Speakers

  • Sam Price

    GROUP CIO

    Sam Price is the Group CIO and has worked at Compass for nearly 7 years. He leads the Technology part of the group team that delivers Cyber, End User compute, Cloud, networking, Enterprise systems and global commercial services. Prior to being Group CIO Sam was the Group CT&SO and led delivery of regional ERP programs.

    Before Compass Sam was IT Director Automotive, Interim CIO and then IT Operations Director at McLaren, and has held several other IT leadership roles over 15 years across at Twinings and HJ Heinz.

  • Sue Liderth

    GROUP CHIEF SOLUTIONS OFFICER

    Sue Liderth is a senior technology and transformation leader who uses data, AI, and digital platforms to drive enterprise-wide change. As Chief Solutions Officer at Compass Group, she leads the development of products that boost performance across key capabilities.

    Previously EMEA CIO at Coca-Cola, she built a DevOps hub and scaled digital and analytics platforms, and has held leadership roles at P&G, Unilever, Anglo American, and adidas. She is focused on creating future-ready workplaces where people and technology together enable meaningful transformation.

  • Petros Parras

    GROUP CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

    Petros Parras is the Group Chief Financial Officer at Compass, bringing a wealth of experience in financial leadership and portfolio transformation to his role. With a background spanning multinational corporations such as Procter & Gamble, Reckitt Benckiser, and Coty, he has held senior positions across Europe and North America. Petros holds a BSc in Physics from Ioannina University and a PhD in Chemistry from Reading University, complementing his extensive operational and strategic expertise. Joining the Compass Board in December 2023, he previously served as Regional Finance Director for Europe and the Middle East, underscoring his commitment to driving financial excellence and innovation at the executive level.

  • Minit Gupta

    CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, NORTH AMERICA

    Minit Gupta is Chief Financial Officer of Compass Group North America, leading finance strategy and performance across the organization. He partners with business leaders to drive disciplined growth, data-driven decisions and operational excellence.

    Known for his collaborative leadership style, Minit focuses on developing people, building strong partnerships and turning strategy into meaningful results for clients and teams.

    Since joining Compass in 2017, he has held several senior finance roles, most recently CFO for Business & Industry, overseeing more than $11 billion in revenue across multiple brands. Previously, he spent nine years at Morgan Stanley as an Executive Director.

    Minit holds a Bachelor of Technology in Computer Science from the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur and an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.

  • Jugveer Randhawa

    CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER, NORTH AMERICA

    Jugveer Randhawa is Chief Technology Officer at Compass Group North America, where he leads Technology, Digital, Cybersecurity, and Data & AI. With significant experience across retail, telecom, and hospitality, he’s focused on using secure, scalable technology and data to help our teams work smarter and move faster.

    His organization has played a key role in advancing Compass NA's modernization efforts—strengthening cybersecurity, improving operations, and expanding how we use data to make better decisions across the business. Jugveer is passionate about building strong teams and fostering a collaborative, forward-thinking and fast paced culture.

  • Gurbir Perhar

    SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, COMPASS DATA & AI, NORTH AMERICA

    Gurbir Perhar is the Senior Vice President of Compass Data and AI at Compass Group North America, where he leads the company’s enterprise data, analytics, and artificial intelligence initiatives. His teams span data engineering, AI engineering, analytics, business intelligence, and data governance, working across the organization to turn data into better decisions and real-world impact.

    Gurbir holds a doctorate in Computational Ecology and previously worked in sports analytics and international environmental engineering consulting.

  • Javier Martín Torres

    DIRECTOR, GROUP SOLUTIONS TECHNOLOGY

    Javier Martín is a senior technology and data executive with over 20 years of experience leading digital transformation, IT strategy, and Data & AI initiatives. He is currently Group Solutions Technology Director at Compass Group, a role he assumed in 2025 after transitioning from the Spanish market to the Group level, where he leads global teams delivering AI‑driven and data‑led solutions at scale.

    Since joining in 2005, he has driven process optimisation and business transformation across multiple functions in Compass Group Spain, having served as CIO for the Spanish market prior to his move to the Group role.

