Travis Kalanick recently sold more than $2.5 billion worth of shares in the company, more than 90 per cent of his holdings.

Khashoggi's killing sparked a global uproar, tarnishing the image of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Former Xerox CEO Ursula Burns and former Merrill Lynch and CIT Group CEO John Thain were named as directors in a statement attributed to Kalanick, rather than Uber.

Two people briefed on the matter told the Associated Press that Expedia CEO Dara Khosrowshahi has been named CEO of ride-hailing giant Uber.

Uber also released the recommendations of a months-long investigation led by the law firm of former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder.

Kalanick has developed a reputation as an abrasive leader, and his approach is said to have rubbed off on his company.

"Joining the group was not meant to be an endorsement of the president or his agenda but unfortunately it has been misinterpreted to be exactly that," Uber CEO Travis Kalanick said in an email to staff.