Media Release: The future looks bright for Edinburgh company, Data Discoveries

THE future looks bright for award winning Scottish company, Data Discoveries, a provider of tracing software and services in the UK, following its acquisition by GB Group plc, a leading identity management business that provides services in both the UK and internationally.

The move presents a huge opportunity for Edinburgh-based Data Discoveries.

Data Discoveries’s managing director, Ken Naismith, said: “This is a positive move for Data Discoveries.

“GB Group has a reputation for innovation and the acquisition provides us with access to the resources the business needs to develop our products and services and meet the demands of this growing sector.”

GB Group has a long track record in providing organisations with the richest and most current sources of identity data delivered online, straight to any computer device.

The acquisition of Data Discoveries further enhances its tracing proposition in a market of strong growth.

Over the past few years, there has been a growing demand for tracing services, with the Credit Services Association (CSA) estimating that over £8 billion of debt will be traded this year and that 70 per cent of all instructions to collect debt will involve some form of tracing.

GB Group’s CEO, Richard Law, commented: “Tracing software and services form an important part of Identity Management.

“We have seen our tracing client base increase by over 26 per cent, resulting in a 37 per cent growth in revenue.

“This acquisition will confirm the new, combined business as the leader in tracing software and services.

“Data Discoveries’ clients will complement our existing customer base with more than 100 further customer accounts including rhe Student Loans Company and Co-Operative Financial Services.”

The combined business aims to provide existing customers with richer tracing software and services portfolio and accelerated product development, while extending the value of tracing solutions into new markets such as national security and fraud investigation.

Ends

Notes to Editors

GB Group is a global, leading identity management business. It helps organisations recognise and verify all elements of an individual’s identity at every interaction.

Through the application of our proprietary technology, we enable organisations to connect, communicate and transact with people safely, responsibly and profitably.

In doing so, we help businesses like O2, Laura Ashley, HMRC, HBoS, LloydsTSB, Virgin Games, PartyGaming, Betfair and Ladbrokes understand their customers better to create more meaningful customer interactions – and reduce costs across the business.

GB Group has four complementary identity management offerings:

* ID Verification – which provides the ability to verify consumers’ identities remotely, without the physical presentation of documentation, in order to combat ID fraud, money laundering and restrict access to age related purchases and gambling

* ID Customer Registration – which includes software and services for quick and accurate customer registration and validation of records

* ID Marketing Services – which provides database services so our clients can better understand, target and retain their customers and offers accurate and up-to-date identity information for their contact strategies

* ID Tracing Services – which provides the largest and most accurate picture of the UK’s population and properties in order to locate and contact the right individual, first time

GB Group is listed on the London Stock Exchange (GBG).

For more information, please visit GB Group’s website: www.gb.co.uk. GB Group – because identity matters™

GB Group key points

Founded in 1989.

Specialist in the processing and management of personal identity information.

Securely processes data from sources containing more than two billion records every week.

Acknowledged leader in identity management solutions, focussing on the provision of software and services to help businesses connect, communicate and transact with their customers over the Web safely and responsibly.

Strong growth in the area of ID tracing – locating people in order to find lost family or friends, to contact beneficiaries or connect with people who owe money and may require debt management support or advice.

Can verify the identity information of citizens in 23 countries across the globe.

163 employees mainly based in Chester, UK.

£24.4 million group turnover with profits of £1.9 million.

Accredited to ISO 27001.

Data Discoveries key points

Founded in 1996.

Data Discoveries is a leading data management specialist based in Edinburgh.

They have been working with public sector and blue chip companies like Royal Mail, Prudential, Ticketmaster and Matalan, for over 15 years.

Data Discoveries is one of the few organisations with staff who have high level government security clearance.

They are licensees of a huge range of industry standards data sources which are cross referenced so customers are not limited to just one supplier.

17 employees mainly based in Edinburgh.

Media contacts

For any further information, please contact:

Maxine Morgan, GB Group

Email: marketing@gb.co.uk

Number: 01244 657333

Emma Coleman, Bite Communications

Email: emma.coleman@bitecommunications.com

Number: 020 8834 3485

Lesley Ferguson or Julie Moulsdale, Perceptive Partners Communications

Email: lesleyf@perceptivepartners.co.uk or Julie@perceptivepartners.co.uk

Number: 07762 769 659 or 07734 932 578.

MEDIA RELEASE posted by Perceptive Partners Communications. You too can post media releases (aka press releases) on allmediascotland.com. For more information, email here.

Contact: Lesley Ferguson
Phone: 07762 769 659
Email: lesleyf@perceptivepartners.co.uk
Website: http://www.perceptivepartners.co.uk