Uber Names Dara Khosrowshahi As New CEO

Uber Names Dara Khosrowshahi As New CEO

Expedia boss Dara Khosrowshahi has been chosen to replace Travis Kalanickas Uber Chief Executive Officer (CEO), ending months of speculation in the firm’s search for a new leader.

According to BBC, Uber’s board made the decision on Sunday, but the company has made no official announcement.

Uber has chosen Expedia boss Dara Khosrowshahi to be its chief executive, ending months of speculation in the firm’s search for a new leader.

The decision was made by Uber’s board late on Sunday, a source told the BBC, but the company has made no official announcement.

In an internal memo to staff, Expedia said it expects Mr Khosrowshahi to take the role.

He will replace Travis Kalanick who resigned following investor pressure.

Expedia’s chairman, Barry Diller, said in the memo to staff: “Nothing has yet been finalized, but having extensively discussed this with Dara, I believe it is his intention to accept.”

Uber is battling to repair its image after a series of scandals.

Several big names – including Hewlett Packard boss Meg Whitman and General Electric chairman Jeff Immelt – had been touted for the role.

Mr Immelt ruled himself out of the race over the weekend, while reports intensified that Ms Whitman was the most likely successor despite her saying she was not interested in the job either.

Kalanick resigned in June after months of turmoil at the firm, including a series of controversies about sexual harassment, macho culture and departure of senior executives. Pressure from shareholders may have also contributed to his resignation and the role has attracted several big names including Hewlett Packard boss Meg Whitman and General Electric chairman Jeff Immelt.

Immelt ruled himself out of the race over the weekend, while reports intensified that Whitman was the most likely successor despite her saying she was not interested in the job either.

A spokesperson for the company declined to comment on the appointment and there has been no comment from Khosrowshahi.

He has been chief executive of online travel firm Expedia from 2005.