Wizz Air Group Chief Financial Officer Jourik Hooghe has announced he is stepping down.

The airline said he  wanted to ‘pursue other opportunities outside of the company’

He will be replaced by Ian Malin on 1 October, although Jourik will remain available for a three-month transition period, Wizz said in a statement to the London Stock Exchange.

Ian, a Polish-American, has worked previously at KPMG, Allco Finance Group, Seabury, the AJW Group and Unical Aviation.

He will be based in Budapest reporting to the CEO.

József Váradi, the Group’s Chief Executive Officer said: “I am delighted to welcome Ian to the company. He joins at an exciting time as Wizz Air drives long term growth based on a deep aircraft order book and ambitious expansion plans in Europe and the Middle East.  I look forward to working with him in the coming years.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Jourik for his contribution to the company over the past three years, probably the most challenging period for any airline CFO. I certainly wish him the very best for the future.”