Our Leadership

Palmer Brown

Chief Executive Officer

Palmer Brown is Chief Executive Officer for Compass Group North America and a member of the executive board of Compass Group PLC.

Palmer began his journey with Compass Group North America more than 20 years ago. In the time since, he’s served in a variety of leadership roles across our finance, strategy and legal departments. His extensive experience and keen business acumen led him across the pond where he most recently served as the Chief Financial Officer for Compass Group PLC, based in the UK.

As part of our Compass family since 2001, Palmer has a deep knowledge of our business and has been instrumental in many strategic acquisitions over his decades-long tenure. He’s a proud graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, where he earned degrees in business and law. Yet it’s his true passion for our people and his unwavering commitment to ensure that each of our associates has the opportunity to grow with us that leaves the most indelible mark on Compass Group.

MINIT GUPTA

Chief Financial Officer

Minit Gupta is Chief Financial Officer of Compass Group North America, leading enterprise finance strategy and performance across our family of companies. He partners closely with leaders throughout the business to drive disciplined growth and data-driven decision-making, helping advance the innovation and operational excellence that define Compass.

Minit brings a balanced approach grounded in data, curiosity and a commitment to developing people. Known for his thoughtful and collaborative leadership style, he is passionate about building strong partnerships and helping teams succeed, while translating strategy into meaningful outcomes for clients, associates and the broader organization.

Minit joined Compass in 2017 and has held several senior finance roles, most recently serving as CFO for Business & Industry, where he oversaw more than $11 billion in revenue across Canteen, Eurest, FLIK and Restaurant Associates. Prior to joining Compass, he spent nine years at Morgan Stanley as an Executive Director.

A graduate of the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur with a Bachelor of Technology in Computer Science, Minit later earned his MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.

AMY KNEPP

Executive Vice President, Strategic Alliance Group

As Executive Vice President of Compass Group North America’s Strategic Alliance Group, Amy Knepp has made it her business to understand the ethos of our top 900 clients, from their unique cultures to their evolving needs.

Amy joined Compass Group in 1995 as a director of business development and an inaugural member of the Strategic Alliance Group, evolving it into the proven resource it is today. By advocating on our clients’ behalf, her guiding philosophy to “do right by your clients and stand by your people” delivers results. Because of Amy’s leadership, the Strategic Alliance Group is widely recognized as a model of best practice across foodservice and facilities management industries for its white-glove approach to client satisfaction.

Prior to Compass Group, Amy held controller and operations positions with Marriott Management Services and Host International.

ANDY LANSING

CEO, Levy

Andy Lansing is CEO of Levy, an award-winning hospitality organization specializing in premium dining for restaurants, retail, and sports and entertainment venues.

Andy has been at the forefront of Levy’s strategic growth for more than 30 years, beginning his career in 1988 as vice president and general counsel before assuming an executive vice president role in 1991, president and chief operating officer in 1995, and president and CEO in 2004.

Recognized by industry peers for his outstanding leadership, Andy’s unique style of motivation has also been featured in numerous media outlets, including Nation’s Restaurant News recognizing him on its list of the most influential CEOs in the hospitality industry in 2020 and 2021. Andy spearheaded the formation of Levy’s charitable arm and is an active contributor to Chicago’s business and charitable communities as well as his alma mater, the University of Michigan.

BOBBY KUTTEH

CEO, Compass Healthcare & Senior Living

Bobby Kutteh is CEO of Compass Healthcare & Senior Living, which provides specialized and unified food and support services to healthcare, behavioral health and senior living clients through the CCL, Crothall Healthcare, Intelas, Morrison Healthcare, and TouchPoint Support Services brands.

Under Bobby’s servant leadership and strong people-first commitment, Compass Healthcare & Senior Living has created a unique culture. Dedicating resources to diversity, equity and inclusion while championing collaboration across all service lines, Bobby’s leadership has resulted in Compass Healthcare & Senior Living’s unparalleled success in the marketplace.

Glassdoor honored Bobby with an Employees’ Choice Award for top CEOs. Compass Healthcare & Senior Living has also been recognized as a Modern Healthcare Top 100 Best Places to Work since 2012 and a Training Apex Award recipient since 2020.

