21 September 2023 - Rail Europe appoints Daniel Beutler as Non-Executive Chairman strengthening commitment to sustainable mobility and growth
Rail Europe is delighted to announce the appointment of Daniel Beutler as its new Non-Executive Chairman. With extensive experience in the mobility sector and a shared vision for the future of transportation, Daniel Beutler's appointment reinforces Rail Europe's dedication to sustainability, innovation, and customer-centric solutions. He will work closely with Björn Bender, who continues to serve as Rail Europe's Executive Chairman and CEO.
Daniel Beutler brings a wealth of expertise, having played a pivotal role in managing the growth of Captain Train, which later became Trainline and successfully went public with an IPO in 2019. His exceptional track record positions him as an invaluable asset to Rail Europe as it seeks to expand its market presence and drive future growth.
As Non-Executive Chairman, Beutler's complementary expertise and insights will greatly contribute to Rail Europe's strategic positioning in the industry. With a strong track record of serving on multiple advisory boards, and executive coaching for several years, Beutler is uniquely positioned to provide valuable guidance and support to the company.
Both Daniel Beutler and Björn Bender have always worked on shaping the future of mobility and worked together for 6 years in high level positions in International Sales in Deutsche Bahn. Drawing from their extensive experiences, they have fostered trust and collaboration across different sectors to achieve successful outcomes.
"Daniel Beutler's appointment as Non-Executive Chairman marks an exciting milestone for Rail Europe. His experience, entrepreneurial spirit, and deep understanding of the rail industry is invaluable as we continue to innovate and drive sustainable mobility solutions. I have complete trust in Daniel's ability to support our strategic initiatives and open new perspectives for our company. I am happy the board followed my recommendation expanding Daniel's role, as it reaffirms our commitment to maximizing our potential in the market," stated Björn Bender, Rail Europe’s Executive Chairman and CEO.
"Daniel Beutler's track record of driving successful ventures, combined with his passion for sustainable mobility and innovation, perfectly aligns with Rail Europe's vision. We believe this partnership will unlock new opportunities and further strengthen Rail Europe's position as a leader in the industry. This decision showcases our unwavering confidence in both Björn and Daniel, highlighting our commitment to fostering a dynamic team. They are already a strong and efficient duo," said Cédric Lépée, Partner at Hivest Capital Partners.
"Having lived and breathed the European rail industry for many years, both Björn and I share a deep connection and commitment to its success. We are proud to bring two European profiles to the table, united by our shared values in different positions, and we are ready to repeat the success stories we built earlier. Rail Europe, as the most trusted brand for rail tickets worldwide, is positioned at the heart of sustainable mobility and checks all boxes for success. I'm thrilled to take on more responsibilities on the board as Non-Executive Chairman and contribute to the continued growth of the company," said Daniel Beutler.
Rail Europe is committed to making train travel easy by facilitating digital distribution and thus supporting modal shift towards sustainable transportation. The company aims to provide seamless and convenient travel experiences by developing an innovative product. By leveraging Beutler’s and Bender’s expertise, industry network, and shared values, Rail Europe aims to reinforce its position as the industry leader.
About Rail Europe
Rail Europe is the global reference brand for European train booking. We have been the trusted partner of the travel industry and train operators for 90 years. Our rail expert teams provide technology solutions and customer care services to +15,000 partners in more than 70 countries. International travellers who want to travel by train easily throughout Europe can also book their travel directly through our state-of-the-art train booking website and app. Our catalogue of products focuses on more than 100 brands such as SNCF, SBB, Eurostar, Thalys, Trenitalia, Italo, DB, Renfe, ÖBB, SNCB, NS, OUIGO Spain and National Rail, and rail passes including the Swiss Travel Pass and Eurail Passes. We sell around 5 million European train tickets every year. Our offices are around the globe and we are headquartered in Paris.
Press contacts
Justine Rohée
Judith Wollner
Trisha Aswani