Former co-head of the Central Directorate of Internal Intelligence (DST DCRI DGSI), Max served as joint Chief of Staff in charge of Operations from 2009 to 2013. He was previously in charge of the Department General Intelligence Directorate (91).

Max headed the Central Coordination of the SCTIP International Technical Cooperation Service of the Ministry of Interior. Until 2001, he was in charge of operations for the arms export body of the Ministry of the Interior, SOFREMI.

Max brings 30 years of experience in Intelligence and Investigations, anti-Money Laundering and Terrorism financing matters, as well as a deep knowledge of complex international negotiations. He is a sought-after expert and go-to advisor to numerous Governments and International Organisations.

A Leader in Governance, Risk, Compliance, and Strategic Advisory. Béchir Mana is the Founder of Axiantis and a highly respected expert in governance, compliance, risk management, and strategic intelligence. With decades of experience at the highest levels of the French civil service, as well as in corporate leadership, he is recognized as a trusted advisor to governments, state institutions, and multinational corporations across Europe, the Gulf, the Middle East, and Africa.

Throughout his distinguished career, Béchir has combined deep government expertise with private sector leadership, making him uniquely positioned to advise on complex international challenges where policy, security, and business intersect.

Career Highlights

Special Advisor to President Jacques Chirac (1997) – Served in the President’s special office, handling sensitive strategic and political matters at the highest level of the French state.

Chief of Staff, Ministry of Interior – Directed operations, policy, and strategy for one of the most critical ministries in France, covering security, intelligence, and crisis management.

Co-Head of Economic Intelligence, French National Economic Intelligence Directorate, General Secretariat of Defense and National Security (SGDSN) – Oversaw economic intelligence, strategic risk, and state security policy, coordinating with domestic and international stakeholders.

Chief Corporate Officer & Secretary General, Ramsay Santé – Brought his expertise to the private sector as a senior executive in France’s first listed healthcare group, where he led governance, compliance, and corporate strategy.

Expertise in Government Advisory, Public-Private Partnerships, and Strategic Intelligence Across Africa. With over 25 years of experience, Mehdi Bousnina is a seasoned advisor who has supported governments, public institutions, and private companies across North Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa.

Throughout his career, he has focused on structuring large-scale projects, advising on economic and strategic policy, and resolving complex commercial and institutional disputes, establishing himself as a trusted partner for investors and decision-makers operating on the African continent.

In this context, Mehdi served as Senior Advisor to His Excellency, the President of the Togolese Republic, where he played a pivotal role in shaping national economic and financial policy. At the same time, he oversaw major infrastructure and development projects spanning energy, transport, agriculture, mining, and global logistics.

As a result, his experience at the highest levels of government provides him with a unique ability to navigate the intersection of politics, economics, and business strategy across diverse African markets.

Career Highlights

Senior Advisor to the President of Togo – Supporting economic and financial reforms while overseeing multi-sector infrastructure initiatives.

Government and Corporate Representation – Acting on behalf of states and corporations in litigation, arbitration, and high-stakes commercial disputes, particularly in infrastructure and natural resources.

Strategic Business Advisory – Advising multinational investors and African enterprises on market entry, acquisitions, and competitive positioning.

Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) – Structuring sustainable PPP frameworks that enable effective collaboration between governments and private sector stakeholders.

Roger Le Loire is a distinguished High Magistrate and one of France’s most respected investigative judges, bringing decades of experience in anti-terrorism, financial crime, corruption, and international investigations.

As Vice President in charge of Investigations and Dean of Investigative Judges at the Tribunal de Grande Instance (TGI) of Nanterre, Roger led some of the most high-profile and complex investigations in French judicial history. Previously, he served as Investigative Judge at the Anti-Terrorist Unit and later as Dean of the Economic and Financial Crime Unit of the Paris Court (Tribunal de Grande Instance, Paris).

Over the course of his career, Roger developed unmatched expertise in embezzlement, corruption, money laundering, tax fraud, and abuse of corporate assets, making him a sought-after authority in financial crime and international justice.

Career Highlights

Vice President & Dean of Investigative Judges, TGI Nanterre – Oversaw complex judicial investigations with national and international impact.

Dean, Economic & Financial Crime Unit, Paris Court – Led investigations into major cases of corruption, fraud, and corporate crime.

Anti-Terrorism Investigative Judge – Directed sensitive judicial inquiries into terrorism networks and financing structures.

