Rüdiger Grube (born 2 August 1951) is a German engineer who served as the chairman of the board of Deutsche Bahn from 2009 until 2017 and as the chairman of EADS from 2007 until 2009.
Early life Grube was born in Hamburg in 1951. He grew up on a farm.Arbeitskreis Börse Podcast Episode #12 After technical training in metal aircraft construction, he went on to study automotive engineering and aircraft construction at the University of Applied Sciences in Hamburg, graduating as a qualified engineer. He studied vocational and business teaching there also at a later date. Between 1981 and 1986, he taught in production and engineering at the university, before completing a doctorate in industrial science and polytechnology.
Career Grube started his career in 1989 at Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm and went on to work in a number of posts at DaimlerBenz including senior vice president and head of corporate strategy. He also worked for DaimlerChrysler, working closely with Jürgen E. Schrempp.
On April 25, 2009, Grube signed a five-year contract to succeed Hartmut Mehdorn as Chief Executive Officer of Deutsche Bahn, starting from May 1, 2009. The company at the time had been hit very hard by the recession and was facing questions over some of its technology-based decisions. Grube announced cuts at the firm. In 2015, after the longest driver strike in the company's history, Grube launched another restructuring to cut costs and modernize the rail system. That year the company recorded a €1.3 billion net loss, despite a slight rise in revenue to nearly €41 billion, a record at the time.Patrick McGee (January 30, 2017), Deutsche Bahn chief quits after dispute with board over pay Financial Times.
Between 2013 and 2017, Grube accompanied Chancellor Angela Merkel on a total of three state visits abroad.Christian Schlesiger (September 8, 2017), Siemens-Chef Kaeser am häufigsten bei Delegationsreisen dabei Wirtschaftswoche.
In January 2017, Grube stepped down over disagreements concerning the extension of his contract which would have expired at the end of the year. The board had been prepared to offer Grube a two-year renewal of his contract, but he was seeking a three-year extension as well as a pay rise. When the board members would not agree on this, he offered his resignation. CFO Richard Lutz became acting CEO.
In July 2017, financial advisory firm and asset manager Lazard appointed Grube as chairman of investment banking in Germany.Vibhuti Sharma (July 13, 2017), Lazard names new chairman of investment banking for Germany Reuters. In addition, he serves as a director for Mitsubishi, McLaren Group, Hyundai and also serves as a non-executive director for EADS.
Other activities Corporate boards EUREF AG, Chair of the Supervisory Board (since 2024)EUREF AG: Rüdiger Grube wird neuer Vorsitzender des Aufsichtsrats EUREF AG, press release of 8 January 2024.Jonas Mueller-Töwe and Carsten Janz (27 January 2024), Russland-Affäre um Gerhard Schröder: Promiköchin und Topmanager in Erklärungsnot Der Standard, 3 December 2014. Vodafone Germany, Chair of the Supervisory Board (since 2023)Posten Nummer drei: Ex-Bahn-Chef Grube wird Aufsichtsratschef von Vodafone Manager Magazin, 29 November 2023. Vantage Towers, Independent Chair of the Supervisory Board (since 2020)Nomination of Rüdiger Grube as independent Chairman of the Supervisory Board Vodafone, press release of 5 October 2020. Vossloh, Chair of the Supervisory Board (since 2020)Dieter Fockenbrock (January 6, 2020), Schienentechnikkonzern Ex-Bahn-Chef Grube wird Chefaufseher bei Vossloh Handelsblatt. Bombardier Transportation, Chairman of the Supervisory Board (since 2019)Dieter Fockenbrock (May 17, 2019), Ex-Bahnchef Grube kontrolliert jetzt auch Bombardier Deutschland Handelsblatt. RIB Software, Member of the Supervisory Board (since 2018)Prof. Dr. Rüdiger Grube appointed to the RIB Administrative Board RIB Software, press release of November 30, 2018.Tanja Kewes and Dieter Fockenbrock (September 16, 2020), Ex-Bahnchef Rüdiger Grube: „Aufsichtsräte sind keine Strippenzieher der Deutschland AG“ Handelsblatt. HHLA, Chair of the Supervisory Board (2017–2025)HHLA Rüdiger Grube wird Chefaufseher bei Hamburger Logistikkonzern Der Spiegel, March 24, 2017.Martin Kopp (12 July 2025), Hafen Hamburg: HHLA-Aufsichtsratschef Grube mit Vorwürfen konfrontiert Hamburger Abendblatt Paul Schockemöhle Logistics Gruppe, Member of the Advisory Board (since 2017) Deufol, Member of the Supervisory BoardSupervisory Board Deufol.Tanja Kewes and Dieter Fockenbrock (16 September 2020), Ex-Bahnchef Rüdiger Grube: „Aufsichtsräte sind keine Strippenzieher der Deutschland AG“ Handelsblatt. Deutsche Bank, Member of the Advisory BoardMembers of the Regional Advisory Board, 2018 Deutsche Bank. Herrenknecht, Member of the Supervisory Board (2018-2020)Tanja Kewes and Dieter Fockenbrock (September 16, 2020), Ex-Bahnchef Rüdiger Grube: „Aufsichtsräte sind keine Strippenzieher der Deutschland AG“ Handelsblatt.Ex-Bahnchef Grube verlässt Herrenknecht-Aufsichtsrat für Oettinger Wirtschaftswoche, December 3, 2020.
Non-profit organizations German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Member of the Advisory CouncilAdvisory Council German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ). Federation of German Industries (BDI), Member of the Presidium (2011–2012)Presidium Federation of German Industries (BDI). Alexander Otto Sports Foundation, Member of the Board of TrusteesBoard of Trustees Alexander Otto Sports Foundation. "Deutschland rundet auf", Member of the Board of TrusteesBoard of Trustees "Deutschland rundet auf", press release of December 5, 2017. Haus Rissen, Member of the Board of TrusteesBoard of Trustees Haus Rissen. Stifterverband für die Deutsche Wissenschaft, Member of the Board Board Stifterverband für die Deutsche Wissenschaft. Deutsche Nationalstiftung, Member of the Board of TrusteesBoard of Trustees Deutsche Nationalstiftung.
Personal life From his first marriage Grube has a son and a daughter. On 8 August 2015 he married chef Cornelia Poletto (born 1971). Frank-Walter Steinmeier, then Germany's foreign minister, was best man.
References
External links
Dr. Rüdiger Grube, Chairman and CEO of DB AG. Deutsche Bahn corporate website.