The Purposeful Strategist

In this episode of The Purposeful Strategist, Belden Menkus speaks with Fiona Dunsire, the Government Actuary and the first woman to head the Government Actuary's Department since its establishment in 1917. Together, they discuss how leaders can learn and grow together in teams, all while ensuring an organisation maintains its core purpose. With her team at GAD, Fiona unlocks value in her behind-the-scenes work advising the current government on big and long-term financial risk decisions.In their conversation, they discuss:- Adjusting to the public sector and gaining the trust of colleagues, as well as the core differences in measuring success between public and private organisations.- Continuing to learn and grow in a leadership position. How do leaders work well together in a team setting to move an organisation forward?- Becoming comfortable with change as a leader.- The voluntary inclusion of team members in determining future strategy plans and the crucial role of team culture in achieving an organisation's core purpose.- Embracing AI opportunities to streamline workflow and limit risk without eliminating human review.

In this episode of The Purposeful Strategist, Belden Menkus speaks with Gavin Slark, CEO of SIG – a leading European supplier of specialist insulation and sustainable building products. With operations across six countries, connecting over 75,000 customers with expert solutions, SIG is on a mission to become the best provider of specialist construction and insulation products in Europe. Gavin joined SIG in 2023, bringing decades of industry leadership experience and a clear ambition to guide SIG through its next phase of growth. Gavin shares his approach to strategy over a multinational business – guided by a philosophy to keep it simple. The discussion explores: · Why keeping strategy simple is key to having a higher chance of delivery – and ensuring everyone understands it· The challenges around financial viability when decarbonising a large distribution organisation· Why confidence and trust in the authenticity of your people are essential qualities of leadersHow SIG balances local insight with shared purpose and strategic goals as a multinational organisation

In this episode of The Purposeful Strategist, Belden Menkus sits down with Florence Brocklesby, founder of Bellevue Law – a boutique firm specialising in employment law, dispute resolution, and private client services. Founded in 2014, Bellevue has grown into a 30-person team. It is B Corp certified, Good Business Charter accredited, and recognised as a Legal 500 Leading Firm. Florence launched the firm to create a flexible and values-driven workplace – one that could deliver exceptional results for clients while supporting a better quality of life for its lawyers.Florence shares how Bellevue's people-first model has translated into long-term success for both the business and its clients:- Why flexibility and high-quality client delivery can – and should – go hand in hand.- The process of achieving B Corp and Good Business Charter certifications.- How prioritising employee wellbeing leads to greater loyalty and performance.- What law firms can do to contribute meaningfully to social and environmental impact.- The importance of purpose-led hiring and staying true to your founding values.

In this episode of The Purposeful Strategist, Belden Menkus speaks with Karl Jansen, Managing Partner of Freeths. Freeths is a full-service law firm which operates across 13 offices and is the largest law firm with B-Corp status in the UK. Karl has been with the firm almost 35 years and has been central to the firm's development – not just in financial performance, but in culture and reputation. In this episode, Karl shares how culture, purpose, and the philosophy of ‘doing things with people, not to them' has shaped Freeth's successful strategic decisions. The discussion explores:· Freeths' approach to sustainable growth and why culture has remained central throughout· How the firm is shaping its next five-year strategy in response to a changing world· The role of innovation and AI in Freeths' future plans – and how they're engaging clients in the process· Why Freeths prioritises alignment over scale when it comes to growth opportunities· The firm's involvement in the Post Office scandal and what it reveals about their values in action

In this episode of The Purposeful Strategist, Belden Menkus speaks again with Dr Mohammad Al-Ubaydli, CEO of Patients Know Best (PKB). Mohammad returns to the podcast to discuss the incredible progress PKB has made since his first appearance in 2024. With over 5 million registered patients and international growth, PKB continues to transform healthcare by giving patients control of their own health data. Mohammad shares the importance of trust, collaboration, and transparency in scaling a purpose-driven company, and why doing good for patients must always come first.The discussion explores:· How PKB scaled from 3.8 million to 5 million registered patients and secured £6 million in funding· The importance of patient-controlled health records and how PKB is driving this change in healthcare systems· The role of collaboration in accelerating patient outcomes and health data accessibility· The importance of continuous conversations around purpose to ensure it remains front and centre· His newest book, Personal Health Records for Governments, offering insights into how governments can overcome the challenges of delivering essential services and technology like PKB [more information here]· Visit [PKB website] to find out more

