Magnifying the impact of
ideas on the world

ABOUT
We are a strategic knowledge partnership

At Douglas Knowledge Partners, we are moved by ideas that have the potential to change the world. We partner with businesses, consultancies, governments, non-profits, and other leading organisations to deliver end-to-end content solutions that achieve meaningful impact.

Our team of talented writers, creatives, strategic thinkers, and coaches work across a wide range of topics including economic development, digital transformation, sustainability, the future of work, and more. From proactive ideation and problem solving to final content delivery and amplification, our goal is to build long-lasting strategic knowledge partnerships that turn insights into action.

Services
The Douglas Knowledge Path
The Douglas Knowledge Path is our end-to-end services solution. Beginning at strategy and ideation, followed by content creation, and ending with amplification, we support clients across the entire services spectrum, or at any point of their knowledge journey.

The Douglas Knowledge Path is our end-to-end services solution. Beginning at strategy and ideation, followed by content creation, and ending with

amplification, we support clients across the entire services spectrum, or at any point of their knowledge journey. Hover over buttons to find out more.

Our leaders offer counsel on knowledge strategy, competitor analysis, and effective knowledge initiatives. We reflect on which findings and ideas will have the greatest impact, and how these ideas can be communicated most effectively, including optimal narrative techniques and blend of media.

The Douglas team manages the end-to-end publication process in any chosen media, handling audience analysis, structuring and storylining, targeted research, interviewing, drafting and ghostwriting, editing, and design, layout and development. Our media include articles, reports, books, microsites, web content, video, animation, podcasts, and more.

To drive enduring impact, we work with our clients to co-develop multichannel amplification campaigns. We apply bold thinking to develop ideas and mobilise audiences, extracting op-eds, social media, stump speeches, and other communications tools – guided by the philosophy “create once; share everywhere”. To bring data and ideas to life,we develop a variety of data visualisation devices and bring stakeholders together through real world or virtual convening events.

Supporting knowledge strategy and planning

Co-creating knowledge content, from start to finish

Amplifying ideas to magnify their impact

Our leaders offer counsel on knowledge strategy, competitor analysis and effective knowledge initiatives. We reflect on which findings and ideas will have the greatest impact, and how these ideas can be communicated most effectively, including optimal narrative techniques and blend of media.

Supporting knowledge strategy and planning

The Douglas Knowledge team manages the end-to-end publication process in any chosen media, handling audience analysis, structuring and storylining, targeted research, interviewing, drafting and ghostwriting, editing, and design, layout and development. Our media include articles, reports, books, microsites, web content, video, animation, podcasts, and more.

Co-creating knowledge content, from start to finish

To drive enduring impact, we work with our clients to co-develop multichannel amplification campaigns. We apply bold thinking to develop ideas and mobilise audiences, extracting op-eds, social media, stump speeches and other communications tools – guided by the philosophy “create once; share everywhere”. To bring data and ideas to life,we develop a variety of data visualisation devices and bring stakeholders together through real world or virtual convening events.

Amplifying ideas to magnify their impact

Organisations whose ideas we’ve magnified

We work with leading knowledge organisations, consultancies, private companies, non-profits, and public-sector organisations on every continent. Their need for discretion means we can’t speak about all of them, but here are a few we can tell you about…

We work with leading knowledge organisations, consultancies, private companies, non-profits, and public-sector organisations on every continent.

Client confidentiality means we can’t speak about all of them, but here are a few we can tell you about …

Magnifying ideas: Recent collaborations
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The following impact stories showcase the range of work and clients we partner with – from seminal books on doing business in Africa, to perception-shifting reports on the role of SMEs in the UK’s journey to net zero.

These case studies speak to the issues that matter to us as a knowledge partnership – and the ideas that can help our clients shape a better world. Hover to learn more.

The Idea
With CEOs under greater pressure than ever to lead through disruption, uncertainty, and social change, leaders can step more purposefully into their roles to serve people, profit, and planet.

