Following the announcement of Compass Group UK & Ireland’s commitment to reach Climate Net Zero by 2030, the organisation has announced Carolyn Ball will be stepping into the newly created role of Director for Delivery of Net Zero.
Ball will be responsible for delivering the company’s Climate Net Zero ambitions, which will see change at scale as sustainability becomes a core business objective across all services.
Compass Group UK & Ireland’s target is the foodservice industry’s first commitment to reach Climate Net Zero by 2030. The business has outlined a Charter and Roadmap to provide more detail on the strategy, to create a sustainable food system that delivers Net Zero, including philosophies and milestones it will champion this decade.
Ball has a long-standing passion for the role of food and service in supporting the environment. She has carried out extensive personal research in this space and continues to develop strong relationships with leading advisors, academic researchers and economists worldwide.
Ball steps into the role having previously been Head of Business Development for the RA Group, which is a collection of specialist food and guest services companies, including Restaurant Associates, Rapport, RA Venues and commercial restaurant partnerships including City Social by Jason Atherton.
Ball commented, “I’m proud this is the largest and most challenging commitment Compass has made to date because that’s exactly what’s needed. Achieving true industry transformation will always feel like a miracle until it’s realised and we are running out of time.
'It’s a privilege to work in a business brave enough to act, with talented teams so capable of delivering. Our role is no longer to question if, but to ask how – and how fast – we can act together to make it happen.”
Robin Mills, Managing Director of Compass Group UK & Ireland, said, “I’m delighted that Carolyn has joined our leadership team to help us deliver our Net Zero target. Carolyn brings great passion, enthusiasm, and expertise to the role.
'This is the biggest commitment we have made to date and with Carolyn driving it forward, I feel confident we will be able to deliver on our ambition.”
Compass Group UK & Ireland announced the launch of a seed investment fund of £1m to support the development of carbon reduction and sustainable food production innovation.
The company is looking to achieve a reduction in carbon emissions of at least 55% by 2025 and at least 65% across its operations and value chain by 2030 from a 2019 baseline.