RB Rail AS, the joint venture overseeing the Rail Baltica global project, has announced changes to its Management Board. From 1 September 2025, the Board will consist of five members: Marko Kivila (Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer), Marius Narmontas (Chief Operating Officer), Emilien Dang (Chief Technical Officer), Thierry Boussillon (Chief Programme Management Officer), and Ojārs Daugavietis, who joins as Chief Financial Officer.
The Management Board provides strategic leadership and ensures coordinated delivery of the cross-border Rail Baltica project across Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
Adapting to new challenges
According to Arenijus Jackus, Chairperson of RB Rail’s Supervisory Board, the project and the joint venture have undergone notable transformation over the past two years, shaped by external challenges as well as shifting geopolitical and economic realities. This has required adjustments in project planning, optimisation of solutions, changes to implementation steps, and a stronger focus on risk and stakeholder management.
“The aim remains unchanged – to build the missing link of European standard gauge infrastructure in our region, connecting it with Europe. For a joint venture that is equally owned by the three Baltic states, stable management is essential. Therefore, the term of the Management Board has been extended for five years, aligning with the timeline of the project’s first implementation phase,” emphasised Arenijus Jackus.
A commitment to stability
Speaking on behalf of the Management Board, Marko Kivila, Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer of RB Rail, welcomed the decision.
“I would like to thank the Supervisory Board for its trust, which reflects the strong commitment of the three shareholder states. Focus, timely decision-making, and transparency, including in complex matters, are crucial for the success of Rail Baltica. This approach helps advance project delivery and strengthens our coordination role, which remains the primary task of the joint venture,” he said.
New Chief Financial Officer
The Board’s newest member, Chief Financial Officer Ojārs Daugavietis, brings more than 15 years of experience in EU funding, corporate finance, and strategic financial management. Until now he has served as Head of Finance and Economics at RB Rail AS, overseeing the joint venture’s financial strategy.
His previous roles include senior positions at the Latvian Ministry of Finance and extensive work in international project finance, with expertise in financial governance, risk management, and regulatory compliance. He is currently pursuing an Executive MBA at Riga Business School.
“Rail Baltica’s financing has so far largely relied on European Union grants from the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) and has been attracted to the region in unprecedented amounts. Going forward, it will be essential to continue close cooperation not only with the governments of the Baltic States but also with EU institutions to secure the necessary funding for this strategically important cross-border infrastructure in the next multiannual financial framework. At the same time, it will be important to consider the evolving economic and geopolitical context and carefully evaluate complementary financial instruments alongside EU support,” said Ojārs Daugavietis.
Rail Baltica enters full construction
In 2025, Rail Baltica moved into its full construction phase, with mainline works now progressing in all three Baltic States. By the end of the year, 43% of the mainline is expected to be ready for construction and advancing.
The reshaped Management Board and strengthened leadership are intended to provide continuity and stability as the project proceeds with one of the most ambitious cross-border infrastructure developments in Europe.
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