
Jul 2024 
Dec 2024 
Sep 2025 
Sep 2025 
Jun 2026 
Dec 2026 
Sep 2028 
Jul 2029 
Mar 2030 
Sep 2032 

Interest 

3.98% 
1.88% 
4.12% 
0.63% 
3.54% 
2.00% 
3.81% 
3.85% 
3.64% 
1.50% 
2.00% 
3.00% 
4.38% 

2022  
£m 

– 
439 
310 
632 
89 
220 
259 
249 
269 
380 
233 
412 
218 

3,710 
3 
251 

3,964 

693 
3,271 

3,964 

2021 
£m 

295
440
274
659
74
252
242
249
221
443
300
–
–

3,449
2
184

3,635

481
3,154

3,635

The US Private Placements and Eurobonds are shown net of unamortised issue costs. The Group adjusts the carrying values of the US Private 
Placements and Eurobonds that are designated in effective fair value hedge relationships for fair value gains and losses (based on observable 
market inputs) attributable to the risk being hedged. 

In September 2022, the Group issued fixed-rate sustainable bonds of €500m (£439m) and £250m maturing in 2030 and 2032, respectively.  

Interest on bank overdrafts is at the relevant money market rates. 

BORROWINGS BY MATURITY 
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  

Total  

BORROWINGS BY CURRENCY 
Sterling 
US dollar 
Euro 
Other 

Total 

Covenants 

2022  
£m 

693 
942 
568 
249 
269 
1,243 

3,964 

2022  
£m 

920 
1,175 
1,863 
6 

3,964 

2021 
£m 

481
440
933
568
249
964

3,635

2021 
£m 

801
1,287
1,542
5

3,635

The US Private Placement (USPP) notes contain financial covenants which consist of a leverage covenant test and an interest cover covenant test 
which are tested semi-annually at 31 March and 30 September. 

The leverage covenant test stipulates that net debt after adjustments (including removal of leases, derivatives and fair value adjustments) must be 
less than or equal to 3.5 times underlying EBITDA after adjustments (including non-underlying items, depreciation on right-of-use assets and 
lease interest) and can be increased to 4 times without breach for a limited period of time following a material acquisition and subject to a coupon 
step up being paid. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
COMPASS GROUP PLC | ANNUAL REPORT 2022 
COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

165 
  165

18  BORROWINGS CONTINUED 
The interest cover covenant test stipulates that underlying EBITDA after adjustments (including non-underlying items, depreciation on right-of-
use assets and lease interest) must be more than or equal to 3 times net finance costs after adjustments (including removal of lease interest and 
other financing items) and can be reduced to 2.5 times without breach for a limited period of time following a material acquisition and subject to a 
coupon step up being paid. 

Leverage covenant 

Interest cover covenant  

Covenant 
requirement1

 <=3.5 

>=3 

Ratio2 

2022 

1.3 

23.7 

2021 

1.6 

13.8 

Covenant ratio3
2022 

1.0 

33.4 

2021 

1.5 

14.7 

1. Can be exceeded by 0.5 for three consecutive reporting periods following a material acquisition and subject to a coupon step up being paid. 
2. Calculated using Alternative Performance Measures (see note 33). The leverage ratio reflects net debt divided by underlying EBITDA. The interest cover ratio 

reflects underlying EBITDA divided by underlying net finance costs. 

3. Calculated using Alternative Performance Measures (see note 33) and adjusted as per the USPP agreements. 

19  FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT 
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 

Liquidity risk is the risk that the Group may not be able to meet its financial obligations as they fall due. 

The Group finances its operations through cash generated by the business and borrowings from a number of sources, including banking 
institutions, 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 2022 shows that the average period to maturity is 3.9 years (2021: 3.7 years).  

Liquidity risk faced by the Group is mitigated by having diverse sources of finance available to it and by maintaining substantial unutilised 
committed banking facilities to maintain a level of headroom in line with Board approval. 

The Group has a £2,000m committed Revolving Credit Facility (RCF), of which £140m is committed to August 2024 and £1,860m is committed 
to August 2026. At 30 September 2022, no amounts were drawn under the RCF (2021: £nil). 

The Group has a $4bn commercial paper programme. Commercial paper is issued to meet short-term liquidity requirements and is supported by 
the RCF. At 30 September 2022, no commercial paper was outstanding under the programme (2021: £nil). 

Foreign currency risk 

The Group’s policy is to balance 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 may be treated as movements on reserves and recorded in 
the consolidated statement of comprehensive income rather than in the consolidated 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. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
166 
166 

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 
For the year ended 30 September 2022 

19  FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT CONTINUED 
The main currencies to which the Group’s reported sterling financial position is exposed are the US dollar and Euro. 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 for the year (after tax) and total equity of a 10% strengthening of sterling against these currencies on the Group’s financial 
instruments 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 at 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% 
Increase/(decrease) in profit for the year (after tax) 
Increase in total equity 

Interest rate risk 

2022 

US dollar 
£m 
1 
145 

Euro  
£m 
(26)   
48 

2021 

US dollar  
£m 
(2) 
92 

Euro 
£m 

(24)
46

As set out above, the Group has effective borrowings in a number of currencies. The Group raises fixed-rate capital market debt and may swap 
this to floating rate using interest rate swaps on a case-by-case basis. The Group’s 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. For the second and third 
years, interest rates are fixed within ranges of 30%-70% and 0%-40%, respectively. 

In September 2022, the Group issued fixed-rate sustainable bonds of €500m (£439m) and £250m maturing in 2030 and 2032, respectively. 
The Group entered into interest rate and cross currency swaps to effectively convert these to sterling, paying a floating interest rate. The bonds 
and swaps are accounted for as fair value hedges. 

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. 

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 to increase profit for the year (after tax) by £7m (2021: £3m) 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. 

INTEREST RATE SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS 
Increase in interest rate 
Floating rate exposure – cash/(debt) 
Increase in profit for the year (after tax) 

INTEREST RATE SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS 
Increase in interest rate 
Floating rate exposure – cash/(debt) 
Increase in profit for the year (after tax) 

Sterling 
£m 
+1% 
476 
4 

Sterling 
£m 
+1% 
263 
2 

US dollar 
£m 
+1% 
(36)
– 

US dollar 
£m 
+1% 
(60)
– 

2022 

Euro  
£m 
+1% 
112 
1 

2021 

Euro  
£m 
+1% 
6 
– 

Other  
£m 
+1% 
289 
2 

Other  
£m 
+1% 
127 
1 

Total 
£m 

841
7

Total 
£m 

336
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. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
COMPASS GROUP PLC | ANNUAL REPORT 2022 
COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

167 
  167

19  FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT CONTINUED 
Credit risk 

Credit risk is the risk of financial loss to the Group if a customer or counterparty to a financial instrument fails to meet its contractual obligations. 

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-term and short-term credit ratings, and the balance sheet strength 
of the financial counterparty. All financial counterparties are required to have a minimum long-term credit rating from Moody’s of Baa2 and a 
short-term credit rating from Moody’s of P-2 or equivalent from another recognised agency. To reduce credit exposures, the Group has 
International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA) Master Agreements with all of its counterparties for financial derivatives, which permit net 
settlement of assets and liabilities in certain circumstances. The maximum exposure to credit risk resulting from financial activities, without 
considering netting arrangements, is equal to the carrying value of the Group’s financial assets. 

At 30 September 2022, 73% of cash and cash equivalents were held with investment-grade bank counterparties, 24% with AAA money market 
funds and 3% held with non-investment-grade bank counterparties. In addition, 100% of derivative instruments was held with investment-grade 
bank counterparties. 

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. 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 and other receivables due to the diverse and unrelated nature of the Group’s 
client and supplier base. Expected credit losses are measured using historical cash collection data grouped according to payment terms. The 
historical default rates are adjusted where macroeconomic factors are expected to have a significant impact when determining future expected 
credit loss rates. The expected credit loss provision is calculated using a provision matrix, in which the provision increases as balances age. 

Trade and other receivables are written off when there is no reasonable expectation of recovery and enforcement activity has ceased. An 
impairment analysis is performed at each reporting date to measure expected credit losses. 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. 

At 30 September 2022, trade receivables of £516m (2021: £294m) were past due but not impaired (see note 15). The Group has made a 
provision based on a number of factors, including past history of the debtor and expected credit losses, and all amounts not provided for are 
considered to be recoverable. 

Management has considered the impact of reasonable changes in the expected credit loss rates used in the estimates made and does not 
consider that a reasonable change would lead to a material adjustment to the estimate in the next 12 months. 

Hedging activities 

An analysis of the Group’s derivative financial instruments is shown below: 

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS 
Fair value hedges 
Interest rate swaps 
Cross currency swaps 
Net investment hedges 
Forward currency contracts 
Not in a hedging relationship 
Interest rate swaps 
Forward currency contracts 
Total 

2022 

2021 

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 

– 
43 

18 

5 
5 

71 

– 
– 

– 

76 
– 

76 

–
–

–

(3)
(3)

(6)

(154)  
(82)  

– 

(1)  
– 

(237)  

– 
– 

– 

– 
2 

2 

66 
45 

– 

5 
– 

116 

–
–

(3)

(1)
(5)

(9)

– 
(7)

– 

– 
– 

(7)

On adoption of IFRS 9 Financial Instruments, the Group elected to continue to apply the hedge accounting guidance in IAS 39 Financial 
Instruments: Recognition and Measurement. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
168 
168 

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 
For the year ended 30 September 2022 

19  FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT CONTINUED 
Fair value hedges 

The Group uses interest rate and cross currency swaps to hedge the fair value of some of its 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 and 
foreign exchange rates. These swaps all qualify for fair value hedge accounting as defined by IAS 39.  

Net investment hedges 

The Group uses foreign currency denominated debt and forward currency contracts 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 carrying value of debt and derivatives in a net investment hedge was £909m (2021: £572m). A foreign exchange loss of £190m (2021: £37m 
gain) relating to the net investment hedges has been netted off during the year within currency translation differences as presented in the 
consolidated statement of comprehensive income. The balance remaining in the foreign currency translation reserve from net investment hedging 
relationships for which hedge accounting continues to apply is a loss of £774m (2021: £584m) and for which hedge accounting is no longer 
applied is £nil (2021: £nil). 

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 used for interest and cash management. 

Impact of hedging activities 

The impact of the hedged items on the Group’s financial statements is as follows: 

HEDGED ITEMS 
FAIR VALUE HEDGES 
Interest rate risk 
Short-term borrowings 
Long-term borrowings 

2022 

Accumulated 
amount of fair 
value hedge 
adjustments on 
the hedged items 
included in the 
carrying amount 
of the hedged 
items
£m 

Carrying amount 
of the hedged 
items 
£m 

Change in fair 
value of hedged 
items used to 
determine hedge 
effectiveness 
£m 

Carrying amount 
of the hedged 
items  
£m 

2021 

Accumulated 
amount of fair 
value hedge 
adjustments on 
the hedged items 
included in the 
carrying amount 
of the hedged 
items 
£m 

Change in fair 
value of hedged 
items used to 
determine hedge 
effectiveness 
£m 

(439)
(2,664)

(3,103)

– 
238 

238 

10 
310 

320 

– 
(2,610) 

(2,610) 

– 
(82) 

(82) 

– 
99 

99 

The impact of the hedging instruments on the Group’s financial statements is as follows: 

HEDGING INSTRUMENTS 
FAIR VALUE HEDGES 
Interest rate risk 
Derivative financial instruments – current assets 
Derivative financial instruments – non-current 

assets 

Derivative financial instruments – non-current 

liabilities 

NET INVESTMENT HEDGES 
Foreign currency risk 
Derivative financial instruments – current assets 
Derivative financial instruments – current liabilities 
Short-term borrowings 
Long-term borrowings 

2022 

2021 

Nominal amount 
of the hedging 
instruments
£m 

Carrying amount 
of the hedging 
instruments
£m 

Change in fair 
value of hedging 
instruments used 
to determine 
hedge 
effectiveness
£m 

Nominal amount 
of the hedging 
instruments 
£m 

Carrying amount 
of the hedging 
instruments 
£m 

Change in fair 
value of hedging 
instruments used 
to determine 
hedge 
effectiveness
£m 

439 
– 

2,920 

3,359 

(804)
(74)
– 
(942)

(1,820)

43 
– 

(236)

(193)

18 
– 
– 
(927)

(909)

–  

– 

– 

– 

(65)

2,109  

111  

(104)

(252)

(317)

5
(38)
(2)
(155)

(190)

430  

2,539 

(144) 
(588) 
(295) 
(261) 

(1,288) 

(7) 

104  

–  
(3) 
(295) 
(274) 

(572) 

16 

(88)

11 
– 
13 
13 

37 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
COMPASS GROUP PLC | ANNUAL REPORT 2022 
COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

169 
  169

19  FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT CONTINUED 
The notional amount of interest rate and cross currency swaps by currency is as follows: 

NOTIONAL AMOUNT OF INTEREST RATE AND CROSS CURRENCY 
SWAPS BY CURRENCY 
Sterling 
US dollar 
Euro 
Japanese Yen 
Other 

Total 

2022 

2021 

Fair value 
hedges 
£m 
800 
584 
1,975 
– 
– 

3,359 

Not in a hedging 
relationship  
£m 

550 
1,230 
347 
36 
252 

2,415 

Fair value 
hedges 
£m 
550 
484 
1,505 
– 
– 

2,539 

Not in a hedging 
relationship
£m 

392 
334 
258 
26 
210 

1,220 

The effective currency denomination of borrowings and leases after the effect of derivatives is as follows: 

EFFECTIVE CURRENCY DENOMINATION 
OF BORROWINGS AND LEASES AFTER 
THE EFFECT OF DERIVATIVES 
Sterling 
US dollar 
Euro 
Japanese Yen 
Other 

Total 

2022 

2021 

Gross 
borrowings 
£m 
920 
1,175 
1,863 
– 
6 

3,964 

Lease 
liabilities 
£m 
216 
445 
147 
– 
105 

913 

Forward 
currency 
contracts1 
£m 
748
627
(1,690)
30
230

(55)

Effective 
currency of 
borrowings 
£m 

1,884 
2,247 
320 
30 
341 

4,822 

Gross 
borrowings  
£m 
801 
1,287 
1,542 
– 
5 

3,635 

Lease 
liabilities  
£m 
223 
368 
153 
– 
101 

845 

Forward 
currency 
contracts1 
£m 
361
493
(1,230)
58
316

(2)

Effective 
currency of 
borrowings 
£m 

1,385 
2,148 
465 
58 
422 

4,478 

1. Includes cross currency contracts. 

Amendments to IFRS 9, IAS 39, IFRS 7, IFRS 4 and IFRS 16 Interest Rate Benchmark Reform – Phase 2 

In the prior year, the Group adopted the Interest Rate Benchmark Reform – Phase 2 (IBOR Reform) amendments to IFRS 9 Financial 
Instruments, IAS 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement and IFRS 7 Financial Instruments: Disclosures. The amendments 
provide relief from applying specific hedge accounting requirements to hedge relationships directly affected by the IBOR Reform and have the 
effect that IBOR Reform should generally not cause hedge accounting to terminate. The Group believes that any resulting ineffectiveness 
consequent to the IBOR Reform has been or is likely to be immaterial. The Group does not believe that IBOR Reform has materially adversely 
affected the Group or its ability to manage its borrowings or interest rate risk. 

The Group’s committed borrowing facilities can be drawn in a number of currencies, some of which reference the relevant IBOR in calculating the 
applicable interest rate. Where GBP or USD LIBOR is referenced as the applicable interest rate, these were amended to reference the relevant 
alternative reference rates. 

The Group is a party to the ISDA fallback protocols which automatically convert derivatives from IBOR to the relevant alternative reference rate 
when the IBOR rate ceases. The reference rates on derivatives with a net nominal value of £752m have been converted from GBP LIBOR to GBP 
SONIA. In the year ending 30 September 2023, the reference rates on derivatives with a net nominal value of £148m will be converted from USD 
LIBOR to USD SOFR. 

As the cessation of USD LIBOR is still some time away, the Group is of the opinion that there is still uncertainty around those derivatives and, 
therefore, the IBOR Reform Phase 1 amendments previously adopted by the Group are still applicable. Subject to the cessation of USD LIBOR, the 
Group has completed its IBOR Reform process. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
170 
170 

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 
For the year ended 30 September 2022 

19  FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT CONTINUED 
Maturity analysis of the contractual cash flows of financial liabilities 

The following table provides an analysis of the expected contractual cash flows, including interest payable, of certain financial liabilities and 
derivative financial instruments on an undiscounted basis. Where interest payments are calculated at a floating rate, rates of each cash flow until 
maturity of the instruments are calculated based on the forward yield curve prevailing at the respective year ends. The gross cash flows of 
derivatives are presented net for the purposes of this table. 

MATURITY ANALYSIS OF THE 
CONTRACTUAL CASH FLOWS 
OF FINANCIAL LIABILITIES 
Borrowings 
Interest on borrowings 
Lease liabilities 
Interest rate swaps 
Cross currency swaps 
Forward currency contracts 

MATURITY ANALYSIS OF THE 
CONTRACTUAL CASH FLOWS 
OF FINANCIAL LIABILITIES 
Borrowings 
Interest on borrowings 
Lease liabilities 
Interest rate swaps 
Cross currency swaps 
Forward currency contracts 

2022 

Less than  
1 year  
£m 
693 
100 
198 
2 
4 
(20) 

Between 
1 and 2 years 
£m 
973 
85 
162 
26 
35 
– 

Between 
2 and 3 years 
£m 
608 
73 
137 
8 
36 
– 

Between 
3 and 4 years 
£m 
250 
56 
121 
16 
32 
– 

Between 
4 and 5 years 
£m 
269 
46 
97 
14 
29 
– 

2021 

Less than  
1 year  
£m 
481  
76  
186  
(27) 
(3) 
6  

Between 
1 and 2 years 
£m 
430 
70 
152 
(22)
(33)
– 

Between 
2 and 3 years 
£m 
906 
56 
122 
(14)
3 
– 

Between 
3 and 4 years 
£m 
547 
46 
102 
(9)
3 
– 

Between 
4 and 5 years 
£m 
250 
31 
90 
– 
4 
– 

Over  
5 years 
£m 
1,428 
113 
404 
26 
34 
–  

Over  
5 years 
£m 
952  
36  
398  
2  
31  
– 

Total  
£m 
4,221 
473 
1,119 
92 
170 
(20) 

Total  
£m 
3,566  
315  
1,050  
(70) 
5  
6  

Carrying 
amount 
£m 

3,964
30
913
77
39
(20)

Carrying  
amount 
£m 

3,635 
35 
845 
(70)
(38)
6 

 
 
 
COMPASS GROUP PLC | ANNUAL REPORT 2022 
COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

171 
  171

20  FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS 
Financial instruments measured at amortised cost 

The carrying amounts of the following financial instruments measured at amortised cost approximate to their fair values: trade and other 
receivables; cash and cash equivalents (excluding money market funds); lease liabilities; provisions; and trade and other payables. Borrowings 
are measured at amortised cost unless they are part of a fair value hedge, in which case amortised cost is adjusted for the fair value attributable to 
the risk being hedged. The carrying amount of borrowings at 30 September 2022 is £3,964m (30 September 2021: £3,635m). The fair value of 
borrowings at 30 September 2022, calculated by discounting future cash flows to net present values at current market rates for similar financial 
instruments, is £3,920m (30 September 2021: £3,728m). 

Financial instruments measured at fair value 

The fair value of a financial instrument is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction 
between market participants at the balance sheet date.  

The fair value measurement hierarchy is as follows: 

–  Level 1: Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities 
–  Level 2: Inputs other than quoted prices included within level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly (i.e. as prices) or 

indirectly (i.e. derived from prices) 

–  Level 3: Inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data (i.e. unobservable inputs) 

There were no transfers of financial instruments between levels of the fair value hierarchy in either the year ended 30 September 2022 or 2021. 
The carrying amounts of financial instruments measured at fair value are shown in the table below: 

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS MEASURED AT FAIR VALUE 
NON-CURRENT 
Rabbi Trust investments1, 2 
Mutual fund investments1 
Other investments1 
Life insurance policies1  
Derivative financial instruments – assets 
Derivative financial instruments – liabilities 
Trade investments1 
Contingent consideration on business acquisitions3 
Non-controlling interest put options3 

CURRENT 
Money market funds4 
Derivative financial instruments – assets 
Derivative financial instruments – liabilities 
Contingent consideration on business acquisitions3 
Non-controlling interest put options3 

Notes 

Level 

14 
14 
14 
14 
19 
19 
14 
21 
21 

17 
19 
19 
21 
21 

1 
1 
1 
2 
2 
2 
3 
3 
3 

1 
2 
2 
3 
3 

2022 
£m 

566
52
12
33
76
(237)
127
(39)
(45)

474
71
(6)
(30)
–

2021 
£m 

– 
38 
18 
34 
116 
(7)
76 
(63)
(30)

506 
2 
(9)
(7)
(8)

1. Classified as other investments in the consolidated balance sheet. 
2. In 2022, the assets of the Rabbi Trust valued at £566m are presented as other investments rather than offset against post-employment benefit obligations (see 

page 181). 

3. Classified as trade and other payables in the consolidated balance sheet. 
4. Classified as cash and cash equivalents in the consolidated balance sheet on the basis that they have a maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition. 

Due to the variability of the valuation factors, the fair values presented at 30 September 2022 may not be indicative of the amounts the Group 
would expect to realise in the current market environment. The fair values of financial instruments at levels 2 and 3 of the fair value hierarchy have 
been determined based on the valuation methodologies listed below: 

Level 2 

Life insurance policies Cash surrender values provided by third-party insurance providers. 

Derivative financial instruments Present values determined from future cash flows discounted at rates derived from market sourced data. 
The fair values of derivative financial instruments represent the maximum credit exposure.  

 
 
 
 
 
172 
172 

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 
For the year ended 30 September 2022 

20  FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS CONTINUED 
Level 3 

Trade investments (primarily a 19% effective interest in Wildlife Holdings, Inc.) Estimated value using a weighted income and market value 
approach, with the income approach based on discounted cash flow projections and the market value approach on revenue and 
earnings multiples.  

Contingent consideration on business acquisitions Estimated amounts payable based on the likelihood of specified future conditions, such as 
earnings targets, being met. 

Non-controlling interest put options Estimated amounts payable based on the likelihood of options being exercised by minority shareholders. 

