Amex GBT Taps B2B Payments Lead As New CEO

American Express Global Business Travel is appointing a new chief executive officer as the company shifts its energy towards technology investments, reports in Skift said Friday (Sept. 20).

Paul Abbott will become Amex GBT’s new CEO, reports said, coming into the position from his current role as chief commercial officer of global account services for American Express, where he led the company’s business-to-business payments efforts to launch online and mobile products.

“It is a privilege to lead a talented team committed to delivering exceptional service and investing significantly in growth and technology-led innovation,” Abbott said in a statement. “I look forward to engaging with colleagues, customers, and suppliers as we collaborate to advance the business travel experience together.”

In another statement, Amex GBT executive chairman of the board Greg O’Hara pointed to Abbott’s background in B2B payments and his travel industry experience at British Airways as key factors behind the company’s decision to appoint him CEO.

“At American Express, Paul has led the rapid expansion of the B2B payments business around the world and introduced innovative new products and services for businesses of all sizes,” he said. “This track record, combined with his experience in travel and background on the GBT board, make him the ideal person to lead GBT going forward.”

He also pointed to Abbott’s ability to develop “high performing teams that embrace change.”

Abbott will replace Amex GBT’s current CEO Doug Anderson, who has been in the position for three years and led the firm’s acquisition of Hogg Robinson Group earlier this year, as well as its integration of business travel technology company KDS, bought by Amex GBT in 2016.

In June the company announced its takeover of Germany-based DER Business Travel.

Amex GBT pointed to the acceleration of business travel FinTechs as part of its drive to further invest in technological innovation, targeting modern and flexible product development for its business clients moving forward.