New Uber CEO sees IPO in 18-36 months

By Heather Somerville

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Uber Technologies Inc's [UBER.UL] new Chief Executive Dara Khosrowshahi told employees on Wednesday the ride-services company could go public in 18 to 36 months, according to media reports.

Khosrowshahi, who led Expedia Inc for 12 years, made the remarks as he introduced himself to Uber's workforce on Wednesday during an all-staff meeting at its San Francisco headquarters.

He discussed his plans for Uber that include rebuilding its culture, stemming its losses as well as conducting an initial public offering.

"This company has to change," Khosrowshahi told employees, according to the Twitter feed of Uber's communications team. "What got us here is not what's going to get us to the next level." He described himself as "a fighter."

Khosrowshahi's appointment comes as Uber is trying to recover from a series of crises that culminated in the ouster of its former CEO Travis Kalanick in June. It is also a key step towards filling a gaping hole in its top management which at the moment has no chief financial officer, head of engineering or general counsel.

In his first meeting with Uber employees, Khosrowshahi emphasized recruiting new talent - particularly a chief financial officer - as well as a chairman to help him run the board, according to tweets from Uber.

(Reporting by Heather Somerville in San Francisco, additional reporting by Jeffrey Dastin; Editing by Bill Rigby)