Peter R. Harris
Encyclopedia
Peter R. Harris was formerly the CEO of the UK and Ireland
, Middle East
and Africa
division of Compass Group
before being dismissed in October 2005 for "improper conduct" in relation to practices with the United Nations
procurement department. Although no documentation suggests any link between Compass Group or its subsidiary Eurest Support Services
(ESS) (sometimes referred to as Eurest
or Eurest Support Services
, or even ESS Support Services Worldwide) to the Oil-for-Food Programme
scandal, Fox News in particular alleged questionable conduct by Harris.
Fox News has been the most aggressive media outlet in pursuing the alleged corruption by Compass Group. They have reproduced a number of internal ESS documents which demonstrate possible illicit behavior on the part of ESS executives, U.N. officials and brokers.
In March 2006, Compass competitor Switzerland-based Supreme Foodservices AG filed a complaint/writ in the U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York in relation to the allegations, although no additional information other than that previously published by Fox News appeared in the claim. Harris is named amongst the defendants. Another suit was then filed by another Compass competitor, Es-Ko, citing specifically the possible involvement of Compass Group's CEO Michael Bailey.
A corporate governance
issue for the Compass Group is why Peter R. Harris was promoted to the position of CEO of UK and Ireland division as the U.N. procurement scandal was discovered, to be fired a few weeks after when the scandal became news.
Harris led ESS in a number of successful business deals. Among these have been contracts with BP
for integrated facility management services in the Americas and Caribbean in 2005 and with ChevronTexaco for catering and facilities management worldwide in 2002 for ten years.
Harris worked in South Africa
for ten years. He met his wife there and had three children in the country. In 2004 the Compass Group South Africa website said that he planned to retire there.
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
and Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
division of Compass Group
Compass Group
Compass Group plc is a global contract foodservice and support services company headquartered near London, United Kingdom. It is the largest contract foodservice company in the world and has operations in over 50 countries...
before being dismissed in October 2005 for "improper conduct" in relation to practices with the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
procurement department. Although no documentation suggests any link between Compass Group or its subsidiary Eurest Support Services
Eurest Support Services
Eurest Support Services is a subsidiary of the catering company, Compass Group PLC specializing in harsh-environment large-scale food service and facilities management...
(ESS) (sometimes referred to as Eurest
Eurest
Eurest is a catering company owned by the Compass Group. They operate within 80 countries, providing staff restaurants and supplying vending machines for businesses....
or Eurest Support Services
Eurest Support Services
Eurest Support Services is a subsidiary of the catering company, Compass Group PLC specializing in harsh-environment large-scale food service and facilities management...
, or even ESS Support Services Worldwide) to the Oil-for-Food Programme
Oil-for-Food Programme
The Oil-for-Food Programme , established by the United Nations in 1995 was established with the stated intent to allow Iraq to sell oil on the world market in exchange for food, medicine, and other humanitarian needs for ordinary Iraqi citizens without allowing Iraq to boost its military...
scandal, Fox News in particular alleged questionable conduct by Harris.
Fox News has been the most aggressive media outlet in pursuing the alleged corruption by Compass Group. They have reproduced a number of internal ESS documents which demonstrate possible illicit behavior on the part of ESS executives, U.N. officials and brokers.
In March 2006, Compass competitor Switzerland-based Supreme Foodservices AG filed a complaint/writ in the U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York in relation to the allegations, although no additional information other than that previously published by Fox News appeared in the claim. Harris is named amongst the defendants. Another suit was then filed by another Compass competitor, Es-Ko, citing specifically the possible involvement of Compass Group's CEO Michael Bailey.
A corporate governance
Corporate governance
Corporate governance is a number of processes, customs, policies, laws, and institutions which have impact on the way a company is controlled...
issue for the Compass Group is why Peter R. Harris was promoted to the position of CEO of UK and Ireland division as the U.N. procurement scandal was discovered, to be fired a few weeks after when the scandal became news.
Harris led ESS in a number of successful business deals. Among these have been contracts with BP
BP
BP p.l.c. is a global oil and gas company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the third-largest energy company and fourth-largest company in the world measured by revenues and one of the six oil and gas "supermajors"...
for integrated facility management services in the Americas and Caribbean in 2005 and with ChevronTexaco for catering and facilities management worldwide in 2002 for ten years.
Harris worked in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
for ten years. He met his wife there and had three children in the country. In 2004 the Compass Group South Africa website said that he planned to retire there.