A reconciliation from opening to closing balances for Level 3 financial instruments is as follows: 

LEVEL 3 FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS 
At 1 October 
Change in fair value recognised in the income statement 
Change in fair value recognised in the statement of 

comprehensive income 

Change in fair value recognised in the statement of changes in 

equity 
Additions 
Transfer from interests in joint ventures and associates 
Payments relating to businesses acquired in previous years 
Currency translation 

At 30 September 

2022 

Contingent 
consideration 
on business 
acquisitions 
£m 
(70)
9 
– 

Non-
controlling 
interest put 
options
£m 
(38)  
– 
– 

Trade 
investments
£m 
76 
– 
4 

2021 

Contingent 
consideration 
on business 
acquisitions  
£m 
(84) 
(11) 
– 

Non-
controlling 
interest put 
options
£m 
(137) 
–
– 

Trade 
investments 
£m 
– 
– 
7 

– 

27 
– 
– 
20 

127 

– 

(66)
– 
60 
(2)

(69)

(9)  

– 
– 
10 
(8)  

(45)  

– 

– 
69 
– 
– 

76 

– 

(6) 
– 
27 
4 

(70) 

(16)

–
–
107
8

(38)

The directors do not consider that any reasonably possible changes in the key assumptions would cause the fair value of the Level 3 financial 
instruments to be significantly higher or lower. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
COMPASS GROUP PLC | ANNUAL REPORT 2022 
COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

173 
  173

21  TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES  

TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES 
NET BOOK VALUE 
At 1 October 
Net movement 
Transfer from held for sale 
Currency adjustment 

At 30 September 

COMPRISED OF 
Trade payables 
Social security and other taxes 
Other payables1 
Contingent consideration on business acquisitions 
Non-controlling interest put options 
Accruals2 
Deferred income 
Capital creditors 

Total 

Current
£m 

4,090 
974 
– 
562 

5,626 

2,292 
472 
506 
30 
– 
1,999 
305 
22 

5,626 

2022 
Non-current 
£m 

Total 
£m 

Current 
£m 

2021 
Non-current 
£m 

305 
(6)
– 
55 

354 

– 
23 
49 
39 
45 
28 
170 
– 

354 

4,395 
968 
– 
617 

5,980 

2,292 
495 
555 
69 
45 
2,027 
475 
22 

5,980 

3,615 
595 
8 
(128) 

4,090 

1,418 
361 
312 
7 
8 
1,711 
254 
19 

4,090 

331
(12)
–
(14)

305

–
23
51
63
30
22
116
–

305

Total 
£m 

3,946 
583 
8 
(142)

4,395 

1,418 
384 
363 
70 
38 
1,733 
370 
19 

4,395 

1. Of this balance, £278m (2021: £168m) is categorised as financial liabilities, including a £77m (2021: £nil) commitment in respect of the share buyback 

programme announced in May 2022. 

2. Of this balance, £1,139m (2021: £709m) is categorised as financial liabilities. 

The current trade and other payables are payable on demand. 

Trade payable days at 30 September 2022 were 65 days (2021: 66 days on a constant-currency basis). 

Contingent consideration in respect of the acquisition of Fazer Food Services in January 2020 was paid during the year (2021: £49m). 

The ageing of non-current financial liabilities in trade and other payables is as follows: 

TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES 
Financial liabilities 

TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES 
Financial liabilities 

Supply chain financing 

2022 

Between 
1 and 2 years 
£m 
59 

Between 
2 and 3 years 
£m 
60

Between 
3 and 4 years 
£m 
19 

Between  
4 and 5 years  
£m 
– 

2021 

Between 
1 and 2 years 
£m 
41 

Between 
2 and 3 years 
£m 
58

Between 
3 and 4 years 
£m 
20 

Between  
4 and 5 years  
£m 
– 

Over 
5 years
£m 
24 

Over 
5 years
£m 
21 

Total 
£m 

162 

Total
£m 

140 

The Group has Supply Chain Financing (SCF) arrangements in place. The principal purpose of these arrangements is to enable the supplier, if it so 
wishes, to sell its receivables due from the Group to a third-party bank prior to their due date, thus providing earlier access to liquidity. From the 
Group’s perspective, the invoice payment due date remains unaltered and the payment terms of suppliers participating in the SCF programmes 
are similar to those suppliers that are not participating, and to the wider industry more generally.  

If a receivable is purchased by a third-party bank, that third-party bank does not benefit from additional security when compared to the security 
originally enjoyed by the supplier. 

At 30 September 2022, the value of invoices sold under the SCF programmes was £772m, with £706m related to the Group’s programme in the 
US (2021: £490m and £441m, respectively). The increase in the value of invoices sold compared with last year reflects the continued recovery of 
purchasing activity following the pandemic. These amounts are included within trade payables and all cash flows associated with the programmes 
are included within cash flow from operating activities as they continue to be part of the normal operating cycle of the Group. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
174 
174 

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 
For the year ended 30 September 2022 

22  PROVISIONS 

PROVISIONS 
At 1 October 2020 
Reclassification 
Expenditure in the year  
Charged to income statement  
Credited to income statement  
Sale and closure of businesses 
Unwinding of discount 
Currency adjustment  

At 30 September 2021 
Reclassification 
Expenditure in the year  
Charged to income statement  
Credited to income statement  
Business acquisitions 
Unwinding of discount 
Currency adjustment  

At 30 September 2022 

COMPRISED OF 
Current 
Non-current 

Total 

Workers’ 
compensation 
and similar 
obligations  
£m 
343 
– 
(74) 
81 
(15) 
– 
3 
(14) 

Provisions 
in respect of 
discontinued 
and disposed 
businesses 
£m 
19 
4 
(3)
– 
– 
(7)
– 
– 

324 
– 
(79) 
117 
(19) 
– 
5 
66 

414 

13 
4 
(4)
– 
– 
– 
– 
(1)

12 

Onerous 
contracts 
£m 
64 
(4)
(29)
15 
(8)
– 
– 
(2)

36 
11 
(18)
12 
(11)
1 
– 
2 

33 

Legal and 
other claims 
£m 
30 
5 
(5)
23 
(3)
1 
– 
(2)

49 
(13)
(10)
2 
(5)
1 
– 
2 

26 

Severance  
£m 
129 
6 
(186) 
164 
– 
– 
– 
(5) 

108 
(8) 
(62) 
7 
(6) 
– 
– 
5 

44 

Other  
£m 
52 
(14) 
(3) 
26 
(8) 
(1) 
– 
(1) 

51 
1 
(5) 
6 
(6) 
– 
– 
3 

50 

2022 
£m 

269 
310 

579 

Total 
£m 
637
(3)
(300)
309
(34)
(7)
3
(24)

581
(5)
(178)
144
(47)
2
5
77

579

2021
£m 

298
283

581

Provisions are discounted to present value where the effect is material using the discount rate applicable to the liability. In estimating the 
provisions above, management has made estimates and used assumptions in determining the nature, amount and timing of potential outflows. 
Management does not consider that a reasonable change in key assumptions in any of the provision estimates made at the date of the balance 
sheet could lead to a material adjustment in the next 12 months to the carrying amount of the liability recorded. 

Workers’ compensation and similar obligations The provision for workers’ compensation and similar obligations relates mainly to the potential 
settlement of claims by employees in the US for medical benefits and lost wages associated with injuries incurred in the course of their 
employment, and is essentially long term in nature. 

Provisions in respect of discontinued and disposed businesses Provisions in respect of discontinued and disposed 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, negotiations in relation to potential claims are ongoing and 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. 

Onerous contracts Provisions for onerous contracts represent the liabilities in respect of unavoidable contract losses which will be utilised over 
the remaining life of each individual contract. The typical length of a client contract is three to five years. A full analysis is performed at least 
annually of the future profitability of all loss-making contracts and contracts with low profitability, and of the balance sheet items directly linked to 
these contracts.  

Legal and other claims 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. 

Severance Provisions for severance primarily represent redundancy costs, including COVID-19 resizing costs. The Group expects these provisions 
to be substantially utilised within the next year. 

Other Other provisions include environmental provisions in respect of potential liabilities relating to the Group’s responsibility for maintaining its 
operating sites in accordance with statutory requirements. The Group’s aim is to have a low impact on the environment. These provisions are 
expected to be utilised as operating sites are closed or as environmental matters are resolved. 

COMPASS GROUP PLC | ANNUAL REPORT 2022 
COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

175 
  175

23  POST-EMPLOYMENT BENEFIT OBLIGATIONS 
Pension schemes  

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. 

UK schemes 

UK employees in a pension arrangement are in the Compass Retirement Income Savings Plan (CRISP), a GAD section of the Compass Group 
Pension Plan (the Plan) or the National Employment Savings Trust (NEST). 

CRISP was launched on 1 February 2003 and has been the main vehicle for pension provision for eligible new joiners in the UK since that date. 
CRISP is a defined contribution (money purchase) arrangement whereby the Group will match employee contributions up to 6% of pay (minimum 
5%). 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 are offered an additional employer-only contribution into CHIP. The amount of contribution and eligibility for 
CHIP are decided annually at the Group’s discretion. A CHIP payment may be taken in part, or in whole, as a cash allowance instead of a pension 
contribution. 

CRISP has a corporate trustee. The Chairman is a former employee of the Group. The other five trustee directors are UK-based employees of the 
Group, two of whom have been nominated by CRISP members. There is a vacancy for a trustee director to be nominated by CRISP members and 
applications are being sought for the position. 

The Plan is a defined benefit arrangement, which provides predominantly final salary benefits. Those UK employees who transferred from the 
public sector under the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006, typically up until 31 March 2015, have been 
eligible to join the Plan, which has otherwise been closed to new entrants since 2003. Such transferees entered into the GAD sections of the Plan 
and are known as ‘GAD members’. However, under the Government’s revised guidance for ‘Fair Deal for staff pensions’, the expectation is, and 
the approach has been, that the Group participates in the relevant public sector pension scheme and closes the Plan to future entrants. 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 2022. At the valuation date, the total market value of the assets of the Plan was £2,617m which represented 113% of the benefits that had 
accrued to members after allowing for expected future increases in earnings. A revised schedule of contributions has been agreed by the trustee 
and the Company and, with effect from 1 October 2022, the Company pays contributions to the Plan at a rate of 47.1% of pensionable pay 
(previously 57.2%). 

The Plan is reappraised half-yearly for accounting purposes by independent actuaries in accordance with IAS 19 Employee Benefits 
requirements. 

The Plan has a corporate trustee. There is an independent chairman and one other independent trustee director. 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 
Plan operates under the Fifth Definitive Trust Deed dated 25 March 2013 and subsequent amendments and relevant legislation (principally the 
Pensions Acts 1993, 1995, 2004 and 2021), with regulatory oversight from the Pensions Regulator. 

The Group is subject to the Pension Automatic Enrolment Regulations for its workforce in the UK. All new UK employees who meet the statutory 
eligibility criteria, and who do not join CRISP or the Plan, are automatically enrolled into the NEST. Responsibility for the Group’s ongoing 
compliance with the Pension Automatic Enrolment Regulations and for ensuring that the administration and investment of funds relating to 
automatic enrolment remain appropriate lies with the Group’s Pension Automatic Enrolment Governance Committee. 

US schemes 

In the US, the main vehicles for retirement provision are the defined contribution plans. The defined benefit plans are closed to new participants. 
Compass USA has taken out life insurance policies and invested in mutual funds to meet these unfunded defined benefit pension obligations, 
working towards a 100% funding level on a projected salary basis. 

The Group also has a non-qualified deferred compensation plan (Rabbi Trust), which is a salary sacrifice scheme providing a tax-efficient way of 
saving for senior management. Employee and employer contributions to the plan are invested on behalf of the employees in investment funds and 
they are entitled to the assets and their returns on or after leaving the Group. Plan benefits are paid in cash. Participants can elect to receive 
payment either as a lump sum or in annual instalments over 5 to 15 years. 

Compass USA engages with a number of unions and is required to abide by the individual collective bargaining agreements (CBA) negotiated with 
each union. Under the terms of these CBAs, Compass USA is required to pay the union members’ salary and contribute to various multi-employer 
benefit plans which include (i) post-employment benefits, including pensions and post-employment healthcare, (ii) defined contribution plans, 
such as 401(k) and annuity and savings plans and (iii) other plans which include legal funds, training funds and education funds. 

176 
176 

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 
For the year ended 30 September 2022 

23  POST-EMPLOYMENT BENEFIT OBLIGATIONS CONTINUED 
Participation in multi-employer pension plans bears risks that differ from single-employer plans. These risks include: 

–  assets contributed to the plans by Compass USA may be used to provide benefits to employees of other participating employers 
–  if a participating employer stops contributing to the plan for any reason, the unfunded obligation remaining may transition to the remaining 

employers participating in the plan 

–  if Compass USA stops participating in the plan for any reason, it may be required to pay a proportionate amount to the plan for its share of the 

unfunded liability, known as a withdrawal liability 

Compass USA is involved with 39 multi-employer benefit plans (2021: 39). The Group is not aware of, and has no reasonable expectation that, any 
plan in which it currently participates is in imminent danger of becoming insolvent or is likely to experience a mass withdrawal. 

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 £30m in the year (2021: £14m) to these arrangements. 

Other schemes 

In Canada, Germany, Norway, Spain 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. 

Defined benefit schemes 

The Group’s obligations in respect of defined benefit pension schemes are calculated separately for each scheme by estimating the amount of 
future benefit that employees have earned in return for their service in the current and prior years. That benefit is discounted to determine its 
present value and the fair value of scheme assets is then deducted. The discount rate used is the yield at the valuation date on high-quality 
corporate bonds, with terms consistent with the timing of the expected benefit payments over future years. 

The Group takes advice from independent actuaries relating to the appropriateness of the assumptions which include inflation, expected salary 
and pension increases, and life expectancy of members. It is important to note that comparatively small changes in the assumptions used may 
have a significant effect on the consolidated income statement and balance sheet. 

The liabilities of the defined benefit schemes are measured by discounting the best estimate of future benefit cash outflows using the projected 
unit credit method. This method is an accrued benefits valuation method that makes allowances for projected earnings. These calculations are 
performed by a qualified actuary. 

The split of defined benefit liabilities on an IAS 19 basis between active, deferred and pensioner members is shown below: 

UK Plan 
UK unfunded arrangements 
US1 
Other 

1. Excluding the Rabbi Trust. 

Active 
1% 
– 
41% 
68% 

2022 

Deferred 
46% 
4% 
2% 
3% 

Pensioner 

53% 
96% 
57% 
29% 

Active 
1% 
– 
44% 
64% 

2021 

Deferred 
47% 
6% 
2% 
4% 

Pensioner 

52% 
94% 
54% 
32% 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
COMPASS GROUP PLC | ANNUAL REPORT 2022 
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23  POST-EMPLOYMENT BENEFIT OBLIGATIONS CONTINUED 

Disclosures showing the assets and liabilities of the schemes are set out below. These have been calculated using the following assumptions: 

Discount rate  
Inflation 
CPI inflation 
Rate of increase in salaries 
Rate of increase for pensions in payment 
Rate of increase for deferred pensions1 

1. This assumption is presented as a weighted average. 

UK schemes 
2022 
5.4% 
3.9% 
3.4% 
3.9% 
3.5% 
3.6% 

2021 
2.0% 
3.7% 
3.2% 
3.7% 
3.5% 
3.4% 

US schemes 
2022 
5.1% 
2.4% 
n/a 
3.3% 
2.4% 
0.0% 

2021 
2.5% 
2.1% 
n/a 
3.0% 
2.1% 
0.0% 

Other schemes 
2022 
4.3% 
1.4% 
n/a 
2.6% 
0.2% 
0.0% 

2021 
2.4% 
1.2% 
n/a 
2.5% 
0.2% 
0.0% 

The mortality assumptions used to value the current year UK pension schemes are derived from the S3PA generational mortality tables  
(2021: S3PA generational mortality tables) with improvements in line with the projection model prepared by the 2021 Continuous Mortality 
Investigation of the UK actuarial profession (2021: 2020 model), with an S-kappa of 7.5, with 119% weighting for male non-pensioners and  
113% for male pensioners (2021: 115% weighting for male non-pensioners and 111% for male pensioners) and 106% weighting for female non-
pensioners and 102% weighting for female pensioners (2021: 102% weighting for all females), with a long-term underpin of 1.5% per annum 
(2021: 1.5% per annum). These mortality assumptions take account of experience to date and assumptions for further improvements in the life 
expectancy of scheme members. The Group estimates the average duration of the UK and US plans’ liabilities to be 13 years (2021: 17 years) and 
7 years (2021: 9 years), respectively. 

The directors have considered the potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change and, at the present time, do not believe that 
there is sufficient evidence to require a change in the long-term mortality assumptions. The directors will continue to monitor any potential future 
impact on the mortality assumptions used. 

Examples of the resulting life expectancies for the UK Plan are as follows: 

LIFE EXPECTANCY AT AGE 65 
Member aged 65 in 2022 (2021) 
Member aged 65 in 2047 (2046) 

2022 

Male 
21.4 
23.1 

Female 
24.0 
25.9 

2021 

Male 
21.5 
23.4 

Female
24.4 
26.6 

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. The mortality 
assumptions used to value US schemes are derived from the mortality table Pri-2012 (2021: Pri-2012) and MP2021 generational scale (2021: 
MP2020). Examples of the resulting life expectancies for the US schemes are as follows: 

LIFE EXPECTANCY AT AGE 65 
Member aged 65 in 2022 (2021) 
Member aged 65 in 2047 (2046) 

2022 

Male 
21.9 
23.6 

Female 

23.3 
25.0 

2021 

Male 
21.8 
23.5 

Female

23.2 
24.9 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
178 
178 

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 
For the year ended 30 September 2022 

23  POST-EMPLOYMENT BENEFIT OBLIGATIONS CONTINUED 
Risks 

The Group bears a number of risks in relation to its defined benefit pension schemes. These risks and how they are mitigated for the Group’s 
largest defined benefit plan are described below: 

Risk 

Interest rate 

Description of risk 

Mitigation

A decrease in corporate bond yields will increase the 
schemes’ benefit obligations under IAS 19. The 
schemes are therefore exposed to the risk that falls 
in interest rates will decrease the schemes’ surplus.

Inflation 

The schemes’ benefit obligations are linked to 
inflation. A higher rate of expected long-term 
inflation will therefore lead to higher liabilities, both 
for the IAS 19 and funding liability. 

Investment 

Asset returns can be volatile and there is a risk that 
the value of pension schemes’ assets may not move 
in line with changes in pension scheme liabilities. 

Life expectancy 

The schemes’ obligations are to provide benefits for 
the life of the member and therefore increases in life 
expectancy will lead to higher liabilities. 

As part of the investment strategy, the UK Plan aims to 
mitigate this risk through investment in a liability-driven 
investment (LDI) portfolio. LDI is a form of investing designed 
to match to a large extent the movement in pension plan 
assets with the movement in projected benefit obligations 
over time. 

The UK Plan contains caps on increases in scheme benefits 
to mitigate the risk of increases in inflation. Additionally, the 
UK Plan invests in LDI products which increase (decrease) in 
value when expectations of future inflation rates increase 
(fall), thus providing protection against inflation risk. 

To mitigate against investment risk, the UK Plan invests in a 
way which aims to hedge a large proportion of the movements 
in the corresponding liabilities and investments are diversified 
across and within asset classes to avoid overexposure to any 
one asset class or market. The trustees and the Group 
regularly monitor the funding position and operate a 
diversified investment strategy. 

The UK Plan’s trustees and the Group regularly monitor the 
impact of changes in longevity on scheme obligations. 

The Plan’s investment strategy has performed as expected during the market volatility that followed the UK government’s mini-budget on 
23 September. The trustee makes use of LDI but, given the de-risked portfolio, there is very low leverage meaning there have been no calls for 
additional collateral from the Plan’s LDI manager and there has been no interruption to the interest rate and inflation hedge. The trustee 
expects the funding level to have remained fairly stable throughout this period because the fall in assets will have been matched by a similar 
fall in the liabilities. 

Sensitivity analysis 

Measurement of the Group’s defined benefit obligations is particularly sensitive to changes in key assumptions, including discount rate, inflation 
and life expectancy. The sensitivities of the principal assumptions used to measure the defined benefit obligations of the schemes are set 
out below: 

Assumption 

UK SCHEMES 
Discount rate 

Inflation 

CPI Inflation 

Life expectations from age 65 
US AND OTHER SCHEMES 
Discount rate 

Inflation 

Life expectations from age 65 

  Change in assumption 

Impact on scheme obligations 2022

Impact on scheme obligations 2021

  Increase by 0.5% 
  Decrease by 0.5% 
  Increase by 0.5% 
  Decrease by 0.5% 
  Increase by 0.5% 
  Decrease by 0.5% 
  Increase by 1 year 

  Increase by 0.5% 
  Decrease by 0.5% 
  Increase by 0.5% 
  Decrease by 0.5% 
  Increase by 1 year 

  Decrease by £90m 
  Increase by £95m 
  Increase by £56m 
  Decrease by £54m 
  Increase by £12m 
  Decrease by £12m 
  Increase by £55m 

  Decrease by £9m 
  Increase by £10m 
  Increase by £3m 
  Decrease by £3m 
  Increase by £4m 

  Decrease by £201m 
  Increase by £214m 
  Increase by £124m 
  Decrease by £99m 
  Increase by £24m 
  Decrease by £24m 
  Increase by £107m 

  Decrease by £13m 
  Increase by £14m 
  Increase by £5m 
  Decrease by £5m 
  Increase by £6m 

The sensitivities above consider the impact of the single change shown, with the other assumptions assumed to be unchanged. The sensitivity 
analyses have been determined based on a method that extrapolates the impact on the defined benefit obligations as a result of reasonable 
changes in key assumptions occurring at the end of the reporting period. In practice, changes in one assumption may be accompanied by 
offsetting changes in another assumption (although this is not always the case). The impact of a change in the UK inflation rate shown above 
includes the impact of a change in both the RPI and CPI inflation rates. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
COMPASS GROUP PLC | ANNUAL REPORT 2022 
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179 
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23  POST-EMPLOYMENT BENEFIT OBLIGATIONS CONTINUED 
The Group’s net pension surplus or deficit is the difference between the schemes’ assets and liabilities. Changes in the assumptions may occur at 
the same time as changes in the market value of scheme assets. These may or may not offset the changes in assumptions. For example, a fall in 
interest rates will increase the schemes’ liabilities, but may also trigger an offsetting increase in the market value of certain assets so there may be 
little effect on the Group’s net asset or liability. 

Plan assets 

At 30 September 2022, the assets of the various schemes were invested in a diversified portfolio that consisted primarily of equities and debt 
securities. The fair value of these assets is shown by major category below: 

FAIR VALUE OF PLAN ASSETS BY  
MAJOR CATEGORY 
EQUITIES 
Quoted global equities2 
GOVERNMENT BONDS 
Quoted UK fixed interest2 
Quoted UK index linked2 
Quoted overseas 
CORPORATE BONDS 
Quoted corporate bonds2 
Quoted diversified securities 
OTHER 
Quoted property funds 
Unquoted property funds3 
Unquoted insurance policies 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Other  

UK Plan 
£m 

2022 

US1 
£m 

Other 
£m 

Total 
£m 

UK Plan  
£m 

2021 

US  
£m 

Other 
£m 

Total 
£m 

87 

504 
816 
– 

250 
– 

– 
341 
– 
21 
– 

– 

– 
– 
– 

– 
– 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

28 

115 

120 

247 

28 

395 

– 
– 
– 

21 
16 

21 
– 
6 
3 
13 

504 
816 
– 

271 
16 

21 
341 
6 
24 
13 

763 
1,170 
– 

424 
– 

– 
206 
– 
11 
– 

108 

2,127 

2,694 

– 
– 
– 

52 
– 

182 
– 
– 
65 
– 

546 

– 
– 
3 

– 
41 

20 
1 
6 
3 
11 

763 
1,170 
3 

476 
41 

202 
207 
6 
79 
11 

113 

3,353 

At 30 September 

2,019 

1. In 2022, the assets of the Rabbi Trust valued at £566m are presented as other investments rather than offset against post-employment benefit obligations (see 

page 181). 