CHRIS IVENS-BROWN

Chief Culinary Officer, Compass Group North America and Eurest

Chris Ivens-Brown, known affectionately by all as ‘CIB,’ is the Chief Culinary Officer for Compass Group North America and Eurest.

His culinary career began at just sixteen years old in London, where he trained at the prestigious Academie de Culinaire de France and under the renowned Roux Brothers in many Michelin-starred restaurants before moving to the United States. Following years of dedication to his craft, Chris is the first-ever culinary leader on Compass Group’s North American Officers Board, representing more than 50,000 chefs nationwide.

Chris leads the North American Culinary Council, which aims to align and empower culinary leaders to deliver scalable solutions around people, purchasing, and sustainability. He also plays a key role in Compass Group’s Global Culinary Forum.

For more than 30 years, Chris Ivens-Brown has championed memorable and sustainable food experiences while advocating for the development and elevation of chefs worldwide.

CHRIS KOWALEWSKI

Chief Growth Officer

Chris Kowalewski is chief growth officer for Compass Group North America, where he leads a results-driven sales team.

Chris is a dynamic sales leader with decades of experience in the food and support services industries. He began his career in 1988 selling vending and coffee services before joining sales management in 1994. Since then, Chris has grown the Compass Group sales structure into a powerhouse. As chief growth officer, Chris has driven Compass Group’s exponential growth year after year.

Guided by his personal motto of “people, relationships and optimism matter,” Chris builds meaningful relationships not only with new clients, but with his own team, where he prioritizes personal growth, professional development and nearly limitless opportunity.

CINDY NOBLE

Chief People Officer

As the Chief People Officer for Compass Group North America, Cindy is a passionate advocate for creating a people-first, inclusive workplace for our more than 325,000 Associates. She is committed to nurturing talent and fostering professional growth, leading a forward-thinking HR strategy that champions the development, engagement, and well-being of every team member.

Cindy’s approach is both innovative and empathetic, merging traditional HR values with cutting-edge technology and AI to drive informed, data-driven decisions. By leveraging technology as a key business partner, she ensures that HR initiatives are efficient, effective, and tailored to the diverse and talented workforce at Compass Group.

Under Cindy’s leadership, Compass Group – North America’s 6th largest employer – has cultivated a culture where everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute. Her commitment to a safe and inclusive culture has positioned Compass Group as a consistent employer of choice, recognized by TIME as one of the World’s Best Companies, Fortune as one of the World’s Most Admired Companies, and Forbes as a Best Employer for Diversity. Personally, Cindy has been honored as an Empower Advocate Executive Role Model by INvolve People and Yahoo Finance.

Cindy firmly believes that when people are supported and included, they thrive—and so does the organization.

CLARE HUNT

Chief Strategy Officer

As Chief Strategy Officer, Clare Hunt is responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive strategy that drives sustainable growth and competitive advantage within the evolving world of food and hospitality.

She leads several functions across data analytics, innovation and M&A, and has earned a reputation as a leader who fosters a culture where diverse perspectives are welcomed and celebrated.

Before taking her current role, Clare was CEO of Compass@Google, leading a team of over 8,000 associates bringing the Google Food program to life around the world. She first joined Compass in 2011 and has held several positions, including Group Director of Communications and Group Director of Strategy and M&A.

Clare started her career in investment banking and financial communications and has also been a Trustee of the Dame Kelly Holmes Trust, an organization that develops world-class athletes to mentor young people facing disadvantage.

DENNIS HOGAN

CEO, Foodbuy ​​& Compass Group Education

Dennis Hogan is CEO of both Foodbuy and Compass Group Education.

Dennis joined Compass Group in 1996 and played an integral role in the company’s acquisition of Foodbuy. He was later named CEO of Canteen, where he was instrumental in positioning the unattended retail provider as an industry leader. He then served as Compass Group’s senior vice president of finance before being named to the Compass Group North American Officer Board. In 2022, Dennis became CEO of Compass Group’s dynamic and growing Education sector, which includes Chartwells Higher Education, Chartwells K-12, SSC Services for Education and Gourmet Dining Services.

Prior to leading Foodbuy and Compass Education, Dennis served as the managing director for Compass Group United Kingdom and Ireland. During his tenure as managing director, he oversaw the U.K.’s largest foodservice firm, directing and implementing strategic growth initiatives for the region.

