Stadler has announced significant changes to its Board of Directors ahead of the company’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), taking place on 5 May 2026 at the Swiss Life Arena in Zurich. Two long‑serving board members, Christoph Franz and Wojciech Kostrzewa, will step down after more than a decade of influential leadership. The company has nominated two high‑profile international executives—Sabrina Soussan and Michael Schöllhorn—to join the board.
The AGM will mark the end of an era for both outgoing members. Their deep experience across transport, aviation, finance, and international business has been critical to Stadler’s global development, including its expansion across Europe and its continued innovation in the competitive rail manufacturing sector.
Honouring Christoph Franz: A Global Transport Leader
Christoph Franz brings a distinguished background spanning Deutsche Bahn, Lufthansa and Swiss International Air Lines. After serving as CEO of Swiss from 2004 and Lufthansa from 2011—leading major global transformation initiatives—he joined Stadler’s Board of Directors in 2011.
His broad industrial and transport expertise significantly strengthened Stadler’s strategic direction. As the company highlights, Franz leveraged his “global network” and extensive management experience to help drive international growth and technological innovation.
Peter Spuhler, Chairman of the Board of Directors, paid tribute to Franz’s longstanding contribution:
“I would like to express my sincere thanks to Christoph Franz… They have made a decisive contribution to the development and success of Stadler. I wish them every happiness and success for the future. I am particularly pleased about Christoph Franz's election to the Supervisory Board of Deutsche Bahn (DB).”
Recognising Wojciech Kostrzewa: Financial and Political Expertise
Wojciech Kostrzewa, elected to the board in 2012, also concludes a distinguished term. His experience spans advisory roles in the Polish Ministry of Finance, leadership posts at the Polish Development Bank, mBank and the media group ITI, as well as chairing supervisory boards across major financial institutions.
His international business insight and financial stewardship were essential to Stadler’s successful expansion in Poland and its long-term financial resilience.
New Board Candidates for 2026: Sabrina Soussan & Michael Schöllhorn
To support Stadler’s future strategic direction, the company proposes two high‑calibre leaders with deep mobility and project management expertise.
Sabrina Soussan: Decades of Mobility Sector Leadership
• Former Co‑CEO of Siemens Mobility
• Former CEO and Chair of Suez
• Member of the Shareholders' Committee of Henkel AG
• Incoming Chairwoman of the Supervisory Board of Continental AG (April 2026)
With engineering roots in mechanical and aerospace engineering, Soussan brings substantial expertise in rail systems, multinational operations, and large‑scale industrial transformation.
Michael Schöllhorn: International Project Expertise from Airbus
• CEO of Airbus Defence and Space since 2021
• Former COO at BSH Home Appliances
• Mechanical engineer with a doctorate in control engineering
Schöllhorn’s track record in global project delivery and high‑tech industrial operations positions him as a key asset for Stadler’s long‑term strategic ambitions.
Chairman Peter Spuhler expressed strong confidence in both nominees:
“In Sabrina Soussan and Michael Schöllhorn, we have found two outstanding candidates for the Board of Directors. They will continue the generational change that began two years ago. I am convinced that both of them will contribute to Stadler's long-term innovation and competitiveness worldwide thanks to their international experience.”
Image credit: Stadler