2. The quoted assets held by the UK Plan are held in unitised funds which are not traded on an active market. 
3. The UK Plan’s unquoted property fund assets comprise a UK property fund of £187m (2021: £92m) and a global property fund of £154m (2021: £114m). The UK 
property fund’s value is based on the net asset value at 30 September 2022. The global property fund’s value is based on a US dollar net asset value at 30 June 
2022 converted at the exchange rate at 30 September 2022. There has been no material change in the fair value of the global property fund between 30 June and 
30 September 2022. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
180 
180 

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 
For the year ended 30 September 2022 

23  POST-EMPLOYMENT BENEFIT OBLIGATIONS CONTINUED 

The UK Plan has holdings of diversified global equity assets, mainly shares in listed companies. The return on these investments is variable, and 
they are generally considered to be ‘riskier’ investments. However, it is generally accepted that the yield on these investments will contain a 
premium to compensate investors for this additional risk. There is significant uncertainty about the likely size of this risk premium. In respect of 
investments held in global equities, there is also a risk of unfavourable currency movements. The trustee manages these risks by holding 
approximately 50% of those investments in funds which are hedged against currency movements. 

The UK Plan also holds corporate bonds and other fixed-interest securities. The risk of default on these is assessed by various rating agencies. 
Some of these bond investments are issued by the UK government. The risk of default on these is lower compared to the risk on corporate bond 
investments, although some risk may remain. The expected yield on bond investments with fixed interest rates can be derived exactly from their 
market value. 

The trustees of the UK Plan have integrated climate change considerations into their long-term decision-making and reporting processes across 
all classes of assets, actively engaging with all fund and portfolio managers. 

Net post-employment benefit assets and obligations recognised in the balance sheet 

POST-EMPLOYMENT BENEFIT ASSETS/(OBLIGATIONS) RECOGNISED IN THE 
BALANCE SHEET 
UK Plan 

Fair value of 
plan assets 
£m 
2,019 

2022 

Present value 
of defined 
benefit 
obligations 
£m 
(1,438) 

Effect of  
asset ceiling 
£m 
– 

Post-employment benefit assets 

UK unfunded arrangements 
US1 
Other 

Post-employment benefit obligations 

Net post-employment benefit obligations 

2,019 

(1,438) 

– 
– 
108 

108 

(30) 
(660) 
(172) 

(862) 

– 

– 
– 
(5) 

(5) 

Total
£m 
581 

581 

(30)
(660)
(69)

(759)

(178)

1. In 2022, the assets of the Rabbi Trust valued at £566m are presented as other investments rather than offset against post-employment benefit obligations (see 

page 181). 

POST-EMPLOYMENT BENEFIT ASSETS/(OBLIGATIONS) RECOGNISED IN THE 
BALANCE SHEET 
UK Plan 

Fair value of 
plan assets 
£m 
2,694 

2021 

Present value 
of defined 
benefit 
obligations 
£m 
(2,341) 

Effect of  
asset ceiling 
£m 
– 

Post-employment benefit assets 

UK unfunded arrangements 
US 
Other 

Post-employment benefit obligations 

Net post-employment benefit assets 

2,694 

(2,341) 

– 
546 
113 

659 

(49) 
(644) 
(183) 

(876) 

–  

– 
– 
(7) 

(7) 

Total
£m 

353 

353 

(49)
(98)
(77)

(224)

129 

 
 
 
 
 
COMPASS GROUP PLC | ANNUAL REPORT 2022 
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181 
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23  POST-EMPLOYMENT BENEFIT OBLIGATIONS CONTINUED 

MOVEMENTS IN NET DEFINED BENEFIT 
ASSET/(OBLIGATION) 
At 1 October 
Transfer to other investments1 
Current service cost 
Past service credit/(cost) 
Plan settlements 
Administration expenses2 
Interest income/(expense) 
Remeasurements – financial assumptions 
Remeasurements – demographic assumptions 
Remeasurements – experience adjustments 
Return on plan assets, excluding interest income 
Change in asset ceiling, excluding interest income 
Employer contributions 
Employee contributions1 
Benefits paid1 
Disposals 
Currency adjustment 
At 30 September  

2022 

2021 

Present 
value of 
defined 
benefit 
obligations
£m 
(3,217)
– 
(21)
1 
– 
– 
(66)
1,063 
28 
(53)
– 
– 
– 
(50)
140 
2 
(127)

Effect of 
asset ceiling 
£m 
(7)
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
3 
– 
– 
– 
– 
(1)

Fair value of 
plan assets 
£m 
3,353 
(546)
– 
– 
– 
(4)
54 
– 
– 
– 
(668)
– 
18 
2 
(96)
– 
14 

Total 
£m 

129 
(546)  
(21)  
1 
– 
(4)  
(12)  

1,063 
28 
(53)  
(668)  
3 
18 
(48)  
44 
2 
(114)  

Fair value of 
plan assets  
£m 
3,419 
– 
– 
– 
– 
(3) 
51 
– 
– 
– 
(6) 
– 
30 
31 
(149) 
– 
(20) 

Present 
value of 
defined 
benefit 
obligations 
£m 
(3,229) 
– 
(21) 
(2) 
2 
– 
(49) 
(72) 
10 
(4) 
– 
– 
– 
(31) 
149 
– 
30 

Effect of 
asset ceiling 
£m 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
(7)
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

2,127 

(2,300)

(5)

(178)  

3,353 

(3,217) 

(7)

Total 
£m 

190 
– 
(21)
(2)
2 
(3)
2 
(72)
10 
(4)
(6)
(7)
30 
– 
– 
– 
10 

129 

1. In 2022, the assets of the Rabbi Trust valued at £566m are presented as other investments rather than offset against post-employment benefit obligations (see 

below). 

2. The expenses of running the UK Plan are met directly by the UK Plan rather than by the principal employer. 

In the UK, the most material financial assumption is the discount rate, which increased significantly from 2.0% at 30 September 2021 to 5.4% at 
30 September 2022, which resulted in an actuarial gain of £929m on the post-employment benefit obligations. 

The assets of the Rabbi Trust are exactly matched by its liabilities and, therefore, the investments have historically been offset against the post-
employment benefit obligations to reflect the economics of the arrangement. However, they are presented as other investments at 30 September 
2022 on the basis that they are not plan assets as defined by IAS 19 (see note 14). Dividends received from the investments of £20m are included 
in other financing items (see note 4). Interest expense on the post-employment benefit obligations is included in interest on net post-employment 
benefit obligations totalling £12m in other financing items (see note 4). Prior year comparative information has not been restated on the basis 
that, with no impact on operating profit, net assets or cash flows, the change in presentation is not considered to be material to the financial 
statements.  

Certain Group companies have taken out life insurance policies and invested in mutual funds to meet unfunded pension obligations. The current 
value of these policies and other assets of £85m (2021: £72m) may not be offset against post-employment benefit obligations under IAS 19 
(see note 14). 

Net post-employment benefit assets, including the Rabbi Trust investments, life insurance policies and mutual fund investments, is shown below: 

Net post-employment benefit (obligations)/assets 
Rabbi Trust investments (see note 14) 
Mutual fund investments (see note 14) 
Life insurance policies (see note 14) 

Net post-employment benefit assets 

2022 
£m 

(178)
566 
52 
33 

473 

2021 
£m 

129 
– 
38 
34 

201 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
182 
182 

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 
For the year ended 30 September 2022 

23  POST-EMPLOYMENT BENEFIT OBLIGATIONS CONTINUED 
Amounts recognised in the income statement 

AMOUNTS RECOGNISED  
IN THE INCOME STATEMENT 
Current service cost 
Past service (credit)/cost1 
Plan settlements 
Administration expenses 

Charged to operating expenses 

Interest on net post-employment benefit 

assets/obligations 

(Credited)/charged to finance costs 

Total  

2022 

2021 

UK  
£m 
1 
– 
– 
4 

5 

(6) 

(6) 

(1) 

US 
£m 
13 
– 
– 
– 

13 

15 

15 

28 

Other 
£m 
7 
(1)
– 
– 

6 

3 

3 

9 

Total 
£m 

21 
(1)  
– 
4 

24 

12 

12 

36 

UK 
£m 
1 
2 
– 
3 

6 

(6)

(6)

– 

US  
£m 
11 
– 
– 
– 

11 

2 

2 

13 

Other  
£m 
9 
– 
(2) 
– 

7 

2 

2 

9 

1. As a result of the High Court ruling on Guaranteed Minimum Pension (GMP) equalisation, the Group recognised a £2m past service cost in the prior year. 

The Group recognised a charge of £175m (2021: £124m) in respect of contributions to defined contribution schemes during the year. 

Amounts recognised in other comprehensive income 

AMOUNTS RECOGNISED IN OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME 
Effect of changes in financial assumptions 
Effect of changes in demographic assumptions 
Effect of experience adjustments 

Remeasurement of post-employment benefit obligations 
Return on plan assets, excluding interest income 
Change in asset ceiling, excluding interest income 

Total 

Contributions 

2022  
£m 

1,063 
28 
(53) 

1,038 
(668) 
3 

373 

Total 
£m 

21 
2 
(2)
3 

24 

(2)

(2)

22 

2021 
£m 

(72)
10
(4)

(66)
(6)
(7)

(79)

The Group made total contributions to defined benefit schemes of £31m (including the Rabbi Trust) in the year (2021: £30m) and expects to 
make a similar level of contributions to these schemes in 2023. 

The UK Plan is the largest scheme in the Group and was in surplus on a funding basis at the date of the most recent actuarial valuation as at 5 
April 2022 and no deficit contributions are currently required. The remaining Group-funded schemes do not have significant minimum funding 
requirements whilst contributions to unfunded pension schemes are quite stable. As a result, we do not expect the required future contributions 
to change substantially beyond next year. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
COMPASS GROUP PLC | ANNUAL REPORT 2022 
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183 
  183

24  SHARE CAPITAL AND OTHER RESERVES 
Capital 

The Group targets a strong investment-grade credit rating and 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 net debt (see note 33) and total equity. 

Share capital 

SHARE CAPITAL 
Allotted, called up and fully paid: 
Ordinary shares of 111⁄20p each 
At 30 September 

Treasury shares 

2022 

Number 

 £m  

2021 

Number 

1,785,403,977 

1,785,403,977 

198 

  1,785,403,977 

198 

  1,785,403,977 

£m 

198 

198 

During the year, 24,151,566 shares in Compass Group PLC were purchased under the share buyback programme announced in May 2022, 
which are held in treasury, and 320,851 treasury shares were released to satisfy employee share-based payment commitments (2021: 163,563), 
leaving a balance held at 30 September 2022 of 25,202,499 (2021: 1,371,784). 

Share buyback 

Consistent with its capital allocation framework, in May 2022, the Company announced that it was commencing a share buyback programme to 
repurchase up to £500m of its own shares. During the year, 24,151,566 shares were repurchased for a total price, including transaction costs, 
of £440m, which represents an average price of £18.20 per share. The total shares purchased to 30 September 2022 represent 1.4% of the 
Company’s share capital (including treasury shares). The share buyback programme was completed in November and, in total, 27,599,115 
shares were repurchased under the programme for a total price, including transaction costs, of £503m, which represents an average price of 
£18.21 per share. The total shares purchased under the programme represent 1.5% of the Company’s share capital (including treasury shares). 

Other reserves 

OTHER RESERVES 
At 1 October 2021 

Other comprehensive income 
Currency translation differences 
Reclassification of cumulative currency translation 

differences on sale of businesses  

Total other comprehensive income for the year 

Fair value of share-based payments 
Change in fair value of non-controlling interest 

put options 

Changes to non-controlling interests due to 

acquisitions and disposals 

Reclassification of non-controlling interest put option 

reserve on exercise of put options 

Release of share awards settled in existing shares 

purchased in the market 

Transfer2 
At 30 September 2022 

Share-based 
payment reserve 
£m 
271 

Merger reserve 
£m 
4,170

Revaluation 
reserve 
£m 
7 

Translation 
reserve1 
£m 
(392) 

Non-controlling 
interest put 
options reserve 
£m 
(87)

Total other 
reserves 
£m 
3,969 

– 
– 

– 

34 
– 

– 

– 

(4)

(301)

– 

–
–

–

–
–

–

–

–

–

4,170

– 
– 

– 

– 
– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

7 

591 
7 

598 

– 
– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 
– 

– 

– 
(2)

(7)

5 

– 

– 

206 

(91)

591 
7 

598 

34 
(2)

(7)

5 

(4)

(301)

4,292 

1. Includes a loss of £774m in relation to the balance remaining in the foreign currency translation reserve from net investment hedging relationships for which hedge 

accounting continues to apply. 

2. The share-based payments reserve has been transferred to retained earnings on the basis that it is more appropriately presented as a component of retained 

earnings for equity-settled share-based payment schemes. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
184 
184 

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 
For the year ended 30 September 2022 

24  SHARE CAPITAL AND OTHER RESERVES CONTINUED 

OTHER RESERVES 
At 1 October 2020 

Other comprehensive income 
Currency translation differences 
Reclassification of cumulative currency translation 

differences on sale of businesses  

Tax credit on items relating to the components of 

other comprehensive income 

Total other comprehensive loss for the year 

Fair value of share-based payments 
Change in fair value of non-controlling interest  

put options 

Release of share awards settled in existing shares 

purchased in the market 

At 30 September 2021 

Share-based 
payment reserve 
£m 
254 

Merger reserve 
£m 
4,170 

Revaluation 
reserve 
£m 
7 

Translation 
reserve1 
£m 
(215) 

Non-controlling 
interest put 
options reserve  
£m 
(71) 

Total other 
reserves 
£m 

4,145

– 
– 

– 

– 

20 
– 

(3)

– 
– 

– 

– 

– 
– 

– 

271 

4,170 

– 
– 

– 

– 

– 
– 

– 

7 

(154) 
(24) 

1 

(177) 

– 
– 

– 

– 
– 

– 

– 

– 
(16) 

– 

(154)
(24)

1

(177)

20
(16)

(3)

(392) 

(87) 

3,969

1. Includes a loss of £584m in relation to the balance remaining in the foreign currency translation reserve from net investment hedging relationships for which hedge 

accounting continues to apply. 

Merger reserve 

The merger reserve arose in 2000 as a result of the merger between Compass and Granada. 

Revaluation reserve 

Fair value reserve arising on the acquisition of the remaining 50% interest in GR SA during 2008. The portion of the fair value adjustment 
pertaining to the Group’s existing 50% shareholding in GR SA was credited to the revaluation reserve in accordance with IFRS 3 Business 
Combinations. 

Translation reserve 

The translation reserve comprises all foreign currency differences arising from the translation of the financial statements of foreign operations. 

 
 
 
 
 
COMPASS GROUP PLC | ANNUAL REPORT 2022 
COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

185 
  185

25  SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS 
Income statement expense 

The Group recognised a charge of £34m (2021: £20m) in respect of share-based payment transactions. All share-based payment plans are 
equity-settled. 

The charge is broken down by share-based payment scheme as follows: 

Long-term incentive plans 
Restricted shares 

Long-term incentive plans 

2022 
£m 
27 
7 

34 

2021 
£m 
12 
8 

20 

Full details of The Compass Group PLC Long Term Incentive Plan 2018 (2018 LTIP) can be found in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on 
pages 86 to 113. 

The following table shows the movement in share awards during the year: 

LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLANS 
Outstanding at 1 October  
Awarded 
Notional Dividend Shares1 
Vested 
Lapsed  

Outstanding at 30 September  

2022 
Number of  
shares 

2021 
Number of 
shares 

6,353,294 
3,328,253 
80,631 
 (29,082)
 (2,185,239)

5,688,141 
2,916,650 
– 
– 
(2,251,497)

7,547,857 

6,353,294 

1. In March 2022, it was announced that eligible awards granted under the 2018 LTIP will accrue dividends in the form of Notional Dividend Shares. 

The vesting conditions of the LTIP awards are included in the Directors’ Remuneration Report. 

The fair value of awards subject to Adjusted Free Cash Flow (AFCF) and Return On Capital Employed (ROCE) 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 forecasts. 

For the year ended 30 September 2022, Executive Committee LTIP awards were made on 1 December 2021, 4 February 2022 and 8 February 
2022 for which the estimated fair values were 1,140.86p, 1,281.42p and 1,149.04p, respectively. Leadership LTIP awards were also made on 1 
December 2021, 15 December 2021 and 18 May 2022 for which the estimated fair values were 1,204.37p, 1,438.55p and 1,761.58p, 
respectively. 

For the year ended 30 September 2021, an Executive Committee LTIP award was made on 1 December 2020 for which the estimated fair value 
was 986.18p. Leadership LTIP awards were also made on 1 December 2020, 18 May 2021 and 17 June 2021 for which the estimated fair values 
were 1,041.43p, 1,398.33p and 1,547.21p, respectively. 

These awards were all made under the terms of the 2018 LTIP. 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 yield1 
Expected life 
Weighted average share price at date of grant 

2022 

2021 

39.3% 
1.0% 
– 
2.9 years 
1,534.85p 

37.5% 
0.4% 
2.2% 
3.0 years 
1,381.15p 

1. In March 2022, it was announced that eligible awards granted under the 2018 LTIP will accrue dividends in the form of Notional Dividend Shares. Accordingly, the 
dividend yield in the fair value calculation has been set to zero. The fair value of awards granted in 2021 has been recalculated to reflect this modification and the 
incremental fair value is being recognised over the period from the date of the modification to the vesting date. 

The weighted average share price at the date of vesting for the 29,082 shares that vested in the financial year was 1,455p. 

The LTIP awards outstanding at the end of the year have a weighted average remaining contractual life of 1.4 years (2021: 1.3 years). 

 
 
186 
186 

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 
For the year ended 30 September 2022 

25  SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS CONTINUED 
Restricted shares 

These are awards to certain employees in order to incentivise the achievement of particular business objectives under specific circumstances or 
where similar such shares have been forfeited by a new employee on joining the Group. The plan can take different forms such as an award of 
shares dependent on service or achievement of specific performance conditions other than service. 

The following table shows the movement in share awards during the year: 

RESTRICTED SHARES 
Outstanding at 1 October 
Awarded  
Notional Dividend Shares1 
Vested, released and exercised 
Lapsed 

Outstanding at 30 September  

2022  
Number of  
shares 

939,488 
581,246 
11,234 
(397,632) 
(51,111) 

2021
Number of 
shares 

820,868
385,971
–
(188,152)
(79,199)

1,083,225 

939,488

1. In March 2022, it was announced that eligible awards granted under the Restricted Share Award Plan will accrue dividends in the form of Notional Dividend Shares. 

The fair value of restricted shares awarded in the year was calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model using the following 
assumptions: 

ASSUMPTIONS – RESTRICTED SHARES 
Expected volatility 
Risk-free interest rate 
Dividend yield1 
Expected life 
Weighted average share price at date of grant 

2022 
39.4% 
1.1% 
– 
2.1 years 
1,554.40p 

2021 
38.2%
0.6%
2.2%
2.0 years
1,459.02p

1. In March 2022, it was announced that eligible awards granted under the Restricted Share Award Plan will accrue dividends in the form of Notional Dividend Shares. 

Accordingly, the dividend yield in the fair value calculation has been set to zero. The fair value of awards granted in 2021 has been recalculated to reflect this 
modification and the incremental fair value is being recognised over the period from the date of the modification to the vesting date. 

The weighted average share price at the date of release for restricted share awards released during 2022 was 1,573.85p (2021: 1,467.28p). 

Other share-based payment plans 

The following table shows the movements in other share-based payment plans during the year: 

OTHER SHARE-BASED PAYMENT PLANS 
Outstanding at 1 October 
Vested and exercised 
Lapsed (following net settlement) 
Lapsed 

Outstanding at 30 September  

2022  
Number of  
shares 

518,151 
(174,508) 
(104,740) 
(36,481) 

2021
Number of 
shares 

832,451
(179,572)
(77,223)
(57,505)

202,422 

518,151

The expense relating to these plans is not significant and no further disclosure is necessary except for the general details provided below: 

Share options 

Full details of The Compass Group Share Option Plan 2010 are set out in prior years’ annual reports which are available on the Company’s 
website. The last award under this plan was made in November 2013 and will expire in November 2023. 

Deferred annual bonus plan (DAB) 

Certain senior executives participate in the DAB. A portion of the annual bonus awarded to certain executives is converted into shares. Subject to 
the achievement of local organic revenue growth and cumulative profit before interest and tax over the three-year deferral period, the number of 
deferred shares may be increased. Enhancements to the deferred shares are only released to the participants subject to the performance levels 
being met. The last award under this plan was made in November 2018. 

COMPASS GROUP PLC | ANNUAL REPORT 2022 
COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

187 
  187

26  ACQUISITION, SALE AND CLOSURE OF BUSINESSES 
Acquisition of businesses 

The total cash spent on the acquisition of subsidiaries during the year, net of cash acquired, was £273m (2021: £167m), including £70m of 
deferred and contingent consideration and other payments relating to businesses acquired in previous years and £10m of acquisition transaction 
costs included in net cash flow from operating activities.  

There were no individually material acquisitions during the current year. A summary of business acquisitions completed during the year is 
presented in aggregate below: 

2022 

2021 

Book value 
£m 

Fair value  
£m 

Book value 
£m 

Fair value 
£m 

NET ASSETS ACQUIRED 
Goodwill 
Other intangible assets 
Right-of-use assets 
Property, plant and equipment 
Trade and other receivables 
Inventories 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Lease liabilities 
Provisions 
Trade and other payables 
Deferred tax liabilities 

Fair value of net assets acquired (before non-controlling interests) 
Non-controlling interests acquired 

Fair value of net assets acquired  

SATISFIED BY 
Cash consideration paid 
Deferred and contingent consideration payable 

Total consideration 

CASH FLOW  
Cash consideration 
Less: Cash acquired 
Acquisition transaction costs1 
Net cash outflow arising on acquisition 
Deferred and contingent consideration and other payments relating to businesses 

acquired in previous years2 

Total cash outflow from purchase of subsidiary companies 

CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT  
Net cash flow from operating activities1 
Net cash flow from investing activities 

Total cash outflow from purchase of subsidiary companies 

– 
17 
7 
7 
36 
6 
– 
(7)
(2)
(36)
(6)

122 
140 
7 
7 
36    
6 
–    
(7)   
(2)   
(36)   
(6)   

267 

(8)   

259 

193 
66 

259 

193 

–    
10 

203 
70 

273 

10 
263 

273 

– 
– 
– 
2 
2 
1 
1 
– 
– 
(3)
– 

17 
15 
– 
2 
2 
1 
1 
– 
– 
(3)
– 

35 
(5)

30 

24 
6 

30 

24 
(1)
10 

33 
134 

167 

10 
157 

167 

1. Acquisition transaction costs are included in net cash flow from operating activities. 
2. 2022 includes contingent consideration paid in respect of the acquisition of Fazer Food Services in January 2020. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
188 
188 

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 
For the year ended 30 September 2022 

26  ACQUISITION, SALE AND CLOSURE OF BUSINESSES CONTINUED 
Contingent 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. 

