Acorn Awards 2026: Marnie George, Compass Group Education

Position Senior nutritionist, Compass Group Education 

Age 29

Nominator Meg Hughes, director of nutrition and sustainability, Compass Group

Since joining Compass in 2018, Marnie George has progressed from site-level roles to leading national programmes and content development, all while supporting a team of 13 nutritionists. Her work spans schools, colleges and universities, where she has introduced programmes that balance education, engagement and commercial value. 

Over seven years, she has delivered 828 face-to-face engagement sessions, reaching nearly 40,000 individuals with education on nutrition, sustainability and public health. 

She has also driven participation improvements, including an 8% uplift across targeted schools, while strengthening operational processes, such as allergen management, across more than 200 sites in Staffordshire. 

George developed an automated tracking and reporting system that improves data accuracy and supports sales and retention, alongside leading national campaigns that have achieved significant reach and engagement. Her work on tailored education programmes has become a key differentiator for the business. 

She built an induction programme for all new starters in the nutrition team to ensure it is thorough, organised and professionally delivered, and she mentors colleagues on best practice and medical diets, ensuring a safer working environment.

At the start of the year, she became a trustee for independent regulator and charity the Association for Nutrition, through which she helps uphold charity and regulatory standards, and ensures it delivers public benefit through the safe, effective and ethical practice of nutritionists. 

Driven, knowledgeable and highly collaborative, George is helping set the standard for nutrition-led education in the sector.