Compass Group, the UK listed leisure and catering company, turned to Lehman Brothers for the first time for advice on its £84m (€137m) acquisition of Vendepac, the UK' s largest vending business.

The deal, which was led by Juan Lopez Carretero, a director in Lehman's London industrials group, is small compared to several completed by Compass this year. But it could be the key to Lehman broadening its relationship with the company as it focuses on its catering business.