The fair value adjustments made in respect of acquisitions in the year to 30 September 2022 are provisional and will be finalised within 12 months 
of the acquisition date, principally in relation to the valuation of contracts acquired. 

The goodwill arising on the acquisition of the businesses represents the premium the Group has paid to acquire companies which complement 
the existing business and create significant opportunities for cross-selling and other synergies. The goodwill arising is not expected to be 
deductible for tax purposes. 

The acquisitions did not have a material impact on the Group’s revenue or profit for the year. 

Sale and closure of businesses 

The Group has recognised a net loss of £7m on the sale and closure of businesses (2021: net gain of £10m), including exit costs of £7m (2021: 
£nil). Activity in the year included the sale of a 17% shareholding in Highway Royal Co., Limited (Japanese Highways) and the Group’s exit from its 
operations in Russia. 

A summary of business disposals completed during the year is presented in aggregate below: 

2022  
£m 

2021 
£m 

NET ASSETS DISPOSED 
Goodwill 
Other intangible assets 
Right-of-use assets 
Property, plant and equipment 
Deferred tax assets 
Trade and other receivables 
Inventories 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Assets held for sale 
Lease liabilities 
Provisions 
Trade and other payables 
Post-employment benefit liabilities 

Net assets disposed 

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT 
Cash consideration 
Deferred consideration 
Less: Net assets disposed 
Less: Exit costs 
Add: Fair value adjustment on classification as other investments 
(Less)/add: Reclassification of cumulative currency translation differences on sale of businesses 

Net (loss)/gain on sale and closure of businesses 

CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT 
Cash consideration 
Exit costs 
Cash and cash equivalents disposed 
Tax receipts/(payments) in respect of prior year business disposals 

Net proceeds/(payments) from sale of subsidiary companies, joint ventures and associates net of exit costs 

5 
1 
– 
1 
1 
2 
– 
1 
16 
(1) 
(2) 
(5) 
(2) 

17 

24 
– 
(17) 
(7) 
– 
(7) 

(7) 

24 
(3) 
(1) 
15 

35 

1 
– 
14 
29 
1 
19 
25 
– 
– 
(16)
(7)
(14)
– 

52 

32 
4 
(52)
– 
2 
24 

10 

32 
– 
– 
(43)

(11)

Assets held for sale 

The Group’s balance sheet includes interests in joint ventures and associates held for sale of £26m (2021: £17m) which represent a further 28% 
shareholding in Japanese Highways which it has agreed to sell. The non-recurring fair value measurement of the business held for sale is 
categorised as a Level 3 fair value and is based on the agreed sale price. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
COMPASS GROUP PLC | ANNUAL REPORT 2022 
COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

189 
  189

27  RECONCILIATION OF OPERATING PROFIT TO CASH GENERATED FROM OPERATIONS 

RECONCILIATION OF OPERATING PROFIT TO CASH GENERATED FROM OPERATIONS 
Operating profit before joint ventures and associates 
Adjustments for:  
Acquisition-related costs1 
COVID-19 resizing (credit)/costs 
One-off pension charge 
Amortisation – other intangible assets 
Amortisation – contract fulfilment assets 
Amortisation – contract prepayments  
Depreciation – right-of-use assets  
Depreciation – property, plant and equipment  
Unwind of costs to obtain contracts 
Impairment losses – other intangible assets2 
Impairment losses – contract fulfilment assets2 
Impairment losses – right-of-use assets2 
Impairment losses – property, plant and equipment2 
Impairment reversals – right-of-use assets 
Impairment reversals – property, plant and equipment 
Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment/intangible assets/contract fulfilment assets 
Other non-cash changes 
Decrease in provisions 
Investment in contract prepayments 
Increase in costs to obtain contracts3 
Post-employment benefit obligations net of service costs 
Share-based payments – charged to profit 

Operating cash flow before movements in working capital 
Increase in inventories 
Increase in receivables 
Increase in payables 

Cash generated from operations 

2022 
£m 

1,455 

82 
(4)
– 
100 
214 
40 
156 
260 
18 
3 
3 
4 
5 
(3)
(1)
– 
(4)
(77)
(64)
(31)
(7)
34 

2,183 
(122)
(876)
839 

2,024 

2021 
£m 

514 

96 
157 
2 
79 
200 
28 
156 
250 
16 
8 
11 
5 
10 
– 
(4)
35 
(4)
(182)
(40)
(22)
(8)
20 

1,327 
(50)
(497)
712 

1,492 

1. The adjustment for acquisition-related costs excludes acquisition transaction costs of £10m (2021: £10m) as acquisition transaction costs are included in cash 

flows from operating activities. 

2. 2021 impairment losses on contract-related non-current assets (£32m) and other assets (£2m) re-presented by asset category. 
3. Cash payments in respect of contract balances are classified as cash flows from operating activities, with the exception of contract fulfilment assets which are 

classified as cash flows from investing activities as they arise out of cash payments in relation to assets that will generate long-term economic benefits. During the 
year, the purchase of contract fulfilment assets in cash flows from investing activities is £218m (2021: £231m).  

 
 
190 
190 

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 
For the year ended 30 September 2022 

28  MOVEMENTS IN ASSETS AND LIABILITIES ARISING FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES 

MOVEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 
30 SEPTEMBER 2022 
Borrowings (excluding bank overdrafts) 
Lease liabilities 
Derivative financial instruments 

Net movement in assets and liabilities arising from 

financing activities 

Purchase of own shares – share buyback programme 
Purchase of own shares – employee share-based 

payments 

Purchase of non-controlling interests 
Dividends paid to equity shareholders 
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests 

Net cash flow from financing activities 

MOVEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED  
30 SEPTEMBER 2021 
Borrowings (excluding bank overdrafts) 
Lease liabilities 
Derivative financial instruments 

Net movement in assets and liabilities arising from 

financing activities 

Purchase of own shares – employee share-based 

payments 

Net cash flow from financing activities 

Non-cash movements are comprised as follows: 

1 October 2021
£m 
(3,451)
(845)
102 

Cash 
outflow/(inflow) 
£m 
(380)
152 
67 

(161)

Other non-cash 
movements
£m 
318 
3 
(251)

New lease 
liabilities and 
amendments 
£m 
– 
(139) 
– 

Currency 
translation  
losses 
£m 
(200) 
(84) 
(14) 

30 September 
2022 
£m 

(3,713)
(913)
(96)

425 
6 

2 
418 
3 

693 

1 October 2020
£m 
(3,682)
(942)
231 

Cash 
outflow/(inflow) 
£m 
7 
153 
(11)

Other non-cash 
movements
£m 
88 
20 
(63)

New lease 
liabilities and 
amendments 
£m 
– 
(103) 
– 

Currency 
translation  
gains/(losses) 
£m 
136 
27 
(55) 

30 September 
2021 
£m 

(3,451)
(845)
102

149 

3 

152 

OTHER NON-CASH MOVEMENTS 
Amortisation of fees and discounts on issue of debt 
Fees and discounts accrued on issue of debt 
Changes in fair value of borrowings in a fair value hedge 

Borrowings 

Lease liabilities acquired through business acquisitions  
Lease liabilities derecognised on sale and closure of businesses 
COVID-19 rent concessions 
Reclassification  

Lease liabilities  

Changes in fair value of derivative financial instruments 

Total 

29  CONTINGENT LIABILITIES 

Performance bonds, guarantees and indemnities 

2022  
£m 

(3) 
1 
320 

318 

(7) 
1 
2 
7 

3 

(251) 

70 

2021 
£m 

(4)
–
92

88

–
16
4
–

20

(63)

45

PERFORMANCE BONDS, GUARANTEES AND INDEMNITIES 
Performance bonds, guarantees and indemnities (including those of associated undertakings)1 

2022  
£m 

402 

2021
£m 

366

1. Excludes post-employment obligations, borrowings and lease liabilities. 

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 
arrangements 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. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
COMPASS GROUP PLC | ANNUAL REPORT 2022 
COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

191 
  191

29  CONTINGENT LIABILITIES CONTINUED 
Litigation and claims 

The Group is involved in various 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. 

Although it is not possible to predict the outcome or quantify the financial effect 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. The timing of the settlement of these proceedings or claims is uncertain. 

The increasingly complex international corporate tax environment and an increase in audit activity from tax authorities means that the potential 
for tax uncertainties has increased. The Group is currently subject to a number of reviews and audits in jurisdictions around the world that 
primarily relate to complex corporate tax issues. None of these audits are currently expected to have a material impact on the Group’s 
financial position. 

We continue to engage with tax authorities and other regulatory bodies on payroll and sales tax reviews, and compliance with labour laws and 
regulations. The federal tax authorities in Brazil have issued a number of notices of deficiency relating primarily to the PIS/COFINS treatment of 
certain food costs and the corporate income tax treatment of goodwill deductions which we have formally objected to and which are now 
proceeding through the appeals process. At 30 September 2022, the total amount assessed in respect of these matters is £68m. The possibility of 
further assessments cannot be ruled out and the judicial process is likely to take a number of years to conclude. Based on the opinion of our local 
legal advisors, we do not currently consider it likely that we will have to settle a liability with respect to these matters and, on this basis, no 
provision has been recorded. We therefore do not currently expect any of these issues to have a material impact on the Group’s financial position. 

30  CAPITAL COMMITMENTS 

CAPITAL COMMITMENTS 
Contracted for but not provided for  

The majority of capital commitments are for intangible assets. 

31  RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS 
The following transactions were carried out with related parties of Compass Group PLC: 

2022 
£m 

639 

2021
£m 

521 

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 

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 families. 

Post-employment benefit schemes 

Details of the Group’s post-employment benefit schemes are set out in note 23. 

32  POST-BALANCE SHEET EVENTS 
On 3 October 2022, the Group sold four businesses in Central and Eastern Europe, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia and Romania, for 
consideration of £62m. The aggregate net assets of the businesses sold were not material to the consolidated financial statements at 30 
September 2022. 

On 21 November 2022, a final dividend in respect of 2022 of 22.1p per share, £389m in aggregate, was declared. 

In the period from 1 October to 11 November 2022, 3,447,549 shares were repurchased for a total price, including transaction costs, of £63m 
under the share buyback programme announced in May 2022. In November 2022, we announced a further share buyback of up to £250m, to 
take place during the first half of the 2023 financial year, taking the total buyback to £750m. 

192 
192 

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 
For the year ended 30 September 2022 

33  NON-GAAP MEASURES 
Introduction 

The Executive Committee manages and assesses the performance of the Group using various underlying and other Alternative Performance 
Measures (APMs). These measures are not recognised under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) or other generally accepted 
accounting principles (GAAP) and may not be directly comparable with APMs used by other companies. Underlying measures reflect ongoing 
trading and, therefore, facilitate meaningful year-on-year comparison. Management believes that the Group’s underlying and alternative 
performance measures, together with the results prepared in accordance with IFRS, provide comprehensive analysis of the Group’s results. 
Certain of these measures are financial Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) which measure progress against our strategy. 

In determining the adjustments to arrive at underlying results, we use a set of established principles relating to the nature and materiality of 
individual items or groups of items, including, for example, events which: (i) are outside the normal course of business; (ii) are incurred in a 
pattern that is unrelated to the trends in the underlying financial performance of our ongoing business: or (iii) are related to business acquisitions 
or disposals as they are not part of the Group’s ongoing trading business and the associated cost impact arises from the transaction rather than 
from the continuing business. 

Definitions 

Measure 

INCOME STATEMENT 
Underlying revenue 

  Definition

Purpose

  Revenue plus share of revenue of joint ventures.

Underlying  
operating profit 

Underlying  
operating margin1 

  Operating profit excluding specific adjusting items2.

  Underlying operating profit divided by underlying revenue.

Organic revenue1 

  Current year: Underlying revenue excluding businesses acquired, 

Organic operating profit 

sold and closed in the year. Prior year: Underlying revenue 
including a proforma 12 months in respect of businesses 
acquired in the year and excluding businesses sold and closed 
in the year translated at current year exchange rates.  

Where applicable, a 53rd week is excluded from the current or 
prior year. 

  Current year: Underlying operating profit excluding businesses 
acquired, sold and closed in the year. Prior year: Underlying 
operating profit including a proforma 12 months in respect of 
businesses acquired in the year and excluding businesses sold 
and closed in the year translated at current year exchange rates.

Where applicable, a 53rd week is excluded from the current or 
prior year. 

Allows management to monitor the sales 
performance of the Group’s subsidiaries and 
joint ventures. 

Provides a measure of operating profitability 
that is comparable over time. 

An important measure of the efficiency of 
our operations in delivering great food and 
support services to our clients and consumers.

Embodies our success in growing and retaining 
our customer base, as well as our ability to drive 
volumes in our existing business and maintain 
appropriate pricing levels in light of input cost 
inflation. 

Provides a measure of operating profitability 
that is comparable over time. 

Underlying finance costs 

  Finance costs excluding specific adjusting items2.

Underlying profit before 
tax 

  Profit before tax excluding specific adjusting items2.

Provides a measure of the Group’s cost of 
financing excluding items outside of the control 
of management. 

Provides a measure of Group profitability that is 
comparable over time. 

1. Key Performance Indicator. 
2. Specific adjusting items are acquisition-related costs, COVID-19 resizing costs, one-off pension charge, tax on share of profit of joint ventures, gains and losses on 

sale and closure of businesses and other financing items. 

   
   
 
COMPASS GROUP PLC | ANNUAL REPORT 2022 
COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

193 
  193

33  NON-GAAP MEASURES CONTINUED 
Definitions continued 

Measure 

  Definition 

Purpose 

INCOME STATEMENT  
(CONTINUED) 
Underlying income tax 
expense 

Underlying effective  
tax rate 

Underlying profit for 
the year 

Underlying profit 
attributable to equity 
shareholders (underlying 
earnings) 

Underlying earnings  
per share1 

  Income tax expense excluding tax attributable to specific 

adjusting items2. 

Provides a measure of income tax expense that 
is comparable over time. 

  Underlying income tax expense divided by underlying profit 

before tax. 

Provides a measure of the effective tax rate that 
is comparable over time. 

  Profit for the year excluding specific adjusting items2 and tax 

attributable to those items. 

Provides a measure of Group profitability that is 
comparable over time. 

  Profit for the year attributable to equity shareholders excluding 
specific adjusting items2 and tax attributable to those items.  

Provides a measure of Group profitability that is 
comparable over time. 

  Earnings per share excluding specific adjusting items2 and tax 

attributable to those items. 

Measures the performance of the Group in 
delivering value to shareholders. 

Net operating profit after 
tax (NOPAT) 

  Underlying operating profit excluding the operating profit of non-

controlling interests, net of tax at the underlying effective tax rate. 

Provides a measure of Group operating 
profitability that is comparable over time. 

Underlying EBITDA 

  Underlying operating profit excluding underlying impairment, 
depreciation and amortisation of intangible assets, tangible 
assets and contract-related assets. 

Provides a measure of Group operating 
profitability that is comparable over time. 

BALANCE SHEET 
Net debt 

  Bank overdrafts, bank and other borrowings, lease liabilities and 
derivative financial instruments, less cash and cash equivalents.

Allows management to monitor the 
indebtedness of the Group. 

Net debt to EBITDA 

  Net debt divided by underlying EBITDA.

Capital employed 

  Total equity shareholders’ funds, excluding: net debt; post-

employment benefit assets and obligations; and investments 
held to meet the cost of unfunded post-employment benefit 
obligations. 

  NOPAT divided by 12-month average capital employed.

Provides a measure of the Group’s ability to 
finance and repay its debt from its operations. 

Provides a measure of the Group’s efficiency in 
allocating its capital to profitable investments. 

ROCE demonstrates how we have delivered 
against the various investments we make in the 
business, be it operational expenditure, capital 
expenditure or bolt-on acquisitions. 

  Purchase of intangible assets, purchase of contract fulfilment 

assets, purchase of property, plant and equipment and 
investment in contract prepayments, less proceeds from sale of 
property, plant and equipment/intangible assets/contract 
fulfilment assets. 

Provides a measure of expenditure on long-
term intangible, tangible and contract-related 
assets, net of the proceeds from disposal of 
intangible, tangible and contract-related 
assets. 

  Net cash flow from operating activities, including purchase of 

intangible assets, purchase of contract fulfilment assets, purchase 
of property, plant and equipment, proceeds from sale of property, 
plant and equipment/intangible assets/contract fulfilment assets, 
repayment of principal under lease liabilities and share of results of 
joint ventures and associates, and excluding interest and net tax 
paid, post-employment benefit obligations net of service costs, 
cash payments related to cost action programme and COVID-19 
resizing costs and acquisition transaction costs. 

Provides a measure of the success of the Group 
in turning profit into cash that is comparable 
over time. 

1. Key Performance Indicator. 
2. Specific adjusting items are acquisition-related costs, COVID-19 resizing costs, one-off pension charge, tax on share of profit of joint ventures, gains and losses on 

sale and closure of businesses and other financing items. 

Return on Capital 
Employed (ROCE)1 

CASH FLOW 
Capital expenditure 

Underlying operating 
cash flow 

   
 
   
 
   
 
 
194 
194 

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 
For the year ended 30 September 2022 

33  NON-GAAP MEASURES CONTINUED 
Definitions continued 

Measure 

  Definition

CASH FLOW 
(CONTINUED) 
Underlying operating cash 
flow conversion 

  Underlying operating cash flow divided by underlying 

operating profit. 

Free cash flow 

  Net cash flow from operating activities, including purchase of 

intangible assets, purchase of contract fulfilment assets, 
purchase of property, plant and equipment, proceeds from sale 
of property, plant and equipment/intangible assets/contract 
fulfilment assets, purchase of other investments, proceeds from 
sale of other investments, dividends received from joint ventures 
and associates, interest received, repayment of principal under 
lease liabilities and dividends paid to non-controlling interests. 

Purpose

Provides a measure of the success of the Group 
in turning profit into cash that is comparable 
over time. 

Provides a measure of the success of the Group 
in turning profit into cash that is comparable 
over time. 

Underlying free  
cash flow1 

  Free cash flow excluding cash payments related to cost action 

programme and COVID-19 resizing costs and acquisition 
transaction costs. 

Provides a measure of the success of the Group 
in turning profit into cash that is comparable 
over time. 

Underlying free cash flow 
conversion 

  Underlying free cash flow divided by underlying operating profit.

Provides a measure of the success of the Group 
in turning profit into cash that is comparable 
over time. 

Underlying 
tax rate 

cash  

  Net tax paid included in net cash flow from operating activities 

divided by underlying profit before tax. 

Provides a measure of the cash tax rate that is 
comparable over time. 

BUSINESS GROWTH 
New business 

  Current year underlying revenue for the period in which no 

revenue had been recognised in the prior year. 

The measure of incremental revenue in the 
current year from new business. 

Lost business 

  Prior year underlying revenue for the period in which no revenue 

has been recognised in the current year. 

Net new business3 

  New business minus lost business as a percentage of prior year 

organic revenue. 

Retention 

  100% minus lost business as a percentage of prior year organic 

revenue.  

The measure of lost revenue in the current year 
from ceased business. 

The measure of net incremental revenue in the 
current year from business wins and losses. 

The measure of our success in retaining 
business. 

1. Key Performance Indicator. 
2. Specific adjusting items are acquisition-related costs, COVID-19 resizing costs, one-off pension charge, tax on share of profit of joint ventures, gains and losses on 

sale and closure of businesses and other financing items. 

3. Net new business rebased to 2019 is calculated as new business minus lost business as a percentage of 2019 underlying revenue calculated on a constant-

currency basis. 

   
 
   
 
COMPASS GROUP PLC | ANNUAL REPORT 2022 
COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

195 
  195

33  NON-GAAP MEASURES CONTINUED 
Reconciliations 
Income statement  

Underlying revenue and operating profit are reconciled to GAAP measures in note 1 (segmental analysis). 

ORGANIC REVENUE 
YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2022 
Underlying revenue 
Organic adjustments 
Organic revenue 
YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2021 
Underlying revenue 
Currency adjustments 

Underlying revenue – constant currency 
Organic adjustments 
Organic revenue 

Increase in underlying revenue at reported rates – % 
Increase in underlying revenue at constant currency – % 
Increase in organic revenue – % 

 ORGANIC OPERATING PROFIT 
  YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2022 
  Underlying operating profit/(loss) 

  Underlying operating margin – % 

  Organic adjustments 

  Organic operating profit/(loss) 

  YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2021 
  Underlying operating profit/(loss)  

  Underlying operating margin – % 

  Currency adjustments 

  Underlying operating profit/(loss) – constant currency 
  Organic adjustments 

  Organic operating profit/(loss) 

Geographical segments 

North America 
£m 

Europe 
£m 

Rest of World  
£m 

Central 
activities
£m 

17,139 
(74)

17,065 

11,170 
753 

 11,923 
(79)

 11,844 

53.4% 
43.7% 
44.1% 

5,935 
(51)

5,884 

4,641 
(156)

 4,485 
(21)

 4,464 

27.9% 
32.3% 
31.8% 

2,697 
(47) 

2,650 

2,325 
12 

 2,337  
(28) 

 2,309  

16.0% 
15.4% 
14.8% 

– 
– 

– 

– 
– 

– 
– 

– 

Geographical segments 

North America 
£m 

Europe 
£m 

Rest of World  
£m 

Central 
activities
£m 

1,236 

7.2% 

1 

1,237 

607 

5.4% 

40 

647 
(3)

644 

299 

5.0% 

(2)

297 

147 

3.2% 

(6)

141 
(1)

140 

(86)

–

(86)

(73)

–

(73)
–

(73)

141 

5.2% 

(4) 

137 

130 

5.6% 

3 

133 
(3) 

130 

8.5% 
6.0% 
5.4% 

Total 
£m 

25,771 
(172)

25,599 

18,136 
609 

18,745 
(128)

18,617 

42.1% 
37.5% 
37.5% 

Total 
£m 

1,590 

6.2% 

(5)

1,585 

811 

4.5% 

37 

848 
(7)

841 

96.1% 
87.5% 
88.5% 

Increase in underlying operating profit at reported rates – % 
Increase in underlying operating profit at constant currency – % 
Increase in organic operating profit – % 

103.6% 
91.0% 
92.1% 

103.4% 
112.1% 
112.1% 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
196 
196 

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 
For the year ended 30 September 2022 

33 NON-GAAP MEASURES CONTINUED 
Reconciliations continued 

UNDERLYING INCOME STATEMENT 
Operating profit  
Net loss on sale and closure of businesses 
Finance costs 

Profit before tax 
Income tax expense 

Profit for the year 
Less: Non-controlling interests 

Profit attributable to equity shareholders 

Earnings per share (p) 

Effective tax rate (%) 

UNDERLYING INCOME STATEMENT 
Operating profit  
Net gain on sale and closure of businesses 
Finance costs 

Profit before tax 
Income tax expense 

Profit for the year 
Less: Non-controlling interests 
Profit attributable to equity shareholders 
Earnings per share (p) 

Effective tax rate (%) 

1. 30.9p on a constant-currency basis. 

