We solve problems and pride ourselves in building relationships.
About us
Arcis Africa was created in 2018 as part of Arcis International´s global expansion. It was created to focus on the complexities of an evolving continent filled with opportunities and unique challenges.
With a global consulting network under the Arcis banner and locally based consultants and operators, Arcis Africa combines global expertise with local cultural knowledge to provide clients with the best services in the market.
What does Arcis mean?
We derived our name from the Latin word arx, or arcis. It means citadel; stronghold; fortress.
Citadels were designed as defensive in nature and used to protect government leaders in times of peace and as a place of refuge for citizens in times of a crisis. Traditionally built at the most strategic location, be it the center of the city or its highest point, citadels gave defender an advantage over adversaries and usually the last line of defense.
Just like a citadel, Arcis is a strategic consulting firm that helps solve complex issues with unique solutions very few can provide.
Talk to our Arcis consultants and see why we are different. More than just a business, we solve problems and pride ourselves in building relationships.
Who are we?
With the backing of Arcis International, our founding members combine decades of experience and diverse expertise to provide clients with the best options for their risk management solutions.
Francisco Quinones – Washington D.C., USA
Managing Director
Prior to forming Arcis International and Arcis Africa, Francisco was the Director of Operations for a leading crisis management firm where he ran global response efforts for over four years. He is a former United States Army Non-Commissioned Officer with deployments to Kosovo and South Africa, Francisco completed two tours in Iraq as a private contractor providing close protection services and training Iraqi forces in various aspects of security management.
As global response lead, Francisco oversaw more than 150 kidnap-for-ransom, extortion, and wrongful detention cases and has been personally involved in the successful resolution of more than 70 kidnapping, maritime hijacking, and evacuation cases throughout Latin America, Africa, and South Asia. He continues to provide consulting and operational security services to clients in high risk environments throughout the world.
Francisco earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Foreign Service and a Master´s degree in National Security, both from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.
Languages: English, Spanish, and conversant in French and Portuguese.
Robert Cochrane – Harare, Zimbabwe
Director
Prior to joining Arcis, Robert worked in various safety and security capacities – as a team leader and private contractor for ten years in Afghanistan, as a maritime security consultant and bridge advisor on commercial vessels transiting Somali waters in the Indian Ocean, as a risk management consultant in offshore Nigeria providing oil-rig security using Nigerian Navy assets, as well as close protection professional for executive clients in Tanzania and South Africa.
AIn these functions, Robert has carried out risk assessments, developed security plans and operating procedures, produced and delivered security briefings and drills with clients and teams, provided management and oversight of security arrangements for staff including crisis management, and been part of mobile security team and counter-assault teams.
Robert served in the Rhodesian Light Infantry and was a commercial farmer in Zimbabwe for twenty years. He earned a diploma in tobacco production at the Blackfordby Tobacco Training Institute, Zimbabwe.
Languages: English, conversant in Shona and Chilapalapa, and basic Swahili.
Richard Kennaird – Harare, Zimbabwe
Director
Richard has worked extensively throughout Africa for the past 12 years, including Zimbabwe, Malawi, South Africa, Tanzania, and Kenya, often with high profile clientele. He began working as a consultant with Arcis International upon graduating top of his class in the world-renowned Ronin Close Protection in Hostile Environments course.
Richard is qualified as a remote medic, often working in extremely isolated and hostile environments as a first responder. He has assisted on medical air evacuations, swiftly adapting to high-stress environments to provide essential care to clients while coordinating the logistical aspects of medical transportation. Richard also provides refresher medical training to various companies in the region. Richard also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Psychology from the University of Johannesburg.
Languages: English, Shona, basic Chichewa, and basic Swahili.