Werner Gatzer, the current chair of Deutsche Bahn’s supervisory board, has announced that he will not serve the full term of office. Instead, he plans a transition in 2027, according to a spokesperson for Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder (CDU) quoted by the “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung” in its Thursday edition.
The board has already identified a successor. Christopher Franz has been chosen to take over as chair. Franz served as CEO of Lufthansa from 2011 to 2014 and as chairman of Roche’s board of directors from 2014 to 2023. In the 1990s and 2000s he also held positions within Deutsche Bahn, including a stint on the corporate board, but left after disputes over a new pricing system.
The minister’s spokesperson did not specify a reason for Gatzer’s early departure. He did, however, note that Gatzer has agreed to remain a member of the supervisory board beyond 2027. Describing Gatzer as “very active and successful” in his current role, the spokesperson added that Franz’s election will “naturally come from within the middle of the supervisory board itself”.