Compass Group has appointed Jason Leek as managing director of its newly formed fine-dining division.

Leek, 35, is a lawyer by trade and will move from his current role as director of corporate development on 1 December. He will oversee Restaurant Associates, Baxter & Platts and Everson Hewett, which will eventually be merged into a single brand.

He led Compass’s sale of its SSP travel concession business and defended his non-catering background. “In my career I’ve done a lot of work with investment banks, law firms and accountants,” he told Caterer. “I understand what makes our fine-dining clients tick.”

See tomorrow’s Caterer for reaction to the appointment.

By Tom Bill

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