13 Compass Chefs Move Forward with Marcus Wareing
Thirteen high-flying chefs have been selected to join the sixth cohort of Compass Group UK & Ireland’s award-winning ‘Forward with Marcus Wareing’ programme.
Cohort six will officially start the programme next month, with the first away day taking place at Ground Up Cookery School in Devon.
Guided by Marcus Wareing and delivered in partnership with national hospitality training provider, HIT Training, Forward with Marcus Wareing was designed and launched to support senior culinary talent. The apprenticeship equips Chefs with exceptional culinary skills with a focus on subjects including sustainability, commerciality, and people. It is brought to life through added-value enrichment activities and practical experiences.
The cohort also delivers social value, by committing to working with community groups and passing on culinary skills and knowledge. Previous participants mentor new cohorts, to support and share ideas and best practice.
Following its launch in August 2021, 86 senior chefs have enrolled on the Forward with Marcus Wareing programme. Cohorts 1-3 have now completed, and of the 47 chefs who began, Compass has an outstanding 81% retention rate and a 100% distinction rate among those completing their Senior Culinary Level 4 Apprenticeship. In addition, 51% of graduates have secured a promotion or moved into a new role within the Compass family.
The prestigious programme has earned widespread recognition, winning several high-profile awards. These include Best Training and Apprenticeship Programme at the 2025 Public Sector Catering Awards, Best Educational Programme at the Institute of Hospitality Awards 2024 and most recently, it has been shortlisted as a finalist at the Apprenticeship Training Awards 2026, which takes place in March.
Forward with Marcus Wareing forms part of Compass Group UK & Ireland’s six Signature Programmes — a key pillar of talent strategy enabling skills capability, retention, career progression, and measurable impact for our business and clients. 2025 also saw the launch of ‘Forward Service’, for Compass colleagues in senior front of house roles.
Marcus Wareing said: “It’s hard to believe we’ve now had three cohorts graduate through the Forward programme – we really couldn’t have imagined the success it would have when we first launched it back in 2021. We designed it specifically to support senior culinary talent, and I’m always blown away by the passionate, enthusiastic and skilled chefs that join us for each session. I love working with the chefs on Forward – it’s great to get to know them and it’s always so rewarding to see each cohort develop and thrive. Cohort five is off to a great start, and I can’t wait to get moving with cohort six.”
Jonathan Foot, Director of Skills & Early Careers at Compass Group UK & Ireland said: “We’re incredibly proud to see how successful this programme has become in the last four and a half years. We’ve continued to build on the programme - adding in new workshops and enhancing the experience. The feedback that we get from the graduates is truly humbling; it’s clear to see the difference it makes to them both professionally and personally. We couldn’t ask for a better response.”
Holly Brown, Unit Manager, B&I and participant in Cohort 6 said: “I’m so proud to have been selected for the Forward programme. I was nominated for my passion for food and my drive for excellence on quality, so I’m excited to take on this new challenge and demonstrate that I was the right choice for cohort six. I’m keen to grow and enhance my skills to make me a better leader, and to empower future women in food.”
The full list of chefs selected to take part in cohort 6:
- Holly Brown – B&I
- Ben Draper – B&I
- David Green – CH&CO
- Oscar Hughes – Levy
- Mark Inwood – Chartwells
- Marcus Jefford – ESS
- Kamila Kuchnio – ESS
- Jonathan Loveday – Restaurant Associates
- Joshua Malone - ESS
- William May – Restaurant Associates
- Jack O'Keeffe – CH&CO
- Adrian Roj – ESS
- Salvatore Tassari – Levy
