# Stephan Crétier

> Canadian entrepreneur Stephan Crétier founded GardaWorld in 1995 with C$25,000 from a second mortgage. He remains its founder, chairman, president and CEO; a March 2025 recapitalization valued the business at C$14 billion and gave him and selected managers approximately 70% collectively. Based in Dubai, he is also a Roy Estate proprietor with his wife, Stéphany Maillery, and co-founder of a foundation supporting Canadian public-safety, cultural and remembrance projects.

- **Role:** Founder, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer at GardaWorld
- **Organizations:** GardaWorld, Roy Estate, Stéphan Crétier Foundation, Horatio Alger Association of Canada, Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
- **From:** Montreal, Canada
- **Nationality:** Canadian
- **Education:** Studies in industrial relations, University of Montreal, MBA, California Pacific University
- **Known for:** Founded and continues to lead GardaWorld., Led management group into approximately 70% collective ownership in March 2025., Received Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012.

## Career timeline

- **1980s** — Pursued baseball umpiring, including training in Florida, before entering the security industry.
- **1995** — Founded Trans-Quebec Security Inc., later GardaWorld, with C$25,000 from a second mortgage.
- **2003** — Took GardaWorld public.
- **2006** — Established the Stéphan Crétier Foundation with Stéphany Maillery.
- **2010** — Began living in Dubai.
- **2012** — Took GardaWorld private with Apax Partners at approximately C$1.1 billion valuation.
- **2017** — Became co-proprietor of Roy Estate with Maillery.
- **2018** — Foundation launched the Bolo Program.
- **2019** — Completed C$5.2 billion recapitalization with BC Partners; Arts of One World wing opened in Montreal.
- **2021** — GardaWorld did not acquire G4S after holding its final bid at 235 pence per share.
- **2024** — Peace Circle funded by his foundation opened at Vimy; new GardaWorld recapitalization announced.
- **2025** — March 5 closing valued GardaWorld at C$14 billion; Crétier and selected managers held approximately 70% collectively. Received International Horatio Alger Award.

## Achievements

- Founded and continues to lead GardaWorld.
- Led management group into approximately 70% collective ownership in March 2025.
- Received Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012.
- Received King Charles III Coronation Medal in 2024.
- Received 2025 International Horatio Alger Award.
- With Maillery, supported the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts Arts of One World wing and Vimy Foundation projects.

## Latest updates

- **2026-09** — GardaWorld business Crisis24 and Dataminr announced a real-time intelligence and agentic AI integration into Crisis24 Horizon on September 14; this is a company development, not a personal announcement.
- **2025-11** — Received the 2025 International Horatio Alger Award, presented at the November 12 gala and announced November 13.
- **2025-03** — Recapitalization closed March 5 at C$14 billion valuation, with approximately 70% collectively owned by Crétier and selected managers.

## Links

- Website: https://fondationcretier.org
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephan-cretier

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/stephan-cretier
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-16