A leadership transition is underway at Deutsche Bahn, Germany’s national railway company. Federal Minister of Transport Patrick Schnieder announced in Berlin following discussions with Deutsche Bahn AG’s supervisory board chairman, Werner Gatzer and current CEO Richard Lutz, that a restructuring – both organizational and personnel – is deemed necessary.
As a result, a mutual agreement has been reached to prematurely terminate Lutz’s contract, which was originally set to run until 2027. Lutz, who has led the company since 2017, will remain in his position until a successor is appointed.
Minister Schnieder expressed gratitude for Dr. Lutz’s “commitment during challenging times at Deutsche Bahn” adding confidence that he will continue to dedicate himself to the railway during his remaining weeks in office.
Werner Gatzer, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, stated that Richard Lutz has “provided many impulses” during his tenure and deserves sincere thanks. He confirmed the commencement of a selection process to identify a new CEO, with corresponding resolutions to be prepared for the Supervisory Board.
On September 22nd, the Minister of Transport is scheduled to unveil his “Agenda for Satisfied Railway Customers”. Schnieder emphasized that the strategic vision precedes personnel decisions. He stated the core elements of the strategy are established and the focus now is on identifying an individual capable of its implementation. Ideally, a new CEO will be presented alongside the agenda on September 22nd, with a key criterion being the candidate’s ability to execute the outlined strategy. Schnieder stressed that thoroughness and diligence are prioritized over speed in this selection process.
