Global digital marketing guru Jon Ostler joins finder.com as the Australian comparison website launches in the UK
finder.com officially launches in the UK and appoints Jon Ostler as CEO
- UK headquarters will be based in Croydon, south of London
- Ready to take on one of the most competitive markets in the world
- Recruitment underway, $40 MILLION investment over next five years.
Australian-owned personal finance comparison website finder.com has officially launched in the United Kingdom, kicking off its British liftoff with local-born digital marketing veteran and former military intelligence officer, Jon Ostler.
Mr Ostler was appointed CEO of finder.com/uk, and brings 19 years of experience in the digital marketing space in many countries, and founding several successful online start-ups.
It is the company’s fourth country to launch across the globe in its 11 years of operation, with finder.com in Australia, New Zealand, the United States and now the United Kingdom. finder.com is planning to invest $100 million over the next five years to build on the existing sites and expand into other countries, $40 million of which will be invested into the UK operation.
finder.com was founded by school friends Fred Schebesta and Frank Restuccia in Sydney, Australia, in 2007. It has successfully grown to be the number one financial comparison website in Australia with over three million visitors each month and a team of more than 100 full time employees worldwide.
Mr Schebesta, Co-Founder and CEO of finder.com, said he’s thrilled to be working with Mr Ostler on launching finder in the UK.
“Launching in the UK is the ultimate dream of any comparison website in the world. It’s hands-down the most competitive, most advanced comparison market and we’re honoured that Jon has come on board to help bring finder to the UK.
“Frank and I have known Jon for a long time, he’s an incredible operator, forward thinker, and he’s got what it takes to break finder into arguably the world’s toughest market.”
Mr Ostler will focus on recruitment, with plans to hire an initial team of six including publishers, writers, sales and public relations experts. The website will initially focus on comparing online international money transfers, TV streaming, shopping coupon codes, broadband and mobile plans, credit cards, loans and insurance.
“I’ve been working in the internet and digital marketing space for almost two decades and have never seen such an inspiring group of people to work with.
“finder.com has the best of both worlds: a cool startup culture with the freedom to shape its UK business from the ground up, and the backing of an established business in Australia.
“It’s unlike any other comparison website. While other sites focus on products and tables, finder is a destination for education, tools and comparison. We’re here to help people make decisions suck a little less – in fact, we’ve helped people make 15 million decisions since 2006.
“We’re ready to take on Briton’s comparison market, achieve great things for consumers and help to build a fairer banking system,” says Mr Ostler.
finder’s UK headquarters will be based in Croydon, one of the country’s emerging tech hubs, located next to the hyper-connected East Croydon Station. The location also has its own Boxpark, the only one outside of Shoreditch.
Mr Ostler will also be adjudicating four categories in the 2017 Performance Marketing Awards.
For more information about our current advertised roles, visit our Jobs Board: finder.com/uk/careers.