ED BROWN

CEO, Restaurant Associates

Ed Brown is CEO of Restaurant Associates, delivering hospitality excellence in some of the country’s best restaurants, top cultural attractions, premier corporate organizations, leading higher education institutions, and notable catered events. Ed is a chef first and for three decades has embodied Restaurant Associates’ mission to make a difference for guests, the planet, and the communities we serve through the power of food and a culture of CARE.

A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, Ed has worked in some of the most celebrated kitchens in the world and has earned wide acclaim in the industry, including a Michelin star and 14 stars from The New York Times. Under Ed’s leadership, the New York Times named Tatiana by Chef Kwame Onwuachi as the number one restaurant in NYC for 2023.

Ed is a frequent guest on NBC’s Today Show and CBS’s Morning Show, competitor and judge on several Food Network shows, and the author of The Modern Seafood Cook. Ed was honored at C-CAP’s 2023 annual national benefit for his leadership in the food industry and sits on the board of the New York Common Pantry.

ERIK SNYDER

CEO, Canteen

Erik Snyder serves as CEO of Canteen, where his focus on innovation and strategic growth has propelled Canteen to unparalleled success in the unattended retail market.

Known by colleagues as a servant-leader, Erik champions a people-first culture and fosters a supportive environment where all associates feel valued and integral to the company’s success. A former collegiate basketball player, he brings a team mentality to all aspects of the business, driving success through collaboration and resilience.

Erik is a veteran in the industry, having spent the entirety of his career in the food and beverage space. Prior to Compass Group, Erik led operations, logistics, manufacturing and supply chain operations for a global beverage manufacturer. His tenure at Canteen began in 2020, and under his leadership, Canteen continues to thrive as the leading provider of workplace food services.

FEDELE BAUCCIO

Co-Founder & CEO, Bon Appétit Management Company

Fedele Bauccio is co-founder and CEO of Bon Appétit Management Company.

In 1987, after more than two decades in food service, Fedele set out to revolutionize the industry by bringing fresh, made-from-scratch food to the contract market. Through Bon Appétit, he innovated the marketplace by placing well-trained executive chefs on-site to prepare and serve delicious meals.

He further redefined institutional dining by adopting local sourcing, animal welfare, waste reduction and climate change initiatives well before competitors. Fedele’s work has been honored for its progressive contributions to the industry. Among other accolades, he was recognized by the James Beard Foundation with its inaugural leadership award that honors visionaries who create a healthier, safer and more sustainable food world. As a company, Bon Appétit is widely recognized for its world-class sustainability practices.

Fedele holds honorary doctorates from the University of Portland, the University of Redlands, Notre Dame de Namur University and the University of San Francisco.

JENNIFER MCCONNELL

Executive Vice President, General Counsel

Jennifer McConnell is Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Compass Group North America.

With oversight of the company’s legal and corporate affairs departments, Jennifer has built and developed a high-performing team that blends legal counsel with business strategy to support the diverse needs of the company and its family of brands. Appointed to this position in 2014, her responsibilities include contract management, governance, compliance, litigation, transactions, and government affairs.

An accomplished leader whose deep expertise and thoughtful counsel has contributed to the company’s significant growth, Jennifer previously served as Vice President, Deputy General Counsel of Employment and Litigation and has held other legal roles, including transactions, procurement, litigation and employment. Before joining Compass Group in 2002, Jennifer was a commercial litigator with the law firms of McGuireWoods LLP and Kilpatrick Stockton LLP.

JUGVEER RANDHAWA

Chief Technology Officer

Jugveer Randhawa is Chief Technology Officer of Compass Group North America, where he has positioned Compass Group as a digital leader in the hospitality industry.

Since Compass Digital’s inception in 2015, Jugveer has been at the forefront of driving growth through technology. He has focused on building and scaling innovative products that exceed expectations, including mobile and web applications, robotic delivery, artificial intelligence, machine-learning technology, cybersecurity and healthcare technologies.

In 2022, Jugveer was named to the Empower 100 Executives Role Model List by INvolve and Yahoo! Finance. Among his innovations is his championing of Compass Group’s Digital Future Initiative – a diversity, equity and inclusion effort that aims to empower communities, close the digital divide and build the next generation of tech leaders.

