Our values
Aliénor's team believes in what it defends, and adheres to its clients’ values. Building trust is essential for us to represent our clients’ interests. Our team masters the matters entrusted to our care. Our services are tailor made, and we work conscientiously, with professionalism and transparency, with the aim of always achieving the best possible results.
We organise our teams in such a way as to make sure that our clients can reach the person in charge of their file at any time. Being a little company allows us to be accessible, and we cherish the human side of our work.
Our goal is to provide reliable and objective information to keep humanist values at the core of EU’s policy decisions.
Our
history
The beginnings
Cécile Fouquet, Mélanie Lamaison and Elise Regairaz were employed in the same structure in Brussels. Sharing common values, the same vision of the lobbying work and the same desire to provide personalised services to their clients, they decided to found their own agency, AliénorEU, in December 2012.
Aliénor’s evolution
As Aliénor’s team has grown since 2012, it has been structured as different hubs. However, Aliénor’s values remain the same and constitute Aliénor’s greatest strength.
The name Aliénor
Our company’s name refers to Aliénor d'Aquitaine (better known in English as Eleanor). She is an important historical figure from the region of origin of two of our directors: the South-West of France. She was an influential and determined ruler who greatly supported arts and culture development in her court. She also laid the foundations of maritime law. Furthermore, Aliénor was one of the first “European” figures because after serving as Queen of France, she became Queen of England.
This is
our team
Our team members share Aliénor’s values and willingness to provide the best services to its clients. We work hard to provide you with personalised solutions to help you achieve your goals.
Group picture (c) Michael Shia
Individual pictures (c) Simon Blackley
Mélanie Lamaison
Founder, Director General
Mélanie is the director general of Aliénor. Along with Aliénor’s other founders, she oversees the company’s general management and strategic choices. Mélanie also leads the company’s “agriculture” and “creative industries” hubs.
She grew up in the French countryside, in a family of farmers, which is why she still has the welfare of agricultural workers at heart. She likes challenging missions and loves to work in close collaboration with her clients.
Perfect holiday: that spent with her family, children and husband, combining relaxation, discovery and moments of conviviality … which, for the French, means eating and drinking quality EU products in good company.
Mélanie is the director general of Aliénor. Along with Aliénor’s other founders, she oversees the company’s general management and strategic choices. Mélanie also leads the company’s “agriculture” and “creative industries” hubs.
She grew up in the French countryside, in a family of farmers, which is why she still has the welfare of agricultural workers at heart. She likes challenging missions and loves to work in close collaboration with her clients.
Cécile Fouquet
Founder, Partner Director
Cécile is a partner director of Aliénor. Along with Aliénor’s other founders, she oversees the company’s general management and strategic choices. Cécile also leads the “fisheries & aquaculture” and “transport” hubs.
Both the French and Spanish regions of origin of Cécile are traditional fishing areas, and she grew up knowing not only the economic importance of the activities at sea but also their cultural and social value. Her latest linguistic challenges were learning Japanese and Dutch.
Favourite dish: Nothing beats Spanish ham … but fish is healthier!
Cécile is a partner director of Aliénor. Along with Aliénor’s other founders, she oversees the company’s general management and strategic choices. Cécile also leads the “fisheries & aquaculture” and “transport” hubs.
Both the French and Spanish regions of origin of Cécile are traditional fishing areas, and she grew up knowing not only the economic importance of the activities at sea but also their cultural and social value. Her latest linguistic challenges were learning Japanese and Dutch.
Elise Regairaz
Founder, Partner Director
Elise is a partner director of Aliénor. Along with Aliénor’s other founders, she oversees the company’s general management and strategic choices. Elise also leads the “circular economy” hub and supervises Aliénor’s involvement in European projects.
She grew up in the French Brittany, completing her studies in equally exotic places, such as Spain and the USA.
Curious and challenge driven, Elise moved to Kenya for a year to carry out research on the connection between environmental protection and indigenous people’s rights.
Favourite drink: Elise enjoys coffee, especially when it not only tastes good but also feels good. She looks forward to recycling her used aluminium capsules through the blue bag, and closing the loop!
Elise is a partner director of Aliénor. Along with Aliénor’s other founders, she oversees the company’s general management and strategic choices. Elise also leads the “circular economy” hub and supervises Aliénor’s involvement in European projects.
She grew up in the French Brittany, completing her studies in equally exotic places, such as Spain and the USA.
Curious and challenge driven, Elise moved to Kenya for a year to carry out research on the connection between environmental protection and indigenous people’s rights.
Cynthia Benites
Public Affairs Manager
Cynthia is the manager of the “agriculture” and “creative industries” hubs. As such, she is also part of the company’s management team.
