ESS Defence gains a new recruit

Bill Laird, joined ESS Defence part of Compass Group and provider of specialist support services to Britain's defence forces, as business director – defence, on Monday 17 November 2008.

He joins Compass Group with over 25 years of experience within the retail sector, having worked for Midcounties Co-operative, Somerfields and Woolworths.

Bill was interim operations director for Sodexo Defence UK, where he was responsible for the development and expansion of the retail, catering and leisure business in and around military bases throughout the UK, Cyprus and the South Atlantic.

Ian Sarson, Managing Director, Specialist Markets, comments: "This is a key appointment within specialist markets, to lead and develop the support services provided by ESS defence."