DUNCAN CAMERON

http://www.moneysupermarket.com/

Net Worth        : £178.8 million (2008)

Duncan Cameron is the business was established in 1993 by Simon Nixon and Duncan Cameron as a provider of off-line mortgage information to Independent Financial Advisors under the name Mortgage 2000. In June 2007 Duncan Cameron agreed to sell his 47% stake to Simon Nixon for £162m.

Simon Nixon, founder of Moneysupermarket.com, Europe’s biggest price-comparison website, is in both camps — though the estrangement from his girlfriend has proved less significant than the bust-up with her brother, Duncan Cameron. Duncan, who was this amazing computer and IT genius. He had been developing computer programs since he was five. But behind the excitement is the fact that Cameron could exert his control any time. One commentator said: “This is the most extraordinary situation. It’s all very well that the business is booming but at any time the boat could be severely rocked by Cameron.”

Simon Nixon, co-founder and chief executive, bought Duncan Cameron’s 42 per cent stake to clear the way for a £1 billion flotation of Moneysupermarket. Mr. Cameron, who dropped out of university to provide the technological expertise behind the venture, will also take a 5 per cent stake in a new company set up by Mr. Nixon. UBS, the investment bank, has been appointed alongside Credit Suisse, Moneysupermarket’s main financial adviser, to list the company on the stock market later this year. Mr. Cameron, an IT expert, to do the same and join forces with him.

So, how exactly does moneysupermarket make its money:

Moneysupermarket.comIt earns money from commissions. Every time somebody who has made a price comparison on the site goes on to arrange a mortgage, car insurance or other financial product, moneysupermarket makes between £3 and £30. In the latest figures, it made £30 million on turnover of £100 million.

Mr. Cameron, 35, who shuns the limelight, stepped back from the running of the business more than five years ago, leaving Mr. Nixon at the helm of the company. The pair went their separate ways amid reports of a falling out over strategy and management, and has not spoken since parting company. Mr. Cameron has remained a “silent” partner in the business. He is making less money on his shares than if he had waited for the planned flotation.

“It could be just as big as Moneysupermarket.com. We’ve got so many ideas, it’s all very exciting”

You can check out what customers are saying about moneysupermarket here