A Reflection on Two Years with RiskSphere

Henk-Jelle Reitsma 's Reflection on Two Years with RiskSphere.

Over two decades ago, while traveling in China, I found an old photograph of a 19th-century Buddhist archer. I framed it, and it has traveled with me, often finding its place in my offices. In Zen archery, the archer focuses on the process rather than the outcome. Letting go of the target, paradoxically, becomes the way to achieve true accuracy. As I reflect on RiskSphere’s journey over 2023 and 2024, that lesson feels especially relevant: growth, like archery, requires both dedication and the ability to let go.

Looking back

Since our inception in January 2023, RiskSphere has grown in ways I hadn’t fully anticipated. Nearly doubling our team size every half-year, diversifying our client base, and taking on challenges that demanded we refine and adjust our strategies has been both rewarding and humbling. Like the archer, we’ve needed to hone our focus but remain adaptable to whatever came our way. For us, growth has been about more than meeting targets; it’s about building something with lasting impact, one step at a time.

In his final years, French President Mitterrand, while battling cancer, often shared a story with visitors. He described a group of people who encounter two men piling rocks. When asked what he is doing, the first man replies, “I am piling rocks.” The second man, however, says, “I am building a cathedral.” Mitterrand would then pause dramatically, saying, “Most of my life, I have been piling rocks.”

I feel that deeply. Most days, at RiskSphere, we are focused on the daily tasks, challenges, details, wins, and losses. But as I step back and look at what we’ve built, I believe we’re creating something larger. We’re crafting a vision of what a consultancy can be: a place of inspiration, meaningful projects, impactful advisory work, and shared ownership. We’ve followed the mantra we laid down at the start:

“Doing impactful work, for great clients, with beautiful people.”

RiskSphere has expanded rapidly since 2023, growing from a team of two to 13 members and building recognition in the market. Working across the EMEA region, with a focus on sustainability risk, we’re working to broaden our presence in the Netherlands, Europe, and Africa. Our brand continues to attract both clients and prospective colleagues. Supported by a strong culture and regular business updates, we’ve fostered a setting that encourages personal growth. Marketing efforts have included publications, speaking engagements, and a growing online presence, while our internal processes – such as recruitment, onboarding, and communications – have become more structured as we scale.

Especially over the last few months, I’ve been reminded of the importance of letting go. Growth requires the art of knowing when to hold fast to a goal and when to step back and adapt. At RiskSphere, we’ve learned to pursue big ideas while staying grounded, knowing that not every project or approach will go as planned. This philosophy – balancing ambition with adaptability – has been essential to our progress and will guide us as we move forward.

Looking forward

We aim to grow to a team of over 25 consultants within the next two years, expanding our presence across new countries, sectors, and continuing to work with clients who share our commitment to sustainability and forward-thinking risk management. The partnership itself is expanding, and this next phase is something we must tackle together. I know that no single person – least of all myself – can bring RiskSphere to the next level alone. Whether piling rocks or building something bigger, this is a team endeavor in the truest sense of the word. One I am looking forward to.

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