Compass Group UK & Ireland, the nation’s largest food and support services provider, has strengthened its Executive Team with a series of new appointments and role changes, reflecting its continued growth ambitions and commitment to exceptional client delivery.
After welcoming Sophie Smith as Chief People Officer and Michelle Sanders as Chief Growth Officer earlier this year, Compass Group UK & Ireland has continued to grow its Executive Team with the appointment of a new Chief Technology Officer.
In his new role, David Turner will drive the company’s digital transformation strategy, with responsibility for technology, data, and cybersecurity.
He joins Compass Group UK & Ireland from Virgin Active, where he served as Group CTO. With nearly 30 years of experience, David has held senior technology roles across healthcare, retail, leisure, and financial services.
Notably, he was CTO for NHS England during the pandemic, working with teams to deliver the NHS COVID-19 app and national vaccination systems. Earlier in his career, he was Group CTO at William Hill, leading significant cloud and agile transformation programmes.
Karl Atkins has been appointed CEO of Compass Group UK & Ireland’s Education business. For the past six years, Karl has led Foodbuy Group, where he transformed the organisation by accelerating the growth of the Group Purchasing Organisation (GPO) and building a robust, resilient supply chain. His extensive experience, combined with a personal passion for nutrition and education, positions him to deliver immediate impact and valuable insight to education clients.
In his new role, Karl will oversee Chartwells, Chartwells Higher Education, Lodestone House, and Pabulum.
Gareth Sharpe, Chief Financial Officer at Compass Group UK & Ireland, will also assume additional responsibility for overseeing Foodbuy Group. With a strong understanding of Foodbuy’s operations, Gareth is well positioned to continue driving the organisation’s purchasing power of over £2 billion across 70 categories.
Robin Mills, CEO, Compass Group UK & Ireland commented: “I would like to welcome David to the team, as technology continues to shape the foodservice industry, this is a great time for David to come onboard, and I have no doubt he will be a great asset to our business.
“Our business is going through a significant period of growth and it’s essential our Executive Team has the right depth and expertise, as we continue to evolve and innovate. By strengthening our leadership, we’re ensuring we stay ahead of industry trends and continue to provide outstanding service and value for our clients and customers. I’m excited for what we can achieve together in this next chapter.”
After six years at the helm of the Education business, Charlie Brown is moving into a new position as Executive Director, Strategic Accounts. He will lead a newly established team dedicated to strengthening client relationships and driving innovation, with a continued focus on providing exceptional service and value.