Compass Group completes £475m acquisition of CH&Co

Catering giant Compass Group UK & Ireland has completed its acquisition of CH&Co.

The deal, estimated at £475m, was first announced in January this year.

It sees CH&Co’s portfolio of brands, which include Gather & Gather, Vacherin and Company of Cooks, being integrated into Compass group.

CH&CO oversees workplace, events, education and healthcare catering, having been a Royal Warrant Holder since 2013.

The business has 10,000 employees, supporting over 900 clients across 1,000 locations.

Compass Group stated the acquisition will enable the combined business to grow and increase its supply chain security.

It will also further strengthen Compass’s presence in the B&I market, which it currently operates through brands including Eurest and 14Forty.

Bill Toner will remain as chief executive of CH&CO, with Allister Richards, CH&CO’s chief operating officer, joining the Compass Group UK&I executive team.

The wider CH&CO senior management team will also stay in place.

Robin Mills, chief executive of Compass Group UK & Ireland, said: “I am delighted that CH&CO is joining Compass. I have really enjoyed meeting CH&Co colleagues in recent weeks and learning more about the business. Our passion for great food is what unites us. We highly value the heritage of each of our individual businesses and as we grow will continue to nurture their specific identity, culture and expertise. Our world-class group of companies will give more choice to our clients and customers.

“I am so proud to be part of all we have already achieved and as we bring our two well-known and respected names together, we are committed to being a force for good in the industry.”

Bill Toner, chief executive of CH&Co, added: “It’s fantastic that the deal has now been completed. It’s so exciting to watch our team continue to evolve. Not only are we joining the number one caterer in the UK, but globally too.

“I am hugely proud of the business CH&Co has become over the past 30-plus years, and I’m delighted that it’s found a home for its next chapter at Compass. I am looking forward to working closely with our new colleagues as we begin the transition, and ensuring our teams and clients capitalise on the opportunities available to them.”

Allister Richards, chief operating officer at CH&Co, commented: “Hospitality is all about the generosity of spirit, bringing people together, sharing great ideas, and fantastic food and service. This is at the heart of the CH&Co culture and proposition and something our people do exceptionally well. It’s incredibly exciting that in the next chapter of our growth journey as part of Compass’ group of companies, our teams will have the opportunities and support to develop and continue to do this even bigger and better.”

Compass Group makes up roughly 15% of the global foodservice market, which is believed to be worth $300b (£240b).

For the in-depth story of the deal, with comment from Robin Mills, Bill Toner and Allister Richards, see this week’s issue of The Caterer.