Matthias Bütler is promoted to the SBB Group Executive Board

Matthias Bütler has officially assumed leadership of SBB’s Passenger Market Division effective immediately and will become a member of the SBB Group Executive Board. He had already been leading the division on an interim basis since Véronique Stephan’s departure in April 2026. Previously, as a member of the Passenger Transport Division’s executive board, Bütler had headed the Marketing and Market Development department for three years. According to his own statements, he made a decisive contribution to strengthening SBB’s customer focus—which helped unlock further growth potential and increase transportation revenues.

Extensive experience in public transportation

Bütler is no stranger to SBB: He had previously held management positions in passenger transport between 2006 and 2013. He then worked at Swiss Travel System as Head of Marketing before moving to Jungfraubahnen, where he served as Head of Marketing and Sales and as a member of the executive board. His academic background includes a degree in business administration from the Universities of Bern and Lausanne and the Turku Business School in Finland, as well as an EMBA in Digital Management.

Comments from the Board of Directors and Group Management

André Wyss, Chairman of the Board of Directors, commented positively on the appointment: «I am pleased that Matthias Bütler, an experienced professional from within our own ranks, is joining the Group Executive Board. He knows SBB and public transportation inside and out. With his expertise in marketing and data, he will provide important impetus to offer our customers attractive and sustainable mobility options.»

CEO Vincent Ducrot adds: «Matthias Bütler is exceptionally customer-focused and has a strong track record of getting things done. With his strong entrepreneurial mindset, he will play a decisive role in driving forward key future initiatives—such as the realignment of domestic and international passenger service and the simplification and digitization of the fare system and sales.»

Division with more than 4,000 employees

The Passenger Transport Division, which Bütler will now lead on a permanent basis, employs more than 4,000 people, including subsidiaries, and generates annual revenue of more than four billion Swiss francs. It is responsible for rail services in long-distance and regional transportation, as well as for connections to major foreign business hubs in international passenger transportation. The division also includes travel centers offering personalized customer service, as well as digital information and sales channels.

Bütler succeeds Véronique Stephan, who has decided to take the next step in her career outside of SBB.