Board of Directors

21 July 2004

GUS, the retail and business services group, today announces that Craig Smith, Chairman of Experian, has passed away following a short illness.

Sir Victor Blank, Chairman of GUS plc, commented:

“Craig made a major contribution to Experian since joining the company in 2000 and played a key part in establishing the momentum which the business has today. He will be sorely missed by everybody at GUS, both from a professional and personal point of view. We extend our deepest sympathy to his family at this difficult time as they come to terms with his untimely loss.”