Global law firm Freshfields is advising Compass Group PLC (“Compass”) on its agreement to acquire Vermaat Group B.V. (“Vermaat”), a leading premium food services business in Europe, for an enterprise value of approximately €1.5bn.

Vermaat is a high-performing multi-sector platform which will provide Compass with a highly attractive capability for further sustainable growth in Europe. Vermaat is a market leader in the Netherlands, with a growing presence in Germany and France. Compass will invest in the next phase of Vermaat’s growth journey. The Vermaat management team will join Compass on completion of the acquisition.

Compass is a FTSE 100 listed world leading food and support services company, with a sector specific brand portfolio, which operates in around 30 countries, and employs and engages more than 580,000 people globally.

The transaction is subject to consultation with the Dutch works council and regulatory approvals.

The Freshfields team advising longstanding client Compass is led by London based partner Rhys Evans and Amsterdam based partner Harald Spruit, alongside counsel Zach Truscott, senior associate Lucy Cliff, and senior legal consultant Yvonne Barry. Antitrust advice was provided by Alex Potter and Paul Van Den Berg, employment advice by Alice Greenwell and Pam Hufman, and tax advice by Emily Szasz and Eelco Van Der Stok.

Further information on the announcement can be found here.