London Stock Exchange chief executive Xavier Rolet has left his post, the group said Wednesday, bringing forward a planned departure after blaming 'unwelcome publicity' surrounding talk that he had been forced to step down.

"London Stock Exchange Group plc announces that, at the board's request, Xavier Rolet has agreed to step down as CEO with immediate effect," a statement said.

Chief Financial Officer David Warren has been appointed interim chief executive and will carry out both roles until a successor to Rolet is found, LSEG said.

It added that chairman Donald Brydon, accused of forcing Rolet out in a reported boardroom struggle, will step down in 2019.

LSEG, which also owns the Milan stock exchange, last month announced that French national Rolet, who took over in 2009,