Lightning joined MarketingFile as director and chief technical officer in 2003, and became managing director in 2004. With his departure, Lightning will also leave the direct marketing industry to launch a new business in a different sector.
Before joining MarketingFile, Lightning held roles as vice-president of technology and managing director at Agency.com. Prior to that, worked as a consultant for clients including networking technology giant Cisco Systems and Welcome Trust.
Tim Wise, MarketingFile co-founder, will take over as managing director on Lightning's departure and co-founder Chris Loveys will become sales and marketing director.
During his time as MarketingFile managing director, the company has seen strong revenue growth of 40% a year and a 350% increase in operating profits in 2005.
Wise said: "MarketingFile has grown rapidly in the last two years and David has played a vital part in that growth and contributed enormously to the success of MarketingFile.
"He leaves the company in a very strong position going forward. Chris Loveys and I thank him for his efforts and wish him the greatest of success in his new ventures."
Founded in 1998, MarketingFile, which is based in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, runs the MarketingFile.com list website, which holds and resells data from some 30 list owners, including Experian, Acxiom, Wegener, Equifax, D&B and LBM among others.
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