The Impact
The Douglas team developed a series of powerful CEO stories and launched the collection under an attention-grabbing campaign hashtag. The approach worked: the organisation’s annual CEO survey received double the number of respondents over its previous edition – signalling a more engaged client network.

The Idea
With bold ideas, solid investment, and cross-sector support and collaboration, the public and social sectors can tackle the biggest issues facing society in the century: inclusive economic development, health, and sustainability.

The Impact
For more than a decade, we’ve worked closely with the public and social sector practice of a world-leading knowledge organisation to establish its pre-eminence on the global stage. Our ongoing collaboration covers reports, articles, video and animation, keynote speeches and presentations.

CEO stories help global leadership consultancy connect with clients

Shaping insight on inclusive economic development

The Idea
By shifting from prevailing African support mechanisms focused on ‘aid for survival’ to ‘aid for productivity’, a ground-breaking new approach is unlocking productivity and rolling back poverty in Africa.

The Impact
The Bank of Industry’s Growth Platform initiative has helped over 4 million small businesses in Nigeria in just five years. Its aim is to drive innovation through enterprise to overcome poverty in Africa. Over several months, we partnered closely with Growth Platform to develop their five-year report, Aid for Productivity, from conception to production.

The Idea
Small- and medium-sized businesses are the lifeblood of the UK economy. Without involving them in the green economy transition, the UK will struggle to meet its carbon-reduction commitments and SMEs could lose out on significant growth opportunities.

The Impact
We partnered with a leading UK bank to develop a major research report focused on the critical role of SMEs in the country’s journey to net-zero emissions. Our team developed social media content to promote the report and its key findings, helping to further amplify the bank’s role as a leading supporter of small businesses.

Partnering with Nigeria’s Bank of Industry in support of millions of small businesses

Highlighting the critical role of SMEs in the UK’s net-zero transition

The Idea
Africa is alive with opportunity. Contrary to outdated but persistent Western notions of Africa as a continent riddled by conflict, corruption, and a complex business environment, Africa offers fertile ground for building innovative, profitable enterprises.

The Impact
Described by Publishers Weekly as “a truly disruptive book”, Africa’s Business Revolution is the definitive guide to doing business in Africa. The Douglas team is proud to have helped shaped this important work along side the authors and the publishers, published by Harvard Business Review Publishing.

We partnered with a major UK bank to develop a research report focused on the critical role of SMEs in the country’s journey to net-zero emissions. Designed to reshape thinking about the importance of SMEs in this transition – and shift SME thinking from ‘climate obligation’ to ‘climate opportunity’ – the report was launched in time for COP26 in Glasgow in 2021. To celebrate the city and its local talent, we commissioned a graduate from the Glasgow School of Art to illustrate the reportand front cover, resulting in a striking and memorable design that pushed creativity while remaining true to the bank’s iconic brand. Our team developed social media content to promote the report and its key findings, helping to further amplify the critical role of SMEs, and the bank’s role as a leading supporter of small businesses.

“Truly disruptive book” reshapes thinking about doing business in Africa

Highlighting the critical role of SMEs in the UK’s net-zero transition

Client: Harvard Business Review Publishing

‍Collaboration: Africa’s Business Revolution: How to Succeed in the World’s Next Big Growth Market
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‍The idea: Africa is alive with opportunity. Contrary to outdated but persistent Western notions of Africa as a continent riddled by conflict, corruption, and a complex business environment, Africa offers fertile ground for building large, profitable enterprises.

The Idea
With CEOs under greater pressure than ever to lead through disruption, uncertainty, and social change, leaders can step more purposefully into their roles to serve people, profit, and planet.

The Impact
The Douglas Knowledge team developed a series of powerful CEO stories and launched the collection under an attention-grabbing campaign hashtag. The approach worked: the organisation’s annual CEO survey received double the number of respondents overits previous edition – signalling a more engaged client network.

Powerful CEO stories help global leadership consultancy connect with clients

The Idea
With bold ideas, solid investment, and cross-sector support and collaboration, the public and social sectors can tackle the biggest issues facing society in the 21st Century: inclusive economic development, health, and sustainability.

