Catering
 
 
  

AUG 1991 TO MAY 1994
Finance Director - Retail & Education, Compass Group plc, London

Compass Group is the worlds largest catering company and a leading member of the FTSE-100 with an annual turnover of £8 Billion. Its operations encompass large companies, national and local authorities, in-store concessions and transport hubs amongst others.

The Retail Division manages the ‘risk business’, providing foodservices to department stores, tourist attractions, leisure centres, military bases and county shows where revenues are dictated by consumer traffic.

The Education Division is responsible for all education establishments - LEA schools and universities for example - each increasingly commercial in outlook and requiring ‘best value’, ‘self-funded’ or ‘profitable’ foodservice.

As Finance Director of both divisions - with a combined turnover of £45+ Million - my responsibilities included:-

  • Signing off major tenders and contracts.
  • Managing the strategic planning process.
  • Providing analysis and support to senior operational management.
  • Managing each divisions finance teams - combined headcount of 18.
  • Assisting with new business development and client retention activities.
  • Ad hoc projects, e.g. purchasing reviews, acquisition due diligence, cash management at major events, etc.
Originally employed by the Retail Division, I later assumed responsibility for the Education Division with the primary aim of developing a bid template for LEA schools - a template used to good effect with the award of the Gloucestershire schools contract.

Personal Achievements:-

Being able to successfully balance the conflicting demands of two high profile, growth oriented divisions each with its own objectives, business imperatives and management teams.