Experian 2010 Annual Report Download - page 5

3
Business review 12 – 51
Governance 52 – 84
Financial statements 85 – 160
Introduction 2 – 11
Full-year
dividend
US 23.0c
Basic EPS
US 59.0c
in this region. We are also investing
in ground-breaking new products,
like ProtectMyID.com, which alerts
consumers to changes in their credit
les and to other activity that might
indicate identity fraud.
Product innovation is a key driver of
growth for Experian in all our markets
and we have continued to invest
strongly in new data sources and
new analytical products, together
with the platforms that support their
worldwide delivery. Over 20% of
Group revenues come from products
developed during just the past
ve years.
Capital strategy
Good capital stewardship is a
cornerstone of Experian’s strategy
and the Board devotes a great deal of
time to ensuring a prudent balance
between investing in the future of the
business and returning surplus cash
to shareholders. Experian is fortunate
in generating more cash than most
businesses our size and this position
has been greatly strengthened by the
continuing successful growth of the
Group. After careful consideration,
the Board has decided to enhance
Experian’s current distribution
strategy. We are introducing a share
buyback programme and intend to
increase our dividend payout ratio
over the next 12 months.
Board
Since the year-end, Experian’s board
has been further strengthened by
the appointment of Judith Sprieser
and Paul Walker as non-executive
directors. Both have extensive
boardroom experience, as well as
a broad perspective of the global
technology and software industries,
which will be a great asset to
Experian as we continue to extend
our worldwide reach.
Corporate responsibility
Corporate responsibility remains
a high priority for the Board and
we again set targets for enhancing
Experian’s contribution to society
and reducing our impact on the
environment.
In many ways, Experian is already a
force for good through the support
we provide to clients; helping to
ensure responsible access to credit,
reducing fraud and improving
business efciency. But we are
also encouraging the application
of our skills and services to tackle
important social issues. One
initiative, supporting micronance
amongst communities without
access to traditional banking
services, has come to fruition this
year and another, addressing ethnic
diversity in the workplace, is under
development.
As the business grows, our
community programme is continuing
to keep pace. Experian’s total
community contribution this year
was up 13%, as the result of increases
in employee volunteering and pro
bono work for charitable projects. In
many of our major markets, such as
Brazil, North America and the UK,
employees are taking part in some
excellent volunteer programmes to
help vulnerable communities improve
their nancial literacy.
Summary
This has been another challenging
year for many parts of the Group, but
we have continued to grow protably,
while investing in our business. As
we emerge from the global economic
downturn, we can take pride in the
fact that, throughout the downturn,
Experian has never stopped growing.
It is a tremendous achievement that
has called for strong management,
great teamwork and a supreme effort
on the part of all our people.
Right now we are focused on the
year ahead and on the opportunities
that will enable us to accelerate this
growth. Experian is in good shape
and we are looking to the future
with condence.
John Peace
Chairman
Dividends per share up 15%
Benchmark earnings per
share up 8% to US67.1c and
basic EPS of US59.0c,
up 23%
Basic earnings per share (US cents) Dividend (US cents)
10 59.0
08 43.3
09 48.0
10 23.0
08 18.5
09 20.0
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