Compass Group has announced that, with Sir Roy Gardner stepping down as Chairman, he will be succeeded by Paul Walsh as Non-Executive Chairman at the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting on 6 February 2014.
Paul’s executive career has been with Diageo PLC, where he has been Chief Executive since 2000. Prior to that position, he held a number of senior executive roles, at Diageo in the UK and North America. Paul is currently a Non-Executive Director of FedEx Corporation, Unilever PLC and Avanti Communications Group PLC. He has previously been a member of the boards of Centrica PLC, General Mills, Inc. and Ceridian Corporation.
Commenting on the prospective appointment, Sir Ian Robinson, Senior Independent Director of Compass, said: “I’m pleased to welcome Paul to the Board. His experience leading one of the UK’s largest international companies through a period of significant global expansion makes him an excellent choice, and we look forward to his valuable contribution to the business. On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Sir Roy for his stewardship of Compass over the last seven and a half years, which have seen considerable returns to shareholders. I wish him every success for the future.”
Paul Walsh said: “I’m delighted to have this exciting opportunity at such a world class company. I look forward to working with Richard Cousins and my new colleagues on the Board and to making a significant contribution to the business.”
Compass Group PLC is a world leading food and support services company, which generated annual revenues of £16.9 billion in the year to 30 September 2012. It operates in around 50 countries, employs over 500,000 people and serves over 4 billion meals every year. The Company specialises in providing food and a range of support services across the core sectors of Business & Industry, Defence, Offshore & Remote, Healthcare & Seniors, Education, Sports & Leisure and Vending with an established brand portfolio.