Kurt Ekert leaves Travelport to become Carlson Wagonlit Travel chief

Kurt Ekert leaves Travelport to become Carlson Wagonlit Travel chief

The ex-commercial boss of travel technology firm Travelport is to head global business travel giant Carlson Wagonlit Travel.

The ex-commercial boss of travel technology firm Travelport is to head global business travel giant Carlson Wagonlit Travel.

Kurt Ekert, who left Travelport in January, is replacing Douglas Anderson as president and chief executive of CWT with immediate effect.

Anderson is standing down from the travel management company after nine years “to pursue other opportunities”.

Ekert most recently served as executive vice president and chief commercial officer of Travelport.

He previously spent nine years at Travelport in a number of other executive roles, including chief operating officer of European-based GTA.

His experience prior to that includes six years at Continental Airlines.

Under Anderson’s leadership, CWT made significant advancements in technology, including the acquisition of WorldMate.