Travelport appoints Kenneth Johansen as Chief Revenue Officer

Alongside another major appointment

GDS and travel technology specialist Travelport has announced the appointment of Kenneth Johansen as chief revenue officer. 

The news comes off the back of a slue of new partnerships won recently to carry building momentum for the company.

As rival GDS firms go from strength to strength, the appointment couldn't have come at a better time. Johansen will lead Travelport's commercial business unit, with responsibility for the company's agency, operator and travel partner channels.

"Kenneth brings a strong combination of large-scale P&L leadership and a genuine, hands-on approach to customer relationships that will be instrumental as we deepen our engagement with agencies, operators and partners around the world," said John Mangelaars, CEO of Travelport. 

"His track record of building high-performing commercial teams and driving sustained growth across complex, multi-market businesses makes him exactly the right leader to accelerate our commercial strategy at this pivotal moment for the company."

He joins from Oracle, where he most recently served as senior vice president, technology, Europe North and previously served as CEO of Oracle Japan and country leader for Oracle in Germany and Denmark.

Clearly not phased by the mounting pressure on the business in the markets its competitors have as strongholds such as Europe and North America, he said: "Travelport is at an inflection point, with real momentum behind its technology and its position in the market.

"I'm looking forward to working closely with our agency, operator and travel partner customers to build on that momentum and deliver even greater value together."

Jason Toothman has also been named chief strategic accounts officer, effective 1 August, leading Travelport's relationship with the company's largest and most influential customers worldwide.

Together, the appointments reflect Travelport's continued investment in its leadership as it builds on the momentum of TripServices and its recent partnerships with Cognizant and Anthropic.