In this episode of The Purposeful Strategist, Belden Menkus speaks with Robert White, CEO of Brabners and founder of True North. Robert discusses how True North is connecting purpose-led businesses across the North of England and catalysing positive change through collaboration and community-building.· How True North is uniting over 400 purpose-led businesses to bridge the gap between productivity and prosperity in the North· The role of the business community in driving economic transformation and how True North supports them through collaboration and providing a platform for growth· How initiatives like Northern Stars are challenging stereotypes and spotlighting hidden talent within the region· The importance of businesses taking action and building connected communities to drive sustainable change, rather than waiting for top-down solutions· The potential of devolution and regeneration projects to stimulate innovation, unlock opportunities, and help the North thrive

In this episode of The Purposeful Strategist, Belden Menkus speaks again with Mike Scott, Senior Partner at Cripps, last on the podcast in 2022. This time, he is joined by James Beatton, Managing Partner at Cripps, to discuss how the firm has leveraged its purpose to drive both business growth and cultural transformation. Together, they reflect on the progress of their five-year strategy and share insights into Cripps' continued success, including being named Independent Law Firm of the Year 2024. Mike and James discuss:• How Cripps has aligned its purpose with its business strategy to fuel growth and cultural transformation• The cycle of growth and purpose: how success is reinvested to drive further impact• The importance of purpose alignment in successful mergers and maintaining cultural synergy• How AI and automation have the potential to change the legal industry by reducing administrative tasks and enhancing client relationships• The impact of Cripps' B Corp certification, ensuring accountability to their purpose-driven goals and values

In this episode of The Purposeful Strategist, Belden Menkus speaks with Sara Bailey, Senior Partner at Trowers & Hamlins. Sara brings over 30 years of experience in the legal profession and reflects on the progress of the firm's ambitious transformation since her first appearance on the podcast in 2023. She shares insights on balancing long-term, purpose-driven strategies with the short-term demands of running a business. Sara reflects on how real growth isn't about cutting costs but giving people the headroom to think, innovate, and create. She discusses how embedding purpose into a firm's vision and fostering a people-driven culture are essential for navigating today's fast-paced business environment.The discussion explores:Reflecting on the progress of the firm's ambitious transformation plans since her last appearance on the podcastThe challenge of balancing long-term strategic vision with short-term business pressuresHow real growth is facilitated through giving staff headroom to innovate, not just cutting costsSara's approach to empathetic leadership and fostering inclusion at the firmAchieving strategy execution through transparency and keeping people at the forefront

In this episode of The Purposeful Strategist, Belden Menkus interviews Nik White, managing partner at Brabners, a purpose-led independent law firm in the UK. They discuss the firm's commitment to community engagement, the importance of defining culture and values, and strategies for sustainable growth. Nik shares insights on managing partnership dynamics, maintaining culture while growing, and the significance of B Corp certification. The conversation emphasizes the need for authenticity in purpose and strategy, and the power of linking career progression and rewards to the firm's values. Nik also stresses the value of deriving satisfaction from work beyond financial gain.

In this episode of The Purposeful Strategist, Belden Menkus speaks with Matt Westmore, Chief Executive of the UK's Health Research Authority, about the significant advances in health research during the COVID-19 pandemic, the complexities of research approvals, and the importance of trust and inclusion in research. They discuss HRA's success in significantly shortening the research timeline, the role of volunteers, the strategic focus of the HRA, and the future of health research in the UK, emphasising the need for a streamlined process that benefits both researchers and patients.

In this episode of The Purposeful Strategist, host Belden Menkus speaks with Olly Purnell, co-founder of Q5, a management consulting firm focused on organisational health. They discuss the evolution of Q5 from its inception in a basement to its current status as a global player in consulting. The conversation delves into the founding principles of Q5, emphasising the importance of purpose and values in driving organisational success. Purnell shares insights on the firm's growth strategy, innovative tools for enhancing organisational health, and the significance of purpose in modern business. The episode concludes with advice for new entrants in the workforce and an invitation to listeners to send your predictions for the future of your industry to oliver.purnell@Q5partners.com or to belden@menkus.com.

In this episode of The Purposeful Strategist, Belden Menkus interviews Graham North, CEO of Anstey Horn & Co, the UK's leading specialist surveying practice. Founded in 1795 in London, the privately held company now employs about 120 people and operates across the UK. The firm is particularly well known for its expertise in Rights of Light, Party Wall and Fire Consultancy. The discussion covers the firm's evolution, purpose, and strategic objectives. Graham shares insights on the importance of team engagement, client focus, and navigating competition in the consultancy space. He emphasizes the value of understanding the business from the perspective of both employees and clients, and the need for leaders to be visible and engaged with their teams.

