Third party benchmarks

	Experian retained membership in the FTSE4Good for the second year running since becoming an independent company. This is an investable index of companies judged by FTSE to meet published criteria in their social and environmental management and performance.

	Experian was included in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices STOXX (European) index in 2008. This index comprises the leading companies in terms of sustainability from the Eurozone. Experian’s DJSI report can be viewed here.

	Experian responded to the Carbon Disclosure Project – an investor-led initiative to standardise and promote company reporting on climate change issues. Experian’s response is published on the CDP website.

	Experian was awarded two Big Tick awards from Business in the Community, a UK charity that inspires, engages, supports and challenges companies on responsible business working. Experian was awarded two Big Tick Awards for its work in building sustainable partnerships with schools to the benefit of pupils aged 5-19 years in the UK. The decision to award the Big Ticks was made by a panel of independent, experienced practitioners. Only 39% of applicants in 2008 were successful so it’s seen as highly prestigious.

	Serasa Experian’s business model is seen as one of the 20 most sustainable in Brazil and it won a total of nine separate awards for its excellence as an employer. These included being listed as one of the best places to work in Latin America by the Great Places to Work Institute, Best IT Place to work by Computerworld and first in the ‘Psychologically Healthy Companies to Work For’ survey run by the American Psychology Association.

	In the US, Experian achieved compliant status for 2008/09 with the Payment Card Industry (PCI) Data Security Standards in recognition of our commitment to protecting the confidentiality and integrity of cardholder data and personal data. The PCI Data Security Standards are the result of collaboration between Visa and MasterCard to create common industry security requirements. Other card companies operating in the United States also have endorsed the standards within their respective programmes.

	In the UK we became the first Credit Reference Agency (CRA) to be awarded five consecutive superior Annual Review ratings from CIFAS, The UK’s Fraud Prevention Service. We are also the only CRA with accredited member status from a 270-strong membership base spanning the banking, insurance, retail and credit card sectors.

	In South Africa Experian won the 2008 CIO award for “Best Credit Bureau in South Africa” with specific reference to consumer data and query resolution processes.