From London rush to Dutch calm: My first six months in the Netherlands
Earlier this year, consultant Dan Clark made the move from our London office to help establish the new Investigo Amsterdam office. With Investigo putting a real focus on growing and developing our European presence, it’s great to hear how Dan has been getting on – both personally and professionally – during his first six months in the Netherlands.
Settling in:
One of the clearest differences I noticed early on was the contrast in lifestyle. After years of living in London, a fast-paced city where long days and late commutes were the norm, Utrecht has provided a much calmer rhythm. Here, I’ve been able to enjoy a healthier work-life balance, with more time to train at my local gym and even unwind at home with my rabbits.
Dutch people are just as ambitious as their London counterparts, but there’s a real focus on efficiency during the working day – leaving time to enjoy life outside of work. Infrastructure also stands out: trains, trams and buses run smoothly (and on time), healthcare is accessible and reliable, and by law, everyone lives within 500 metres of nature. It makes for a very liveable, people-focused environment.
Highlights:
This summer I have been treading a very fine line between enjoying the area and new experiences available to me, without quite becoming too touristy! Below are some of my highlights from a wonderful summer, where family and friends visited and I have acted as a local tour guide:
De Haar Castle – A picturesque castle nearby to Utrecht surrounded by acres of beautiful park and wildlife
Zaandam – Lovely windmills and a sleepy village that is the perfect tonic for a hectic lifestyle
A’DAM Lookout Tower – A very fun tower in Amsterdam where you can swing overlooking the city and try some fun VR rides
Utrecht Boat Tour – Pedalo-ing around Utrecht canals in the sunshine
Professional Life:
Life in the Amsterdam office has been equally rewarding. Team socials often centre around activities like padel, roller skating or escape rooms, giving a fresh spin compared to the traditional pub culture in London.
I’ve also noticed how direct communication is here – conversations are refreshingly clear and straightforward, which has helped me become a stronger communicator. Building networks has also felt more natural; I’ve made new connections at the gym, while commuting, and of course through Investigo events.
A recent highlight was attending our Amsterdam event led by Matt Smith, where I connected with CTOs and CIOs (many also expats) to share experiences of adapting to Dutch culture.
Looking at 2026:
Professionally, I’m excited to be part of a team helping to grow Investigo’s presence in the Netherlands. The Amsterdam office is an important step in strengthening our European footprint, and I’m looking forward to supporting its continued growth.
For over 20 years, Investigo has been a trusted partner to businesses navigating change, and in Amsterdam we’re building on that legacy by specialising in key technology areas including data, software, cloud and infrastructure, and cybersecurity. From CTOs, CIOs and technology leads through to project managers, business analysts, PMOs and functional SMEs, we support clients in finding the right talent to drive their technology agendas forward.
On a personal note, I’ve also begun learning Dutch with the goal of becoming confident enough to hold client meetings in the local language – a challenge I’m excited to take on as I continue to settle into life here.
Join us
Moving countries is never simple, but six months in, I feel at home in the Netherlands – both at work and outside of it. It’s been an incredible opportunity to help build Investigo’s Amsterdam office and contribute to our European journey.
