illion

Office address: 479 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne VIC 3004
Website: illion.com.au
Year established: 1986
Company type: financial services
Employees: 500+
Expertise: credit reporting, risk management, data analytics, digital solutions, identity verification, fraud prevention, customer insights, regulatory compliance, open banking, fintech
Parent company: Experian
Key people (After Experian acquisition): Andrew Black (CEO), Cormac Dunne (CFO), Merin Holland (COO), Steve Philpotts (managing director), Danielle Fahey (national account manager), Craig Brooks (director), Richard Atkinson (head of fraud and identity)
Financing status: formerly PE-backed

illion is a leading provider of data and analytics services in Australia and New Zealand. The company’s products support clients with credit checks, identity verification, fraud prevention, and customer insights.

The firm was acquired by Experian in 2024 and is now operating under the Experian brand. For clarity, this profile refers to the business as illion, reflecting its established presence and reputation in the region.

History of illion

The company was first known as D&B Australia and was formed in 1986. Its origins go back to 1841, when Dun & Bradstreet started in the US. Over the years, illion has achieved several key milestones:

• 2004: introduced a scoring tool for consumer risk
• 2014: pioneered full credit reporting in the market
• 2016: rolled out Credit Simple for New Zealand customers
• 2017: rebranded as illion Data Registries
• 2018: changed its name from Dun & Bradstreet Australia to illion
• 2021: launched a new transaction-based scoring model
• 2023: reported a sharp jump in credit defaults with its Credit Stress Barometer

In 2024, Experian acquired illion for $820 million. The business now operates under the Experian brand, continuing its strong presence in Australia and New Zealand.

illion’s products and services

The firm provides a wide range of data-driven solutions that help businesses and individuals make informed decisions about risk and credit. Its products are listed below:

Personal solutions

• check your credit score: free online access through Credit Check
• place a credit report ban: block access to your credit file for added security

Business solutions

• business credit reports: detailed company credit profiles for risk assessment
• credit risk: tools and analytics to evaluate and manage lending risk
• marketing and sales: data services to identify and reach new customers
• decisioning software: platforms for automated credit and lending decisions
• payment technology: solutions to streamline and manage payments
• tender management: tools for evaluating and managing tender opportunities

illion’s services support lenders, brokers, and businesses across the region. Its data, analytics, and software are a core part of the financial industries in Australia and New Zealand.

Company culture and values

illion’s culture is built on empowering people, valuing insight, and working together to achieve shared goals. The company puts customers and staff at the centre, encouraging growth and inclusion in every part of the business.

Teams are driven by a spirit of curiosity, innovation, integrity and care for others. These values guide every decision and action at illion:

1. curiosity: always listening, learning, and seeking new ideas
2. innovation: embracing change and using data for progress
3. collaboration: diverse teams working as one for success
4. integrity: acting with honesty and respect for all

The firm connects local expertise with global reach through its link to the Dun & Bradstreet Worldwide Network. The company draws on data from over 500 million businesses and 14.3 million B2B trade payment records each year. With more than 500 staff across AU, NZ and the UK, the firm works towards a shared vision in data and analytics.

About CEO Andrew Black and key people

Andrew Black is the new CEO for illion in Australia and New Zealand, leading the combined business after the Experian acquisition. He started his career in sales as a graduate and grew with the company as it became part of Experian. Andrew now represents the Experian A/NZ business on the senior leadership team for EMEA and APAC regions.

The leadership team at illion, now part of Experian, brings deep industry knowledge and proven expertise to the combined business:

• Cormac Dunne is CFO for Experian APAC, leading finance and driving strategic decision-making for the region
• Merin Holland is COO at Experian A/NZ, overseeing operations across multiple industries and geographies
• Richard Atkinson heads fraud and identity at Experian A/NZ, bringing over 30 years in financial services
• Steve Philpotts is managing director, marketing services for A/NZ, leading sales and business development teams
• Danielle Fahey is national account manager, focusing on client relationships and tailored solutions
• Craig Brooks is director for growth, retention and corporate, building high-performance teams and driving business growth

This leadership group works together towards common goals in an inclusive environment. Their combined skills and vision help shape the future of the company in Australia and New Zealand.

The future at illion

In 2024, the ACCC reviewed Experian’s planned acquisition of illion and found no competition issues. The regulator noted that other major credit reporting firms would keep the market competitive after the deal. With approval granted, Experian completed its $820 million purchase of illion later that year.

The acquisition brought together two leading data and analytics providers in A/NZ. illion now operates under the Experian brand, offering expanded services and greater value to clients. The move is expected to boost the company’s growth and deliver new opportunities for its clients. It also strengthens operations and supports long-term success in the region.