Speakers
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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
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Jugveer Randhawa
CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER
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.
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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.
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Sue Liderth
GROUP CHIEF SOLUTIONS OFFICER
Sue Liderth is a senior technology and business transformation leader who has spent her career harnessing the power of technology, data and AI to drive meaningful, sustainable change. She is deeply passionate about building both world‑class technology platforms and human capability, believing that true transformation happens where the two come together.Currently Chief Solutions Officer at Compass Group, Sue is accountable for the development of data, digital and AI products that accelerate performance and growth across strategic group-wide capabilities, from Growth Enablement to Procurement. Previously, Sue was EMEA CIO at the Coca-Cola Company where she created a DevOps technology hub in Dublin, scaling MarTech, commercial and data analytics platforms to deliver impact at enterprise scale. Sue has held senior CIO and IT leadership roles at P&G, Unilever, Anglo American, and adidas leading large-scale global and regional digital, data and AI transformations. Her experience spans consumer data and experience platforms, commercial analytics, supply chain technology, enterprise infrastructure and digital workplace transformation.
Sue is driven by a clear mission: to build high‑performance, future‑ready workplaces where human potential is maximised and technology becomes a true catalyst for business transformation.
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Gurbir Perhar
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, COMPASS DATA & AI
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.
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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.
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Ben Jardines
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, TECHNOLOGY, CANTEEN
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.
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Ian Warcola
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, BUSINES SYSTEMS
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.
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Heather Harjes
CHIEF ACCOUNTING OFFICER
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.
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Manish Mamtani
CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER
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.
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Chris Ludy
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, DIGITAL, FOOD SERVICES
Chris Ludy is the Senior Vice President of Digital, Food Services at Compass Digital, the innovation and technology arm of Compass Group. In this role, he leads a multidisciplinary team spanning Digital Strategy, UX Research, Product Development, Engineering, and Marketing. His work focuses on the Education and Business & Industry sectors, where he is dedicated to shaping the future of digital hospitality through customer-centric solutions that enhance guest experiences while driving operational efficiency and data-driven insights.Before transitioning into digital leadership, Chris spent fifteen years in the culinary arts, including eight years as an Executive Chef and seven years as a Regional Chef with Compass Group. This extensive operational background allows him to bring a unique, end-user perspective to digital transformation. Chris holds a degree in Information Technology with a specialization in User Experience and resides in Charleston, SC, with his wife, Alicia, and their three sons—PJ, Logan, and Griffin.
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Alvin Townes
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, DIGITAL OPERATIONS
Based in Charlotte, NC, Alvin Townes serves as the Senior Vice President of Digital Operations at Compass Digital. With a career spanning more than two decades at the organization, Alvin has held pivotal technology leadership roles, guiding teams in delivering secure, innovative digital solutions across North America. He brings an inclusive, forward-looking approach to digital operations, pairing large-scale technical execution with a lifelong dedication to mentorship and active community engagement.A Philadelphia native and graduate of West Virginia University, Alvin is deeply committed to bridging the gap between technology and social impact. He is especially passionate about the DFI program, using his platform to connect education with community-driven initiatives. As a proud father of four, he finds his greatest fulfillment in inspiring and coaching the next generation of leaders. By blending deep institutional knowledge with a passion for people, Alvin ensures that Compass Digital’s operational excellence is always rooted in service to others.