German Railway Giant Deutsche Bahn Parts Ways with CFO Over Union Dispute
Berlin, February 27, 2026 — Karin Dohm, the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the German national railway company Deutsche Bahn (DB), is reportedly being dismissed after serving only three months in the position.
According to reports from major German financial outlets, including Süddeutsche Zeitung and Manager Magazin, Deutsche Bahn management has initiated the process to remove Dohm from her role. The formal dismissal is expected to be ratified during a supervisory board meeting scheduled for March.
Internal Conflicts and Labor Disputes
Dohm assumed the CFO position on December 1, 2025, succeeding former CFO Levin Holle. Reports indicate that her brief tenure was marked by immediate internal conflicts. She allegedly alienated key stakeholders, including politicians, fellow executives, and, most notably, labor representatives.
The primary catalyst for her anticipated exit occurred in December when she signed a shareholder directive to split up a rail subsidiary, DB Services. This action was reportedly taken without prior consultation with the company’s powerful group works council. The move prompted severe criticism from the council’s chairwoman, Heike Moll, who publicly labeled the decision a “false start.”
As a result of the ongoing friction, Deutsche Bahn CEO Evelyn Palla reportedly made the decision to terminate Dohm’s tenure early.
A Tumultuous Professional Year
The impending exit from Deutsche Bahn marks the continuation of a highly volatile professional period for the 53-year-old executive. Over the past 14 months, Dohm has experienced rapid transitions across multiple major German corporations:
January 2025: Dohm unexpectedly announced her premature departure from her role as CFO of the German DIY retail chain Hornbach, surprising the company’s management.
April 2025: She was appointed as the future CFO for Aumovio SE, the planned automotive spin-off of the tire and technology company Continental.
May 2025: She abruptly resigned from the Aumovio SE position after just eight weeks, citing “personal reasons.”
December 2025: She officially joined the management board of Deutsche Bahn.
Deutsche Bahn has officially declined to comment on the pending personnel changes.