Found this interesting article about Compass:
Compass catering gone cold
May 3 2005
Daily Post
CATERING group Compass is plotting a business sell-off and share buybacks to placate angry investors.
The Chertsey-based firm is working with advisers on plans to sell assets and return the cash to shareholders, a report said.
It also intends to reduce investment in underperforming businesses or dispose of them.
The company hopes the moves will give chief executive Mike Bailey valuable breathing space to reverse its falling profits.
Some institutional shareholders reportedly have called for Mr Bailey's resignation after the company issued two profit warnings in seven months.
In March, the firm said an increase in lower margin, less risky work would reduce its profits by £15m, spurring brokers to lower their profits expectations for 2005 --in one case by £24m to £620m.
A spokesman for Compass said: "We constantly review the business to ensure shareholder value.
"No decisions have been made and there will be an update on progress at the company's interim results in May.
"We are listening to shareholders and we are fully focused on improving free cash flow and return on capital employed."
Compass, which supplies catering services to schools, has come under fire amid controversy about the quality of school dinners.
One report last month said some English schools were reviewing their contracts with the group's Scolarest division.
The company has annual revenues of £12bn and employs 400,000 people in 90 countries.
There is a difference between PAYD and privatisation. The first ensures that the fatties aren't subsidised by those who eat less, the latter is bean-counting nonsense.