NORWALK, Conn.—The Priceline Group announced the promotion of Darren Huston, 47, to the role of president and chief executive officer. The promotion will split the roles of chief executive officer and chairman and Jeffery H. Boyd, who has been Priceline’s CEO since 2002, will remain as chairman of the board of directors.
Huston is CEO of Booking.com, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Priceline Group, a position he will continue to hold. Since January 2013, Huston has also been responsible for overseeing certain aspects of the group’s international business, including inter-brand relations, distribution, and geographic expansion. Huston came to the group from Microsoft Corporation, where he served as corporate vice president, consumer and online from 2008 and president and CEO of Microsoft Japan from 2005. Prior to joining Microsoft in 2003, Huston was senior vice president at Starbucks Corporation, responsible for acquisitions and new product development.
“Darren has done a great job leading Booking.com, the group’s largest business, delivering impressive growth and share gains,” said Boyd. “Darren is the right choice to lead the group and I look forward to working with him closely as chairman of the board.”
Priceline’s profits rose 40 percent in the third quarter to $833 million, or $15.72 per share.
