Compass Group UK & Ireland, the UK’s largest food and support services business, has significantly increased its Social Value – totalling an impressive £12.1 million for 2024, an 86% increase from the previous year. This has been measured and validated by the Social Value Portal, using its TOM System™ Framework, reporting on Work, Economy and Community themes.
Its People and Community Impact report, highlights how through ongoing investment in people and its community-led approach, Compass is making a positive difference across the country.
Key interventions driving Social Value include:
- Supported 220 unemployed or disabled people into work through its Social Partner Hub
- Over 600 apprentices in training within the business; recognised as a Top 100 Apprenticeship Employer 2025 (by DFE/Rate My Apprenticeship)
- 3,500 people trained at Xcelerate with Edgbaston, Compass’ Regional Community Skills and Learning Hub
- In the last two years gifted £3m of our apprenticeship levy to over 170 SMEs, to support a further 170 apprenticeships
- Over 98,000 young people and families provided with food, nutrition, wellbeing and sustainability workshops
- Spent £7.4 million with Voluntary, Community, and Social Enterprises (VCSEs)
- Donated £550,000 to charities across the country in the past year
- 400 client contracts have now moved to Real Living Wage, as part of Compass’ commitment to being a Living Wage Recognised Service Provider (since 2021)
- 250 school aged children have taken part in the Junior Chef Academy since it began in 2022
The majority of the social impact Compass has created has been through its “Our Social Promise” initiative – a commitment made in 2021 to support 1 million people by 2030, through job creation, education, training, community and charitable engagement. To date, this has seen Compass support over 400,000 people.
Having acquired CH&CO in April 2024, the Social Value their teams deliver has been measured separately, generating £1.7 million in 2024. An additional £113.3 million has been created as a result of local employment opportunities, bringing the Social Value total to £115 million. CH&CO has further developed its partnerships with social enterprises such as Well Grounded and Luminary Bakery, which support people with barriers to employment into training and jobs in hospitality.
Sophie Smith, Chief People Officer, Compass Group UK & Ireland commented: “This report captures the tangible outcomes of our efforts and brings to life the Social Value we create. I’m proud to be part of an organisation that doesn’t just lead the industry, but leads with heart – setting the standard for doing business the right way.”
Lucy Hunt, Corporate Affairs and Social Value Director at Compass Group UK & Ireland said; “Since we first started measuring our Social Value in 2021, we’ve been able to track our tangible contributions to society. The increase year on year signifies that Social Value is becoming more embedded in our business, as a result of the positive interventions we are making. This report allows us to reflect on what is working and where we need to do more. We are delighted to have CH&CO join our business – who have a strong Social Value ethos, enabling us to learn from each other and continue to drive forward this activity even further.”
Guy Battle, CEO at Social Value Portal said: “Compass Group UK & Ireland continues to raise the bar on Social Value delivery, grounded in transparent reporting through the TOM System™. Compass is setting a clear benchmark for what responsible business looks like. We’re proud to support their journey and the meaningful impact it’s making in communities across the UK.”
The full report is available here
