Simon Nixon launches new online travel service
SIMON Nixon, the founder of the price comparison website Moneysupermarket.com, has launched a new online venture.
Mr Nixon, who stepped down as chief executive at Moneysupermarket in February, has started a site called Simonseeks.com which links travel reviews with holiday bookings.
New reviews are regularly uploaded by travellers and professional writers who earn a share of revenue generated by readers who book holidays.
Mr Nixon said he wants Simonseeks to be one of the 10 most popular British travel sites within a year.
The site, which bills itself as “the YouTube of travel”, currently features two reviews by Sir Cliff Richard on its front page, detailing the singer’s love of Portugal and Barbados.
Mr Nixon, who has funded the development of the site after making around £100m from the flotation of Moneysupermarket in 2007, said the idea came from not being able to find the right travel information.
He said: “There didn’t seem to be a site which told me what I wanted to know. If I fancied a romantic weekend in Europe, where could I get inspiration?
“I decided to try to create a site where travel enthusiasts, independent travel journalists and even celebrities could share their tips and advice, and write about their favourite places. In short, I’ve built the site for me – but I hope that many other people will also find it useful.”
The team working at the Chester-based business includes Chris Nixon, who developed Travelsupermarket.com, and Nick Trend, a travel writer who has spent the past 13 years at the Daily Telegraph.
Mr Nixon still owns a 54% stake in Moneysupermarket and works one day a week as executive deputy chairman at the business based in Ewloe, near Chester.