In this episode of The Purposeful Strategist, Simon Thompson, Group CEO of Windracers, discusses the transformative potential of autonomous aviation in logistics and humanitarian aid. He highlights the innovative ULTRA drone, which is designed for cost-effective delivery over long distances, and the importance of navigating regulatory challenges. Simon emphasizes the balance between commercial viability and humanitarian goals, sharing insights on operational strategies and the future of drone technology in connecting communities.

In this episode of The Purposeful Strategist, host Belden Menkus interviews Mark Cuddigan, CEO of the UK plant-based food company THIS. They discuss the transition of leadership from founders to new CEOs, the importance of defining a company's purpose, and the role of team involvement in strategy development. Mark shares insights on empowering employees, the challenges of achieving profitability, and the significance of B Corp certification. The conversation emphasizes the need for collaboration within the industry and the impact of purpose-driven leadership on attracting talent.

In this episode of The Purposeful Strategist, host Belden Menkus speaks with Martin Dean, managing director of the UK regional bus division at Go Ahead Group. They discuss the company's clear purpose statement, the importance of connecting communities, fostering innovation in public transport, and the strategic growth plans of the bus division. Martin emphasizes the significance of people in the industry and the need for a balance between strategic and tactical approaches as the bus industry prepares for the Better Buses Act and other changes and challenges ahead.

Britain's first bank to be launched in the cloud does not use automated credit scores, does not have an automated answering service or an online chatbot, and doesn't keep customers waiting on hold when they call the bank.Redwood Bank, which serves small to medium-sized businesses, balances traditional banking values with advanced technology. Its mission is “to be the UK's best, go-to, specialist business bank.”In 2021, four years after it obtained its banking licence, Redwood became one of the fastest challenger banks to achieve profitability, while building a strong internal culture and winning high satisfaction scores from its employees and customers.CEO and co-founder Gary Wilkinson describes the journey and the insights it yielded, in this episode of The Purposeful Strategist.

In this episode of The Purposeful Strategist, Belden Menkus speaks with James Ashton, CEO of the Quoted Companies Alliance (QCA). They discuss the importance of transparency and governance in the business world, the role of small and medium-sized companies in the UK economy, and the challenges these companies face in public markets. Ashton emphasises the need for a supportive environment for growth, the significance of retail investors in the market, and the need for equities to be as attractive and accessible as crypto The conversation also touches on the QCA's growth strategy, the impact of regulatory changes, and the balance between purpose and profit in leadership.

In this episode of The Purposeful Strategist, we dive into the success story of Unity Trust Bank, a Birmingham-based financial institution committed to purpose-driven banking. CEO Colin Fyfe shares how the bank has aligned its mission with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals and surpassed £1 billion in lending for the first time in its 40-year history. Discover how Unity Trust's clear purpose fosters alignment among stakeholders—shareholders, board members, executives, and staff—and enables the bank to support businesses addressing social, economic, and environmental challenges. Colin discusses the balance of measuring social impact alongside financial performance, the challenges of leading a purpose-driven organisation, and how growth plays a pivotal role in enhancing that impact.

In this episode of The Purposeful Strategist, Paulo Lanzarotti, CEO of beer-maker Asahi Europe & International, discusses the importance of balancing purpose and pragmatism in organisations. He shares insights from the five-year journey that uncovered the company's purpose of “creating meaningful connections”. The conversation explores how purpose can influence business decisions, engage employees, shape sustainable practices and drive product development, ultimately linking purpose to overall business strategy. Paolo also offers advice for CEOs embarking on their own purpose-driven journeys.

In this episode of The Purposeful Strategist, host Belden Menkus sits down with Emma Gaudern, co-founder and Managing Director of EMG Solicitors. Celebrating its 10th anniversary, EMG has grown from four employees to 180 across five offices, earning accolades like the Times 100 Best Places to Work and B Corp certification. Emma shares her journey of creating a purpose-driven law firm, balancing growth with values, and fostering a culture of kindness and flexibility.Key topics include:Building a firm where flexibility and joy drive success.The transformative impact of becoming a B Corp.Emma's vision for a lasting legacy through community endowment.How EMG uses strategic tools like the Balanced Scorecard to sustain growth and alignment.Listen to discover actionable insights on integrating purpose into strategy and leadership for long-term success.