PETER FETHERSTON

CEO, B&I

Peter Fetherston is CEO of Compass Group’s business and industry sector, where his financial acumen and operational experience are driving results for Compass Group’s B&I clients. Yet, as a true people leader, Peter believes it’s our Associates who drive our unparalleled success.

A native of Northern Ireland, Peter joined Compass Group PLC in 1996, where he held a number of financial and commercial positions before moving to the U.S. In 2010, Peter became CFO of Contract Foodservice and in 2013, he assumed the role of CEO of Canteen, where he ushered in transformational innovation and growth.

Peter was named CEO of B&I in 2022 and now oversees Canteen, Eurest, ESFM, FLIK Hospitality and Restaurant Associates.

SAAJID KHAN

CEO, Compass Group Canada & ESS North America

Saajid Khan is CEO of Compass Group Canada and ESS North America, where he drives international growth and innovation.

Saajid’s Compass Group experience has taken him across the globe. His journey began in India in 1996, where he was general manager and then CEO of RKHS, a Compass Group joint venture. His next role brought him to Compass Group Australia, where he was responsible for business enhancement initiatives along with select acquisitions across the Asia Pacific. After that he moved to CEO in Malaysia and then regional director for Compass Group Southeast Asia and China. More recently, Saajid held the role of director of international clients and market development for Compass Group PLC, based in the U.K.

Saajid is a Fellow of the Institute of Management Consultants and Advisors.

SCOTT DAVIS

CEO, FLIK Hospitality Group

Scott Davis is CEO of FLIK Hospitality, where he has grown the business to new heights while fostering the company’s ability to scale for its clients and Associates.

From his first job in hospitality as a dishwasher, Scott understands the need to put people first and provide career opportunities that improve lives. As a result, he has built an organization that values the Associate experience. Today, he leads nationwide teams of culinarians dedicated to the principle that food fosters community at each FLIK location.

Scott believes deeply in an inclusive environment and has been recognized for his commitment, including receiving the Thompson Hospitality Fred D. Thompson Sr. Award, which is given to an individual who demonstrates integrity and equality for all.

TIM PIERCE

CEO, Compass Healthcare

Tim Pierce is the CEO of Compass Healthcare, where he’s responsible for the leadership and strategic direction of the company’s brands, which include Crothall Healthcare, Intelas, Morrison Healthcare, and TouchPoint Support Services.

His leadership is marked by the brand’s unified goal of delivering outstanding experiences for patients, caregivers and hospital and health system communities across the country.

Tim joined Morrison in 1986, serving as regional vice president, division vice president and president prior to becoming its CEO in 2013. Under his leadership, Morrison Healthcare redefined the healthcare dining experience and Compass Healthcare garnered industry recognition as a Modern Healthcare Best Place to Work in 2024.

Glassdoor has honored Tim with an Employer’s Choice Award for top CEOs, and Tim has helped shape Compass Healthcare into a competitive organization in a crowded marketplace.

TONY MCDONALD

CEO, Eurest and ESFM

Tony McDonald is CEO of Eurest and ESFM.

He has been innovating and growing businesses within Compass Group for more than three decades – first as CEO of Canteen One, formerly Best Vendors, and now as CEO of Eurest and ESFM, where he has shepherded the organization through a period of tremendous growth.

A people-first leader, Tony is guided by two principles: do what you say you are going to do and be nice to people. Under his leadership, Eurest has won and retained partnerships with some of the world’s top employers in technology and finance. Tony has also successfully positioned ESFM as the premier integrated facilities management solution for B&I clients.

WARREN M. THOMPSON

President & Chairman, Thompson Hospitality

Warren M. Thompson is the president and chairman of Thompson Hospitality, the largest Black-led food and facilities management services company in the country.

Driven by his father’s creed – It isn’t simply what you do in your life that matters; it’s who you are – Warren has always been driven to be a good person first and a good businessman second. He’s been recognized many times throughout his career, including receiving the Humanitarian Award from the Congressional Black Caucus’ Annual Legislative Conference.

In addition to his service on Compass Group North America’s Board, Warren also serves as a board director for major companies and higher education institutions.