Patrick Augier, vice-admiral much appreciated by the maritime community in which he has carried out numerous civil and military functions, is the general secretary advisor and member of the executive committee of Ponant. Engineer in atomic engineering, doctor in nuclear physics, patent of higher military education, Patrick Augier started out as head of department on the nuclear ballistic missile submarine Foudroyant. He was subsequently notably commander of the Jeanne d’Arc helicopter carrier and of the Naval Officer Training School, maritime adviser to the military cabinet of Jean-Marc Ayrault then Manuel Valls at Matignon and commander of the battalion of Marseille firefighters.