Manuel is a seasoned security and crisis-management professional with twenty five years of experience across law enforcement, intelligence and diplomatic environments. He began his career as a commissioned officer in the Spanish Guardia Civil, commanding an elite counter-terrorist assault team within the Special Intervention Unit (UEI), and later leading national homicide, kidnapping and extortion investigations (UCO). During eight more years he worked on complex intelligence operations, be it on national or international territory.

Since 2016, Manuel has served within the European External Action Service, where he is currently Deputy Head of Division and Head of Operations in the Division in charge of Diplomatic Security. He directs the global coordination of security support to more than 140 EU Delegations, leading a dispersed network of over 80 staff and providing senior expertise on Security Risk Management and Crisis Management worldwide.

Manuel holds Master’s degrees in Security Management and in International Relations, along with professional certifications in Risk Management (PMI-RMP) and Business Continuity (MBCI), combining operational expertise and a solid academic foundation with strategic vision and management excellence, all tested in high-pressure international environments.