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German rail group's board appoints Evelyn Palla as new CEO

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on September 23, 2025

1 min read

· Last updated: January 21, 2026

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German rail group's board appoints Evelyn Palla as new CEO
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FRANKFURT (Reuters) -The supervisory board of Deutsche Bahn on Tuesday voted to appoint Evelyn Palla as the German state-owned rail operator's CEO, tasking a company insider with the turnaround of a

German rail group's board appoints Evelyn Palla as new CEO

Leadership Changes at Deutsche Bahn

FRANKFURT (Reuters) -The supervisory board of Deutsche Bahn on Tuesday voted to appoint Evelyn Palla as the German state-owned rail operator's CEO, tasking a company insider with the turnaround of a company dogged by under-investment and delayed train services.

Evelyn Palla's Background

Palla is currently head of the group's commuter and short-distance train unit DB Regio and will take the helm on October 1, Deutsche Bahn said in a statement.

Palla, who is to become Deutsche Bahn's first female CEO, joined the group in 2019, having previously worked for chipmaker Infineon, energy group E.ON and Austrian railway operator OeBB.

Transition from Richard Lutz

Last month, Germany's transport ministry said that Deutsche Bahn's current CEO Richard Lutz would leave the company after a difficult tenure.

(Reporting by Ludwig Burger and Christian Kraemer, Editing by Friederike Heine)

Key Takeaways

  • Evelyn Palla appointed as Deutsche Bahn's CEO.
  • Palla is the first female CEO of Deutsche Bahn.
  • She previously led DB Regio, the commuter unit.
  • Palla's appointment follows Richard Lutz's departure.
  • Deutsche Bahn aims to address under-investment issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who has been appointed as the new CEO of Deutsche Bahn?
Evelyn Palla has been appointed as the new CEO of Deutsche Bahn, effective October 1.
What position did Evelyn Palla hold before becoming CEO?
Before becoming CEO, Evelyn Palla was the head of the group's commuter and short-distance train unit, DB Regio.
Who did Evelyn Palla replace as CEO of Deutsche Bahn?
Evelyn Palla replaces Richard Lutz, who is leaving the company after a difficult tenure.
When did Evelyn Palla join Deutsche Bahn?
Evelyn Palla joined Deutsche Bahn in 2019.
What is significant about Evelyn Palla's appointment?
Evelyn Palla's appointment is significant as she will be the first female CEO of Deutsche Bahn.

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