Carlson Wagonlit Travel Abruptly Replaces Its CEO

The president and CEO of corporate travel giant Carlson Wagonlit Travel has been abruptly replaced, the company said Wednesday.

Doug Anderson, who was named to the position in April of 2008, left "to pursue other opportunities," according to an announcement.

Former Travelport executive vice president and chief commercial officer Kurt Ekert is CWT's new chief executive, effective immediately. He left Travelport at the end of 2015 and will work from his new company's offices in Minneapolis and Paris.

"During [Ekert's] five plus years in that role, the business transformed its product offerings and value propositions in all key channels and delivered consistent growth, highlighted by a successful IPO," the announcement said.

Carlson Wagonlit Travel was the world's fourth-largest travel retailer in 2014 with $27.3 billion in sales, according to Travel Weekly's 2015 Power List.