Performance highlights

This year we have delivered an excellent performance in a challenging environment. Consistently high levels of net new business and a step change in operating efficiency, generating £161 million of savings, have contributed to a further £100 million of profit growth and 60 basis points of margin growth.

The main drivers of the operating profit growth this year, excluding the impact of acquisitions and disposals and associates, have been:

• £27m from net new business
• £30m from our existing base estate
• £31m of above unit cost savings

Compass Group share price performance
vs FTSE 100 Index

over the last 3 years

Revenues

1.3% revenue growth on a constant currency basis

Underlying operating profit

A 13% increase in underlying operating profit on a constant currency basis

Underlying operating margin

A 70 basis point increase in underlying margin

Underlying basic earnings per share

A 36% increase in underlying basic earnings per share

Dividends per share

A 10% increase in the total dividend per ordinary share

Free cash flow

A 14% increase in free cash flow

1

Constant currency restates the prior year results to 2009’s average exchange rates.

2

Total underlying operating profit includes share of profit of associates but excludes the amortisation of intangibles arising on acquisition.

3

Operating profit by region excludes share of profit of associates and the amortisation of intangibles arising on acquisition.

4

Underlying operating margin is based on revenue and operating profit excluding share of profit of associates and the amortisation of intangibles arising on acquisition.

5

Underlying basic earnings per share excludes the amortisation of intangibles arising on acquisition, hedge accounting ineffectiveness, the change in the fair value of investments and minority interest put options and the tax attributable to these amounts.

6

Organic growth is calculated by adjusting for acquisitions (excluding current year acquisitions and including a full year in respect of prior year acquisitions), disposals (excluded from both periods) and exchange rate movements (translating the prior year at current year exchange rates) and compares the current year results against the prior year.

7

Unless stated otherwise, all figures in this document relate to the year ended 30 September 2009.

8

The data shown in the Chief Executive’s statement and Our sectors is for the continuing business only.