The Certares-formed group includes Qatar Investment Authority through its wholly-owned subsidiary Qatar Holding LLC, funds managed by BlackRock, Certares itself and Macquarie Capital. The business will continue to operate under the “American Express Global Business Travel” brand following the closing. American Express expects to execute comprehensive commercial agreements with the joint venture to provide uninterrupted service and close coordination for the benefit of mutual customers of GBT and American Express’ other business units, such as Global Corporate Payments, which issues the American Express Corporate Card and provides business-to-business payment solutions.
Bill Glenn, formerly President of Global Commercial Services at American Express, will be President and Chief Executive Officer of the joint venture. Certares founder Greg O’Hara will serve as Chairman of the joint venture.
“The joint venture reflects our continued commitment to the travel business through a new structure with an outstanding group of investors and the resources to grow the business and provide additional value to our corporate customers,” said Kenneth I. Chenault, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of American Express. “Bill Glenn is an accomplished leader with experience running major business units during hisdistinguished career at American Express. He has built strong customer relationships throughout the corporate sector and his experience makes him a terrific choice to lead the transformation of a business that will be focused on capitalizing on new growth opportunities.”
H.E. Ahmad Al-Sayed, Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Investment Authority, said: “We are pleased to have agreed terms and established this joint venture with Mr. Chenault and his management team, whom we regard as one of the most reputable and capable in any industry. American Express Global Business Travel is a truly global operation with clear benefits for our investment portfolio, across multiple regions and sectors. We welcome our new partners and look forward to a long and successful relationship.”
The joint venture will build upon GBT’s technology innovations to support digital and premium servicing capabilities, mobile applications, improved reporting tools and itinerary management solutions, as well as the customer service expertise for which American Express is renowned. In addition to travel services, GBT provides meetings & events management and consulting services to some of the world’s most recognized companies.
Mr. Glenn added: “To our knowledge, this would be the largest single investment made in a travel management company. We believe it will accelerate our growth by funding meaningful advances in technology, analytics and service excellencethat will benefit suppliers, partners and our global customer base. We account for more corporate travel sales than any other TMC, and these initiatives will put us in a better position to help travel buyers manage travel spend and support their travelers.”
The closing of the joint venture transaction is subject to the receipt of requisite regulatory approvals and the satisfaction of othercustomary closing conditions. Assuming these conditions are met, American Express would plan to close the transaction in the second quarter of 2014. American Express would expect to use a substantial portion of any gain recognized upon a closing of the transaction to invest in growth initiatives.
GBT has over 14,000 employees and operations and network partners in 139 countries worldwide. It offers a comprehensive network, service dependability, and deep insight to customers representing more than $19 billion in corporate travel spend.
American Express’ consumer travel business, which provides Card Members and other consumers with travel benefits and services, is not part of the transaction.
UBS Investment Bank and Lazard are financial advisors and Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP is legal advisor to American Express on this transaction.
Credit Suisse is financial advisor and Dechert LLP is legal advisor to the Certares investor group on this transaction. Legal advisors on this transaction are Linklaters LLP to Qatar Holding LLC, Ropes & Gray to BlackRock (on behalf of managed funds) and Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP to Macquarie Capital.
