How was 2023 for your business and the industry?

As seen in Contract Catering Magazine. 

Mark Webster, MD - Compass One 

This year has been all about collaboration - enhancing the experience of those working in services that keep the nation running; expanding into new markets; working with some fantastic new clients; introducing tech and innovation; and delivering social value.

A major highlight of the year has to be the nation celebrating the event of our generation - the Coronation of King Charles III. Our Government Services team supported the Metropolitan Police 24/7 throughout the week of the event, providing over 30,000 meals to officers. Alongside this several of our Defence sites hosted military personnel rehearsing in the lead up to the event, with our teams preparing and serving over 110,0000 meals to UK and Commonwealth troops.

Within our healthcare sector, it has been really rewarding to support several hospital partners in achieving Exemplar site status from NHSE for services such as portering, cleaning and catering. We all know the NHS is under great pressure, so our teams have gone above and beyond working alongside clinical staff in these areas. In May this year, our One Retail sector held its 24/7 NHS event, which supported the National Standards for Healthcare Food and Drink mandate around 24/7 food for staff. This was an opportunity to look at different solutions with suppliers and those working within the NHS.

Technology is proving ever more important to our service delivery, and this year has seen the significant roll out of innovative apps and app-based ordering services, as well as an array of self-service solutions. We have also introduced two frictionless stores, delivering a huge step forward in innovation for these clients.

Social Value continues to gain momentum and a huge part of that is making progress on our ambitious target to reach Climate Net Zero by 2030. Some examples of success include introducing 70 new plant-forward dishes as part of our defence food offer; investing in The Artisan Grower, an Aberdeenshire farm, which grows a range of products for use within our menus and continuing work with Incredible Edible to transform available land into areas cultivated for growing food.

Our clients operate in highly complex environments, often 24/7, to keep the country running. We are incredibly proud to work in partnership with them and do not underestimate our responsibility. So, as we look ahead to 2024, it is with optimism and laser sharp focus on the importance of our partnerships, our people and preserving our planet. 

Compass One brings together the specialist service sectors of Compass Group UK & Ireland, including Defence, Energy, Government, Healthcare, Infrastructure and Retail.