The Impact
For more than a decade, we’ve worked closely with the public and social sector practice of a world-leading knowledge organisation to establish its pre-eminence on the global stage. Our ongoing collaboration covers reports, articles, video and animation, keynote speeches and presentations.

Longstanding partnership shapes thought leadership for a world-leading knowledge organisation

The Idea
By shifting from prevailing African support mechanisms focused on ‘aid for survival’ to ‘aid for productivity’, a ground-breaking new approach
is unlocking productivity and rolling back poverty in Africa.

The Impact
The Bank of Industry’s Growth Platform initiative has helped over 4 million small businesses in Nigeria in just five years. Its aim is to drive innovation through enterprise to overcome poverty in Africa. Over several months, we partnered closely with Growth Platform to develop their five-year report, Aid for Productivity, from conception to production.

Partnering with Nigeria’s Bank of Industry in support of millions of small businesses

The Idea
Small and medium sized businesses are the lifeblood of the UK economy. Without involving them in the green economy transition, the UK will struggle to meet its carbon reduction commitments and SMEs could lose out on significant growth opportunities.

The Impact
We partnered with a major UK bank to develop a major research report focused on the critical role of SMEs in the country’s journey to net-zero emissions. Our team developed social media content to promote the report and its key findings, helping to further amplify the bank’s role as a leading supporter of small businesses.

Highlighting the critical role of SMEs in the UK’s net-zero transition

The Idea
Africa is alive with opportunity. Contrary to out dated but persistent Western notions of Africa as a continent riddled by conflict, corruption, and a complex business environment, Africa offers fertile ground for building innovative, profitable enterprises.

The Impact
Described by Publishers Weekly as “a truly disruptive book”, Africa’s Business Revolution is the definitive guide to doing business in Africa. The Douglas team is proud to have helped shaped this important work along side the authors and the publishers, published by Harvard Business Review Publishing.

“Truly disruptive book” reshapes thinking about doing business in Africa

Our people
The Douglas Knowledge Partners

We are an ever-expanding team of writers, strategic thinkers and researchers, expert consultants, young creatives, and meticulous copy editors – based primarily in Cape Town and serving clients all over the world.

We also work with a global network of partners who are leaders in their respective fields. Among them are New York-based Darby Films for
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animations, websites, and interactive content; Vivi in London for market research; and Compass Crew in South Africa for digital convening.

Our extended talent network allows us to tap into the full range of skills and expertise across the end-to-end ideation and publishing process, meeting client needs with the highest quality, flexibility, and value. Hover over the partners to learn more.
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We are an ever-expanding team of writers, strategic thinkers and researchers, expert consultants, young creatives, and meticulous copy editors – based primarily in Cape Town and serving clients all over the world.

We also work with a global network of partners who are leaders in their respective fields. Among them are New York-based Darby Films for animations, websites, and interactive content; Vivi in London for market research; Compass Crew in South Africa for digital convening.

Our extended talent network allows us to tap into the full range of skills and expertise across the end-to-end ideation and publishing process, meeting client needs with the highest quality, flexibility and value. Click on the partners to learn more.‍

Colin Douglas, founder of Douglas Knowledge Partners, has spent over two decades as the knowledge partner of choice to some of the world’s leading organisations, working with them to conceive and create books, reports, and articles on topics that shape the world’s future for the better. Previously, Colin served as a contributing editor to the McKinsey Quarterly and worked with the firm’s senior leadership to develop and publish articles, reports, and books on key knowledge topics.

Colin Douglas

Chief Knowledge Partner

Courtney Cox is a creative strategist and thinker. As Creative Knowledge Partner, she leads, manages, and recruits for multiple complex projects both internally and externally. As a digital artist, she has worked with leading design thinkers and multimedia experts, harnessing her design capabilities to create end-to-end publications. Her training as a molecular engineer gives her the unique advantage of combining her analytical brain with her creative side. Courtney leads Douglas' Sustainability Hub, a network of writers and researchers with special interests in sustainability.

