Experian 2007 Annual Report Download - page 43

Share capital
Details of changes to the Company’s ordinary share capital
in the period to 31 March 2007 are set out in note J to
the Company’s financial statements on page 127.
Own shares
The existing authority for the Company to purchase its
own shares, which expires at the end of this year’s Annual
General Meeting, was given at an Extraordinary General
Meeting held on 13 September 2006 and permitted the
Company to purchase, in the market, up to 149,900,000
of its own shares. Details of the new authority being
requested are contained in the accompanying circular to
shareholders. There is no concept of treasury shares under
Jersey company law and therefore the Company would
cancel any shares it buys back under this authority.
The Company did not utilise this authority to make any
purchases of its own shares during the period under
review.
Details of the shares in the Company held under the GUS
ESOP Trust, the Experian Group Limited Employee Share
Trust and the Experian UK Approved All-Employee Plan
Trust areset out in note K to the Company’sfinancial
statements on page 128.
Donations
During the period the Group donated $0.7m to charitable
causes. Funds from the GUS Trust dispersed through
Experian during the year totalled $0.5m.
In addition to cash contributions, the Group’s employees
areencouraged to give their time and skills for the benefit
of a variety of charitable causes.
During the year the Group made no EU political
donations.
Employment of people with disabilities
People with disabilities, whether registered or not, have
equal opportunities when applying for vacancies, with due
regardto their aptitudes and abilities. In addition to
complying with legislative requirements, procedures are in
place to ensure that disabled employees are fairly treated
and that their training and career development needs are
carefully managed. For those employees becoming
disabled during the course of their employment, the
Group is supportive, whether through retraining or
redeployment, so as to provide an opportunity for them
to remain with the Group.
Employee involvement
The Group is intent on motivating and keeping staff
informed on matters that concernthem in the context of
their employment and involve them through local
consultative procedures. Where there are recognition
agreements with trade unions, the consultation process is
established through national and local trade union
representatives and through joint consultation
committees. Information on matters of concernto
employees and about the financial and economic factors
affecting the Group’s performance is also disseminated
through management channels, conferences, meetings,
publications and internet sites.
Employees are actively encouraged to become
shareholders in Experian through the provision of Save As
You Earn and other All Employee share plan arrangements
which are intended to align the interests of employees
with those of shareholders.
Creditor payment
For all trade creditors, it is Group policy to:-
•Agree and confirm the terms of payment at the
commencement of business with that supplier;
•Pay in accordance with any contract agreed with the
supplier or as required by law; and
•Review continually the payment procedures and liaise
with suppliers as a means of eliminating difficulties and
maintaining a good working relationship.
Trade creditors of the Group at 31 March 2007 were36
days based on the ratio of Group trade creditors at the
end of the year to the amounts invoiced during the year
by trade creditors. The Company has no trade creditors.
Annual General Meeting
The first Annual General Meeting of the Company will be
held at the Four Seasons Hotel, SimmonscourtRoad,
Dublin 4, Ireland at 9.30 am on Wednesday, 18 July 2007.
Shareholders who areunable to attend in person may
watch a web broadcast of the event on the Group’s
website: www.experiangroup.com and may
submit questions beforehand via email to
[email protected] or on the prepaid card
sent to shareholders. The questions will be addressed at
the meeting, via the website or individually as appropriate.
The notice of meeting is included in a separate circular to
shareholders which accompanies this annual report. It is
also available on the Group’s website:
www.experiangroup.com.
Auditors
The auditors, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP,were
appointed by the Board on 6 July 2006 and have
indicated their willingness to continue in office.
A resolution that they be re-appointed will be proposed
at the Annual General Meeting.
By Order of the Board Corporate Headquarters:
Charles Brown Newenham House
Company SecretaryNorthernCross
22 May 2007 Malahide Road
Dublin 17
Registered Office:
22 Grenville Street
St Helier
Jersey JE4 8PX
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