Specific adjusting items are as follows: 

Notes 
1 

4 

5 

Notes 
1 

4 

5 

2022  
Statutory 
£m 
1,500 
(7)
(24)

1,469 
(352)

1,117 
(4)

1,113 

62.6p 

24.0% 

2021
Statutory 
£m 
545 
10 
(91)

464 
(107)

357 
– 

357 

20.0p 

23.1% 

Specific adjusting items 

1 
92 
– 
– 

92 
(25)

67 
– 

67 

2 
(4)
– 
– 

(4)
(1)

(5)
– 

(5)

3.8p 

(0.3)p

3 
– 
– 
– 

– 
– 

– 
– 

– 

– 

4 
2 
– 
– 

2 
(2)

– 
– 

– 

– 

5 
– 
7 
– 

7 
(3) 

4 
– 

4 

6 
– 
– 
(76) 

(76) 
18 

(58) 
– 

(58) 

0.2p 

(3.3)p 

Specific adjusting items 

1 
106 
– 
– 

106 
(21)

85 
– 

85 

2 
157 
– 
– 

157 
(41)

116 
– 

116 

3 
2 
– 
– 

2 
– 

2 
– 

2 

4.7p 

6.5p 

0.1p 

4 
1 
– 
– 

1 
(1)

– 
– 

– 

– 

5 
– 
(10) 
– 

(10) 
(5) 

(15) 
– 

(15) 

6 
– 
– 
(22) 

(22) 
4 

(18) 
– 

(18) 

(0.8)p 

(1.0)p 

2022
Underlying 
£m 
1,590 
– 
(100)

1,490 
(365)

1,125 
(4)

1,121 

63.0p 

24.5% 

2021
Underlying 
£m 

811 
– 
(113)

698 
(171)

527 
– 

527 
29.5p1

24.5% 

1. Acquisition-related costs 
Represent charges in respect of intangible assets acquired through business combinations, direct costs incurred as part of a business 
combination or other strategic asset acquisitions, business integration costs and changes in consideration in relation to past acquisition activity 
(see note 2). 

2. COVID-19 resizing costs 
Prior year charges related to cost actions taken to adjust our business to the trading environment in light of the COVID-19 pandemic (see note 2). 

3. One-off pension charge 
The £2m prior year pension charge in relation to GMP equalisation was classified as a specific adjusting item consistent with the classification of 
the £12m charge recognised in 2019 following the original High Court hearing (see note 23). 

4. Tax on share of profit of joint ventures 
Reclassification of tax on share of profit of joint ventures to income tax expense. 

5. Gains and losses on sale and closure of businesses 
Profits and losses on the sale of subsidiaries, joint ventures, associates and other financial assets, and exit costs on closure of businesses (see 
note 26). 

6. Other financing items 
Financing items, including hedge accounting ineffectiveness, change in the fair value of derivatives held for economic hedging purposes, change 
in the fair value of investments, dividends received from Rabbi Trust investments and interest on net post-employment benefit assets or 
obligations (see note 4). 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
33  NON-GAAP MEASURES CONTINUED 
Reconciliations continued 

NET OPERATING PROFIT AFTER TAX (NOPAT) 
Underlying operating profit 
Less: Tax on underlying operating profit at effective tax rate 
Less: Operating profit of non-controlling interests net of tax 

NOPAT 

UNDERLYING EBITDA 
Underlying operating profit 
Add back/(deduct): 
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment and right-of-use assets 

Amortisation of intangible assets, contract fulfilment assets and contract prepayments  

(excluding amortisation of intangibles arising on acquisition) 

Impairment losses – contract-related non-current assets 
Impairment losses – other 
Impairment reversals – contract-related non-current assets 

Underlying EBITDA 

Balance sheet 

COMPONENTS OF NET DEBT 
Borrowings 
Lease liabilities 
Derivative financial instruments 

Gross debt 
Cash and cash equivalents 

Net debt 

NET DEBT RECONCILIATION 
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 
Deduct: Increase in borrowings 
Add back: Repayment of borrowings 
Add back/(deduct): Net cash flow from derivative financial instruments 
Add back: Repayment of principal under lease liabilities 

(Increase)/decrease in net debt from cash flows 
New lease liabilities and amendments 
Amortisation of fees and discounts on issue of debt 
Fees and discounts accrued on issue of debt 
Changes in fair value of borrowings in a fair value hedge 
Lease liabilities acquired through business acquisitions 
Lease liabilities derecognised on sale and closure of businesses 
COVID-19 rent concessions 
Reclassification 
Changes in fair value of derivative financial instruments 
Currency translation (losses)/gains 

(Increase)/decrease in net debt 
Net debt at 1 October 
Cash reclassified from held for sale 

Net debt at 30 September 

COMPASS GROUP PLC | ANNUAL REPORT 2022 
COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

197 
  197

2022
£m 

1,590 
(390)
(4)

1,196 

2022
£m 

1,590 

416 
354 

15 
– 
(4)

2021
£m 

811 
(199)
– 

612 

2021
£m 

811 

406 
307 

32 
2 
(4)

2,371 

1,554 

2022
£m 

(3,964)
(913)
(96)

(4,973)
1,983 

(2,990)

2022
£m 

29 
(677)
297 
67 
152 

(132)
(139)
(3)
1 
320 
(7)
1 
2 
7 
(251)
(251)

2021
£m 

(3,635)
(845)
102 

(4,378)
1,840 

(2,538)

20211 
£m 

292 
– 
7 
(11)
153 

441 
(103)
(4)
– 
92 
– 
16 
4 
– 
(63)
83 

(452)
(2,538)
– 

(2,990)

466 
(3,006)
2 

(2,538)

1. Re-presented to disaggregate cash flows from borrowings and derivative financial instruments in the consolidated cash flow statement. Accordingly, the prior year 

increase in borrowings has reduced from £11m to £nil and a net cash inflow from derivative financial instruments of £11m has been included. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
198 
198 

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 
For the year ended 30 September 2022 

33  NON-GAAP MEASURES CONTINUED 
Reconciliations continued 

NET DEBT TO EBITDA 
Net debt 
Underlying EBITDA 
Net debt to EBITDA (times) 

RETURN ON CAPITAL EMPLOYED (ROCE) 
NOPAT 
Average capital employed 
ROCE (%) 

2022 
£m 

2,990 
2,371 
1.3 

2022 
£m 

1,196 
7,567 
15.8% 

2021
£m 

2,538
1,554
1.6

20211 
£m 

612
7,005
8.7%

1. Re-presented to reflect a simplified definition of capital employed (see page 193). As defined in previous years, ROCE was 7.7% in 2021 on average capital 

employed of £7,931m, which also excluded deferred tax on post-employment benefit assets and obligations, amortised intangible assets acquired through business 
combinations, impaired goodwill, the Group’s non-controlling partners’ share of net assets and the net assets of discontinued operations. 

Cash flow 

CAPITAL EXPENDITURE 
Purchase of intangible assets 
Purchase of contract fulfilment assets 
Purchase of property, plant and equipment 
Investment in contract prepayments 
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment/intangible assets/contract fulfilment assets 

Capital expenditure 

UNDERLYING OPERATING CASH FLOW 
Net cash flow from operating activities 
Purchase of intangible assets 
Purchase of contract fulfilment assets 
Purchase of property, plant and equipment 
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment/intangible assets/contract fulfilment assets 
Repayment of principal under lease liabilities 
Share of results of joint ventures and associates 
Add back: Interest paid 
Add back: Net tax paid 
Add back: Post-employment benefit obligations net of service costs 
Add back: Cash payments related to cost action programme and COVID-19 resizing costs 
Add back: Acquisition transaction costs 

Underlying operating cash flow 

UNDERLYING OPERATING CASH FLOW CONVERSION 
Underlying operating cash flow 
Underlying operating profit  
Underlying operating cash flow conversion (%) 

2022 
£m 
177 
218 
282 
64 
(37) 

704 

2022 
£m 

1,596 
(177) 
(218) 
(282) 
37 
(152) 
45 
96 
332 
7 
57 
10 

1,351 

2022 
£m 

1,351 
1,590 
85.0% 

2021
£m 
155
231
228
40
(44)

610

2021
£m 

1,171
(155)
(231)
(228)
44
(153)
31
121
200
8
186
10

1,004

2021
£m 

1,004
811
123.8%

COMPASS GROUP PLC | ANNUAL REPORT 2022 
COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

199 
  199

33  NON-GAAP MEASURES CONTINUED 
Reconciliations continued 

FREE CASH FLOW 
Net cash flow from operating activities 
Purchase of intangible assets 
Purchase of contract fulfilment assets 
Purchase of property, plant and equipment 
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment/intangible assets/contract fulfilment assets 
Purchase of other investments 
Proceeds from sale of other investments 
Dividends received from joint ventures and associates 
Interest received 
Repayment of principal under lease liabilities 
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests 

Free cash flow 

UNDERLYING FREE CASH FLOW 
Free cash flow 
Add back: Cash payments related to cost action programme and COVID-19 resizing costs  
Add back: Acquisition transaction costs 

Underlying free cash flow 

UNDERLYING FREE CASH FLOW CONVERSION 
Underlying free cash flow 
Underlying operating profit 
Underlying free cash flow conversion (%) 

UNDERLYING CASH TAX RATE 
Tax received 
Tax paid 

Net tax paid 

Underlying profit before tax 

Underlying cash tax rate (%) 

2022
£m 

1,596 
(177)
(218)
(282)
37 
(42)
3 
51 
10 
(152)
(3)

823 

2022
£m 

823 
57 
10 

890 

2022
£m 
890 
1,590 
56.0% 

2022
£m 

31 
(363)

(332)

1,490 

22.3% 

2021
£m 

1,171 
(155)
(231)
(228)
44 
(20)
3 
28 
5 
(153)
– 

464 

2021
£m 

464 
186 
10 

660 

2021
£m 
660 
811 
81.4% 

2021
£m 

29 
(229)

(200)

698 

28.7% 

 
 
 
 
 
200 
200 

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 
For the year ended 30 September 2022 

34  EXCHANGE RATES 

AVERAGE EXCHANGE RATE FOR THE YEAR1 
Australian Dollar 
Brazilian Real 
Canadian Dollar 
Chilean Peso 
Danish Krone 
Euro 
Japanese Yen 
Norwegian Krone 
Swedish Krona 
Turkish Lira 
UAE Dirham 
US Dollar 

CLOSING EXCHANGE RATE AT 30 SEPTEMBER1 
Australian Dollar 
Brazilian Real 
Canadian Dollar 
Chilean Peso 
Danish Krone 
Euro 
Japanese Yen 
Norwegian Krone 
Swedish Krona 
Turkish Lira 
UAE Dirham 
US Dollar 

2022 

2021 

1.80 
6.72 
1.64 
1,084.21 
8.76 
1.18 
158.27 
11.83 
12.28 
18.45 
4.70 
1.28 

1.74 
6.04 
1.53 
1,069.34 
8.47 
1.14 
161.58 
12.16 
12.39 
20.69 
4.10 
1.12 

1.83
7.35
1.73
1,019.64
8.52
1.15
147.07
11.91
11.68
11.07
5.02
1.37

1.87
7.35
1.71
1,095.13
8.65
1.16
150.44
11.77
11.80
11.98
4.95
1.35

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 2022

  201

35  DETAILS OF RELATED UNDERTAKINGS OF COMPASS GROUP PLC

Principal subsidiaries

Country of incorporation

% Holding

Principal activities

Ground Floor 35 – 51 Mitchell Street, McMahons Point, NSW 
2060, Australia

Compass Group (Australia) Pty Limited

Australia

100

Food and support services

Chaussée de Haecht 1179, B-1130 Bruxelles, Belgium

Compass Group Belgilux S.A.

Belgium

100

Food services

Rua Werner Von Siemens 111, Building 11 (Tower A), Floor 15, 
Suite 151, Lapa de Baixo, 05.069-900, Brazil

GR Serviços e Alimentação Ltda. 

Brazil

100

Food and support services

1 Prologis Boulevard, Suite 400, Mississauga, Ontario L5W 0G2, 
Canada

Compass Group Canada Ltd. Groupe Compass Canada Ltée (iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(viii) Canada

Av. Las Condes 11.774, 7th floor, Vitacura, Santiago, Chile

Compass Catering Y Servicios Chile Limitada

Chile

Rued Langgards Vej 8, 1. sal, 2300 København S, DK, Denmark

Compass Group Danmark A/S

Denmark

P.O. Box 210, FI-00281 Helsinki, Finland

Compass Group Finland Oy

123 Avenue de la République – Hall A, 92320 Châtillon, France

Compass Group France Holdings SAS

Compass Group France SAS

Helfmann-Park 2, 65760, Eschborn, Germany

Compass Group Deutschland GmbH

Eurest Deutschland GmbH

Eurest Services GmbH

Medirest GmbH & Co OHG

Via Angelo Scarsellini, 14, 20161, Milano, Italy

Finland

France

France

Germany

Germany

Germany

Germany

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

Food and support services

Food and support services

Food services

Food services

Holding company

Food and support services

Holding company

Food service to business and industry

Support services to business and industry

Food service to the healthcare and senior 
living market

Compass Group Italia S.p.A.

Italy

100

Food and support services

Hamarikyu Kensetsu Plaza, 5-5-12, Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 
104-0045, Japan

Compass Group Japan Inc.

Japan

100

Food and support services

Laarderhoogtweg 11, 1101 DZ, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Compass Group International B.V.

Compass Group Nederland B.V.

Compass Group Nederland Holding B.V.

Drengsrudbekken 12, 1383, PO Box 74, NO-1371, Asker, Norway

Compass Holding Norge AS

Calle Pinar de San José 98 planta 1ª 28054 Madrid, Spain

Eurest Colectividades S.L.U.

Box 1183, 171 23 Solna, Stockholm, Sweden

Compass Group FS Sweden AB

Compass Group Sweden AB

Oberfeldstrasse 14, 8302, Kloten, Switzerland

Compass Group (Schweiz) AG

Restorama AG

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Norway

Spain

Sweden

Sweden

Switzerland

Switzerland

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

Holding company

Food and support services

Holding company

Holding company

Food and support services

Food services

Holding company

Food and support services

Food service

202 

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED
For the year ended 30 September 2022

35  DETAILS OF RELATED UNDERTAKINGS OF COMPASS GROUP PLC CONTINUED

Principal subsidiaries

Country of incorporation

% Holding

Principal activities

Ünalan Mah. Libadiye Cad. Emaar Square Sit. F Blok No:82F/77 
Üsküdar Istanbul, Turkey

Sofra Yemek Űretim Ve Hizmet A.Ş. (iii)

Turkey

100

Food and support services

Parklands Court, 24 Parklands, Birmingham Great Park, Rubery, 
Birmingham, B45 9PZ, United Kingdom

Compass Contract Services (U.K.) Limited

Compass Group, UK and Ireland Limited

Foodbuy Europe Limited (iii)(iv)

Compass House, Guildford Street, Chertsey, Surrey, KT16 9BQ, 
United Kingdom

Compass Group Holdings PLC (i)(iii)

Hospitality Holdings Limited (i)

2710 Gateway Oaks Drive, Suite 150N, Sacramento, CA 
95833-3505, US

Bon Appétit Management Co. (viii)

251 Little Falls Drive, Wilmington, DE 19808, US

Compass Group US Investments Inc.

Compass Group US, Inc. (viii)

Crothall Services Group

Foodbuy, LLC

Restaurant Associates Corp.

80 State Street, Albany, NY 12207-2543, US

Flik International Corp.

801 Adlai Stevenson Drive, Springfield, IL 62703, US

Levy Restaurants Limited Partnership

2 Sun Court, Suite 400, Peachtree Corners, GA 30092, US

Morrison Management Specialists, Inc. (viii)

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

100

100

100

100

100

Food and support services

Holding company

Client procurement services management in 
the UK

Holding company and corporate activities

Intermediate holding company

100

Food service

100

100

100

100

100

Holding company

Food and support services

Support services to the healthcare market

Purchasing services in North America

Fine dining facilities

100

Fine dining facilities

100

100

Fine dining and food service at sports and 
entertainment facilities

Food service to the healthcare and senior 
living market

COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

  203

35  DETAILS OF RELATED UNDERTAKINGS OF COMPASS GROUP PLC CONTINUED

Country of 
incorporation

% 
Holding

Other wholly owned subsidiaries

Country of 
incorporation

% 
Holding

Other wholly owned subsidiaries

Chez: Eurojapan Résidence No.23, RN n°3 BP 
398, Hassi Messaoud, Algeria

Eurest Algerie SPA 

Algeria

100

Condominio Dolce Vita, Via S8, Edifício 1D, 
Fração A & B, 2º andar, Talatona, Município de 
Belas, Luanda, República de Angola 

Express Support Services, Limitada

Angola 

100

Esteban Echeverría 1050, 6th floor, Vicente 
Lopez (1602), Buenos Aires, Argentina

Servicios Compass de Argentina S.A.

Argentina

100

Ground Floor 35 – 51 Mitchell Street, 
McMahons Point, NSW 2060, Australia

28 Villages Pty Ltd

Compass (Australia) Catering & Services PTY Ltd 
(iii)(iv)

Australia

Australia

Compass Group B&I Hospitality Services PTY Ltd Australia

Compass Group Defence Hospitality Services PTY 
Ltd

Australia

Compass Group Education Hospitality Services 
PTY Ltd

Compass Group Healthcare Hospitality Services 
PTY Ltd

Compass Group Health Services Pty Ltd

Australia

Australia

Australia

Compass Group Management Services PTY Ltd

Australia

Compass Group Relief Hospitality Services PTY 
Ltd

Compass Group Remote Hospitality Services PTY 
Ltd

Delta Facilities Management PTY Ltd

Delta FM Australia PTY Ltd

Eurest (Australia) Food Services PTY Ltd

Eurest (Australia) PTY Ltd

Foodbuy Pty Ltd

HEC Hospitality Services Pty Ltd

LAPG PTY Ltd

Omega Security Services PTY Ltd

PJG Investment Company Pty Ltd

Restaurant Associates (Australia) PTY Ltd

Village Hospitality Holdings Pty Ltd

Village Hospitality Services Pty Ltd

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

IZD Tower, Wagramer Strasse 19/4. Stock, 1220 
Wien, Austria

Compass Group Austria Holdings One GmbH

Compass Group Austria Holdings Two GmbH

Austria

Austria

Eurest Restaurationsbetriebsgesellschaft m.b.H

Austria

Kunz Gebäudereinigung GmbH

Austria

Chaussée de Haecht 1179, B-1130 Brussels, 
Belgium

Compass Group Service Solutions S.A.

F.L.R. Holding S.A. (ii)

Xandrion Belgie BV

Boomseseenweg 28, 2627 Schelle, Belgium

J&M Catering Services NV

Flinckheuvel BV

Silverspoon BV

Belgium

Belgium

Belgium

Belgium

Belgium

Belgium

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

Gemeentepark 5, 2930 Brasschaat, Belgium

Kasteel Van Brasschaat NV

Belgium

100

Rua Werner Von Siemens 111, Building 11 
(Tower A), Floor 15, Suite 152, Lapa de Baixo, 
05.069-900, Brazil

Clean Mall Serviços Ltda.

Brazil

100

Rua Werner Von Siemens, 111, Building 11 
(Tower A), 15.º floor, mezzanine, Lapa de Baixo, 
05.069-900, Brazil

GR Manutenção e Facilites Sociedade 
Unipessoal Ltda. 

Rua Werner Von Siemens 111, Building 11 
(Tower A), Floor 15, Suite 151 - parte, Lapa de 
Baixo, 05.069-900, Brazil

Brazil

100

GRSA Serviços LTDA.

Brazil

100

Rua Werner Von Siemens 111, Building 11 
(Tower A), Floor 15, Suite 152 - parte, Lapa de 
Baixo, 05.069-900, Brazil

Foodbuy Alimentos Sociedade Unipessoal Ltda.

Brazil

100

Craigmuir Chambers, PO Box 71, Roadtown, 
Tortola, VG1110, British Virgin Islands

Compass Group Holdings (BVI) Limited

British Virgin 
Islands

100

c/o Action Group Ltd., No.12, Street 614, 
Sangkat Boeung Kok II, Khan Tuol Kork, Phnom 
Penh City, Cambodia 

Compass Group (Cambodia) Co. Ltd. (ii)

Cambodia

100

100, Rue n° 1044 Hydrocarbures, Bonapriso, BP 
5767, Douala, Cameroon

Eurest Cameroun SARL (ii)

Eurest Camp Logistics Cameroun SARL (ii)

Cameroon

Cameroon

100

100

12 Kodiak Crescent, Toronto, Ontario, M3J 3G5, 
Canada

Imperial Coffee and Services Inc. (iii)(iv)(v)

Canada

100

1 Prologis Boulevard, Suite 400, Mississauga, 
Ontario L5W 0G2, Canada

1000255781 Ontario Inc. (iii)(iv)

1000322832 Ontario Inc.

Canteen of Canada Limited (iii)

Canada

Canada

Canada

Compass Canada Support Services Ltd (iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(viii) Canada

Compass Group Canada Operations Ltd (iii)

Canada

100

100

100

100

100

102-1370 Rue De Coulomb, Boucherville, 
Quebec, J4B 7J4, Canada

3087-9068 Quebec Inc. 

Canada

100

1969 Upper Water Street, Purdy’s Wharf Tower 
II, Suite 1300, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3J 3R7, 
Canada

Crothall Services Canada Inc. (iii)(iv)

Canada

100

5B rue De Montgolfier, Boucherville, Québec, 
J4B 8C4, Canada

Caf-Caf Inc. (iii)(iv)(v)(vi)

Canada

100

1959 Upper Water Street, Suite 1100, Halifax, 
Nova Scotia, B3J 3E5, Canada

East Coast Catering (NS) Limited (iii)

Canada

100

204 

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED
For the year ended 30 September 2022

35  DETAILS OF RELATED UNDERTAKINGS OF COMPASS GROUP PLC CONTINUED

Other wholly owned subsidiaries

30 Queen’s Road, St. John’s, Newfoundland and 
Labrador, A1C 2A5, Canada

Country of 
incorporation

% 
Holding

East Coast Catering Limited (iii)(iv)(viii)(v)

Long Harbour Catering Limited Partnership (x)

Long Harbour Catering Limited (iii)(viii)

Canada

Canada

Canada

421 7th Avenue SW, Suite 1600, Calgary, 
Alberta, T2P 4K9, Canada

Great West Catering Ltd. (iii)

Tamarack Catering Ltd. (iii)

Canada

Canada

100

100

100

100

100

2580 Rue Dollard, Lasalle, Quebec, H8N 1T2, 
Canada

Groupe Compass (Québec) Ltée (iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(viii)

Canada

100

550 Burrard Street, Suite 2300, Bentall 5, P.O. 
Box 30, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6C 2B5, 
Canada

Town Square Food Services Ltd. (iii)

Canada

100

Av. Las Condes 11.774, 7th floor, Vitacura, 
Santiago, Chile

Cadelsur S.A.

