Interview with Alexandre Boin, new director of the Club of Foreign Residents of Monaco
This 31-year-old Monegasque, formerly in post in the Prince’s Government, hopes to develop new synergies between the Club and the institutions of the Principality.
The Club of Foreign Residents of Monaco (CREM) is its new director. Since January 3, Alexandre Boin has replaced Chris Dhondtwho left office for professional reasons.
At just 31 years old, this young Monegasque has solid international experience. An undeniable asset for his new attributions.
” After my schooling in Monaco, I went to business school in Nice and obtained a master’s degree in marketing and management, he tells us. I went on an Erasmus exchange to Vilnius, in Lithuania and I landed internships in Spain, in Madrid, then in Vietnam, in Saigon. I wanted to continue working and living in Vietnam, and the advertising agency I worked for was ready to offer me a contract. Unfortunately, I had to come back to Nice to present my dissertation. In the meantime, the law had changed, and I could no longer settle there as an expatriate.. »
A blessing in disguise: back in the Principality in 2014, Alexandre Boin joined the National Council in the communication and press relations department. Two years later, he joined the Welcome Office: a government service responsible for providing information to anyone wishing to settle in Monaco on a private and/or professional basis.
” I was often in contact with private sector entities and potential future residents or business creators. This is where I discovered CREM “, he testifies.
A Monegasque with an international profile
But before leading the prestigious Club, Alexandre joined the Government’s “attractiveness” unit last July, directed by Frédéric Genta. A position that must be kept for a long time, until this phone call, a few months later.
” I got the call from Chris, who officially informed me of his upcoming departure and asked me what I thought about taking over as manager of the Club. According to him, I had the profile that matched. I was very honored that he thought of me. I asked him why he was choosing a Monegasque, when‘This is‘a Club dedicated to Foreign Residents “, he explains.
The answer was simple: his international experiences, his fluent English and Italian and his missions to the Government to inform foreigners arriving in the Principality made Alexandre the ideal candidate for this position, including for Louisette. Lévy-Soussan Azzoaglio, President of the Club: “ the departure of Chris gave her saddened, because they had a very beautiful relationshiphe confides. But I think she trusted Chris when he recommended me. We were able to talk often, she and I, she is very present for the Club, very proactive. (…) For my part, I‘I was not afraid of this challenge, I was rather excited. I know the actors of Monaco and its different well, and the fact of having worked in the Government can help to develop synergies. »
Because this is the goal of Alexandre Boin, who accepted this function without hesitation. Even if he didn’t want to put his colleagues in the “attractiveness” unit, which he had just joined, in trouble, Alexandre knew it: he shouldn’t miss this opportunity. ” Everyone I spoke to told me that I had the right profile for this position. “, he summarizes.
Become a true support for residents
Indeed, his past collaborations with the Club first allowed him to meet the members and the team. ” I could see the potential of the Club in itself. Chris has done a remarkable job, both in terms of business development, budget management and the evolution of the Club. Taking over an establishment in full health is always pleasant. It’s all the more a challenge for me because I have to maintain the bar highto satisfy the members of the Club who were and still are very attached to Chris. »
The aim is therefore not to revolutionize everything but to maintain the activity of the Club, in the continuity of what Chris Dhondt activated. ” We will continue to develop and offer events, conferences, which bring residents together around gastronomy, culture, art, music… We are lucky: Monaco organizes more than 700 events a year and the Principality has much to offer in all areas. Everyone finds their account, and we can select events that will satisfy all Members “Promises Alexander.
And if the new director counts, at first ” observer and assimilator », he especially wishes to put his network and his experience at the service of the Members of the CREM: « what I can bring is the experience I acquired in the Government. For example, my knowledge of administrative processes, for residents, investors and entrepreneurs. I know the local economic fabric well, so if residents have any questions, for example about renewing a residence permit or setting up a business, I will listen to them and be happy to talk to them. I want to be a real support, a real vector of information for the Club. »
Alexandre Boin has already had the opportunity to meet most of the members, who gave him a warm welcome during the Christmas cocktail. ” Everyone looked happy and eager to see what I was going to come up with. What matters to me is to meet them, to exchange. Without members, there is no Club. It’s important to listen to them, to talk about what they like, their hobbies, their interests, to offer them things that match “, he concludes.