Simon Franks, a co-founder of United for Change, has lost his chief executive who is setting up a rival party

A new centre party preparing to launch next year has already lost its chief executive, who is now setting up a separate political organisation.

United for Change, which promises an “alternative to the divisive and extremist politics we see at Westminster”, was founded by Simon Franks, an entrepreneur. His co-founder, Adam Knight, the former chief executive, has left with some of his staff and is running a new outfit.

Mr Knight is an Anglo-Canadian who was a banker with Credit Suisse. He describes himself as an “angel investor” and ran as an independent in the Witney by-election triggered when David Cameron quit the Commons after losing the Brexit referendum.

Mr Franks, a film producer who set up LoveFilm, the online rental service, is reported to