iSelect’s Interim CEO Brodie Arnhold has been appointed to the top job for up to two years, to continue driving turnaround plans.

“Over the past four months the new senior executive team, led by Brodie, has put in place a focused operational plan that addressed previous business issues and is now delivering positive results,” Chairman Chris Knoblanche said.

The new contract, to June 30 2020, will allow the board to be more considered in its approach to appointing a longer-term CEO, he says.

Mr Arnhold, previously an iSelect non-executive director with experience in private equity, investment banking and corporate finance, stepped up in April when Scott Wilson quit after disappointing third-quarter results in the health insurance and energy and telco divisions.

Mr Arnhold says the comparator’s performance last month and this month has featured more effective marketing, strong conversion rates and profits ahead of budget.

iSelect reported a loss of $13.3 million for the year to June 30, down from a profit of $16.4 million the previous year. Revenue slipped 2% to $181.4 million.

Life and general insurance revenue fell 10% to $29.3 million, while earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation slipped 31% to $6.9 million.

iSelect says momentum in general insurance, with Arcadia, CHU and QBE joining the end-to-end home and contents business, drove a 14% increase in leads for the general and life segment. Revenue per sale decreased 34% due to sales mix, with the general insurance business outperforming the life business.

It reports there has been “no substantial engagement” with BHL Management Services, a company related to rival comparator Compare the Market, which holds a 19.63% stake.