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ACUMEN At Acumen we are dedicated to enabling people and business
to thrive in Africa. We deliver the analysis, advisory services and actionable solutions needed to make the most of the vast opportunities in a continent geographically bigger than most of the developed world.
Our objective is to build the understanding and confidence
needed to operate successfully and manage risk in an often misunderstood and highly complex environment. As well as our collective experience of working in Africa we have the technology and local contacts our clients demand.
There has never been a better time to invest or do business in Africa. To make the most of rapidly evolving opportunities, to hear how we can enable countries, people and business to thrive and share our passion for Africa, talk to Acumen HERE
Acumen builds a holistic understanding of the environment in which our client is operating through a market leading data analytics platform. Our intelligence incorporates the national, regional, and geopolitical drivers and influences to enable strategic decision making at the highest levels of management.
Acumen has recognised that due diligence and counter party risk in Africa demands a significantly wider and deeper approach than work carried out in other regions. Sustainable solutions demand a more thorough and intelligence led approach, so thorough our live and responsive network we aim to ensure due diligence and counter party assessment incorporates a complete view of second and third order risks to the client.
Frontier markets are not always able to reflect the international regulatory and legal standards of the nations from which investors are based. This frequently leads to a mismatch in expectations on operations and levels of compliance. Acumen has a proven track record of providing solutions to these complex issues in a manner that promotes improved cooperation and increased trust.
Frontier markets and conflict affected areas are of particular interest to insurance brokers, underwriters and their advisers. Acumen provides an intelligence led advisory service geared towards the specific requirements of the insurance sector.
Monitoring fixed assets that are located in conflict affected areas (or are isolated by geography) or linear assets that are impossible to monitor on the ground, Acumen can create time sensitive aerial and/or satellite imagery solutions throughout the continent that are processed securely, analysed, and delivered to the bespoke specifications of the client.
Acumen delivers ESG base line studies and onward monitoring, manages ESG incident response, carries out due diligence work and specialises in delivering these in frontier environments. African opportunities are very often under researched and under supplied with information – Acumen provides the additional depth and contextualisation necessary for the practical application of industry ESG standards.
You will meet highly experienced professionals with a range of complementary backgrounds, from banking to military and insurance.
The leadership team is backed by a network of skilled researchers and analysts with access to advanced technology and interpretation tools. For every client, we identify the right team then seek to build strong, enduring relationships based on mutual understanding and trust.
Understanding the underlying objectives, priorities, stressors and long-term strategy of our clients’ businesses forms the cornerstone on which we base our services.
Technological partnerships and innovations allow us to drive efficiency and accuracy which in turns allows us to provide timely and incisive services to our clients.
Mark is a strategic risk and management advisor with extensive experience in challenging environments across Africa and the Middle East for a wide variety of commercial and government clients. Mark is both a highly experienced security professional and insurance broker which gives him a rare understanding of how to provide holistic mitigation solutions for his clients. Previously a director at a leading risk management company and an insurance brokerage specialising in high-risk environments. Mark was also a regular officer in the British Army.
Email: info@a-ic.ltd
Robert is a risk management and business development executive focused on sub-Saharan Africa. Strong family and professional ties to the continent have given him a nuanced understanding and ability to translate and transact complex frontier business opportunities to international private and public sectors. A former regular military officer, Robert spent five years at a leading ship-brokerage in London before taking over business development for a risk management and security company in Africa then founding a boutique business development consultancy.
Clinton is an investment banking executive with 30 years experience across multiple industries often in complex geographies, with a track record of generating superior returns through hands-on operational management. He was a founder in a gas-to-electricity project in the DRC; a former Executive Chairman and Chief Executive of a London listed mining company in Mozambique; and the Chief Executive of an UHNW family office in Switzerland. Clinton spent 17 years at Investec Bank after graduating as a chartered accountant.