Executive Change: CEO Stepping Down at ARM Firm D&B Australia & New Zealand

Dun & Bradstreet, Australia, New Zealand & India Chief Executive Officer Christine Christian today announced that she will step down from the business at the end of February 2012.

Christian has worked in a range of financial, consumer and commercial credit roles with D&B over a career spanning more than two decades, including 12 years as Chief Executive.

“It has been an honour to be part of such a high calibre team and enormously rewarding to lead the business through a significant period of change in both the industry and our company,” Christian said.

Christian was the first Australian Chief Executive of D&B in Australia & New Zealand and the first woman to hold the role.

In her period as Chief Executive, D&B Australia & New Zealand has tripled in size, becoming the third largest D&B business in the world and established itself as the trusted leader in commercial risk services and receivables management. She was also instrumental in breaking the Australian monopoly in consumer credit services through the entry and establishment by D&B of an emerging, high growth consumer credit bureau.

Christian also led the business through a $25 million management buy-out from D&B Corporation in 2001 and a subsequent $120 million private equity sale to Carnegie Wylie (now Lazard Private Equity) in 2007. Dun & Bradstreet, Australia & New Zealand, was subsequently reacquired by D&B Corporation for $233 million in 2010.

“I am immensely proud of D&B and am privileged to have worked for such a great company. I want to thank the many colleagues that have helped, encouraged, inspired and challenged me,” Christian said.

Christian will be succeeded by Gareth Jones, who currently serves as President of D&B Europe and Managing Director of D&B United Kingdom and Ireland.

Jones joined D&B International in 2002 as Human Resources Director and has subsequently served in senior leadership roles throughout Europe. Prior to joining D&B, Mr Jones worked in general management, sales and human resource leadership roles in the pharmaceuticals, industrial and hotel industry.

For more information about Dun & Bradstreet, visit www.dnb.com.au