Our Social Promise - Our People's Stories

Prior to joining Compass Group UK & Ireland, Jack Teague attended college, where he gained a Public Services Extended Diploma. Unsure of his career direction, he briefly explored personal training, but wasn’t satisfied that he wasn’t using his extended diploma. After working in security, and gaining his SIA badge along the way, Jack applied to work at Compass’ Headquarters in Chertsey, in August 2015. Initially, Jack was drawn to the role because he wanted to try something different and build on his existing skills, but since starting he has continuously built on his expertise through apprenticeships and training courses.

Jack joined Compass as a post room operative. His year-long stretch in this role allowed him to gain hands-on experience in operational aspects and practical facilities management. Recognising his potential, his manager pushed him to enrol in one of the many apprenticeship schemes that Compass run; where he received mentorship, learned about facilities management, and honed his health and safety skills. Jack found so much benefit, and enjoyment, in the way that Compass ran the apprenticeship scheme, that he almost immediately enrolled onto a higher-level apprenticeship once the previous one was complete.

In 2016, Jack was promoted to Facilities Coordinator, where he completed the NBOSH Health and Safety qualification. In this role he managed a team of five and his daily tasks involved gathering the team for meetings to address challenges, conducting site walks for safety compliance, and ensuring effective communication through start and end-of-day huddles.

When the opportunity to become an Interim Facilities Manager arose, Jack took on the responsibility. Following this, Jack decided to take a leap and joined the team at Royal Surrey County Hospital working for Compass’ Healthcare sector, Medirest, as the FM Manager for logistics. Managing a team of over 50 was a huge leap from the small team of five at Chertsey, but Jack said that “it taught me to think on my feet, be prepared and embrace challenges.”

In May 2023, Jack progressed into the Head of Security, Switchboard, Health and Safety and Sustainability. Taking a more strategic approach, Jack is loving the broadness of his new role. Jack’s dedication to helping people rewarded him with the MyPorter Newcomer of the Year Award only eight months into his role at Medirest.

Jack's advice to those aspiring to progress to management roles includes: maintaining open communication with managers and expressing a desire for growth: “There’s so much room to grow, through apprenticeships or other opportunities, at Compass you can seize each and every one of them to work your way up.”

For more information on Our Social Promise visit: Our Social Promise | Compass Group UK&I (compass-group.co.uk)