Compass Catering S.A.

Compass Servicios S.A.

Scolarest S.A.

Chile

Chile

Chile

Chile

Room 501 (namely Room 601), Building 2, No. 
317, Longwen Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai 
200232, China

Compass (China) Management Services Company 
Limited

China

100

100

100

100

100

Room 503 (namely Room 603), Building 2, No. 
317, Longwen Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai 
200232, China

Shanghai Eurest Food Technologies Service 
Co., Ltd.

Other wholly owned subsidiaries

Caterine Restauration SAS

Delisaveurs SAS

Eurest Sports & Loisirs SAS

La Puyfolaise de Restauration SAS

Levy Restaurants France SAS

Mediance SAS

Memonett SAS

Servirest SAS

SHRM Angola SAS (ii)

Société De Prestations En Gestion 
Immobiliere SAS

Société Nouvelle Lecocq SAS

Sud Est Traiteur SAS

Country of 
incorporation

% 
Holding

France

France

France

France

France

France

France

France

France

France

France

France

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

Rue des Artisans, ZA de Bel Air, 12000 Rodez, 
France

Central Restauration Martel (CRM)

France

100

Zone Artisanale, 40500 Bas Mauco, France

Culinaire Des Pays de L’Adour SAS

France

100

40, Bd de Dunkerque, 13002 Marseille, France

Société International D’Assistance SA (ii)

France

100

Lieu Dit la Prade, 81580 Soual, France

Occitanie Restauration SAS

France

100

3 rue Camille Claudel Atlanparc Bat.M, Zone 
Kerluherne, CS 20043, 56890 Plescop, France

Oceane de Restauration SAS

France

100

Rue Eugène Sué, Zone Industrielle de Blanzat, 
03100 Montluçon, France

Sogirest SAS

France

100

China

100

ZONE OPRAG, (Face á Bernabé Nouveau Port), 
BP 1292, Port Gentil, Gabon

Calle 98#11B – 29 Bogotá - Colombia

Eurest Support Services Gabon SA (ii)

Gabon

100

Compass Group Services Colombia S.A.

Colombia

100

Enceinte de Brometo Centre Ville, BP 5208, 
Pointe-Noire, The Democratic Republic of the 
Congo

Eurest Services Congo SARL (ii)

Congo

100

195, Arch. Makariou III Avenue, Neocleous 
House, 3030 Limassol, Cyprus

ESS Design & Build Ltd (ii)

Eurest Support Services (Cyprus) 
International Ltd (i)

Jankovcova, 1603/47a, Holešovice 170 00, 
Prague 7, Czech Republic

Cyprus

Cyprus

100

100

Compass Group Czech Republic s.r.o.

Czech Republic

100

SCOLAREST- zařízení školního 
stravování spol. s.r.o

Czech Republic

100

Harju maakond, Saku vald, Jälgimäe küla, 
Jälgimäe tee 14, 76404, Estonia

Helfmann-Park 2, 65760, Eschborn, Germany

Compass Group GmbH

Eurest Süd GmbH

Food affairs GmbH

Foodbuy CE GmbH

Kanne Café GmbH

Menke Menue GmbH

MU Catering Bremen GmbH

Royal Business Restaurants GmbH

S.B. Verwaltungs GmbH 

Konrad-Zuse-Platz 2, 81829 München, Germany

Leonardi EPM GmbH

Leonardi HPM GmbH

Leonardi GmbH & Co. KG

Germany

Germany

Germany

Germany

Germany

Germany

Germany

Germany

Germany

Germany

Germany

Germany

Leonardi Kaffee neu entdecken GmbH & Co. KG

Germany

Leonardi SVM GmbH

Germany

Compass Group FS Estonia OÜ

Estonia

100

Sankt-Florian-Weg 1, 30880, Laatzen, Germany

123 Avenue de la République – Hall A, 92320 
Châtillon, France

Academie Formation Groupe Compass SAS

France

100

orgaMed Betriebsgesellschaft für 
Zentralsterilisationen GmbH

PLURAL Gebäudemanagement GmbH

PLURAL Personalservice GmbH

Germany

Germany

Germany

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

  205

35  DETAILS OF RELATED UNDERTAKINGS OF COMPASS GROUP PLC CONTINUED

Other wholly owned subsidiaries

PLURAL Servicepool GmbH

Country of 
incorporation

Germany

% 
Holding

100

Pfaffenwiese, 65929 Frankfurt/M., Germany

LPS Event Gastronomie GmbH

Germany

100

PO Box 119, Martello Court, Admiral Park, St 
Peter Port, GY1 3HB, Guernsey

Compass Group Finance Ltd

Guernsey

100

Room 805, 8/F, New Kowloon Plaza, 38 Tai Kok 
Tsui Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong

Compass Group Hong Kong Ltd

Encore Catering Ltd

Shing Hin Catering Group Ltd

Hong Kong

Hong Kong

Hong Kong

100

100

100

Irinyi József u. 4-20. B épület, H-1117 Budapest, 
Hungary

Eurest Étteremüzemeltető Korlátolt Felelősségű 
Társaság

Hungary

100

Spaze I - Tech Park, Tower A, Sohna Road, 
Sector 49 Gurgaon, Gurgaon HR 122018 IN, 
India

Compass India Food Services Private Limited

India

100

Unit #401, 4th Floor, Tower A, Spaze I – Tech 
Park Sohna Road, Sector 49 Gurgaon, Gurgaon 
HR 122018 IN, India

Compass India Support Services Private Limited

India

100

3rd Floor, 43a, Yeats Way, Parkwest Business 
Park, Dublin 12, Ireland

Amstel Limited (ii)

Catering Management Ireland Limited (ii)

Cheyenne Limited (ii)

Compass Catering Services, Ireland Limited

COH Ireland Investments 
Unlimited Company (viii)(ix)

Drumburgh Limited (ii)

Fitzers Catering Events, Venue & Location 
Catering Limited

Fitzers Catering Limited

Management Catering Services Limited

National Catering Limited (ii)

Rushmore Investment Company Limited (ii)(viii)

Sutcliffe Ireland Limited 

Zadca Limited (ii)

Ireland

Ireland

Ireland

Ireland

Ireland

Ireland

Ireland

Ireland

Ireland

Ireland

Ireland

Ireland

Ireland

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

Tower House, Loch Promenade, Douglas, IM1 
2LZ, Isle of Man

Queen’s Wharf Insurance Services Limited (viii)

Isle of Man

100

Hamarikyu Kensetsu Plaza, 5-5-12, Tsukiji, 
Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan

Fuyo, Inc.

Japan

100

Other wholly owned subsidiaries

209/8919 Sigma Road Off Enterprises Road, PO 
BOX 14 662, Nairobi, Kenya

Country of 
incorporation

% 
Holding

Kenya Oilfield Services Ltd (ii)

Kenya

100

19, Rue Léon Laval, L-3372 Leudelange, 
Luxembourg

Eurest Luxembourg S.A.

IMMO Capellen S.A.

Innoclean S.A.

Novelia Senior Services S.A.

Luxembourg

Luxembourg

Luxembourg

Luxembourg

100

100

100

100

Level 21, Suite 21.01, The Gardens South Tower, 
Mid Valley City, Lingkaran Syed Putra, 59200 
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Compass Group Malaysia Sdn Bhd

Malaysia

100

50-8-1, TKT.8, Wsima UOA Damansara, 50 
Jalan. Dungun, Damansara Heights, Kuala 
Lumpur, 50490, Malaysia

S.H.R.M. Sdn. Bhd. (ii)

Malaysia

100

Calle Jaime Balmes 11, Oficina 101 letra D, 
Colonia Los Morales Polanco, Alcaldía Miguel 
Hidalgo, 11510 Ciudad de México, Mexico

Compass México Servicios 
de Soporte, S.A. De C.V. (iii)(iv)

Mexico

Eurest Proper Meals de Mexico S.A. de C.V. (iii)(iv)

Mexico

Servicios Corporativos Eurest-Proper Meals de 
Mexico S.A. De C.V. (iii)(iv)

Mexico

c/o 251 Little Falls Drive, Wilmington, DE 19808, 
US

Food Works of Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V. (ii)(iii)(iv)

Mexico

Food Works Services of Mexico, S. 
de R.L. De C.V. (ii)(iii)(iv)

Mexico

Laarderhoogtweg 11, 1101 DZ, Amsterdam, 
Netherlands

CGI Holdings (2) B.V.

Compass Group Finance Netherlands B.V.

Compass Group Holding B.V.

Compass Group International 2 B.V.

Compass Group International 3 B.V.

Compass Group International 4 B.V.

Compass Group International 5 B.V.

Compass Group International 9 B.V.

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Compass Group International Finance 1 B.V.

Netherlands

Compass Group International Finance 2 B.V.

Netherlands

Compass Group Vending Holding B.V.

Compass Hotels Chertsey B.V.

Eurest Services B.V.

Eurest Support Services (ESS) B.V.

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

Netherlands

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

Luzernestraat 57, 2153 GM, Nieuw-Vennep, 
Netherlands

Famous Flavours B.V. (viii)

Netherlands

100

44 Esplanade, St Helier, JE4 9WG, Jersey

Malakand Unlimited

Jersey

100

Stationsweg 95, 6711 PM Ede, Netherlands

060011, Atyrauskaya Oblast, Atyrau City, 
Beibarys Sultan Avenue 506, Kazakhstan

Compass Kazakhstan LLP

Eurest Support Services Kazakhstan LLP (ii)

ESS Support Services LLP

Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan

100

100

100

Xandrion B.V.

Netherlands

100

85 Avenue du Général de Gaulle, Immeuble 
Carcopino 3000, BP 2353, 98846 Nouméa 
Cedex, New Caledonia

Eurest Caledonie SARL (ii)

New Caledonia

100

206 

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED
For the year ended 30 September 2022

35  DETAILS OF RELATED UNDERTAKINGS OF COMPASS GROUP PLC CONTINUED

Country of 
incorporation

% 
Holding

Other wholly owned subsidiaries

Country of 
incorporation

% 
Holding

Other wholly owned subsidiaries

Level 3, 7-11 Kenwyn Street, Parnell, Auckland, 
1052, New Zealand

Compass Group New Zealand Limited

Crothall Services Group Limited (ii)

Eurest NZ Limited (ii)

New Zealand

New Zealand

New Zealand

100

100

100

Drengsrudbekken 12, 1383, PO Box 74, 
NO-1371, Asker, Norway

Compass Group Norge AS (iii)

Norway

100

Fabrikkveien 8, 4033 Stavanger, 1103 
Stavanger, Norway

Craftly AS

Norway

100

Forusparken 2, 4031 Stavanger, Postboks 8083 
Stavanger Postterminal, 4068, Stavanger, 
Norway

ESS Mobile Offshore Units AS

ESS Support Services AS

Norway

Norway

100

100

c/o Warner Shand Lawyers Waigani, Level 1 RH 
Hypermarket, Allotment 1 Section 479 
(off Kennedy Road), Gordons NCD, 
Papua New Guinea

Eurest (PNG) Catering & Services Ltd (ii)

Papua New 
Guinea

100

Unit 2410 24th flr, City & Land Mega Plaza, ADB 
Ave., Ortigas Ctr., San Antonio, Pasig City 1605, 
Philippines

Compass Group Philippines Inc (ii)

Philippines

100

Calle Castilla 8-10 – C.P. 50.009, Zaragoza, 
Spain

Servicios Renovados de Alimentacion, S.A.U.

Spain

100

Calle Pinar de San José 98, Planta 1a, 28054, 
Madrid, Spain

Eurest Parques, S.L.U.

Eurest Servicios Feriales, S.L.U.

Spain

Spain

100

100

Poligono Ugaldeguren 1, Parcela 7, 48160 Derio 
(Vizcaya), Spain

Eurest Euskadi S.L.U.

Spain

100

Calle R, s/n, Mercapalma, 07007 Palma de 
Mallorca, Baleares, Spain

Compass Group Holdings Spain, S.L.U.

Levy Compass Group Holdings, S.L. (ii)

Spain

Spain

100

100

Box 1183, 171 23 Solna, Stockholm, Sweden

Compass Group AB

Sweden

100

c/o BDO AG, Industriestrasse 53 6312 
Steinhausen, Switzerland 

Creative New Food Dream Steam GmbH

Switzerland

100

c/o Ueltschi Solutions GmbH, Gwattstrasse 8, 
CH-3185 Schmitten, Switzerland

Sevita Group GmbH

Switzerland

100

Ünalan Mah. Libadiye Cad. Emaar Square Sit. F 
Blok No:82F/73 Üsküdar Istanbul, Turkey

Ul. Olbrachta 94, 01-102 Warszawa, Poland

Euroserve Gűvenlik A.Ş.

Turkey

100

Compass Group Poland Sp. Z o.o. 

Poland

100

Edíficio Prime, Avenida da, Quinta Grande, 
53-60, Alfragide 2614-521 Amadora, Portugal

Eurest (Portugal) – Sociedade Europeia de 
Restaurantes, Lda. 

Portugal

Eurest Catering & Services Group Portugal, Lda.

Portugal

100

100

Ünalan Mah. Libadiye Cad. Emaar Square Sit. F 
Blok No:82F/78 Üsküdar Istanbul, Turkey

Euroserve Hizmet ve işletmecilik A.Ş.

Turkey

100

Ünalan Mah. Libadiye Cad. Emaar Square Sit. F 
Blok No:82F/74 Üsküdar Istanbul, Turkey

Turkaş Gıda Hizmet ve İşletmecilik A.Ş.

Turkey

100

Bucureşti Sectorul 4, Strada Sold., Ilie Şerban, 
Nr. 8B., Romania Bucureşti Sectorul 4, Calea 
Şerban Vodă, Nr. 133, Cladirea B, Etaj 1, 
Romania

Dubai Airport Free Zone, Dubai, 
United Arab Emirates

Eurest ROM SRL

Romania

100

Compass Camea FZE

UAE

100

82 Ubi Avenue 4, #07-03 Edward Boustead 
Centre, 408832, Singapore

Compass Group (Singapore) PTE Ltd (iii)(iv)

Singapore

100

8 Marina Boulevard, # 05-02, Marina Bay 
Financial Centre, 018981, Singapore

Compass Group Asia Pacific PTE. Ltd (ii)

Singapore

100

Plynárenská 7/B mestská časť Ružinov 821 09 
Bratislava, Slovakia 

Parklands Court, 24 Parklands, Birmingham 
Great Park, Rubery, Birmingham, B45 9PZ, 
United Kingdom

14Forty Limited (ii)

3 Gates Services Limited (ii)

A.C.M.S. Limited (ii)

Air Publishing Limited

Bateman Catering Limited (ii)(vii)

Bateman Healthcare Services Limited (ii)

Baxter and Platts Limited (iii)(iv)(v)

Compass Group Slovakia s. r. o.

Slovakia

100

Bromwich Catering Limited (ii)

Calle Frederic Mompou 5, planta 5a, Edificio 
Euro 3, 08960, San Just Desvern, Barcelona, 
Spain

Asistentes Escolares, S.L.

Eurest Catalunya, S.L.U.

Medirest Social Residencias, S.L.U.

Spain

Spain

Spain

100

100

100

Business Clean Limited (ii)

Capitol Catering Management Services Limited

Carlton Catering Partnership Limited (ii)(iii)

Castle Independent Limited (ii)

Cataforce Limited (ii)

Caterexchange Limited (ii)

Caterskill Group Limited (ii)

Caterskill Management Limited (ii)

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

  207

35  DETAILS OF RELATED UNDERTAKINGS OF COMPASS GROUP PLC CONTINUED

% 
Holding

100

Other wholly owned subsidiaries

Hamard Catering Management Services Limited (ii)
(vii)

Country of 
incorporation

% 
Holding

Other wholly owned subsidiaries

Chalk Catering Ltd (ii)

Chartwells Hounslow (Feeding Futures) 
Limited (iii)(iv)

Chartwells Limited (ii)

Circadia Limited (ii)

Cleaning Support Services Limited (ii)

Compass Accounting Services Limited (ii)

Compass Catering Services Limited (ii)

Compass Cleaning Services Limited (ii)

Compass Contract Services Limited (ii)

Compass Contracts UK Limited (ii)(viii)

Compass Experience Limited (ii)(vii)

Compass Food Services Limited

Compass Group Medical Benefits Limited (ii)

Compass Mobile Catering Limited (ii)

Compass Office Cleaning Services Limited (ii)

Compass Payroll Services Limited (ii)

Compass Planning and Design Limited (ii)

Compass Purchasing Limited

Compass Road Services Limited (ii)

Compass Security Limited (ii)(vii)

Compass Security Oldco Group Limited (ii)

Compass Security Oldco Holdings Limited (ii)

Compass Security Oldco Investments Limited (ii)

Compass Services (Midlands) Limited (ii)

Compass Services for Hospitals Limited (ii)(viii)

Compass Services Group Limited (ii)

Compass Services Limited (ii)

Compass Services Trading Limited (ii)

Compass Services, UK and Ireland Limited 

Compass Services (U.K.) Limited

Compass Staff Services Limited (ii)

Cookie Jar Limited (ii)

CRBS Resourcing Limited (ii)

CRN 1990 (Four) Limited (ii)

Customised Contract Catering Limited (ii)

Cygnet Food Holdings Limited (ii)

Cygnet Foods Limited

Dine Contract Catering Limited

DRE Developments Limited (ii)

E-Foods Limited

Eat Dot Limited (ii)(iii)

Eaton Catering Limited (ii)

Eaton Wine Bars Limited (ii)

EF Group Ltd (iii)(iv)

Equinoxe Solutions Limited

Eurest Airport Services Limited (ii)

Eurest Defence Support Services Limited (ii)

Eurest Offshore Support Services Limited (ii)(viii)

Eurest Prison Support Services Limited (ii)

Eurest UK Limited (ii)

Everson Hewett Limited (ii)(iii)(iv)

Facilities Management Catering Limited (ii)

Fads Catering Limited (ii)

Fairfield Catering Company Limited (ii)

Fingerprint Managed Services Limited (ii)

Funpark Caterers Limited (ii)(iii)

Goodfellows Catering Management Services 
Limited (ii)

Gruppo Events Limited (ii)

Hallmark Catering Management Limited (ii)

Country of 
incorporation

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK 

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

Hamard Group Limited (ii)

Henry Higgins Limited (ii)

Hospital Hygiene Services Limited (ii)

Integrated Cleaning Management Limited

Integrated Cleaning Management Support 
Services Limited

Keith Prowse Limited (ii)

Kennedy Brookes Finance Limited (ii)

Knott Hotels Company of London (ii)

Langston Scott Limited (ii)

Leisure Support Services Limited (iii)(iv)

Leith’s Limited (ii)

Letheby & Christopher Limited (ii)

Meal Service Company Limited (ii)

Milburns Catering Contracts Limited (ii)

Milburns Limited (ii)

Milburns Restaurants Limited (ii)(iii)

National Leisure Catering Limited (ii)

NLC (Holdings) Limited (ii)

NLC (Wembley) Limited (ii)

P & C Morris (Catering) Ltd (ii)(vii)

P & C Morris Catering Group Limited (ii)

Payne & Gunter Limited (ii)

Pennine Services Limited (ii)

Peter Parfitt Leisure Overseas Travel Limited (ii)

Peter Parfitt Sport Limited (ii)(vii)

PPP Infrastructure Management Limited

Prideoak Limited (ii)

QCL Limited (ii)

Reliable Refreshments Limited 

Rhine Four Limited (ii)(vii)

Rocket Food Ltd (iii)

Roux Fine Dining Limited (ii)

Scolarest Limited (ii)

Security Office Cleaners Limited (ii)

Selkirk House (CVH) Limited (ii)

Selkirk House (FP) Limited (ii)(iii)(iv)(v)

Selkirk House (GHPL) Limited (ii)(viii)

Selkirk House (GTP) Limited (ii)

Selkirk House (WBRK) Limited

Shaw Catering Company Limited 

Ski Class Limited (ii)

Solutions on Systems Ltd (ii)

Summit Catering Limited (ii)

Sunway Contract Services Limited 

Sutcliffe Catering Midlands Limited (ii)

Sutcliffe Catering South East Limited (ii)

Sycamore Newco Limited (ii)

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

The Bateman Catering Organization Limited (ii)(viii) UK

The Cuisine Centre Limited (ii)

THF Oil Limited (ii)

Tunco (1999) 103 Limited (ii)

Vendepac Holdings Limited (viii)

Vivo Markets Ltd

Waseley Fifteen Limited (ii)

Waseley Nominees Limited (ii)

Wembley Sports Arena Limited (ii)

Wheeler’s Restaurants Limited (ii)(vii)

Woodin & Johns Limited (ii)

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

208 

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED
For the year ended 30 September 2022

35  DETAILS OF RELATED UNDERTAKINGS OF COMPASS GROUP PLC CONTINUED

Country of 
incorporation

% 
Holding

Other wholly owned subsidiaries

Compass House, Guildford Street, Chertsey, 
Surrey, KT16 9BQ, United Kingdom

Audrey (London) Limited (ii)

Audrey Investments Limited (ii)

Bateman Services Limited (ii)

Compass Group Finance No.2 Limited (i)

Compass Group Finance No.3 Limited

Compass Group Finance No.4 Limited (i)(iii)(iv)(viii)

Compass Group Finance No.5 Limited (ii)(xi)

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

Compass Group North America Investments No.2 UK

Compass Group North America Investments 
Limited

Compass Group Pension Trustee Company 
Limited (ii)

Compass Group Procurement Limited

Compass Group Trustees Limited (ii)

Compass Healthcare Group Limited (ii)(viii)

Compass Hotels Chertsey (iii)

Compass Nominee Company Number Fourteen 
Limited (ii)

Compass Overseas Holdings Limited

Compass Overseas Holdings No.2 Limited

Compass Overseas Services Limited (ii)

Compass Pension Trustees Limited (ii)

Compass Quest Limited (ii)

Compass Secretaries Limited (ii)

Compass Site Services Limited (ii)(vii)

Compass UK Pension Trustee Co Limited (ii)

Crisp Trustees Limited (ii)

Meritglen Limited (ii)(vii)(viii)

Nextonline Limited (iii)(iv)

Sevita (UK) Limited

The Compass Group Foundation

The Excelsior Insurance Company Limited

Suite D, Pavilion 7 Kingshill Park, Venture Drive, 
Arnhill Business Park, Westhill, Aberdeenshire, 
AB32 6FL, United Kingdom

CCG (UK) Ltd (ii)

Coffee Partners Limited (ii)

Compass Offshore Catering Limited (ii)(viii)

Compass Scottish Site Services Limited (ii)

Waseley (CVI) Limited (ii)

Waseley (CVS) Limited (ii)

20 Red Lion Street London WC1R 4PQ, United 
Kingdom

Feedr Limited (iii)

1st Floor, 12 Cromac Quay, Cromac Wood, 
Belfast, Northern Ireland, BT7 2JD, United 
Kingdom

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

Lough Erne Holiday Village Limited (ii)

UK

100

2710 Gateway Oaks Drive, Suite 150N, 
Sacramento, CA 95833-3505, US

Bon Appétit Management Company Foundation

CulinArt of California, Inc.

