Compass Group’s ESS-UK division has won a contract worth more than £250m over five years to provide facilities management services and catering to energy company Shell.

The UK, central Europe and offshore site deal builds on ESS’s existing relationship with Shell in the UK, which includes the Shell Technology Centre Thornton in the North-west.

It is expected to generate in excess of £50m a year over the contract period, with an option to extend after five.

ESS will provide various management services and catering at eight UK Shell sites, plus catering and soft services at a further five sites in the UK together with locations in France, Belgium and the Netherlands.

Compass Group UK and Ireland managing director Ian El-Mokadem said: “This is a fantastic platform on which to build our business and shows our ability to offer clients a wide range of catering and support services both in the UK and further a field.”

The first sites are expected to go live in spring 2007. No personnel changes are anticipated at Shell facilities as a result of the contract.

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By Laura Chubb

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