NextFin news, Germany's government announced on Saturday, September 20, 2025, the appointment of Evelyn Palla as the new chief executive officer of Deutsche Bahn AG, the country's state-owned railway operator. Palla currently leads DB Regio, the regional transport division of Deutsche Bahn.
This appointment marks a historic milestone as Palla will become the first female CEO in the company's history. She succeeds Richard Lutz, who has been at the helm since 2017.
Evelyn Palla has been with Deutsche Bahn since 2019 and brings extensive experience from her previous roles at companies such as Infineon, E.ON, and the Austrian railway operator ÖBB. Her leadership at DB Regio has been noted for managing regional transport services across Germany.
The decision was confirmed by two government officials familiar with the matter, who requested anonymity as the appointment had not yet been publicly announced at the time of reporting. German Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder is expected to officially confirm the appointment soon.
Deutsche Bahn AG is a key player in Germany's transportation infrastructure, operating extensive rail networks domestically and internationally. The leadership change comes as the company continues to focus on modernization and improving service quality.
Sources: Bloomberg (https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-09-20/deutsche-bahn-to-appoint-evelyn-palla-as-ceo-officials-say), Devdiscourse (https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/business/3635114-evelyn-palla-breaking-new-ground-as-deutsche-bahns-first-female-ceo?amp)
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