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Compass Group CEO Richard Cousins killed in plane crash

Cousins, who was due to retire from the arena catering giant this spring, died along with his close family on new year's eve

By IQ on 04 Jan 2018

Richard Cousins, Compass Group

image © Compass Group

Richard Cousins, the chief executive of Compass Group, the world’s largest catering firm, was one of the five people who lost their lives in a plane crash in Sydney on new year’s eve.

Cousins, 58, was killed along with his fiancée Emma Bowden, 48, her daughter Heather Bowden, 11, and his two sons Edward and William Cousins, 23 and 25, respectively, when their seaplane crashed into the Hawkesbury river on 31 December.

The pilot, 44-year-old Gareth Morgan, also died.

Cousins (pictured) had led UK-headquartered Compass Group – which provides catering services to some of the world’s leading arenas, including The O2, Staples Center and SSE Arena Wembley, and has also held a 49% stake in AEG Facilities since 2011 – for the past 11 years.

“Richard was known and respected for his great humanity and a no-nonsense style that transformed Compass into one of Britain’s leading companies”

Reuters reports he was due to retire on 31 March; new CEO Dominic Blakemore stepped into his role on 1 January, instead of the planned 1 April.

Paul Walsh, Compass Group chairman, says: “We are deeply shocked and saddened by this terrible news. The thoughts of everyone at Compass are with Richard’s family and friends, and we extend our deepest sympathies to them.

“It has been a great privilege to know Richard personally and to work with him for the last few years. Richard was known and respected for his great humanity and a no-nonsense style that transformed Compass into one of Britain’s leading companies.”

 


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