(Berlin, December 9, 2009) The Deutsche Bahn Supervisory Board reorganized the functions of the Management Board and expanded the responsibilities of Dr. Rüdiger Grube, Chairman of the Deutsche Bahn Management Board. The previously separate Board division of “Economic and Political Affairs,” along with the functions of “Transportation Policy and Regulation” as well as “Group Management Representative for the Federal States” will now be the responsibility of the CEO.
Dr. Werner Müller, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, commented following the meeting of the Supervisory Board in Berlin: “From the time when he first became CEO, Dr. Grube never left any doubt that he viewed himself as the primary spokesman for all contacts with government policymakers. This view has proven its worth in the past months, and is reflected by the changes made in business responsibilities.”
During the same meeting the Supervisory Board reviewed advanced plans for Stuttgart 21, a major development project, and approved the project for inclusion in the capital expenditure plans. Dr. Grube noted that, “we will take this Supervisory Board decision with us into the Steering Committee meeting tomorrow in Stuttgart where we will present the design plans along with the anticipated costs. This will be followed by the final decisions of all the partners involved in the project.”
The Supervisory Board approved a change in the Finance and Controlling Board division. Following more than 18 years as Deutsche Bahn CFO, Diethelm Sack will leave the company effective March 31, 2010. Sack (61), who was born in Frankfurt, was appointed a member of the Management Board of the Deutsche Bundesbahn in November 1991. Following the founding of the Deutsche Bahn AG on January 1, 1994 he became head of the Finance and Controlling division, and since June 2008 has held the same position at DB Mobility Logistics AG. Dr. Müller noted that “There is hardly anyone else who has done more since the 1994 Rail Reform Act to change the Deutsche Bahn into one of the world’s leading mobility and logistics companies. He leaves behind a solid company.”
Dr. Richard Lutz (45) was appointed new CFO and will assume his new duties starting April 1, 2010. Dr. Lutz joined the Deutsche Bahn in 1994 and holds a degree in business administration and a doctorate. He was previously the Head of Controlling since September 2003. “The Supervisory Board appointed Dr. Lutz because of his proven expertise in his field coupled with his very deep understanding of all the various facets of our company and its people. Our decision to appoint someone from within the company once again shows the excellent level of know-how DB has within its own ranks,” said Dr. Müller.
The Supervisory Board also took note of a proposal submitted by the Management Board regarding the implementation of the principles of the Public Corporate Governance Codex (PCGC), as passed by the Federal Government, within the DB Group. The PCGC contains key provisions of valid laws covering the governance and supervision of non-listed companies in which the Federal Government holds a stake. In addition, the PCGC also defines recognized standards of good and responsible corporate governance. DB AG and DB ML AG fully apply the Codex in their business activities. The terms of the PCGC should be applied to companies within the DB Group to the extent that these rules can be appropriately applied while taking into account the distinctive features of the companies within the DB Group.
Dr. Werner Müller, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, welcomed numerous new members who joined on the occasion of the 80th meeting of the Supervisory Board. State Secretary Klaus-Dieter Scheurle joined the Supervisory Board as successor to the previous Parliamentary State Secretary, Achim Großmann. Scheurle will represent the Federal Ministry of Transport, which is the key ministry for the Deutsche Bahn. State Secretary Dr. Bernhard Heitzer will represent the Federal Ministry of Economics on the Board in the future. He succeeds State Secretary Walther Otremba, who will remain a member of the Supervisory Board as the Federal Ministry of Finance representative in the future.