Priceline Group CEO Darren Huston has resigned following an investigation into a personal relationship he had with an employee. The Norwalk-based company offered few additional details except to say that the employee was not under his direct supervision.
The investigation, overseen by independent members of Priceline’s board, found that Huston had acted contrary to the company’s code of conduct and had engaged in activities it said were inconsistent with the board’s expectations for executive conduct. Huston, who had been CEO since January 2014, acknowledged the findings and expressed his regret.
“I am satisfied with the board’s thorough review of this issue,” said lead independent director James Guyette in a statement.
The married Huston, who spent 16 years at the company, will also step down as CEO of Priceline’s Booking.com unit. He will be replaced by Booking.com Chief Operating Officer Gillian Tans. Priceline chairman Jeffrey Boyd, who served as its CEO from 2002 to 2013, has been named interim CEO as the board seeks a permanent replacement.
