Consumer >> CEO Interviews >> January 3, 2000
MICHAEL J BAILEY was appointed Group Chief Executive in July 1999. He joined
Compass Group in 1992 as Group Development Director and was responsible for
establishing New Famous Foods, the Groups branded food service subsidiary.
He was a key member of the Compass Group team that led the buyout of
Canteen Corporation from Flagstar. From 1994 to 1999, Mr. Bailey was Chief
Executive of the North American Division during which time the division almost
trebled its sales and profits. From 1964 to 1991, he was with Gardner Merchant
progressing from Food Service Manager to Managing Director of its $750 million
contract feeding business in the UK. In 1985, he was appointed President of
Gardner Merchants US subsidiary and over the next six years grew the business
from $40 million to $225 million through a series of acquisitions and organic
growth. Mr. Bailey then joined Nutrition Management Food Services Company in 1991 as Executive Vice
President returning to the U.S.A. He has been in the contract food business since 1964 and is a graduate
of Westminster College London. He has also attended a number of business classes at both Oxford and
Manchester Universities and is a Fellow of the Hotel and Catering International Management Association. Profile
bit of history, and then bring us up to date as to what you see as your
business and company today?
Mr. Bailey: Compass
