Michael Odenwald new chairman of the board at Deutsche Bahn

Deutsche Bahn has elected Michael Odenwald to serve as chairman of the company’s supervisory board.

Succeeding Utz-Hellmuth Felcht who stepped down at the end of March, Mr Odenwald’s term runs until March 2020.

He brings DB more than 25 years’ industry knowledge, having begun his career within the German transport ministry. During this time, he developed a particular expertise in railroads, playing a “pivotal” role in the country’s first Performance and Financing Agreement (LuFV) signed in 2008.

The LuFV governs both DB’s and the German government’s role in rail infrastructure maintenance.

In 2012, Mr Odenwald was appointed state secretary for the Federal Ministry of Transport, Building, and Urban Development.

Meanwhile in its UK operation, DB Cargo has appointed Dirk Nolte chief operating officer, following the restructuring of the business last year. Roger Neary has been appointed head of sales.