    Javier holds an MSc in Telecommunications Engineering and has a strong track record of aligning technology, data and AI with tangible business value.

  • Ben Jardines

    SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, TECHNOLOGY, CANTEEN, NORTH AMERICA

    Ben Jardines serves as Senior Vice President of Canteen Technology at Compass Group, where he leads technology strategy and execution supporting Canteen and the U.S. S/4 program. With over 11 years at Compass—including roles in both Compass Technology and Strategic Projects—Ben is known for his passion for process design and delivering practical, operator-focused solutions that drive efficiency and innovation.

    Prior to joining Compass, Ben built his foundation in Big 4 consulting, specializing in strategy and process transformation. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his family, cooking (as an enthusiastic hobbyist), and exploring the outdoors.

  • Ian Warcola

    SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, BUSINESS SYSTEMS, COMPASS GROUP NORTH AMERICA

    Ian Warcola is Senior Vice President of Business Systems at Compass Group North America, where he partners across the organization to modernize systems and deliver scalable solutions across Labor, Finance, and Sales. His work focuses on enabling smarter decision-making and driving innovation at scale.

    Ian brings over a decade of experience with Compass Group, having held progressive leadership roles across technology and information services, including Senior Vice President of Technology, Vice President of Technology, and Director of Information Services. Throughout his tenure, he has led key transformation initiatives that enhance operational efficiency and support business growth.

  • Heather Harjes

    CHIEF ACCOUNTING OFFICER, NORTH AMERICA

    Heather Harjes serves as Chief Accounting Officer for North America, where she leads core accounting, tax, and control functions.  Prior to this role, she served as CFO of Eurest, where she helped lead the 2.2b sector through the unprecedented challenges of COVID.

    In addition to her core responsibilities, Heather serves as an AI Champion for corporate functions, fostering the adoption of new tools to drive efficiency and decision-making. She also plays a leadership role in the North America S/4HANA transformation, as well as in a cross-functional cash initiative focused on process improvements that impact working capital.

    Heather has been with Compass for nearly 24 years. She is based in Charlotte, NC, where she lives on a small lake with her wife and daughter.

  • Manish Mamtani

    CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER, INDIA

    Manish Mamtani is the Chief Information Officer at Compass Group India, where he leads digital and AI-driven transformation across food services and facilities management. With over 30 years of experience, he focuses on leveraging AI, data, automation, and IoT to improve operational efficiency, margins, and customer experience.

    He has led the development of several innovative platforms across food and facilities management and is driving enterprise-wide AI adoption by embedding AI into operations and building scalable, AI-first capabilities. Manish is a recognized industry speaker on AI in smart workplaces and actively mentors leaders on translating emerging technologies into business value.

  • Chris Ludy

    Chris Ludy

    SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, DIGITAL, FOOD SERVICES, NORTH AMERICA

    Chris Ludy is the Senior Vice President of Digital, Food Services at Compass Digital, where he leads multidisciplinary teams across strategy, UX, marketing, and engineering. Focused on the Education and Business & Industry sectors, he shapes the future of digital hospitality through customer-centric solutions that drive both guest experience and operational efficiency.

    Before transitioning into digital leadership, Chris spent fifteen years in the culinary arts, including seven years as a Regional Chef with Compass Group. This background allows him to bring a unique end-user perspective to digital transformation. Chris holds a degree in Information Technology and lives in Charleston with his wife and three sons.

  • Alvin Townes

    SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, DIGITAL OPERATIONS, NORTH AMERICA

    Based in Charlotte, Alvin Townes serves as Senior Vice President of Digital Operations at Compass Digital. With over two decades at the organization, Alvin has held pivotal leadership roles delivering secure, innovative solutions across North America. He brings a forward-looking approach to technical execution, paired with a lifelong dedication to mentorship and community engagement.

    A Philadelphia native and West Virginia University graduate, Alvin is committed to bridging the gap between technology and social impact, particularly through the DFI program. As a proud father of four, he finds fulfillment in coaching the next generation of leaders. By blending deep institutional knowledge with a passion for people, Alvin ensures operational excellence remains rooted in service.