Compass coy about interest in Onama

Catering group Compass has confirmed it is interested in acquisitions in Italy but declined to comment on reports that it is in preliminary talks to buy contract caterer Onama.

Reports said Compass was looking to buy a controlling 60% stake in Onama for about €300m (£193m). But sources said Onama was just one of four Italian companies being eyed by Compass.

Compass said recently it would slow down on acquisitions and concentrate on growing the businesses it already owns. But it added that it would still be looking for opportunities to make small acquisitions in markets where it was not well represented.

A spokesman said: "We have stated that we are going to do infill acquisitions going forward and we have also stated that Italy is a region where we have been looking to build our presence."