Deutsche Bahn Finalizes Board Restructure; Cargo Chief Faces Exit

Three weeks after new CEO Evelyn Palla took office, Deutsche Bahn is moving closer to completing its management board. The company’s personnel committee has approved two new appointments, AFP learned from railway sources on Tuesday.

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According to the report, former Hornbach executive Karin Dohm is set to take over the finance division, while current regional manager Harmen van Zijderveld will head DB Regio. However, Sigrid Nikutta, who oversees freight transport, appears to be on her way out, the Süddeutsche Zeitung reported, citing company sources.

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The chief financial officer position has been vacant since May, following Levin Holle’s departure to become an adviser to Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) in the Federal Chancellery. DB Regio was previously led by Palla herself. The appointments of Dohm and van Zijderveld still require approval from the Deutsche Bahn Supervisory Board, which is scheduled to meet on October 30. According to company sources, Nikutta could also be dismissed at that meeting.

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The freight division chief was sharply criticized last week by the Railway and Transport Union (EVG), which demanded her resignation. According to Der Spiegel, the company commissioned an evaluation of Nikutta’s restructuring plan for the freight division, the results, according to Spiegel and Süddeutsche Zeitung, were scathing. The plan was reportedly described as “objectively unsuitable for eliminating the causes of the crisis and restoring competitiveness.”

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DB Cargo has long been considered one of Deutsche Bahn’s biggest problem areas, consistently reporting losses. The European Commission has ruled that DB Cargo will no longer receive financial support from its parent company starting in 2025, and must begin generating profits independently by 2026. The consulting firm Oliver Wyman recommended appointing an external Chief Restructuring Officer.

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However, according to Süddeutsche Zeitung, the personnel committee did not reach a decision on that matter on Monday, though a preferred candidate has reportedly been identified. Palla assumed her role as Deutsche Bahn CEO on October 1. Over the weekend, she announced plans for a major corporate restructuring and pledged a significant improvement in service quality.

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