On 19 March 2025, Oana Gherghinescu was confirmed as the new Executive Director of the European Union Agency for Railways (ERA), following a vote by the ERA Management Board. Announced by UNIFE, the European Rail Supply Industry association, her appointment marks a significant moment for the agency tasked with harmonising Europe’s rail network. Gherghinescu, a Romanian rail expert with a robust background in safety and regulation, beat out France’s Laurent Cébulski and Slovenia’s Matej Zakonjšek in a tight race to succeed Josef Doppelbauer, who stepped down after a decade leading the agency.
Her tenure begins as ERA navigates a critical juncture—overseeing safety, interoperability, and the rollout of cutting-edge systems like the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS). With Europe’s railways under pressure to boost capacity and cut emissions, Gherghinescu’s role offers a chance to shape the continent’s transport backbone for decades to come.
Oana Gherghinescu: From Romania to the European stage
Gherghinescu brings a wealth of experience to ERA’s Lille headquarters. Previously General Director of Romania’s Railway Safety Authority (ASFR), she has deep roots in rail regulation, having also served as ERA’s Head of Safety and Operations since 2020. Her career spans safety certification and cross-border vehicle approvals—core ERA functions since the Fourth Railway Package of 2016 expanded its remit. UNIFE praised her as a “dedicated professional,” noting her blend of national and EU-level expertise.
Her appointment follows a rigorous selection process launched in June 2024 by the European Commission. Shortlisted in February 2025 alongside Cébulski and Zakonjšek, Gherghinescu clinched the role after a Management Board vote, buoyed by her track record and vision for rail’s digital future. She assumes office on 1 June 2025, with a five-year term renewable once.
Gherghinescu steps into a busy agenda. ERA’s overseeing the shift from the ageing GSM-R communication system to the Future Railway Mobile Communication System (FRMCS), a project co-funded by Europe’s Rail and Smart Networks Joint Undertakings. She’ll also drive ERTMS deployment, aiming to unify Europe’s patchwork of signalling systems—a linchpin for the Single European Railway Area.
As Doppelbauer exits—honoured at the 2025 European Railway Award for his transformative decade—Gherghinescu inherits a stronger ERA. Her appointment, UNIFE says, “ushers in a new era” of innovation and cohesion. With Europe leaning on rail to meet climate goals, her leadership could prove a turning point—provided she navigates the complex web of policy, tech, and politics ahead.
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