Taxify’s London launch coincides with the official first day on the job for Uber’s new CEO. Taxify says it already has more than 2.5 million customers across 19 countries in Europe, Central America and Africa. It’s planning to launch in Paris before the end of 2017.

“We see that in the long term, actually taking a smaller cut and having happier drivers will really lead to a sustainable business,” Villig said, adding that the firm had been profitable over the past 12 months.

And he has powerful friends. Didi Chuxing, the Chinese ride-hailing service that beat Uber out of the world’s most populous nation, said last month it was investing in Taxify and would help it grow.