Billion dollar company

How former Chancellor Kern now earns his money

In his new job, rail manager Christian Kern also works together with Siemens Mobility boss Tanja Kienegger.(Bild: MARKUS SCHIEDER www.creativemarc.eu)

Former Federal Chancellor Christian Kern, who was ÖBB General before his time in politics, has returned to his old profession. Who his new employer is and how the billion-euro company is set to grow with the ex-politician's help.

"We are making the complex rail business easier for our customers," explains Christian Kern, who runs ELL (European Locomotive Leasing). The company is based in Vienna and Munich and is owned by the French financial giants Axa Insurance and Credit Agricole Bank. ELL's business is to buy locomotives itself and then lease them to rail operators.