Chris Chidley has been appointed as Compass Group UK & Ireland’s Chief Growth Officer, following a successful 12 months overseeing sales while also running the Compass Group Ireland business. He has returned to the UK full-time and will remain Chair of Compass Ireland.
Despite the challenges that Covid has brought, under Chidley’s leadership Compass Group UK & Ireland has achieved exponential growth. He has been in the Compass business for over 9 years, with a strong track record in sales as well as operations.
Following Chidley's successful 3 year tenure in Ireland where he brought a great passion for driving community engagement and local sourcing, he will be focused on building strategic partnerships to deliver for communities, alongside his growth agenda.
The business has had to transform significantly to support its broad range of clients as it faced into the impact of the pandemic. This has seen a change in food service delivery models – moving away from traditional practices, with a great focus on innovation and the use of technology. Chris has been working with the global Compass network to identify best practice and new ways of working.
Chidley said, “We have a compelling offer for clients that enables us to support them across all sectors, whatever their size. Our business is no longer just about food on the plate - it’s about the wider eco-system from farm to fork.
“We are prioritising our commitments to Net Zero, diversity and inclusion, as well digital capability and are aligned to what our clients care about, all while working to achieve a best in class customer experience. We have a market leading proposition and the ability to effect real change through the work that we do.
“Heading up the Ireland business was an enormous privilege and I learnt a lot - in particular how the Irish passion for food plays such an important role within the community – with a strong focus on local sourcing. I am excited by the opportunities that exist for our UK & I business.”
Robin Mills, Managing Director, Compass Group UK & Ireland, added, “I am delighted to appoint Chris to this new role. Having worked in both sales and operations he is well placed to understand how to deliver great results for clients and also identify new market opportunities.
'He has had a really positive impact on the Irish business, and in his role as Chair of Compass Ireland will continue to support the team and build on what he has achieved to date.”
Compass Group UK & Ireland recently launched its plans to achieve Climate Net Zero by 2030. Additionally, its people focused agenda has seen it put social mobility at the heart of its operations, recently launching its career pathways - supporting colleagues with learning and development and progression routes, regardless of the level they join within the organisation.
Chidley was recently awarded Irish-UK Business Person of the Year by The Register of Irish Business Excellence (TRIBE). The accreditation celebrates Chris’ outstanding contribution to industry and commerce between Ireland and the UK. The honour was created by the AIBF to pay homage to the ex-pat community's positive impact towards business in Ireland.