The role is a new one, with Shannon having previously had direct responsibility for the UK.
Lawrence takes control of all of Equifax's business areas, including consumer and business information, marketing services, and the government and ID solutions businesses.
Originally from New Zealand, Lawrence has spent the last 16 years in the UK working at GE Capital and First Data.
At First Data, she was senior vice-president for UK and Ireland for the card processing, merchant acquiring and software sales businesses.
At GE Capital she held a variety of senior management roles including commercial risk manager, head of business development and vice-president of European corporate payment products.
Lawrence believes that Equifax has established strong credentials in the consumer credit, marketing and business information sectors.
"The company's extensive and proven range of services and expertise has put it in a strong position to help UK business address the dual challenges of bad debt and fraud, as well as helping companies achieve more profitable customer acquisition and retention," she said.
Equifax last week announced its second-quarter financial results, which saw revenue up 15% year on year to $363m (£208.9m) and pre-tax profits up 16% to $107m.
European revenue grew 2% to $35m, while revenue from marketing services in North America rose 7% to $63m.
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