As announced by the Prince’s Palace in a press release dated Friday, 30 January, Olivier Wenden has been appointed Chief of Staff to HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco, a position he will assume on 2 March 2026.
Vice Chairman and CEO of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation since October 2019, following five years as its Executive Director, Olivier Wenden has, throughout his tenure, worked to expand and structure the Foundation’s missions in line with the vision of the Sovereign Prince, ensuring that it delivers ever more relevant responses to the challenges of safeguarding planetary health.
Under his leadership, the Foundation has strengthened its global reach and consolidated its role as a key interface between science, finance and public decision-making, with a view to accelerating the transition towards sustainable development models, particularly in the field of the blue economy.
As of 2 March, by decision of the Sovereign Prince, Romain Ciarlet will assume the roles of Vice Chairman and CEO of the Foundation, having served as its Executive Director since December 2019. This natural succession reflects a clear commitment to continuity, as the Foundation celebrates its twentieth anniversary this year.
Working closely alongside Olivier Wenden, Romain Ciarlet has played a central role in advancing the Foundation’s action in the field of the blue economy, notably through the creation of the Ocean Innovators Platform and the co-structuring of innovative financial mechanisms such as the ReOcean Fund and the Blue Economy Index. He has also been instrumental in fostering the emergence of a new generation of leaders committed to the Planet through the Re.Generation Future Leaders Program.
Olivier Wenden
Olivier Wenden is a distinguished Monegasque executive and international policy leader. Since 2019, he has served as Vice Chairman and CEO of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, leading one of Europe’s most prominent philanthropic institutions. Appointed to the position of Chief of Staff (Directeur de Cabinet) of HSH The Sovereign Prince of Monaco, Mr Wenden will undergo a professional transition toward senior responsibilities within the Principality’s institutional framework.
During his tenure at the Foundation, Olivier Wenden significantly expanded its international reach and strategic positioning. He strengthened science-based and policy-driven programmes while developing partnerships with governments, multilateral organisations, sovereign wealth funds, academic institutions, and private-sector leaders. Under his leadership, the Foundation advanced innovative approaches to climate action, biodiversity protection, and ocean governance, reinforcing Monaco’s role as a credible and constructive actor in international environmental
diplomacy. He also supported the development of sustainable finance tools, including the ReOcean Fund, a €100 million impact investment vehicle dedicated to the new blue economy.
Playing an active role in high-level international cooperation, the Foundation co-organised in 2025, under his leadership, the Blue Economy & Finance Forum (BEFF) in Monaco, a landmark global event held ahead of the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference. The Forum brought together heads of state, policymakers, financial institutions, and investors to accelerate the mobilisation of capital toward sustainable ocean solutions. Widely recognised for its pragmatic and results-oriented approach, BEFF illustrated his capacity to structure complex international initiatives and align political, economic, and environmental agendas.
Earlier in his career, Olivier Wenden built a solid foundation in public service and international affairs. From 2008 to 2012, he served at Monaco’s National Council as Chargé de Mission for International Affairs and Communication, contributing to the Principality’s parliamentary diplomacy and institutional communications. He subsequently joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation as a Chargé de Mission. Educated at Sciences Po Bordeaux and the Sorbonne-Paris Nouvelle, and appointed a Knight of the National Order of Merit by the President of the French Republic, Olivier Wenden brings to his forthcoming responsibilities a strong command of institutional processes, strategic coordination, and international engagement.
Romain Ciarlet
As of 2 March 2026, Romain Ciarlet is appointed Vice Chairman and CEO of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, following his tenure as Executive Director and General Secretary, roles he has held since 2019.
In this capacity, he has made a significant contribution to shaping the Foundation’s strategic direction, particularly in the areas of fundraising, the development of strategic partnerships, and the coordination of cross-cutting initiatives.
He has notably played a leading role in the deployment of the Foundation’s blue economy and blue finance axis, through key initiatives such as the ReOcean Fund, the Ocean Innovators Platform and the Blue Economy Index. These initiatives aim to accelerate the emergence of innovative solutions, strengthen dialogue between entrepreneurs and investors, and channel financial flows towards ocean conservation and the sustainable use of marine resources.
Before joining the Foundation, Romain Ciarlet pursued a diplomatic career in Germany and Russia, where he was involved in international projects related to economic cooperation, culture and science. This background has given him a nuanced understanding of the interactions between public policy, economic dynamics and sustainability challenges.
