Sweav, a freelance consulting platform founded in the Netherlands, is launching in the UK. The company aims to challenge the pricing and traditional culture of the professional services sector.
Joeri Schouten, co-founder of Sweav, stated that the UK is Europe's largest professional services market but has a more traditional, hierarchical culture with higher prices and a less favourable work-life balance compared to mainland Europe. He argued that the standard five-to-one markup, where clients pay up to £4,500 daily for mid-level consultants who receive £800, is unsustainable.
Sweav plans to focus on the implementation phase of projects, rather than strategy development, offering experienced mid-level consultants for longer engagements to deliver practical results cost-effectively. The company, founded in 2022 by Mr Schouten and Thijmen Kaster, currently operates in Amsterdam and Belgium, with a turnover between £25m and £30m. Sweav is currently hiring a local UK co-founder and is considering a co-working space in Kensington.
Mr Schouten noted that while some consultants are interested in becoming independent, many are hesitant due to concerns about pension schemes, bookkeeping, taxes, and insurance. Sweav provides services to address these concerns, aiming to lower barriers for those seeking more freedom. He also mentioned that recent redundancies in the professional services industry could be a source of talent for the company.