GUS PLC, the British parent of Experian Group in Costa Mesa, has rejected bids to buy the credit reporting business and plans to stick with its plan to “de-merge” the company.
The company said Wednesday it “has received a number of expressions of interest” in Experian and its sister company, the Argos Retail Group, in recent months.
“The board of GUS has concluded that shareholder interests are better served by proceeding with the previously announced de-merger of Argos Retail Group and Experian,” the company said.
GUS’ Argos unit runs the Homebase chain of home improvement stores in Britain and general merchandiser Argos.
In April GUS detailed plans to spin off Experian this year or by early 2007. As part of that shift, Don Robert, chief executive of Experian, is set to move from Orange County to London, where an independent Experian is set to be based.
