Meet Our Armed Forces Reservists' Spouses | Compass Group UK

  • Supporting Armed Forces Spouses in our Business

    Our armed forces spouses policy recognises the important role spouses play in supporting their partners who are serving in the military – these are individuals who often have to manage family life at home, alongside working while their spouse may be posted overseas or relocated.

    We have committed to:

    • Providing an additional day of leave to support pre or post-deployments of three months or longer.
    • Endeavoring to redeploy military spouses to an alternative role internally on notification of a spouses posting. This is now compulsory across the UK business.
    • Recognise and celebrate the contribution of military spouses through a selection of events on our company annual Spouses Day.

  • Jeanette McNaughton

    Business Director - Defence, Marine & Aerospace

    My journey began back in 1998 whilst my husband was stationed in Germany. I was keen to embrace the whole military experience and applied for my first role with Compass Group, as a General Manager at Oxford Barracks in Munster looking after the catering, cleaning and support services for 600 soldiers from the First Battalion, Irish Guards.
    In 2001 I returned to the UK and held a selection of ESS Contract Manager posts, including the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. 
    Over the following 15 years I added various contracts to my portfolio and loved every minute of being the Operations Director. Edinburgh Castle and MOD Whitehall were particularly interesting to oversee with their unique challenges.
    In 2016 I became the Business Director for ESS and I have and now with my team look after the Defence East Region, the Royal School of Military Engineering, the US Air Force and the National Training Estates across the UK and Ireland.
    I feel very lucky to have travelled and lived in so many different countries and regions of the UK over the last 30 years, 16 houses in fact, and now I’m revelling in being back in my hometown of beautiful Durham surrounded by family and friends.
    I have had the opportunity to attend the most magnificent events such as the Queen's Jubilee and a very special day for my husband Les and I was attending Buckingham Palace for the Garden Party.
    The best bit of advice I could pass along is, enjoy every minute and take every opportunity that comes your way. Never think you are not good enough for a career. Choose your company wisely and they will support you on your journey.

  • Lucy Hunt

    Communications Director

    My husband has been in the Royal Navy for over 20 years. We have luckily only moved 3 times, but each time I have had to consider and manage the impact on my career. Shortly after I started working for Compass, we signed the Armed Forces Covenant. I remember feeling immensely proud to work for an organisation who recognised not only those serving, veterans, reservists but spouses too. Juggling everything on your own when your other half is away can be challenging, but I have always received exceptional support from my managers, leadership team and my own team. I also really enjoy being part of the AFC committee and the wider forces community at work. There is a great understanding of what life is like as military spouse, which means you don’t often have to say out loud when you need some support, people just know to give it!