The firm is currently interviewing for a replacement, and hopes to appoint someone within the next month.

Deprez said in a statement: “It has been a very difficult decision to come to, but I look forward to taking on new challenges.” She told Research that she plans to take a “long holiday” and has not yet decided what sort of job to move into next.

She added that the research business remains “a vital part” of Yahoo Maktoob, which will continue to invest in developing it.

Deprez joined internet portal Maktoob in 2006 to set up its online research business. In 2009 the company, including its research subsidiary, were bought by internet giant Yahoo.

Last week the firm parted ways with its head of client development Sameh Lutfi. He had been with Yahoo, and with Maktoob/Souq before that, for more than five years. The company has no immediate plans to replace Lutfi, Deprez said.

Meanwhile, Joshua Beckwith and Khalid Abu Saada have recently joined the company as business development managers based in Dubai.