Former Carlson Wagonlit Travel CEO Crosses Lines to American Express GBT

Doug Anderson, the former CEO of Carlson Wagonlit Travel who was replaced by Travelport's Kurt Ekert earlier this year, has been named CEO of corporate travel rival American Express Global Business Travel.

Anderson abruptly left Carlson Wagonlit Travel in April. He had served as the corporate travel management company's chief executive since 2008.

The hire represents a big step for American Express GBT after it was spun off from American Express Travel in 2014 and acquired by a private equity joint venture.

“Over the past two years, we have assembled an unparalleled team of top industry talent, and Doug is the right leader to continue the great momentum we’ve seen with GBT to date,” said Greg O’Hara, chairman of the board of American Express Global Business Travel and founder of investment group Certares, which also owns Travel Leaders Group.

“We are a proven, winning team backed by substantial investment, with a focus on the future. Our infrastructure transformation is nearing completion and our M&A activity is ramping up quickly.  We are making and will continue to make sweeping technology investments to support our customers’ ever evolving requirements.”

Bill Glenn, American Express GBT's previous CEO, stepped down and joined the company's board of directors in April. Looking back, the simultaneous departure of Glenn from American Express GBT and Anderson from Carlson Wagonlit Travel seems quite fortuitous.