When it comes to being at the forefront of the IT & tech industry, with access to the talent and skills that drive innovation; the Netherlands has long been considered a key European – if not global – hub.
It’s one of the big reasons why digital service provider AND Digital chose Amsterdam as their first mainland Europe operation outside the U.K.
The business started in 2015, with the mission of closing the world’s digital skills gap by building great teams, technology, and talent. In the past eight years, AND Digital has expanded across the U.K. and mainland Europe, with plans to launch in the U.S. later this year.
Finding a new base for digital transformation
Most global CTOs and CIOs consider the digital skills gap to be a key challenge for the coming years. So Jack Aspden, AND Digital’s Chief for Next Europe, was given the challenge of plotting their expansion beyond the U.K.
“We considered a number of different locations, like Dublin and Copenhagen. We also looked at Germany and Spain. But there were vital factors that influenced our decision: around the availability of talent, and the ease of doing business.
“The proximity of the Netherlands to the U.K. – its legal structures as well as its geography – was a big attraction. And when you add the availability of great digital talent and the huge market for the digital work that we do; Amsterdam was the obvious starting point for our European adventure.”
A business community with an open mindset
Jack points to the fact that 80% of the world’s business leaders cite access to digital talent as the biggest barrier to post-pandemic recovery as a core reason why clients want to work with AND Digital.
The Netherlands sees similar challenges. But AND Digital’s approach brings a solution. “Everyone’s collaborative and open here.”, Jack continues. “Businesses clearly want partners who can help them deliver great technology, but also will work in partnership to build in-house expertise rather than outsourcing or offshoring. We knew this meant we could create close bonds with clients.”
The decision to expand to Amsterdam was finalized back in 2019. But then the pandemic hit, leading AND Digital to pause for a number of months to see how the world and business might change. Once the dust had settled, they made their move.
A smooth migration
Almost as soon as the first 10 employees transfered over, in 2022, Jack knew they’d made the right decision. “We were really welcomed by the business community. We recruited locally too and scaled up very quickly.
“The NFIA and other Invest in Holland Partners advised us throughout. They introduced us to financial advisers, accountants, and legal advisers, and helped us navigate some of the local structures and norms, accelerating our entry into the market. We built our brand and recognition at speed. And we wouldn’t have been able to do it without them.”
Adding value
Jack also found the process rewarding: “From a cultural and life experience, it’s been great for me personally. I’ve found it easy to travel every other week to meet new clients and spend time with our team. And not just to Amsterdam: but Rotterdam and elsewhere in the market.”
Expanding horizons
One of the things AND Digital loves about the partnerships with the NFIA, is that they see positive results in both the businesses that come to the Netherlands and the communities they join.
As Jack states, “We think AND Digital has a great opportunity to influence and shape the digital transition and contribute to solutions from the Netherlands. We’re helping organizations deliver products at pace and at scale through our unique club model – where we work with local organisations and local talent hand-in-hand, building their capability while delivering software.”
AND Digital’s focus on strengthening tech and IT talent, knowledge and skills has always fuelled its growth. Now,with almost 100 people based across Amsterdam and Rotterdam already, it’s clear they’ve found fertile ground for their innovative thinking in the Netherlands.
