Compass Group founder Chris Chidley has been named UK – Irish Business Person Of The Year by the All-Ireland Business Foundation.

Undaunted by the dual threats of the pandemic and Brexit Chris has worked tirelessly to promote commerce and trade between the UK and Ireland in support of a food and beverage production market worth nearly €26 billion a year to the Irish economy.

Compass Group has continued to spend up to €30 million per annum on fresh Irish produce for a catering business that operates on both sides of the Irish sea during a difficult period in which exports of food and drink products to Britain have plummeted.

Chris has been recognised by the All-Ireland Business Foundation for his outstanding contribution to industry & commerce between Ireland and the UK.

Business All-Star Accreditation is an independently verified standard mark for indigenous businesses, based on rigorous selection criteria. The Accreditation is overseen by the prestigious All-Ireland Business Foundation, whose adjudication panel is chaired by Dr Briga Hynes of the University of Limerick and Kieran Ring, CEO of the Global Institute of Logistics.

Reacting to the announcement, Compass Group Ireland Managing Director Chris Chidley said: “This honour is in recognition of a great business, and a committed team of people who deliver over and above for our customers, on a daily business. Thank you to the All- Ireland Business Foundation for this accolade, which I must dedicate to the entire Compass Group team.”

The pandemic challenged businesses everywhere, and I am proud of how we all pulled together, to get businesses back moving, and to help reboot local economies. Now there is the challenge of the post-Brexit era, and the urgent need to ensure that trade, both north/ south and across the Irish sea, is not hampered. Britain and Ireland are close neighbours and economic partners, to the tune of more than €1 billion in goods and services annually.

“We must trust our political leaders to find a compromise that is workable so that ordinary people’s lives and livelihood are not impacted. Thank you so much for this unique honour, which has boosted the Compass Group team immensely, and thank you to the AIBF also for the important role in supporting Irish enterprise development.”

Deputy Chair on the Adjudication Board Kieran Ring said in support of the announcement: “Chris Chidley of Compass Group Ireland has been named AIBF’s Irish – UK Business Person Of The Year 2021. The accreditation is in recognition of Chris’ outstanding contribution to industry & commerce between Ireland and the UK. In a concerted effort to recognise the enormous contribution by the ex-pat community to the business life of Ireland, the AIBF introduced this accreditation program to honour business leaders for their work. The UK as our most significant market is of particular importance Chris Chidley of Compass Group has been chosen for this honour and is hereby included in the AIBF Register Of Irish Business Excellence.”

Managing Director of the All-Ireland Business Foundation Kapil Khanna said the accreditation, which is now held by over 500 firms, is needed by the thousands of small and medium businesses which operate to their own standards but have nothing to measure them by.

He said: “We evaluate a company’s background, trustworthiness and performance, and we speak to customers, employees and vendors. We also anonymously approach the company as a customer and report back on the experience. The business goes through at least two interviews and is scored on every part of the process against set metrics.”

The All-Ireland Business Foundation (AIBF) is an autonomous national accreditation body tasked with enterprise development and the promotion of Best-in-Class in Irish business.

The Foundation actively engages and supports its network through peer dialogue, collaboration, mentoring and enterprise development activities. Companies are qualified for accreditation by completing an enterprise audit and are identified by their use of the AIBF’s Business All-Star Marque.

To learn more about Compass Group Ireland, visit their All-Star showcase page here.