Dr Rüdiger Grube, chairman of Germany’s state-owned rail operator Deutsche Bahn, parent company of DB Cargo, has resigned with immediate effect, the company has announced. DB’s board said it had unanimously approved Dr Grube’s request to terminate his position and reach a resolution agreement.

The board said it wanted to thank him for his ‘great commitment’ to the company over the past eight years, and that it would make a timely decision about his successor. In accordance with the firm’s rules of procedure, Dr Richard Lutz takes over as provisional chairman.

Lasting contribution

Professor Dr. Utz-Hellmuth Felcht, Chairman of the Supervisor Board, said: “Dr. Rüdiger Grube has made a lasting contribution to DB, in particular through his work to make the company fit for the future. He has left his mark on Deutsche Bahn as a driver of both digitalisation and the Zukunft Bahn quality programme.”

Dr Grube is also chairman of the Brussels-based Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies, which represents the interests of its members on the development of EU policies.