About

I've been fortunate enough to spend my career working where technology and impact mingle. I've learned that the biggest challenges facing impact-driven organisations, like the problems they're trying to solve, aren't technical - they're systemic.

My path has taken me from managing open source tech products at Canonical (the publishers of Ubuntu), to bootstrapping and leading a product team for digital climate solutions at South Pole, to circular economy data platforms at Earth Action. Each step has taught me about how technology can serve purpose-driven work, and how to help impact organisations succeed.

Most organisations know what they want to achieve, they have their vision for the future, but struggle with getting there. That's where systems thinking comes in - understanding how the pieces connect, when to make things simple vs when to go deep, and how to design processes that move you closer to impact.

I believe the best solutions come from honest conversations about your vision and what's actually happening - not what we think should be happening. My approach is to listen first, hear your story, try to understand your constraints, and then work together to design something that fits.

I want to help organisations succeed at intentionally making the world better. There's nothing more frustrating than watching good intentions get tangled up in poor systems, or unnecessary complexity - and nothing more satisfying than seeing a team unlock real impact.

I value directness over diplomacy, prototypes over presentations, and outcomes over activity. I'd rather have an honest conversation about what's not working than spend time on reports that sit on shelves. And I believe the best work happens when we approach serious problems from a place of possibility.

Business details

  • Company name: StudioRhys

  • KVK registration: 97713430

  • Founder: Rhys Davies

  • Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands

  • Legal structure: Sole proprietorship (eenmanszaak)

  • Established: July 2025

Mission statement

Helping mission-driven organisations bridge the gap between vision and execution through systems thinking, product management, and strategic implementation.

Core value proposition

"Bringing proven international methodologies from leading global organisations to accelerate Netherlands' impact sector effectiveness"

Target market

  • Primary: Mission-driven organisations targeting any UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG)

  • Secondary: Social enterprises, impact startups, NGOs, sustainability-focused companies

  • Geographic focus: Netherlands-based organisations with potential for international expansion

Unique positioning

  • Exclusively mission-driven: Only work with organisations creating positive social or environmental impact

  • International experience: Proven track record scaling impact at global organisations (Ubuntu, South Pole, Earth Action)

  • Systems thinking approach: Focus on building sustainable processes, not just delivering projects

  • Open work methodology: Transparent approach, sharing learnings and methodologies publicly

Key differentiators

  1. Deep impact sector experience: Years of actually implementing systems in global impact organisations

  2. Cross-sector expertise: Open-source communities, climate tech, circular economy platforms

  3. Mission alignment: Genuine commitment to impact work, not just corporate consulting

  4. Transparent methodology: Works in the open, shares learnings through blog and content

  5. International perspective: Brings global best practices to Dutch impact ecosystem

Service philosophy

  • Systems over solutions: Build sustainable processes that outlast individual projects

  • Collaboration over consulting: Work with teams, not just for them

  • Impact over income: Choose projects based on potential for positive change

  • Transparency over secrecy: Share methodologies and learnings openly

Business model

  • Project-based consulting: 1-6 month engagements

  • Flexible engagement: Can work embedded with teams or as strategic adviser

  • Knowledge sharing: Content creation and thought leadership alongside client work

  • Network building: Active participation in Dutch impact ecosystem

Success metrics

  • Client impact: Measurable improvements in client organisation effectiveness

  • Ecosystem contribution: Regular content creation and knowledge sharing

  • Network growth: Expanding connections within Dutch impact sector

  • Personal development: Learning and skill building towards future startup venture