A message from Dominic Blakemore

Dear team,

As you might have seen this morning, today we announced Gary Green’s retirement as Group Chief Operating Officer of North America on 30 November 2023.

Many of you have had the opportunity to meet Gary over the years, and I’m sure you will agree that he is an incredible leader and operator with a strong reputation in the industry. Gary joined the Group nearly 40 years ago and became CEO of North America 24 years ago. Under his leadership, our North America revenues have increased from just under £2 billion in 1999 to over £17 billion in 2022, whilst growing profits from £75 million to £1.2 billion over the same period. I’m sure you’ll agree that this is an extraordinary performance.

During his time, Gary has assembled a very strong team of the best operators in the industry and created an amazing culture with a can-do attitude, which always places the client and consumer front and centre. Together, the team has built a strong portfolio of brands that has helped the business go further and deeper in capturing the significant market opportunities. On a personal note, I feel honoured to have had the opportunity to work with Gary for the past 11 years. I am also grateful for all his guidance and support and wish him and his family every happiness for the future.

It certainly is the end of an era, but it’s also time for our home grown talent to shine. Our detailed succession planning has led to the development of an exceptional bench of internal candidates, and I am delighted to confirm that Palmer Brown, our Group Chief Financial Officer (CFO), will succeed Gary Green as President and CEO, Compass Group North America, with effect from 1 December 2023. Palmer will remain a director of the Board and will hand over his responsibilities as Group CFO to Petros Parras, Regional Finance Director for Europe Middle East (EME).

Palmer joined the US business 22 years ago and has spent most of his working career in North America in a variety of senior finance, strategy, and legal roles. He has been responsible for many strategic acquisitions and disposals for the Group and served as Group Chief Commercial Director before becoming Group CFO in 2021.

Petros joined the business in January 2020. Prior to Compass, Petros worked in FMCG businesses including Procter & Gamble, Reckitt Benckiser and Coty in Europe and North America in senior finance, operational and strategic roles. Petros has been Regional Finance Director for EME for close to four years where he has played a key role in the turnaround of the region, focusing on growth strategies, the operating model and core processes, as well as the use of data analytics to drive better commercial outcomes. Petros will join the Board as Group CFO on 1 December 2023.

I’m also pleased to announce the appointment of Denham Mack as Regional Finance Director for EME. Denham has over 15 years of Compass experience, most recently in Australia as Director of Finance and Technology. Denham has previously worked in the US as CFO of Restaurant Associates and CFO of Eurest. The appointment for Denham’s successor will be announced in due course.

Please join me in congratulating Palmer, Petros and Denham on their appointments which will take effect on 1 December 2023.

Best wishes,

Dominic Blakemore
Group Chief Executive, Compass Group PLC