Rhys Davies

For our latest Vario Story, we’re changing things up again. Usually, these pieces are a chance to get to know one of our amazing freelance consultants, but on this occasion, we’re turning the focus again to a member of our internal team. Vario’s Flexible Services offering turns 10 this year and as part of this anniversary, it’s only right that we introduce you to some of the people who have helped us get this far.

Rhys Davies is an Account Manager and long-standing member of the Vario team, getting involved with the growth and development of flexible resourcing models across Europe, Asia and Australia. This includes Ireland where Rhys is currently based helping launch Vario Flexible Services in our newest country. Growing up in Shropshire’s County Town of Shrewsbury, Rhys had early ambitions for a legal career of his own. During his time at secondary school he undertook placements with two prominent law firms, including one firm which by coincidence used to occupy Pinsent Masons’ Birmingham office building. Though, the building later underwent a comprehensive rebuild and he was keen to point out that things have changed quite considerably since then!

Rhys later studied business at universities in the UK and China and in response to the myriad of professional pathways a business degree can offer, he decided to join an international recruitment consultancy to be able to work with different clients and professionals and shape his thinking around the direction he wanted to take his professional career. That turned out to be a great decision because it was here that he found out about Vario.

Vario’s purpose resonated with Rhys and he was drawn to Vario’s international growth trajectory, wanting to be a part of it. When the opportunity arose, he successfully applied for a position in the Account Management team supporting the UK and newly established Australian teams. On reflection, this is the perfect business for Rhys to be involved with, combining his passion for positive change in the legal industry with opportunities to work internationally and build and develop innovative solutions.

Rhys’ passion for travel has served him well whilst working for Vario. He’s been lucky enough to have lived in the UK, Hong Kong and Ireland and worked from Pinsent Masons’ offices in Birmingham, London, Hong Kong and Dublin (the latter two on secondment).

Working cross-jurisdictionally has its challenges and these can intensify when you are actually living abroad at the same time. When pushed on this, Rhys makes clear that in his opinion, the rewards far outweigh the stress and the challenges, but he still acknowledges that they exist. In particular, he recalls how it can be difficult to maintain family and social ties when you are living in a different country. Integrating yourself into the local culture is important because it allows you to live new experiences and create new friendships. However, he told us that in his experience, the flip side to this was a recurring sense of loss for the relationships and experiences that you are distanced from by being away.

Having been so hands on during his time with Vario, Rhys has been able to help navigate clients through challenging circumstances and this is something he is very proud of. At a base level, it has been a rewarding experience for him to see how the Vario platform can enable legal professionals to work in ways that have brought about real and positive change for them and their clients. He is also proud of the international projects he’s been involved with, having helped successfully launch and develop Vario Flexible Services models internationally.

Finally, when asked what advice he would have for somebody considering freelancing, Rhys was keen to encourage people to consider it. Just as he was introduced to the Vario model by former (and later future) colleagues, he thinks the best way to see if it’s right for you is to get in touch with somebody who has been there and done it. Every freelancer has been in the same shoes prior to starting out and as we celebrate our 10-year anniversary, we’re keen to help more people take that all-important first step.