Alexandre Benalla›Career
A decade at the intersection of security, intelligence and power
Alexandre Benalla knew early where he was headed. At 14, a first internship at the SPHP (French High-Profile Protection Service) set him on his path — a precocious first step toward a vocation already clear in his mind. He went on to serve in the operational reserve of the Gendarmerie Nationale, where he was later commissioned as an officer; by 25 he was deputy chief of staff at the Elysee Palace. Today he runs COMYA from Geneva.
December 2018 — Present
Founder & CEO, COMYA
Geneva, Switzerland
Founded a Geneva-based strategic advisory firm specializing in economic and strategic intelligence, influence, crisis management and risk management, cybersecurity and emerging technologies. The firm operates across Africa, Europe, the Middle East and Eastern Europe with a team that includes former DGSE, British SAS and Special Boat Service officers. Trusted solutions provider for governments, corporations and family offices worldwide. Learn more about COMYA →
2020 — Present
President, Institut Vidocq
Geneva, Switzerland
Founded and leads an independent think tank dedicated to research, policy proposals and innovation in global security. Visit Institut Vidocq →
May 2017 — July 2018
Deputy Chief of Staff to the President of the French Republic
Elysee Palace, Paris
- Organization of national and international travel for the President of the French Republic
- Management of events under the authority of the Presidency (One Planet Summit, tribute to Johnny Hallyday, Simone Veil's Pantheon ceremony, French national football team reception 2018, state visit of Donald Trump)
- Coordination of presidential security services (GSPR, Military Command, Police Liaison Officer, Elysee Guard Company / Paris Police Prefecture)
- Design and implementation of the presidential security reform, creation of the Presidential Security Directorate (DSPR)
- Management of diplomatic gifts
- Management of private schedule and travel of the President and his family
September 2009 — July 2018 Concurrent
Reserve Officer, French Gendarmerie Nationale
Eure Group / Director General's Office · 8 years 11 months
- Over 200 days of active reserve duty in uniform between 2009 and 2017, on the ground with the Eure Gendarmerie Group (PSIG Evreux, BT Evreux, Evreux Company)
- Field operations: arrest of offenders and criminals, crime-prevention patrols, anti-burglary and road-safety missions, emergency response
- Assistant Criminal Investigation Officer, supporting territorial brigades in their daily operations
- Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in the operational reserve, consistently commended by his commanding officers
- Assigned to the office of the Director General of the Gendarmerie Nationale, in charge of an audit mission on the security of military facilities
December 2016 — May 2017
Head of Safety and Security, En Marche
Paris, France · 6 months
- Organization and coordination of security, safety and protection for presidential candidate Emmanuel Macron's travel, in liaison with the chief of staff and the French Protection Service (SDLP)
- Organization and coordination of security for campaign headquarters and external events (rallies, public meetings) in liaison with public authorities
2016
Head of Safety and Security, European Patent Office
International Organization
- Security officer to the President within a four-member international protection team
- Organization and coordination of the President's national (France and Germany) and international travel
- Security audit and protection of the Office headquarters and the President's private residences
2015
Founder, French Federation of Private Security (FFSP)
Paris, France
Founded the Fédération Française de la Sécurité Privée in 2015, a professional association uniting multiple private security companies. The project was set aside when Benalla took on his role as head of security for En Marche. The federation later evolved into the current industry body.
2013 — 2015
Advisor to the Chairman and CEO, Velours International
Paris, France · 2 years
- Advisor to the Chairman and CEO on strategy and business development
- Management of institutional relations (CNAPS, French Ministry of the Interior, regional prefectures)
- Coordination of operational missions
- Implementation of one of the first armed security missions for a sensitive industrial operator in Brittany (securing a banknote printing facility for Oberthur Fiduciaire)
- During this period, also provided close protection to senior foreign personalities, including members of Gulf royal families
2012
Office of the Minister, Ministry of Economy, Finance and Recovery
Paris, France
Security driver and staff member in the private office of the Minister of Productive Recovery Arnaud Montebourg. Also provided close protection to Ségolène Royal during this period.
September 2009 — May 2012
Safety Officer, Socialist Party (PS)
Paris, France · 2 years 9 months
- Close protection of Francois Hollande, candidate for the 2012 presidential election, in liaison with the French High-Profile Protection Service (SPHP)
- Close protection of the First Secretary of the Socialist Party, Martine Aubry
- Team leader in charge of security for party rallies and external events (demonstrations, cantonal and regional elections, 2011 Socialist primary)