UK foodservice company Compass Group has agreed to acquire hospitality services provider CH&CO.

According to Reuters, the deal is valued at £475 million, including debt, making it the company’s largest acquisition in Europe to date.

CH&CO operates in the UK and Ireland, offering services in workplace catering, events, venues, visitor attractions, stadia, education, healthcare and hospitality. It provides catering services to venues such as London’s Royal Opera House, Abbey Road Studios and the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew in London.

The company has 10,000 employees supporting over 900 clients across 1,000 locations.

The acquisition aims to leverage the strengths of both companies, “including their shared passion for food, client-centric approach, strong people-focused culture and commitment to sustainability,” said Compass Group. The combined business holds the potential to accelerate innovation, elevating both client and customer experiences while offering expanded career progression opportunities for employees.

Upon completion of the transaction, the plan is for CH&CO’s portfolio of companies – which includes Gather & Gather, Vacherin and Company of Cooks – to become part of Compass Group’s family of brands.

Robin Mills, CEO of Compass Group UK & Ireland, said: “I have always admired CH&CO and its real passion for food. I believe that by combining our strengths, the proposed acquisition will bring a multitude of benefits to clients, customers and employees. Together, we have the potential to create even more compelling and innovative solutions for our clients and customers, as well as a wider range of career opportunities for our talented people in both organisations.”

Bill Toner, CEO of CH&CO, added: “We’re delighted that Compass wants to acquire CH&CO. The prospect of joining a leading global provider of food services offers huge potential for us and our clients. Creativity and innovation are skills that we share with Compass, and food is at the heart of everything we do.”

“Both businesses have strong and complementary brands, and subject to regulatory approval, there is a great opportunity for us to learn from each other and to build an even more exciting future together.”