Sabre president Klein to replace Gilliland as chief executive

Sabre Holdings has announced chief executive Sam Gilliland is to be replaced by president Tom Klein.

Sabre Holdings has announced chief executive Sam Gilliland is to be replaced by president Tom Klein.

The parent of GDS and technology provider Sabre Travel Network said Gilliland will continue to serve on the board of directors.

He said: “It has been a privilege to lead Sabre’s outstanding team of more than 10,000 technology and business professionals over the past 10 years as CEO.

“Together, we have diversified our business and made crucial investments to stay at the leading edge of technology for the travel industry. 

“Tom Klein has been my partner in that endeavour and I can think of no one better suited to take our company forward.

“He will benefit, as I have, from a talented and capable team that will help drive the company to even greater successes in the years to come.”

Klein has worked for Sabre for more than two decades in a number of senior roles in Latin America, North America, and globally. He became president in 2010. 

“I am honoured by the trust being placed in me by the board, and I am excited by the opportunity that the global team at Sabre now faces as we write this company’s next chapter.

“I am particularly grateful to Sam Gilliland, who has been an exceptional leader of our company for a decade.

“Together with the entire senior leadership team, we are committed to carrying forward and accelerating our plans to evolve Sabre to meet the changing technology needs of our customers and the global travel industry.”

Gilliland had been due to take part in a first Sabre CEO live interactive chat with the media along with Hugh Jones, president of Sabre Airline Solutions, yesterday but the session was postponed shortly before it was due to start.