C&B Holdings, LLC

H&H Catering, L.P.

US

US

US

US

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

Other wholly owned subsidiaries

211 E. 7th Street, Suite 620, Austin, TX 
78701-3218, US

Bamco Restaurants of Texas LLC

Levy Premium Foodservice, L.L.C. (ii)

Levy Texas Beverages, LLC

Morrison’s Health Care of Texas, Inc. 

University Food Services, Inc.

Wolfgang Puck Catering & Events of Texas, LLC

2345 Rice Street, Suite 230, Roseville, MN 
55113, US

Canteen One, LLC

Street Eats Limited

84 State Street, Boston, MA 02109, US

Fame Food Management Inc.

The Food Management Enterprise Corporation

251 Little Falls Drive, Wilmington, DE 19808, US

BenchWorks, Inc.

Bestfresh, LLC

B&I Catering, LLC

Bleuxus LLC

CG Analytics Consulting, LLC

CLS Par, LLC

CMCA Catering, LLC

Community Living Holdings, LLC

Compass LATAM Corp.

Compass LCS, LLC

Compass LV, LLC

Compass Paramount, LLC

Concierge Consulting Services, LLC

Convenience Foods International, Inc.

Coreworks, LLC

Crothall Healthcare Inc.

Eat Cloud LLC

Eurest Services, Inc.

Facilities Holdings, LLC

Flik One, LLC

Fresh & Ready Foods LLC 

Green Cuisine, LLC

HC Foods, LLC

Levy Oklahoma, Inc.

Levy Prom Golf, LLC

Morrison Investment Company, Inc.

National Produce Consultants, LLC f/k/a/ National 
Produce FB, LLC

PCHI Catering, LLC

RAC Holdings Corp. (iii)

Rank + Rally, LLC

Restaurant Services I, LLC

S-82 LLC

SpenDifference LLC

Touchpoint Support Services, LLC

Unidine Corporation

Unidine Lifestyles, LLC 

Unidine Nevada, LLC

University Food Services, LLC

Wolfgang Puck Catering and Events, LLC

WP Casual Catering, LLC

WPL, LLC

Yorkmont Four, Inc.

Country of 
incorporation

% 
Holding

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

  209

35  DETAILS OF RELATED UNDERTAKINGS OF COMPASS GROUP PLC CONTINUED

Country of 
incorporation

% 
Holding

Other wholly owned subsidiaries

Country of 
incorporation

% 
Holding

Other wholly owned subsidiaries

801 Adlai Stevenson Drive, Springfield, IL 
62703, US

E15, LLC 

Levy (Events) Limited Partnership 

Levy (IP) Limited Partnership 

Levy Food Service Limited Partnership 

Levy GP Corporation 

Levy Holdings GP, Inc. 

Levy Illinois Limited Partnership 

Levy Premium Foodservice Limited Partnership 

Levy R & H Limited Partnership 

Levy World Limited Partnership 

Professional Sports Catering, LLC 

Restaurant One Limited Partnership 

RT Wholesale, LLC

Superior Limited Partnership 

508 Meeting Street, West Columbia, SC 29169, 
US

CGSC Capital, Inc.

501 Louisiana Avenue, Baton Rouge, LA 
70802-5921, US

Coastal Food Service, Inc.

S.H.R.M. Catering Services, Inc.

80 State Street, Albany, NY 12207-2543, US

CulinArt Group, Inc.

CulinArt, Inc.

Mazzone Hospitality, LLC

Quality Food Management, Inc.

RA Tennis Corp.

RANYST, Inc.

Restaurant Associates LLC

Restaurant Associates, Inc.

Restaurant Services Inc.

2626 Glenwood Avenue, Suite 550, Raleigh, NC 
27608, US

Compass 2K12 Services, LLC

Compass HE Services, LLC

Compass One, LLC

Compass Two, LLC

Waveguide LLC

2595 Interstate Drive, Suite 103, Harrisburg, PA 
17110, US

Crothall Facilities Management, Inc.

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

Custom Management Corporation of Pennsylvania US

Morrison’s Custom Management Corporation of 
Pennsylvania

Newport Food Service, Inc.

Williamson Hospitality Services, Inc.

3366 Riverside Drive, Suite 103, Upper 
Arlington, OH 43221, US

Cuyahoga Dining Services, Inc.

US

US

US

US

40 Technology Pkwy South, #300, Norcross, GA 
30092, US

Food Services Management By Mgr, LLC

Morrison Alumni Association, Inc.

The M-Power Foundation, Inc.

221 Bolivar Street, Jefferson City, MO 65101, 
US

Dynamic Vending, Inc. 

Fresh Force, LLC

Fresh Ideas Management, LLC

Princeton South Corporate Ctr, Suite 160, 100 
Charles Ewing Blvd, Ewing, NJ 08628, US

Gourmet Dining, LLC

MC-CSC1 300 Deschutes Way SW, Suite 208, 
Tumwater, WA 98501, US

Inter Pacific Management, Inc.

2900 SW Wanamaker Drive, Suite 204, Topeka, 
KS 66614, US

Levy Kansas, LLC 

Myron Green Corporation

PFM Kansas, Inc.

Treat America Limited

8825 N. 23rd Avenue, Suite 100, Phoenix, AZ 
85021, US

Prodine, Inc.

Sacco Dining Services, Inc.

2908 Poston Avenue, Nashville, TN 37203, US

Southeast Service Corporation

1400 West Benson Blvd, Suite 370, Anchorage, 
AK 99503, US

Statewide Services, Inc.

600 S, 2nd Street, Suite 155, Bismarck, ND 
58504, US

Compass ND, LLC

2 Sun Court, Suite 400, Peachtree Corners, GA 
30092, US

Eversource LLC

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

112 North Curry Street, Carson City, NV 89703, 
US

GLV Restaurant Management Associates, LLC

US

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

210 

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED
For the year ended 30 September 2022

35  DETAILS OF RELATED UNDERTAKINGS OF COMPASS GROUP PLC CONTINUED

Other subsidiaries, joint  
arrangements, memberships,  
associates and other significant holdings 

Country of 
incorporation or 
establishment

%  
Holding

Other subsidiaries, joint  
arrangements, memberships,  
associates and other significant holdings 

Country of 
incorporation or 
establishment

%  
Holding

Level 3, 12 Newcastle Street, Perth 6000, 
Australia

30 Queen’s Road, St. John’s, Newfoundland 
and Labrador, A1C 2A5, Canada

ESS Thalanyji PTY Ltd

ESS Larrakia PTY Ltd

Australia 

Australia 

60

50

Labrador Catering Inc. (iii)

Labrador Catering LP (x)

Canada

Canada

49

49

30, 205 N. Narimanov avenue, Baku, 
AZ1065, Azerbaijan

ESS Support Services LLC

Azerbaijan

50

Clearwater River Dene Nation Reserve No. 
222, P.O. Box 5050, Clearwater, 
Saskatchewan, S0M 3H0, Canada

1 Prologis Boulevard, Suite 400, 
Mississauga, Ontario, L5W 0G2, Canada

Chef’s Hall Inc. (iii)

Compass Group Sports and Entertainment 
– (Quebec) (x)

ECC – ESS Support Services (x)

2265668 Ontario Limited (iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(viii)

Amik Catering LP (x)

Dease River – ESS Support Services (x)

Dene West Limited Partnership (x)

ESS – East Arm Camp Services (x)

ESS – Kaatodh Camp Services (x)

ESS – Loon River Support Services (x)

ESS – Mi’kmaq Support Services (x)

Canada

Canada

Canada

Canada

Canada

Canada

Canada

Canada

Canada

Canada

Canada

ESS – Missanabie Cree Support Services (x)

Canada

ESS – Na Cho Nyak Dun Camp Services (x)

ESS – N’deh Support Services (x)

ESS – Ochapowace Support Services (x)

ESS – Pessamit Camp Services (x)

ESS – Wapan Manawan Services de  
Soutien (x)

ESS-CreeQuest Support Services

ESS-Nuvumiut Support Services (x) 

ESS-SDEUM Support Services (x)

ESS-White River Support Services

ESS Haisla Support Services (x)

ESS HLFN Support Services (x)

ESS KNRA Support Services (x)

ESS Komatik Support Services (x)

ESS Liard First Nation Support Services (x)

ESS McKenzie Support Services (x)

ESS Okanagan Indian Band Support  
Services (x)

ESS Tataskweyak Camp Services (x)

ESS/Bushmaster Camp Services (x)

ESS/McLeod Lake Indian Band Support 
Services (x)

ESS/Mosakahiken Cree Nation Support 
Services (x)

ESS/Takla Lake Support Services (x)

ESS/WEDC Support Services (x)

First North Catering (x)

JCP – ESS Support Services (x)

KDM – ESS Support Services (x)

Metis Infinity – ESS Support Services

Mi’kma’ki Domiculture

Mi’Kmaq-ECC Nova Scotia Support  
Services (x)

Nisga’a Village – ESS Support Services (x)

Poplar Point Catering (x)

Songhees Nation Support Services (x)

Canada

Canada

Canada

Canada

Canada

Canada

Canada

Canada

Canada

Canada

Canada

Canada

Canada

Canada

Canada

Canada

Canada

Canada

Canada

Canada

Canada

Canada

Canada

Canada

Canada

Canada

Canada

Canada

Canada

Canada

Canada

67

67

50

49

49

49

49

49

49

49

49

49

49

49

49

49

49

49

49

49

49

49

49

49

49

49

49

49

49

49

49

49

49

49

49

49

49

49

49

49

49

49

49

Clearwater Catering Limited (iii)(iv)(v)(vi)

Canada

49

130 King Street West, Suite 1800, Toronto, 
Ontario, M5X 1E3, Canada

Umbrel Hospitality Group Inc. (iii)

Canada

49

77 King Street West, No. 400, Toronto, 
Ontario, M5K 0A1, Canada

O&B Yonge Richmond LP*

Canada

33.4

FO-110, Torshavn, Faroe Islands

P/F Eurest Føroyar

Denmark

51

Keskussairaalantie Opinkivi 2, 40600 
Jyväskylä, Finland

Semma Oy

Ruukinkatu 2-4 20540 Turku, Finland

Unica Oy

123 Avenue de la République – Hall A, 
92320 Châtillon, France

Finland

Finland

45

49

Sopregim SAS

France

80

Le Puy Du Fou, 85590 Les Epesses, France

Puy Du Fou Restauration SAS

France

99.8

Steenbeker Weg 25, 24106, Kiel, Germany

Lubinus – orgaMed Sterilgut GmbH

Germany

49

HTC Aspire, 4th Floor (401) No. 19, Ali 
Asker Road, Bangalore, Karnataka, 560052, 
India

Bottle Lab Technologies Private Limited

India

79.55

No. 407, 2nd Floor, 7th Cross, 1st D Main 
Road, Domlur Layout, Old Airport Road, 
Bengaluru. Karnataka, 560071, India

Nextup Technologies Private Limited 

India

79.55

Hamarikyu Kensetsu Plaza, 5-5-12, Tsukiji, 
Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan

Chiyoda Kyushoku Services Co., Ltd

Japan

5-7-5, Chiyoda, Naka-ku, Nagoya-City, 
Aichi-Prefecture, 460-0012, Japan

Seiyo General Food Co., Ltd

Japan

90

50

1-34-6, Sakura-Shinmachi, Setagaya-ku, 
Tokyo, 154-0015, Japan

Highway Royal Co., Ltd.

Japan

33.34

060011, Atyrauskaya Oblast, Atyrau city, 
Beibarys Sultan avenue 506, Kazakhstan

Eurest Support Services Company B LLP (ii)

Kazakhstan

50

COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

  211

35  DETAILS OF RELATED UNDERTAKINGS OF COMPASS GROUP PLC CONTINUED

Other subsidiaries, joint  
arrangements, memberships,  
associates and other significant holdings 

Country of 
incorporation or 
establishment

%  
Holding

Other subsidiaries, joint  
arrangements, memberships,  
associates and other significant holdings 

Country of 
incorporation or 
establishment

%  
Holding

060011, Old Airport Road 64, Atyrau City, 
Atyrau Oblast, Republic of Kazakhstan

ESS Kazakhstan LLP

Kazakhstan

60

39 Boulevard Joseph, II L-1840, 
Luxembourg

Geria SA

Luxembourg

25

Level 18 The Gardena North Tower, Mid 
Valley City, Lingkaran Syed Putra, Kuala 
Lumpur, 59200, Malaysia

EM-SSIS Services Sdn. Bhd. (ii)

Malaysia

42

Suite 1301, 13th Floor, City Plaza Jalan 
Tebrau, 80300 Johor Bahru Johor, Malaysia

Knusford Compass Sdn. Bhd.

Malaysia

49

1 Avenue Henri Dunant, Palais De La Scala, 
3eme, Etage – No 1125, 98000 MC, 
Monaco

Eurest Monaco S.A. 

Monaco

99.99

Laarderhoogtweg 11, 1101 DZ, Amsterdam, 
Netherlands

Compass Group International Finance C.V. (x) Netherlands

100

Okesnoyveien 16, 1366, Lysaker, 1366, 
Norway

Forpleiningstjenester AS

Norway

33.33

Harbitzalléen 2A, 0275 Oslo, PÅ Box 4148, 
Sjølyst, 0217 Oslo, Norway

Gress Gruppen AS

Norway

33.33

c/o Warner Shand Lawyers Waigani, Level 1 
RH Hypermarket, Allotment 1 Section 479 
(off Kennedy Road), Gordons NCD, Papua 
New Guinea

Eurest OKAS Catering Ltd (ii)

Eurest Lotic (PNG) JV Ltd (ii)

Papua New 
Guinea

Papua New 
Guinea

2 Floor, Al Mana Commercial Tower, C-Ring 
road, Doha, PO BOX 22481, Qatar

Compass Catering Services WLL

Qatar

55

50

20

PO Box 31952, Al Khobar 31685 KSA, 
Saudi Arabia

Compass Arabia Co. Ltd (LLC)

Saudi Arabia

30

Calle Pinar de San José 98, Planta 1a, 
28054, Madrid, Spain

Gourmet on Wheels, S.L.U.

Spain

Office No. 209, Mawilah, Al Sharjah, P O 
Box: 1897, United Arab Emirates

Abu Dhabi National Hotels – Compass LLC

UAE

Abu Dhabi National Hotels Company 
Building, Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al 
Maktoum Street, Abu Dhabi, United Arab 
Emirates

Abu Dhabi National Hotels Compass Middle 
East LLC

UAE

99

50

50

Hotel owned by Emaar Properties, Building 
No. 1, Parcel ID 392-497, Dubai Marina, 
United Arab Emirates

Abu Dhabi National Hotels – Compass 
Emirates LLC

UAE

50

Parklands Court, 24 Parklands, Birmingham 
Great Park, Rubery, Birmingham, B45 9PZ, 
United Kingdom

Quaglino’s Limited (iii)

UK

County Ground, Edgbaston, Birmingham, 
B5 7QU, United Kingdom

Edgbaston Experience Limited (iii)(iv)

UK

Lower Ground 04 Edinburgh House, 
154-182 Kennington Lane, London, SE11 
5DP, United Kingdom

Peppermint Events Limited

UK

POP (Purveyors of Plenty) Collective Limited UK

Rugby House Twickenham Stadium, 
200 Whitton Road, Twickenham, Middlesex, 
TW2 7BA, United Kingdom

99

25

50

50

Twickenham Experience Limited

UK

15.531

The Oval, Kennington, London, SE11 5SS 
United Kingdom

Oval Events Holdings Limited (iv)(v)(vi)

Oval Events Limited (iv)(v)(vi)

Clere House, 3 Chapel Place, London, EC2A 
3DQ, United Kingdom

Kerb Events Limited (iii)

7 St. Paul Street, Suite 820, Baltimore, MD 
21202, US

Bon Appétit Maryland, LLC

84 State Street, Boston, MA 02109, US

Levy Maryland, LLC

UK

UK

UK

US

US

909 A St Ste 600, Tacoma, WA 98402-
5114, US

BlueStar Refreshment Services Washington, 
LLC 

US

251 Little Falls Drive, Wilmington, DE 
19808, US

HHP-MMS JV1, LLC

HHP-Partner COL, LLC

HHP-Partner, LLC

MMS JV Holdings, LLC

Levy LA Concessions, LLC

A.Anthony, LLC

Learfield Levy Foodservice, LLC

Parlay Solutions, LLC

DIOSS LLC

Thompson Facilities Services LLC

Thompson Hospitality Services, LLC

Chicago Restaurant Partners, LLC

Corporate Essentials LLC 

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

US

37.5

37.5

50

99

74

49

90

90

90

90

62.5

51

50

50

49

49

49

42

25

1.  As a percentage of nominal value of total share capital in issue.

212 

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED
For the year ended 30 September 2022

35  DETAILS OF RELATED UNDERTAKINGS OF COMPASS GROUP PLC CONTINUED

Country of 
incorporation or 
establishment

%  
Holding

Other subsidiaries, joint  
arrangements, memberships,  
associates and other significant holdings 

1400 West Benson Blvd, Suite 370, 
Anchorage, AK 99503, US

KIJIK/ESS, LLC

Statewide/GanaAYoo JV

80 State Street, Albany, NY 12207-2543, 
US

Hudson Yards Catering, LLC 

US

US

US

Corporation Trust Centre, 1209 Orange 
Street, Wilmington, DE 19801, US

AEG Venue Management Holdings, LLC

US

80

50

49

38

Other subsidiaries, joint  
arrangements, memberships,  
associates and other significant holdings 

Country of 
incorporation or 
establishment

%  
Holding

1209 Orange St., Wilmington, DE 19801, US

BlueStar Refreshment Services, LLC

Link-Age Venture Labs, LLC

1090 Vermont Ave N.W., Washington, DC 
20005, US

Seasons Culinary Services, Inc

2710 Gateway Oaks Drive, Suite 150N, 
Sacramento, CA 95833-3505, US

Cosmopolitan Catering, LLC

US

US

US

US

1870 Patio Drive, San Jose, CA 95125, US

BlueStar Refreshment Services LA, LLC

US

4605 Duke Drive, Suite 110, Mason, OH 
45040, US

Linkage Solutions, LLC

980 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 400, Chicago, 
IL 60611, US

Convention Hospitality Partners

Atlanta Sports Catering

Orlando Foodservice Partners

US

US

US

US

49

30

50.1

60

49

49

80

50

50

NOTES
1.  Unless otherwise stated, indirectly owned by Compass Group PLC, active status and ordinary shares issued.
2.  In some of the jurisdictions where we operate, share classes are not defined and in these instances, for the purposes of disclosure, we have classified these holdings 

as ordinary.

3.  A number of the companies listed are legacy companies which no longer serve any operational purpose.

CLASSIFICATIONS KEY
(i)  Directly owned by Compass Group PLC
(ii)  Dormant/non-trading
(iii)  A Ordinary shares
(iv)  B Ordinary shares
(v)  C Ordinary and/or Special shares
(vi)  D, E and/or F Ordinary shares
(vii)  Deferred shares
(viii)  Preference including cumulative, non-cumulative and redeemable shares
(ix)  Redeemable shares
(x)  No share capital, share of profits
(xi)  Limited by guarantee

PARENT COMPANY BALANCE SHEET 
At 30 September 2022 

COMPASS GROUP PLC 
FIXED ASSETS 
Investments in subsidiary undertakings 
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 
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 

Net assets 

EQUITY 
Share capital 
Share premium 
Capital redemption reserve 
Own shares 
Share-based payment reserve 
Retained earnings1 
Total equity  

1. The Company’s profit on ordinary activities after tax was £764m (2021: £190m). 

Approved by the Board of Directors on 21 November 2022 and signed on its behalf by: 

DOMINIC BLAKEMORE, Director 
PALMER BROWN, Director

COMPASS GROUP PLC | ANNUAL REPORT 2022 
COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

213 
  213

Notes  

2022
£m 

2021
£m 

1 

2 
2 

3 

3 

5 

1,105 

1,074 

2,752 
8,094 
1,459 

7,248 
2,029 
1,307 

12,305 

10,584 

(5,928)

6,377 

(4,416)

6,168 

7,482 

7,242 

(3,527)
(3)

3,952 

198 
189 
295 
(515)
– 
3,785 

3,952 

(3,161)
(3)

4,078 

198 
189 
295 
– 
271 
3,125 

4,078 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
214 
214 

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
PARENT COMPANY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

PARENT COMPANY STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY 
For the year ended 30 September 2022 

EQUITY 
At 1 October 2020 
Profit for the year 
Fair value of share-based payments 
Release of share awards settled 
in existing shares purchased in 
the market 

At 30 September 2021 
Profit for the year 
Fair value of share-based payments 
Release of share awards settled 
in existing shares purchased in 
the market 

Purchase of own shares – share 

buyback programme2 

Transfer3, 4 
Dividends paid to shareholders5 
At 30 September 2022 

Share 
capital 
£m 
198 
– 
– 
– 

198 
– 
– 
– 

– 

– 
– 

Share
premium
£m 
189 
– 
– 
– 

Capital
redemption
reserve
£m 
295 
– 
– 
– 

189 
– 
– 
– 

– 

– 
– 

295 
– 
– 
– 

– 

– 
– 

198 

189 

295 

Own  
shares 
£m 

– 
– 
– 
– 

– 
– 
– 
– 

(502)

(13)
– 

(515)

Share-based 
payment 
reserve 
£m 
254 
– 
20 
(3) 

271 
– 
34 
(4) 

Retained 
earnings1 
£m 

2,935 
190 
– 
– 

3,125 
764 
– 
– 

Total
£m 
3,871 
190 
20 
(3)

4,078 
764 
34 
(4)

– 

–  

(502)

(301) 
– 

– 

314 
(418) 

3,785 

– 
(418)

3,952 

1. The non-distributable portion of retained earnings is £301m at 30 September 2022 (2021: £nil). 
2. Including stamp duty and brokers’ commission. 
3. The share-based payments reserve has been transferred to retained earnings on the basis that it is more appropriately presented as a component of retained 

earnings for equity-settled share-based payment schemes. 

4. To ensure consistency in the presentation of own shares, the value of shares in Compass Group PLC purchased in previous years and held in treasury at 30 

September 2022 has been transferred from retained earnings to the own shares reserve. 

5. Details of dividends paid to equity shareholders are shown in note 7 of the consolidated financial statements. 

Own shares 

The own shares reserve comprises 24,151,566 shares in Compass Group PLC purchased under the share buyback programme announced in 
May 2022 and held in treasury, and 1,050,933 shares in Compass Group PLC purchased in previous years and held in treasury.  