Courtney Cox

Senior Knowledge Partner, Creative

Melanie Blythe, over the last 15 years, has carved out a career as a strategic communicator, working with organisations to hone their tone of voice, messaging, and audience engagement strategies. She spent 10 years in London at a communications agency and a top multinational healthcare company, where she led global communications campaigns. A writer and editor with a passion for translating complex ideas into ‘plain English’, she has developed knowledge across topics as diverse as sustainability, finance, law, consumer packed goods, insurance, health, and more.

Melanie Blythe

Managing Knowledge Partner

Jackie Fermo has seven years of experience as a writer and editor and has worked on a wide range of articles, reports, and books covering topics such as healthcare, education, diversity, productivity, and public-sector reform. She works closely with clients to develop their ideas, refine the content, and produce and publish a final product that brings their research and expertise to life. Jackie brings a mix of creativity, business acumen, and academic skill to her work: She has an MBA, a fine art degree, and an entrepreneurial background.

Jackie Fermo

Senior Knowledge Partner

Henrietta Rose-Innes is a world-renowned novelist and experienced commercial writer, using her sense of narrative to produce professional prose with the pace and drama of great fiction. She holds a PhD in creative writing. Henrietta has worked with our clients on topics ranging from financial services to technology, and from healthcare to education. She is also an outstanding editor, whose skills have sharpened major novels, non-fiction works, and articles and reports for Douglas clients.

Henrietta Rose-Innes

Senior Knowledge Partner

Mvuselelo Dyabaza is a Knowledge Resources Partner. In this role, he is responsible for Douglas’s people, wellness and finance matters, as well as overall project pipeline management and client liaison. Mvuselelo has worked in start-ups to medium enterprises across all organisational levels. He has worked in the creative industry across Africa, with experience in live television, broadcasting, directing, producing, filmmaking, theatre, scriptwriting, TV content distribution, and management. He’s also experienced in processes and project management systems, with years in managerial roles.

Mvuselelo Dyabaza

Knowledge Resources Partner

Click here to meet the rest of our team.

What our clients say about us

We’ve loved working with you all at Douglas – thanks for everything … your ideas, suggestions, patience and ability to keep calm with the ongoing and last-minute changes from us. The final report looks amazing and that’s down to you all. Thank you again for everything.
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‍Head of communications, UK bank

I’ve worked with Douglas for several years, including multiple major reports and more than five global articles. They are the best I’ve worked with, having worked with over 10 editors on major publications.
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‍Partner, global management consultancy

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Our compliments to the Douglas team for tackling a complex topic and making it so appealing. The final article is a terrific exploration of the issues and challenges of sharing data. It held my attention while covering a lot of ground, and I believe it will appeal to a large audience.

‍Executive, Asian telecoms company

We want to thank the Douglas team for all your work – it has been a great pleasure to work with you, and we absolutely could not have delivered this publication without your tireless efforts. We have been very impressed with the great support you have provided and the quality of work – you have lifted our work to beyond the client’s expectations.

Project leader, Australian government agency

A big, big THANK YOU for the wonderful work you have helped me with! I would not be here today without that great support and I’m looking forward to continue our wonderful cooperation in the times to come!

‍Global leader, professional services firm

A heartfelt thank you for the superhuman work of all in the Douglas team. The effort and expertise you put in will make a real difference to how this is received and processed by stakeholders across the spectrum – people who would take it with them to champion the project's success and impact.
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Government policy advisor

We’ve loved working with you all at Douglas – thanks for everything… your ideas, suggestions, patience and ability to keep calm with the ongoing and last-minute changes from us. The final report looks amazing and that’s down to you all. Thank you again for everything.
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‍Head of communications, UK bank

I’ve worked with Douglas for several years, including multiple major reports and more than five global articles. They are the best I’ve worked with, having worked with over 10 editors on major publications.
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‍Partner, global management consultancy

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Our compliments to the Douglas team for tackling a complex topic and making it so appealing. The final article is a terrific exploration of the issues and challenges of sharing data. It held my attention while covering a lot of ground, and I believe it will appeal to a large audience.

