Uber names Expedia boss Dara Khosrowshahi as CEO pick

Uber has chosen Expedia boss Dara Khosrowshahi to be its chief executive, ending months of speculation in the firm's search for a new leader.

The decision was made by Uber's board late on Sunday, a source told the BBC, but the company has made no official announcement.

In an internal memo to staff, Expedia said it expects Mr Khosrowshahi to take the role.

He will replace Travis Kalanick who resigned following investor pressure.

Expedia's chairman, Barry Diller, said in the memo to staff: "Nothing has yet been finalized, but having extensively discussed this with Dara, I believe it is his intention to accept."

Uber is battling to repair its image after a series of scandals.

Several big names - including Hewlett Packard boss Meg Whitman and General Electric chairman Jeff Immelt - had been touted for the role.

Mr Immelt ruled himself out of the race over the weekend, while reports intensified that Ms Whitman was the most likely successor despite her saying she was not interested in the job either.

Corporate image

Mr Kalanick bowed to pressure from shareholders in the San Francisco-based firm and stood down in June.

His resignation came after months of turmoil at the firm, including a series of controversies about sexual harassment, macho culture and the departure of senior executives.

Who is Dara Khosrowshahi?

• Born in Tehran in 1969

• Family moved to US after Iranian revolution of late-1970s

• Been chief executive of Expedia since 2005

• Also been on board of New York Times since 2015

• Against President Trump's travel ban affecting six mainly Muslim countries

• Backed a Washington State lawsuit against the ban

Uber's board has been meeting daily and was deliberating on its pick for a new leader over the weekend.

A spokesperson for the company declined to comment on the appointment and there has been no comment from Mr Khosrowshahi.

He has been chief executive of online travel firm Expedia from 2005. Expedia's share price fell by 4.3% to $142.84 in Monday trading.

If Mr Khosrowshahi takes the Uber job, he would have a steep task ahead of him. It includes repairing Uber's corporate image, improving relations with investors and creating a profitable business after years of losses.