Blakemore was due to take over from Cousins following his planned retirement on 31 March 2018, but will now step into the position three months earlier than anticipated.
The former CEO was killed in a plane accident in Australia on New Year’s Eve alongside four members of his close family, including sons Edward and William. He was 58 years old.
Australian authorities are currently investigating the cause of the seaplane crash.
Cousins was recognised worldwide for his deft hand at reviving struggling businesses. Many investors wanted him to take the reins of Tesco in the immediate aftermath of its accounting scandal.
He brought Compass back from the brink of scandal after stepping into the role of CEO in 2006, helping it to become one of the largest contract catering companies.
Under his guidance, the firm delivered a total shareholder return of 840% and paid out circa £9bn in share buybacks and dividends. According to the catering company’s last set of final results, it returned £1.6bn to shareholders last year.
He forged his career at Cadbury Schweppes and BTR but first gained wider attention during his six-year stint as CEO for plastics firm BPB, taking it from a mid-sized company to a FTSE 100 constituent.
Before his time at Compass, he served as non-executive director at consumer goods firm Reckitt Bensicker, retail bank HBOS and shipping company P&O.
In a statement to shareholders, Paul Walsh, Compass Group chairman, said: “We are deeply shocked and saddened by this terrible news. The thoughts of everyone at Compass are with Richard’s family and friends, and we extend our deepest sympathies to them.
“It has been a great privilege to know Richard personally and to work with him for the last few years. Richard was known and respected for his great humanity and a no-nonsense style that transformed Compass into one of Britain’s leading companies.”
