Carlson Wagonlit Travel has appointed Derek Sharp as managing director of CWT Meetings & Events.

Effective from tomorrow, Sharp will be based in London, report to Kelly Kuhn, chief customer officer of CWT, and serve as a member of the customer organisation leadership team.

“Derek’s success in strategy, sales, profit and loss management and business development will bring an additional level of dynamism to our meetings and events business.

“In addition, his extensive experience in the global travel industry will provide a unique perspective on how to further grow this critical component of CWT’s worldwide portfolio,” said Kuhn.

“I am absolutely delighted to welcome Derek to our team.”

Immediately prior to his appointment, Sharp was managing director of Travelport’s air commerce line of business, focusing on airline and rail distribution as well as airline IT solutions.

He has previously held senior management, strategy and consulting positions with HP Enterprise Services, EDS, UPS and Bain & Company.

An American national who has lived in the Americas, Asia and Europe, Sharp holds an MBA from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College.