Our heritage - old version

This is our heritage

Modern Compass history started in 1941 with a man called Jack Bateman, who had a vision and a belief that great food, great service and great experience have the power to not only improve how businesses run, but to transform anyone’s day.
While the decades rolled on and our company transformed a number of times, that belief still holds true for us today.

But the real story of Compass Group and its illustrious forebears started well over a century ago…

1876

Wagons-Lits

Being highly impressed by his experience on the Pullman night trains during a visit to the United States, young Belgian Georges Nagelmaekers established the Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits et des Grands Express Européens, with a vision to provide luxury sleeper and dining services on international trains throughout Europe. Visions of the Orient Express, the Sud Express and Le Train Bleu come to mind.

1941

Factory Canteens and the war

In 1941, with the world at war, food rations tight and circumstances poor, Jack Bateman happens upon the idea that – like the soldiers they are supporting – factory workers also need to be fed well. Enter Factory Canteens Ltd, and a new era of communal dining, focused on providing tasty, well-cooked food that improves the health and wellbeing of British workers.

3 tea ladies at a Factory Canteens, ca 1941

1967

Grand Met Catering Services

In 1967 Factory Canteens (renamed Bateman Catering, meanwhile) and Midland Catering are taken over by food conglomerate Grand Metropolitan (now known as Diageo) and are re-established as Grand Met Catering Services.