Nathalie Guichard

Nathalie Guichard took up her role as Director for Research, Technology, and Innovation at the European Defence Agency (EDA) on 1 May 2024. Ms. Guichard, a military engineer and Brigadier General, graduated from École Polytechnique in 1988 and ISAE-Supaéro in 1990.

Ms. Guichard began her career at AIA Clermont-Ferrand as a project manager for flying test bench modifications, later leading the equipment maintenance department. In 1998, she joined France’s defence procurement agency (DGA) as Rafale manufacturing and support manager. She transitioned to regional innovation in 2001, focusing on telecommunications, European development funds, and technology transfer to SMEs, before becoming Economic Development Director in 2012.

Returning to the Ministry of Defence in 2016, she served as Deputy Managing Director and later Managing Director of AIA Clermont-Ferrand, overseeing 1,400 employees and a turnover of €200M. In 2020, she was promoted managing director.