‍Executive, Asian telecoms company

We want to thank the Douglas team for all your work – it has been a great pleasure to work with you, and we absolutely could not have delivered this publication without your tireless efforts. We have been very impressed with the great support you have provided and the quality of work – you have lifted our work to beyond the client’s expectations.

Project leader, Australian government agency

A big, big THANK YOU for the wonderful work you have helped me with! I would not be here today without that great support and I’m looking forward to continue our wonderful cooperation in the times to come!

‍Global leader, professional services firm

A heartfelt thank you for the superhuman work of all in the team. I am confident that the effort and expertise you put in and the final push to refine it that bit extra over this weekend will bear fruit - it will make a real difference to how this is received and processed by stakeholders across the spectrum - people who would take it with them to champion the project's success impact.

Special communications leader

Insights
Our insights and initiatives

Youth Innovation Prize: Surfacing and nurturing Cape Town’s best young talent
Douglas Knowledge Partners runs the annual Youth Innovation Prize in partnership with the Bertha Centre for Social Innovation & Entrepreneurship at the University of Cape Town. Each year, shortlisted entrants receive hands-on coaching from our network of experts.
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Our winners in 2022 presented innovative, practical ideas for supporting mental wellbeing in South Africa.

Candice Richards placed first with a piece titled “No one needs to be a consumer”, advocating for funding public libraries to create spaces for young people to coexist and connect.

Dr Mumta Hargoven placed second with “Hidden in plain sight”, which proposes that primary healthcare professionals are trained as the first intervenors for gender-based violence.

Shadia Beepat and Delicia Govender placed joint third, with essays on education and empowerment for youth, and comic books as a medium for continuing the ancient storytelling traditions of South Africa’s Khoi and San people.

The Youth Innovation Prize speaks to Douglas’ deep commitment to nurturing the next generation of local talent by surfacing and developing the best young writers and thinkers.

Youth Innovation Prize: Surfacing and nurturing Cape Town’s best young talent
Douglas Knowledge Partners runs the annual Youth Innovation Prize in partnership with the Bertha Centre for Social Innovation & Entrepreneurship at the University of Cape Town. Each year, shortlisted entrants receive hands-on coaching from our network of experts.
‍
Our winners in 2022 presented innovative, practical ideas for supporting mental wellbeing in South Africa.

Candice Richards placed first with a piece titled “No one needs to be a consumer”, advocating for funding public libraries to create spaces for young people to coexist and connect.

Dr Mumta Hargoven placed second with “Hidden in plain sight”, which proposes that primary healthcare professionals are trained as the first intervenors for gender-based violence.

Shadia Beepat and Delicia Govender placed joint third, with essays on education and empowerment for youth, and comic books as a medium for continuing the ancient storytelling traditions of South Africa’s Khoi and San people.

The Youth Innovation Prize speaks to Douglas’ deep commitment to nurturing the next generation of local talent by surfacing and developing the best young writers and thinkers.

Partner with us!
Learn more about our work and our approach or arrange a conversation to find out how we can help magnify the impact of your ideas.
Send your query to INFO@douglAs.partners
Join us!
We are always on the lookout for talented writers, editors, and creatives to join our team – either full time or freelance.
Send your CV to talent@douglas.partners
Contact
Get in touch with us
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LOCATION
The loft, Montebello Design Center,
31 Newlands Ave, Newlands,
Cape Town, 7700
HOURS OF OPERATION
Monday - Friday
9:00 to 17:30 GMT+2
EMAIL
info@douglas.partners
Contact
Get in touch with us
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
LOCATION
31 Newlands Ave, Newlands, Cape Town, 7700
HOURS OF OPERATION
Monday - Friday
9:00 to 17:30 GMT+2
EMAIL
info@douglas.partners
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