Cynthia likes to get to the bottom of things when working on a file, and to discover new topics and work in close coordination with her clients.
Special hobby: She particularly enjoys running. Fresh air + exercise + good music is perfect for recharging her batteries!
Cynthia is the manager of the “agriculture” and “creative industries” hubs. As such, she is also part of the company’s management team.
Cynthia likes to get to the bottom of things when working on a file, and to discover new topics and work in close coordination with her clients.
Axel Touja
Public Affairs Manager
Axel is the Manager of the “circular economy” hub and also works on different EU projects in which Aliénor is the communication and dissemination partner. He loves to work on a wide range of topics and to get to their bottom.
Born and raised in the South-West of France, having lived in Estonia and currently living in Brussels, Axel has been shaped by his contact with different cultures. Analysing the technical EU legislation has never made him lose his smile.
Special hobby: vexillology – the study of flags … Even though it seems a bit geeky, it is actually a great way to learn about a country’s history and culture, and to travel at no cost!
Axel is the Manager of the “circular economy” hub and also works on different EU projects in which Aliénor is the communication and dissemination partner. He loves to work on a wide range of topics and to get to their bottom.
Born and raised in the South-West of France, having lived in Estonia and currently living in Brussels, Axel has been shaped by his contact with different cultures. Analysing the technical EU legislation has never made him lose his smile.
Charlotte Musquar
Office Manager
Charlotte is Aliénor's Office Manager, but also works in the “fisheries & aquaculture” hub.
Charlotte loves teamwork and having lunch with her colleagues. Having travelled a lot, she still loves to learn about other cultures and strongly believes in the importance of European cohesion. In addition, she has a tonne of creative hobbies but likes to draw most of all.
Perfect holiday: the perfect balance between cultural visits and enjoying the wonders of nature all around the world!
Charlotte is Aliénor's Office Manager, but also works in the “fisheries & aquaculture” hub.
Charlotte loves teamwork and having lunch with her colleagues. Having travelled a lot, she still loves to learn about other cultures and strongly believes in the importance of European cohesion. In addition, she has a tonne of creative hobbies but likes to draw most of all.
Thibault Van Lierde
Consultant
Thibault works in the “fisheries & aquaculture” and “transport” hubs. He is convinced that cross-border cooperation needs continuous attention, this to eliminate concrete border bottlenecks and exploit opportunities. He likes to work on several topics without losing the long-term goals out of sight.
His special, personal interest is the Italian ‘Boom economico’ (1958-1963) – a period affecting Italy’s society, economy, and culture hugely. His preferred work on this is: ‘Donnarumma all’assalto’ – Ottiero Ottieri (1959). Feel free to suggest other reading tips on the matter.
Originating from the coastal town of Oostende (Belgium) he is the expert at the office to provide crucial information on the Belgian way of life in all its aspects.
Special hobby: Thibault follows lessons violin at the local music school in his hometown, this since he’s 5 years old.
Thibault works in the “fisheries & aquaculture” and “transport” hubs. He is convinced that cross-border cooperation needs continuous attention, this to eliminate concrete border bottlenecks and exploit opportunities. He likes to work on several topics without losing the long-term goals out of sight.
His special, personal interest is the Italian ‘Boom economico’ (1958-1963) – a period affecting Italy’s society, economy, and culture hugely. His preferred work on this is: ‘Donnarumma all’assalto’ – Ottiero Ottieri (1959). Feel free to suggest other reading tips on the matter.
Originating from the coastal town of Oostende (Belgium) he is the expert at the office to provide crucial information on the Belgian way of life in all its aspects.
Justine Marrot
Consultant
Justine works in the "fisheries and aquaculture," "transport," and "creative industries" sectors. She enjoys exploring new topics and collaborating with teams.
Beyond Europe, Justine has a strong interest in the Anglo-Saxon world, having specialized in the United States during her studies and spent a year in the United Kingdom on an Erasmus exchange.
Passionate about history, Justine loves traveling, preferably by train, to explore new countries and cultures, whether from a historical or culinary perspective. She is deeply convinced of the importance of European cooperation and embracing other cultures.
Special hobby: Justine took flamenco dance lessons for over 10 years and enjoys trying out new dance styles.
Justine works in the "fisheries and aquaculture," "transport," and "creative industries" sectors. She enjoys exploring new topics and collaborating with teams.
Beyond Europe, Justine has a strong interest in the Anglo-Saxon world, having specialized in the United States during her studies and spent a year in the United Kingdom on an Erasmus exchange.
Passionate about history, Justine loves traveling, preferably by train, to explore new countries and cultures, whether from a historical or culinary perspective. She is deeply convinced of the importance of European cooperation and embracing other cultures.