Chester-based price comparison website Moneysupermarket.com said on Wednesday that its CEO Mark Lewis “has indicated to the board that he wishes to step down as chief executive and pursue his career in a new direction.”

Moneysupermarket.com said: “No date for this has been agreed, but Mark has said that he wishes to ensure a smooth transition to his successor.

“The board has initiated a formal search process for his replacement which includes internal and external candidates.

“In the meantime Mark remains in role and fully engaged with the business. 

“The board is grateful for Mark’s contribution to the group.  

“In the three years since Mark became CEO, the group has helped households save over £6bn, returned £250m to shareholders, launched new personalised customer experiences and developed new capabilities in B2B services and the digitisation of mortgage comparison under the Reinvent growth strategy.

“Mark and CFO Scilla Grimble will present the preliminary results for 2019 as scheduled on Thursday 20 February 2020 and the group will announce that it met market expectations for 2019.”