In certain professional environments, travel leaves no room for improvisation.
Fast-paced schedules, last-minute changes, permanent confidentiality: every detail must be perfectly managed, often without ever being visible.
At Chabé, the role of a dedicated chauffeur is built around this logic of continuity and anticipation. Far beyond driving, it relies on a relationship of trust built over time, a strong ability to adapt and a deep understanding of the passenger’s habits and expectations.
Through this interview, Éric Verbeque, dedicated chauffeur at Chabé for nearly twenty years, reflects on his career path, his vision of the profession and the essential qualities required to accompany executives on a daily basis.
Dedicated chauffeur at Chabé since 2006, I joined the Group’s Business department after an initial experience within the Prestige department in 2005.
My career path was not originally leading me toward this profession. I started in graphic arts, in an environment related to phototypesetting, before moving into desktop publishing.
I then worked at the French Navy Ministry in Paris in similar roles. It was also during that period that I took my first steps as a chauffeur, accompanying an Admiral during some of his journeys.
In 1994, I created my own company specialised in publishing and advertising printing, which I developed for more than ten years. Over time, the desire to evolve and change environments gradually emerged.
It was ultimately through an encounter that I sent my CV to Service Affaires, and I was contacted the very same day. A rapid transition, almost an obvious one.
I then made the decision to fully commit myself to this path, which I have never left since.
A dedicated chauffeur is a chauffeur assigned to one single person, often an executive or senior manager with numerous journeys throughout the day and the week.
The idea is to support them at all times, with someone who knows their routes, habits and way of working, in order to save them time and simplify their daily routine.
In practical terms, I accompany my passenger on all their journeys, regardless of the context or timing. I wait for them, adapt to their schedule and ensure everything flows smoothly. This continuity also relies on close coordination with the executive assistant, who communicates adjustments and priorities throughout the day. It allows us to anticipate and adapt constantly.
Over time, we learn to know the person well, their preferences and expectations, which allows us to always provide the most appropriate support.
The objective is for the client never to have to think about their journeys and to remain fully focused on their priorities.
The first quality is discretion.
We operate in an environment where everything we see and hear must remain strictly confidential. It is essential to establish a relationship of trust with the client.
Calmness is equally important. Faced with unexpected situations, last-minute adjustments or changes of pace, you must remain composed and maintain a consistent attitude in order to provide a serene environment for the client.
You must also be able to adapt constantly. Every client has their own habits, expectations and rhythm. Some prefer to keep the same routes and routines. Others require great flexibility, particularly in more sensitive contexts, where you need to be especially attentive to everything surrounding each journey.
For me, it is this combination of discretion, calmness and adaptability that defines a good dedicated chauffeur at Chabé.
A relationship of trust is built progressively.
Depending on the clients, it can happen quite quickly, within a few days, or take several months.
At first, it is mainly about meeting expectations regarding journeys. Then, over time, the requests evolve. The client entrusts increasingly important responsibilities, such as making purchases or managing certain aspects of their daily life.
It is this evolution that truly demonstrates that trust has been established.
This profession has taught me to step back.
We evolve in environments and situations that we do not necessarily know at first, which requires constant adaptability.
Over time, I have learned to handle sometimes complex situations with greater calmness and control.
It has also allowed me to put things into perspective more easily and maintain constant stability, whatever the circumstances.
The moment I am most proud of was when, five years after joining Chabé, I was selected to accompany a client operating in a highly exposed environment, with particularly high stakes over several years.
There was genuine internal reflection regarding the choice of dedicated chauffeur, and being selected was a great source of pride for me, both personally and professionally.
This assignment then became a long-term mission, which represents a real recognition of my work.
Being a dedicated chauffeur does not simply mean ensuring journeys.
It means accompanying someone in a daily routine often shaped by demanding constraints, constant adjustments and a continuous need for fluidity.
Through his experience, Éric Verbeque illustrates an essential dimension of the profession at Chabé: the ability to build a lasting relationship of trust, based on discretion, anticipation and a deep understanding of the passenger’s expectations.
An approach where continuity of service becomes almost invisible, precisely because every detail has been anticipated in advance.
Would you like to implement a dedicated chauffeur service to accompany your executives or employees on a daily basis?