About Us

We live in a world built on data; it is everywhere, growing in power and influence. At Experian we have always believed that data has the potential to transform lives and create a better tomorrow. To do this data needs to be understood, interpreted and the knowledge it holds acted on. We work to do just this: unlock the possibilities that data holds and help people and organisations realise the opportunities held within.

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The role we play and what we do

The sheer amount of data and information available today might seem overwhelming. But we’re transforming this wealth of data into something meaningful. We’re gathering, analysing, combining and processing data to help you take control and achieve your personal goals, or to better understand and meet the needs of your customers.

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Our four business activities

Credit Services

We hold, protect and manage data that helps organisations to lend fairly, consistently and responsibly, and prevent fraud.
Credit Services
Decision Analytics

Our analytics unlock meaning within data, to help clients solve problems and drive better decisions and outcomes.
Decision Analytics
Marketing Services

We help businesses connect with their customers and give them great experiences.
Marketing Services
Consumer Services

We help millions of people in the US, UK and Brazil to manage and improve their financial status, and protect themselves against fraud and identity theft.
Consumer Services

Our business activities explained

Our 16,500 people work across 39 countries

Corporate headquarters

Experian plc
Newenham House
Northern Cross
Malahide Road
Dublin 17
D17 AY61
Ireland
T +353 (0) 1 846 9100
F +353 (0) 1 846 9150

Corporate office

Experian
Cardinal Place
80 Victoria Street
London SW1E 5JL
United Kingdom
T +44 (0) 20 304 24200
F +44 (0) 20 304 24250

Connect with us

Our strategy

Our strategy is centred on delivering world-class expertise to organisations, transforming our relationship with consumers and delivering growth consistently, underpinned by foundations crucial to our success.

Our roots date back to the early 19th century

1826

A group of London merchants start swapping information on customers who fail to settle their debts. One such association, the Manchester Guardian Society, formed in 1826, later became an integral part of Experian.

1897

Jim Chilton joins his uncle’s law firm in Dallas, Texas. He begins to list both good and bad credit risks and persuades merchants to pool credit information. Later the Chilton business became part of Experian.

1900

Abraham Rose founds Universal Stores in Manchester, in the UK. Later known as Great Universal Stores (GUS), it becomes one of the UK’s largest home mail order companies and its vast stores of data gave birth to Experian’s UK operations.

1957

Simon Ramo and Dean Wooldridge, two of the world’s most famous aerospace engineers, appear on the cover of TIME magazine. In 1961, Simon Ramo predicts the ‘cashless society’. They later form TRW, a partnership with Thompson Products.

1968

A consortium of Brazilian banks forms Serasa. Like its American and British counterparts, Serasa undergoes waves of technical advancement, installing its first computer in 1981 and linking its database to the banks by 1989.

1985

A strategy is started to use analytical skills to develop new targeted marketing products. New products were launched just as the boom in direct marketing gets under way.

1986

TRW dips its toe into the direct-to-consumer market, with a service called Credentials. However, the concept was ahead of its time and it would require the development of the internet to establish the consumer as a customer.

1996

Experian is formed when the UK and US businesses are combined under the ownership of GUS.

2006

On 10 October 2006, Experian demerges from GUS to become an independent company listed on the London Stock Exchange, with an initial share price of £5.60. Under Don Robert’s leadership, Experian aims to develop its business worldwide.

2007

Experian takes a controlling interest in Serasa, the world’s fourth largest credit bureau and the biggest in Brazil. This is the most significant step since the British and American businesses were combined in 1996.

2012

Heart of Experian launches, to inspire the commitment and involvement of every employee. Don Robert states that: “At Experian, either everyone is a rock star or no one is a rock star. We get things done in partnership.”

2014

A new era dawns for Experian as a new team takes over with the retirement of Sir John Peace, one of Experian’s founders. The pioneering spirit remains as strong as ever as Experian pushes forward into promising new high growth markets.

2016

Our brand reflects who we are, what we do and what we believe in. It describes what we do and our purpose – powering opportunities and helping to create a better tomorrow – for people, businesses and society.