In May 2022, the Company announced that it was commencing a share buyback programme to repurchase up to £500m of its own shares. During 
the year, 24,151,566 shares were repurchased for a total price, including transaction costs, of £440m, of which £425m was paid in cash during 
the year. These shares are held in treasury. The mandate issued to the broker to purchase the shares was irrevocable at 30 September 2022 and, 
therefore, a creditor in respect of the value of the shares not yet purchased under the programme has been recognised. The share buyback 
programme was completed in November and, in total, 27,599,115 shares were repurchased under the programme for a total price, including 
transaction costs, of £503m. 

PARENT COMPANY ACCOUNTING POLICIES 
For the year ended 30 September 2022 

COMPASS GROUP PLC | ANNUAL REPORT 2022 
COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

215 
  215

Introduction 

Investments in subsidiary undertakings 

The significant accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the 
separate financial statements of Compass Group PLC (the Company) 
are set out below. 

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. 

Basis of preparation 

The Company has prepared its financial statements in accordance 
with Financial Reporting Standard 101 Reduced Disclosure 
Framework (FRS 101) and in conformity with the requirements of the 
Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared 
under the historical cost convention, as modified by the revaluation of 
certain financial instruments. 

In preparing these financial statements, the Company applies the 
recognition, measurement and disclosure requirements of UK-
adopted International Accounting Standards, but makes amendments 
where necessary to comply with the Companies Act 2006 and has set 
out below where advantage of the FRS 101 disclosure exemptions has 
been taken. 

The financial statements present information about the Company as 
an individual undertaking, not as a Group undertaking, and are 
included in the Compass Group PLC consolidated financial 
statements for the year ended 30 September 2022. As permitted by 
section 408 of the Companies Act 2006, the Company has not 
presented its own income statement. The amount of profit for the year 
of the Company is disclosed in the Parent Company Balance Sheet 
and Statement of Changes in Equity. 

Going concern 

These financial statements have been prepared on a going concern 
basis. This is discussed in the Group accounting policies on page 134. 

FRS 101 exemptions 

Investment income is measured at the fair value of the consideration 
received or receivable. It represents dividend income which is 
recognised when the right to receive payment is established. 

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 income statement for 
the period. 

Financial assets and liabilities 

Financial assets and liabilities are recognised on the Company’s 
balance sheet when the Company becomes a party to the contractual 
provisions of the instrument and derecognised when it ceases to be 
party to such provisions. Financial assets are classified as current if 
they are expected to be received within 12 months of the balance 
sheet date. Financial liabilities are classified as current if they are 
legally due to be paid within 12 months of the balance sheet date. 

Financial assets and liabilities are initially recorded at fair value 
including, where permitted by IFRS 9 Financial Instruments, any 
directly attributable transaction costs. For those financial assets that 
are not subsequently held at fair value, the carrying amounts are 
reduced by a provision equal to the lifetime expected credit losses 
using historic and forward-looking data on credit risk. 

The Company classifies its financial assets and liabilities into the 
following categories: 

In these financial statements, the Company has applied the 
exemptions under FRS 101 in respect of the following disclosures: 

–  financial assets and liabilities at amortised cost 
–  financial assets and liabilities at fair value through profit or loss 

–  cash flow statement and related notes 
–  financial instruments and fair values 
–  share-based payments 
–  transactions with wholly-owned subsidiaries 
–  compensation of key management personnel 
–  capital management 
–  the effect of new but not yet effective accounting standards 

Changes in accounting policies 

There have been no significant changes in accounting policies during 
the year. 

Where financial assets or liabilities are eligible to be carried at either 
amortised cost or fair value, the Company does not apply the fair value 
option. 

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, currency 
swaps and forward currency contracts. The Company and Group 
policy is disclosed in the accounting policies to the consolidated 
financial statements. 

216 
216 

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
PARENT COMPANY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

PARENT COMPANY ACCOUNTING POLICIES CONTINUED 
For the year ended 30 September 2022 

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 adjusted for the fair value attributable 
to the risk being hedged. 

Amounts owed by subsidiary undertakings are initially measured at 
fair value and are subsequently reported at amortised cost. Provisions 
on intra-group receivables are calculated at an amount equal to the 
lifetime expected credit losses using historic and forward-looking data 
on credit risk. 

Amounts owed to subsidiary undertakings are initially measured at fair 
value and are subsequently reported at amortised cost. 

Non-interest-bearing payables are stated at their nominal value as 
they are due on demand. 

Dividends 

Dividends paid are recognised in the Company’s financial statements 
in the year in which they are approved in a general meeting by the 
Company’s shareholders. Interim dividends are recognised when 
paid. 

Deferred tax 

Deferred tax is provided at the anticipated rates on temporary 
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. 

Share-based payments 

The Company issues equity-settled share-based payments to certain 
employees which 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 Company’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 the Black-Scholes pricing model. The 
expected life used in the model is adjusted, based on management’s 
best estimate, for the effects of exercise restrictions and behavioural 
considerations. 

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 subsidiary undertakings is reported with 
a corresponding increase in shareholders’ funds. For details of the 
charge, see note 25 to the consolidated financial statements. 

Own shares 

The own shares reserve represents shares in Compass Group PLC 
held in treasury, including transaction costs. Own shares are treated 
as a deduction to equity until the shares are cancelled, reissued or 
sold, at which point they are transferred to retained earnings. The 
nominal value of shares in the Company purchased and subsequently 
cancelled is shown as a reduction in share capital and an equal and 
opposite transfer to the capital redemption reserve.  

Financial guarantees and loan commitments 

Financial guarantee contract liabilities are measured initially at their 
fair values. These liabilities are subsequently measured at the higher 
of the expected credit loss determined under IFRS 9 Financial 
Instruments and the initial fair value. 

NOTES TO THE PARENT COMPANY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
For the year ended 30 September 2022 

1  INVESTMENTS IN SUBSIDIARY UNDERTAKINGS  

INVESTMENTS IN SUBSIDIARY UNDERTAKINGS 
COST 
At 1 October 
Share-based payments to employees of subsidiaries 
Recharged to subsidiaries during the year 

At 30 September 

PROVISIONS 
At 1 October and 30 September  

NET BOOK VALUE 
At 30 September 

COMPASS GROUP PLC | ANNUAL REPORT 2022 
COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

217 
  217

2022 
£m 

2021 
£m 

1,075 
34 
(3)

1,106 

1,057 
20 
(2)

1,075 

(1)

(1)

1,105 

1,074 

The principal subsidiary undertakings are listed in note 35 to the consolidated financial statements. 

2  DEBTORS 

DEBTORS 
Amounts owed by subsidiary undertakings 
Derivative financial instruments 

Notes 

4 

Total 

Falling due 
within 
one year
£m 
2,681 
71 

2,752 

2022 
Falling due 
after more 
than one year
£m 
8,018 
76 

8,094 

Total
£m 
10,699 
147 

10,846 

Falling due  
within  
one year 
£m 
7,246 
2 

7,248 

2021 
Falling due 
after more
than one year
£m 
1,913 
116 

2,029 

Total
£m 
9,159 
118 

9,277 

Amounts owed by subsidiary undertakings may be interest-free or interest-bearing loans. Interest-free loans are repayable on demand. Interest-
bearing loans incur interest at fixed rates (between 0.35% and 40%) or various floating rates with margins ranging from -0.05% to +1.50% 
(subject to a minimum all-in rate of 0%) and have maturities ranging from repayable on demand up to May 2031. 

The book value of amounts owed by subsidiary undertakings falling due within one year approximates to fair value due to the short-term nature of 
these receivables. The fair value of amounts owed by subsidiary undertakings falling due after more than one year is £7,452m (2021: £2,092m). 

Details of the derivative financial instruments are shown in note 19 to the consolidated financial statements.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
218 
218 

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
PARENT COMPANY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTES TO THE PARENT COMPANY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 
For the year ended 30 September 2022 

3  CREDITORS 

CREDITORS 
Issued debt 
Bank overdrafts 
Amounts owed to subsidiary undertakings 
Derivative financial instruments 
Other payables1 
Accruals 
Current tax 
Deferred tax2 
Total 

Notes 

4
4
4
4
4

Falling due
within
one year
£m 

2022 

Falling due
after more
than one year
£m 

439 
350 
4,996 
6 
77 
32 
28 
– 

5,928 

1,847 
– 
1,424 
237 
– 
– 
– 
19 

3,527 

Falling due 
within 
one year 
£m 

2021 

Falling due 
after more 
than one year 
£m 

295 
249 
3,775 
9 
– 
34 
54 
– 

4,416 

2,052 
– 
1,102 
7 
– 
– 
– 
– 

3,161 

Total
£m 

2,286 
350 
6,420 
243 
77 
32 
28 
19 

9,455 

Total
£m 

2,347
249
4,877
16
–
34
54
–

7,577

1. Represents a commitment in respect of the share buyback programme announced in May 2022. 
2. The deferred tax liability of £19m at 30 September 2022 arose in the income statement during the year in relation to net gains on certain derivative financial 

instruments. 

ISSUED DEBT 
US Private Placement 
Eurobond 
US Private Placement 
US Private Placement 
Eurobond 
US Private Placement 
Eurobond 
US Private Placement 
Eurobond 
Eurobond 

Total 

Nominal value 

Redeemable 

Oct 2021 
$398m 
Jan 2023 
€500m 
$352m 
Oct 2023 
$100m  Dec 2024 
Sep 2025 
£250m 
Sep 2025 
$300m 
£250m 
Jun 2026 
$300m  Dec 2026 
Jul 2029 
£300m 
Sep 2032 
£250m 

Interest 

3.98% 
1.88% 
4.12% 
3.54% 
2.00% 
3.81% 
3.85% 
3.64% 
2.00% 
4.38% 

2022  
Carrying  
value  
£m 

2021 
Carrying 
value 
£m 

– 
439 
310 
89 
220 
259 
249 
269 
233 
218 

295
440 
274
74
252 
242
249 
221
300 
– 

2,286 

2,347

In September 2022, the Company issued a fixed-rate sustainable bond of £250m maturing in 2032. 

The Company has a £2,000m committed Revolving Credit Facility (RCF), of which £140m is committed to August 2024 and £1,860m is 
committed to August 2026. At 30 September 2022, no amounts were drawn under the RCF (2021: £nil). 

The Company has a $4bn commercial paper programme. Commercial paper is issued to meet short-term liquidity requirements and is supported 
by the RCF. At 30 September 2022, no commercial paper was outstanding under the programme (2021: £nil). 

Amounts owed to subsidiary undertakings may be interest-free or interest-bearing loans. Interest-free loans are repayable on demand and 
classified as current. Interest-bearing loans incur interest at fixed rates (between 0.73% and 3.10%) or various floating rates with margins ranging 
from -0.15% to +1.50% (subject to a minimum all-in rate of 0%) and have maturities ranging from repayable on demand up to September 2048. 

The book value of amounts owed to subsidiary undertakings falling due within one year approximates to fair value due to the short-term nature of 
these payables. The fair value of amounts owed to subsidiary undertakings falling due after more than one year is shown below: 

AMOUNTS OWED TO SUBSIDIARY 
UNDERTAKINGS FALLING DUE AFTER 
MORE THAN ONE YEAR 
Euro intra-group loan 
Euro intra-group loan 
Euro intra-group loan 

Total 

Nominal value 

Redeemable 

Jul 2024 
€750m 
€500m 
Sep 2028 
€500m  Mar 2030 

Interest 

0.73% 
1.60% 
3.10% 

2022 

2021 

Carrying
value
£m 

632 
380 
412 

Fair 
value 
£m 

631 
388 
415 

Carrying 
value 
£m 

659 
443 
– 

Fair
value
£m 

658
459
–

1,424 

1,434 

1,102 

1,117

Details of the derivative financial instruments are shown in note 19 to the consolidated financial statements. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
COMPASS GROUP PLC | ANNUAL REPORT 2022 
COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

219 
  219

4  MATURITY OF FINANCIAL LIABILITIES AND DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS 
The maturity of financial liabilities and derivative financial instruments as at 30 September is as follows: 

MATURITY OF FINANCIAL LIABILITIES AND DERIVATIVE 
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS 
Issued debt 
Bank overdrafts 
Amounts owed to subsidiary undertakings 
Derivative financial instruments 
Other payables 

MATURITY OF FINANCIAL LIABILITIES AND DERIVATIVE 
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS 
Issued debt 
Bank overdrafts 
Amounts owed to subsidiary undertakings 
Derivative financial instruments 

Less than 1 
year 
£m 

Between 1 
and 2 years 
£m 

439 
350 
4,996 
(65)
77 

310 
– 
632 
(8) 
– 

Less than 1 
year 
£m 
295 
249 
3,775 
7 

Between 1 
and 2 years 
£m 
440 
– 
– 
(46) 

2022 
Between 2 
and 5 years 
£m 

1,086 
– 
– 
(6) 
– 

2021 
Between 2 
and 5 years 
£m 
1,091 
– 
659 
(68) 

Over 5 
years 
£m 

451 
– 
792 
175 
– 

Over 5 
years 
£m 
521 
– 
443 
5 

Total
£m 

2,286 
350 
6,420 
96 
77 

Total
£m 
2,347 
249 
4,877 
(102)

5  SHARE CAPITAL 
Details of the share capital and share-based payments of the Company are shown in notes 24 and 25 of the consolidated financial statements. 

6  POST-BALANCE SHEET EVENTS 
On 21 November 2022, a final dividend in respect of 2022 of 22.1p per share, £389m in aggregate, was declared. 

In the period from 1 October to 11 November 2022, 3,447,549 shares were repurchased for a total price, including transaction costs, of £63m 
under the share buyback programme announced in May 2022. In November 2022, we announced a further share buyback of up to £250m, to 
take place during the first half of the 2023 financial year, taking the total buyback to £750m. 

7  OTHER INFORMATION 

Company audit fee 

Fees payable to the Company’s auditor for the audit of the Company’s annual financial statements totalled £1.8m (2021: £1.4m). 

Employees 

The Company had no direct employees in the course of the year (2021: none). 

Guarantees and indemnities 

At 30 September 2022, guarantees and indemnities (including subsidiary undertakings’ overdrafts) totalled £443m (2021: £398m). Details of 
certain contingent guarantees and indemnities which involve the Company are set out in note 29 to the consolidated financial statements. 

Related party transactions 

With the exception of transactions between the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, there are no material related party transactions in the 
current or prior year. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Most shareholders resident outside the UK can have dividends in 
excess of £10 paid into their bank account directly via the Link Group 
international payments service. Details and terms and conditions may 
be viewed at https://ww2.linkgroup.eu/ips. Shareholders outside the 
UK who are unable to use the international payments service should 
contact Link to discuss the payment options available.

Share price information, share dealing and sharegift

The price of the Company’s shares is available on the Company’s 
website, www.compass-group.com. Compass Group shares can be 
traded through most banks, building societies, stockbrokers or 
online dealing services. 

ShareGift, the charity share donation scheme, is a free service for 
shareholders wishing to give shares to charitable causes. It is 
particularly useful for anyone wishing 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 www.sharegift.org; telephone within the  
UK: 020 7930 3737 and from overseas: +44 20 7930 3737;  
email: help@sharegift.org.

American depositary receipt

Compass Group PLC operates an American Depositary Receipt (ADR) 
programme under which ADRs are traded on the over-the-counter 
market under the symbol CMPGY. One ADR represents one ordinary 
Compass share. BNY Mellon is the depositary bank and maintains the 
Company’s ADR register. Shareholders with a query about Compass 
ADRs should contact BNY Mellon as follows:

 – Post: BNY Mellon Shareowner Services, P.O. Box 43006, 

Providence, Rhode Island 02940-3078, US. 

 – Overnight Post: BNY Mellon Shareowner Services, 150 Royall St., 

Suite 101,Canton, Massachusetts 02021, US. 
 – E-mail: shrrelations@cpushareownerservices.com
 – Telephone: Tel. +1 888-269-2377 (toll-free number in the U.S.) 

Tel. +1 201 680 6825 (international)

Further information can also be found on BNY Mellon’s website, 
mybnymdr.com using the symbol CMPGY.

220 

SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION

SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION

SHAREHOLDER 
INFORMATION

Registrar

Compass Group PLC’s share register is managed by the Company’s 
registrar, Link Group. Shareholders should contact Link directly if 
they have questions about their Compass shareholding. Link can be 
contacted as follows: 

 – Post: 10th Floor, Central Square, 29 Wellington Street, 

Leeds LS1 4DL

 – Email: enquiries@linkgroup.co.uk 
 – Telephone: within the UK: Freephone 0800 029 4520 and from 

Overseas: +44 333 300 1568. Lines are open between 09:00 and 
17:30 UK time, Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays in 
England and Wales.

Manage your holding online

Shareholders can register online to view their shareholding 
details using the Share Portal, a service offered by the registrar at 
signalshares.com. To register for the Share Portal, shareholders need 
their investor code which is shown on their share certificate. 
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 valuations and payment 
instruction details; and to appoint a proxy to attend general meetings 
of Compass Group PLC.

Electronic communications and published information

The Annual Report and Accounts and all other shareholder 
communications can be found on our website, 
www.compass-group.com. Shareholders are encouraged to receive 
notification of the availability of shareholder communications via email 
and to view documents electronically. By electing to receive 
shareholder communications in this way, shareholders can read and/
or download information at their convenience; and help the Company 
to save money by reducing the number of paper documents produced 
and posted. By signing up for electronic communications, 
shareholders will be notified by email each time a new shareholder 
document is available. Register to receive email communications at 
signalshares.com. To receive a copy of the Annual Report or Notice of 
Annual General Meeting in another format e.g., large print, Braille or 
an audio version, contact the Group Secretariat, Compass Group PLC, 
Compass House, Guildford Street, Chertsey, Surrey KT16 9BQ. 

Dividends

The Company normally pays a dividend twice each year. Dividends 
are paid in accordance with the instructions given to the registrar,  
i.e., by cheque, direct payment or reinvested in the Dividend 
Reinvestment Plan.

COMPASS GROUP PLC  |  ANNUAL REPORT 2022

  221

Report a firm or scam by contacting the FCA’s Consumer Helpline 
0800 111 6768 or using the FCA’s reporting form which can be found 
on their website www.fca.org.uk/scamsmart. If a shareholder has 
already invested in a scam, fraudsters are likely to target them again 
or sell their details to other criminals. The follow up scam may be 
separate or related to the previous fraud, such as an offer to get a 
shareholder’s money back or to buy back the investment after they 
have paid a fee. Any concerns about a potential scam should be 
reported to the FCA immediately.

Compass-group.com

The Investor section of the Company’s website, 
www.compass-group.com contains a wide range of information which 
is of use to shareholders including the date, time and place of the 
Company’s 2023 AGM and documents related to the AGM; and 
other matters such as share price information; dividend history; 
share dealing; taxation; annual reports and regulatory announcements 
and statements.

Identity theft

Advice to shareholders on protecting their personal information and 
Compass Group PLC shares: 

 – keep all Compass correspondence in a safe place, or destroy 

correspondence by shredding

 – when changing address, inform the registrar, Link Group. If a letter 
is received from Link Group regarding a change of address and 
there has been no change of address, contact the registrar 
immediately using the contact information on the previous page
 – have dividends paid directly into a bank or building society account. 
This will reduce the risk of the cheque being intercepted or lost in 
the post. Contact the registrar for further information

 – on changing a bank or building society account, inform the registrar 
of the details of the new account and respond, as requested, to any 
letters Link Group send regarding this matter

Warning about share fraud

Investment scams are often sophisticated and difficult to spot. 
Fraudsters are persuasive and use 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 up front payment. Whilst high profits are promised, if 
shares are bought or sold in this way, it is likely the money for the 
purchase or from the sale will be lost. These operations are commonly 
known as ‘boiler room’ scams. Shareholders should be wary if they are 
contacted out of the blue, pressured to invest quickly or promised 
returns that sound too good to be true. Generally, the higher the return 
promised, the more likely it’s a high-risk investment or a scam. 

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has issued some guidance for 
shareholders on how to recognise and avoid investment fraud:

 – legitimate firms authorised by the FCA are unlikely to contact 

you unexpectedly with an offer to buy or sell shares

 – if you receive an unsolicited phone call, 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 available at  

https://register.fca.org.uk/ to see if the person and firm contacting 
you is authorised by the FCA. If you wish to call the person or firm 
back, only use the contact details listed on the Register

 –  call the FCA on 0800 111 6768 if the firm does not have any 

contact details on the FCA’s register, or if you are told that they 
are out of date

 –  search the list of unauthorised firms to avoid at 

https://www.fca.org.uk/consumers/unauthorised-firms-individuals
 –  if you do buy or sell shares through an unauthorised firm, you will 
not have access to the Financial Ombudsman Service or the 
Financial Services Compensation Scheme

 –  consider obtaining independent financial and professional advice 

before you hand over any money. 

222 

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, the direct and indirect future impacts and implications of 
public health crises such as the coronavirus COVID-19 on the 
economy, nationally and internationally, and on the Group, its 
operations and prospects; disruptions and inefficiencies in supply 
chains (such as resulting from the war in Ukraine); future domestic 
and global political, economic and business conditions (such as 
inflation or the UK’s exit from the EU); 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 and 
expected expenditures and divestments; risks associated with 
changes in economic conditions, levels of economic growth and 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 labour 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 when making their investment 
decisions. Additionally, forward-looking statements regarding past 
trends or activities should not be taken as a representation or warranty 
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 Guidance 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.

Carbon Neutral© Publication Certificate

This certificate verifies that:

The stated subject is carbon neutral through 
the use of high quality environmental 
instruments in accordance with The 
CarbonNeutral Protocol.

All credits adhere to standards approved by 
the International Carbon Reduction and Offset 
Alliance (ICROA).

Certification Compass Group PLC:  
Compass Group PLC Annual Report 2022 
Duration 2022 
Name of organisation Compass Group PLC 
Quantity of contractual instruments 10 
Subject Compass Group PLC: Compass Group PLC 
Annual Report 2022 
Project information Kulera REDD+ and Cookstoves, 
Malawi, VCS+CCB (10 tCO2e) 
Certificate number CN20221110939

This report is printed on paper certified in 
accordance with the FSC® (Forest Stewardship 
Council®) and is recyclable and acid-free.

Pureprint Ltd is FSC certified and ISO 14001 
certified showing that it is committed to all round excellence 
and improving environmental performance is an important part 
of this strategy.

Pureprint Ltd aims to reduce at source the effect its operations have 
on the environment and is committed to continual improvement, 
prevention of pollution and compliance with any legislation or 
industry standards.

Pureprint Ltd is a CarbonNeutral® Printing Company.

The images in the Annual Report and Accounts are representative of 
the services provided by Compass Group PLC and its subsidiaries and 
partners. Some of the photography used in the Report has been taken 
prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Designed and produced by Black Sun Plc 
www.blacksunplc.com

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COMPASS GROUP PLC

Compass House 
Guildford Street, Chertsey 
Surrey KT16 9BQ 
United Kingdom

Registered in England and Wales 
No. 4083914 
Domiciled in the United Kingdom

T +44 1932 573 000

Find this Report online at 
www.compass-group.com