I'm Luke,
an analytical thinker
in the Netherlands
Finance professional turned curious learner
I'm a finance professional who moved to the Netherlands six years ago from Essex, England. What began as a career in accounting has evolved into a fascinating journey of analytical thinking and continuous learningβwith Dutch language adventures providing ongoing entertainment for locals.
My approach to problems is deeply rooted in my CliftonStrengths profile. I'm driven to understand the "why" behind everything, whether it's Federal Reserve policy decisions, AI accounting structures, or the mysterious logic of Dutch grammar rules.
Currently working in FP&A with experience across accounting and shared service centers, I've developed a passion for business frameworks, process optimization, and data storytelling. This learning lab serves as my professional outlet for documenting discoveries, testing hypotheses, and sharing the analytical insights that emerge from my curiosity.
When I'm not diving into financial models or experimenting with new productivity methods, you'll find me cycling through the Dutch countryside.
My Journey
Key moments that shaped my path from finance to analytical thinking and beyond
Learning Lab Launch
Created lukethinks.nl as a space to document experiments, analyses, and learning discoveries.
FP&A Analyst Experience
Leading financial modeling, budget planning, and strategic variance analysis.
Finance Business Intelligence Role
Exploring data engineering, financial automation drives, and reporting pipelines.
Married the Love of My Life
Celebrated our wedding surrounded by friends and family.
Bought First Home
Navigated the Dutch housing market and settled down in the Amersfoort region.
Netherlands Adventure Begins
Moved from Essex, England to the Netherlands for love and a fresh European chapter.
Career in Accounting Began
Built foundational expertise in general ledger accounting, statutory reporting, and Excel wizardry.
How I Think
My CliftonStrengths 34 assessment reveals the analytical patterns behind my approach to problems
Top 5 Signature Themes
Harmony
Relationship BuildingContext
Strategic ThinkingAnalytical
Strategic ThinkingIndividualization
Relationship BuildingArranger
ExecutingCliftonStrengths 34 Radar Profile
Quick Facts
The essential details that make me, well... me
Living in the Netherlands since 2019
Finance & FP&A professional with an analytical mindset
Exploring prompt engineering, local LLMs & modern AI workflows
Cycled 66,000+ km β approximately 1.6 times around the globe
Strong believer that high quality coffee + clean data = flow state
Continuously learning GAAP/IFRS standards, tech economics & system thinking