Notorious Financial Investigations

• Karachi Affair – Weapons deal investigation linked to corruption and state-level financing.
• Malaysia Submarine Deal – Probing defense contracts and corruption allegations.
• Kazakhstan Helicopter Deal – High-profile corruption and bribery case.
• Ill-Gotten Gains Cases – Investigations into embezzlement and hidden assets involving foreign political elites.
• Narco-Trafficking Networks – Judicial inquiries into drug cartels across Latin America, Africa, and Israel.
• Angolagate Case – At the origin of one of France’s most high-profile corruption investigations involving arms deals and political financing.

Jean-Loup Rousseau is a senior executive and strategic advisor with over 35 years of experience in corporate restructuring, crisis management, and strategic transitions. He has guided international companies, shareholders, and boards through some of the most complex challenges in distress situations, mergers & acquisitions, and high-stakes transformations.

With a proven track record of turning around companies under pressure, Jean-Loup is recognized for his ability to reposition, refinance, and develop businesses facing turbulence, ensuring they not only survive but emerge stronger. His leadership and strategic insight make him a key partner for corporations and investors navigating restructuring, high-growth pivots, or distressed operations.

Career Highlights

Supervisory Board Member – Oversaw a €400 million fiber and material transformation company with operations across multiple continents.

Board Director – Guided a €450 million listed software and IoT company, a €50 million semiconductor startup, and a €15 million avionics engineering firm.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – Led a €480 million steel producer with 2,000 employees, steering the company through large-scale transformation and crisis recovery.

Chief Operating Officer (COO) – Successfully restructured a €600 million telecom equipment company acquired by a Chinese private equity firm.

European Subsidiary Leader – Managed subsidiaries of a $2 billion semiconductor company, overseeing 1,200 employees and spearheading a competitor acquisition.

Strategic Advisor – Supported management of a €700 million listed electronic payment company, helping it reorganize and grow into a €1 billion business.

Startup & Technology Sector Leadership – Directed strategic reviews, restructurings, and critical growth phases for high-technology companies and startups.

M&A & Due Diligence Expertise – Provided private equity evaluations and early risk assessments, particularly in technology-intensive sectors.

Valérie Terranova is an accomplished strategic advisor with decades of experience guiding governments, international organizations, and corporations. Her work spans France, Western Africa, and Asia, where she has played a central role in advancing economic, political, and cultural cooperation.

With a strong academic and policy background, Valérie combines deep regional expertise with global vision, making her a key partner for clients navigating cross-border challenges. A graduate of France’s National Institute for Oriental Languages and Civilisations (INALCO) and the Institute of Advanced Studies of National Defence (IHEDN), Valérie has devoted her career to bridging nations and fostering strategic cooperation.

For over 20 years, she served as Special Advisor to President Jacques Chirac, supporting France’s diplomatic, economic, and cultural engagement with Asia, particularly China and Japan, as well as with the Francophone world.

Career Highlights

Special Advisor to President Jacques Chirac – Advised on international cooperation, diplomacy, and cultural exchanges with Asia and Africa for more than two decades.

Regional Expertise – Extensive field knowledge of Western Africa and Asia, focusing on political and economic strategy, intercultural dialogue, and bilateral partnerships.

Strategic Policy Advisor – Provided guidance to governments and international organizations on development programs, international negotiations, and strategic partnerships.

Global Network Builder – Leveraged her multi-sector, international network to facilitate opportunities for collaboration between public and private stakeholders worldwide.

Expertise in Complex Negotiations, Political Risk, and International Business Development. Chérif Guindi is a recognized authority in geopolitical risk, international markets, and complex negotiations, with decades of senior executive experience in global industrial and infrastructure corporations.

As a Partner at Axiantis, Chérif leverages his expertise to advise clients on geographic and political risk, international negotiations, and business development in high-stakes environments, particularly across the Middle East and Africa.

Over the course of his career, Chérif has held top executive positions with some of the world’s leading corporations, including Thales, Alstom, ABB, Orascom, and Edison Power Industries Corp. In these roles, he was responsible for special operations, international business development, and contract negotiations in some of the world’s most complex jurisdictions.

Highly respected among geopolitical and economic circles, Chérif is widely sought after for his ability to navigate sensitive international negotiations, build bridges between governments and corporations, and manage high-impact projects in politically and economically challenging environments.

Career Highlights

Senior Executive Roles – Directed international business development and contract negotiations at Thales, Alstom, ABB, Orascom, and Edison Power Industries Corp.

Special Operations & Negotiations – Led high-level geographic special operations in complex and sensitive international markets.

Geopolitical Influence – Established a reputation as a trusted advisor and expert in Middle Eastern and African power circles.

International Business Expertise – Managed large-scale export operations and strategic partnerships across the Middle East and Africa.

Prominent Global Voice – Recognized among the world’s leading specialists in geopolitical and economic risk management.