Sabre chief executive Sam Gilliland is to step down after 10 years at the helm of the travel technology provider.
Gilliland, who will continue to serve on the Sabre board of directors, will be succeeded by Tom Klein, currently Sabre president. The surprise announcement came a day after Gilliland cancelled a media briefing at short notice.
He said his decade with the company had seen it diversify and invest in order to keep pace with the industry. Klein, who has a 20-year history with Sabre, had been his partner in this mission, he said.
“I can think of no one better suited to take our company forward.”
Klein has undertaken a variety of roles with Sabre in Latin America, North America, and globally. He assumed the role of company president in 2010.