In this episode of The Purposeful Strategist, Belden Menkus speaks with Robin Mortimer, CEO of the Port of London Authority (PLA), about the challenges and opportunities facing the port sector in the wake of COVID-19. They discuss the PLA's purpose, the ambitious Thames Vision 2050 plan aimed at achieving net zero emissions along with economic, environmental and recreational goals, and the importance of balancing stakeholder interests. Robin shares insights on innovative land use solutions, the evolving role of the PLA, and the need for greater public awareness. The conversation also touches on the hydrogen economy's potential in decarbonisation and the lessons learned from recent years, emphasizing the importance of clear direction and governance in organizational success.

Ignition Law describes itself as “the law firm for start-ups, scale-ups, SMEs and the entrepreneurially spirited”. It also prides itself on being “a force for good” in its community. Since its founding in 2015, Ignition has grown to 70 people, expanded its range of services, won several awards, and qualified as a Certified B-Corporation.Founder and partner Alex McPherson explains how they did it, on this episode of The Purposeful Strategist.

Powervault, the London-based manufacturer of renewable energy storage systems, exists to help solve climate change by transforming the way people use energy. It's a big purpose, but achieving it requires people to change their behaviour in a way that many instinctively resist, because they perceive it as limiting their lifestyle. Powervault developed its technology make the change not only easy, but financially rewarding.Robin Stopford, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer explains the company's approach in this episode of The Purposeful Strategist.

Culture and purpose are powerful tools when you are challenged to turn around a business that isn't reaching its full potential. CEO Kevin Davidson used both to successfully turn around Norman Broadbent plc, the London-based executive search and recruitment firm.This year the firm announced its best financial results in over a decade, with a 41 per cent increase in revenues.Kevin Davidson discusses how he did it, on this episode of The Purposeful Strategist.

Messenger RNA and personalised medicine promise to transform how we prevent and treat disease. Darius Hughes, General Manager in the UK and Ireland for Moderna, the pharmaceutical and biotechnology company, wants the UK to lead the way.Learn how he uses the company's purpose to attract and keep the talented professionals he needs to achieve that ambition, on this episode of The Purposeful Strategist. #moderna

Do not put an end date on your strategy, teach your team how to say “no” and use Purpose and Ambition instead of mission and vision. So says Ben Peachey, Chief Executive of the Chartered Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors.Learn how these beliefs, and the use Theory of Change maps, are key to refreshing and implementing the institute's purpose-driven strategy. On this episode of The Purposeful Strategist.#ciehf #humanfactors #ergonomics

Employers and health-and-safety professionals face an increasingly complex array of challenges as they try to make workplaces physically and psychologically safe.Vanessa Harwood-Whitcher is Chief Executive of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health. Listen as she explains how IOSH is equipping employers and health-and-safety professionals to deal with their ever-widening remit, on this episode of The Purposeful Strategist.

Tap water must be safe, reliable and high-quality. The purpose of the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) is to ensure that public water supplies in England and Wales meets those standards.Delivering on that purpose has required solving a set of complex interrelated challenges, and developing a new approach to regulation.Marcus Rink, Chief Inspector at the DWI, describes the journey on this episode of The Purposeful Strategist.#drinkingwater #drinkingwaterinspectorate #regulation

Cambridge Building Society turns a branch refurbishment programme into an opportunity to provide practical help for struggling first-time home buyers.CEO Peter Burrows tells the story, and explains why purpose is like “the force” in Star Wars, on this episode of The Purposeful Strategist.#TheCambridge

Purpose can unlock the potential of Artificial Intelligence coupled with the Internet of Things, to help businesses reach their sustainability goals.That's according to Dr Elisabetta Castiglioni, CEO of A1 Digital, the European technology services provider. A1 helps companies globally to translate digital potential into business results.Learn how the belief in digitisation as a force for good powers her organisation's purpose, in this episode of The Purposeful Strategist

How can you cut the high re-offending rate among UK ex-prisoners? Max Dubiel decided that the answer is coffee.Max co-founded Redemption Roasters and opened an industrial-scale coffee roastery and barista training academy inside the UK prison system. Then he and his business partner set up a chain of retail coffee shops across London.Learn how he did it on this episode of The Purposeful Strategist.

Once your business has discovered its purpose, it's tempting to launch it with great fanfare and a three-month communications campaign. But some corporate cultures, particularly those that are analytical and problem-solving, will reject that approach.A slow burn is often more effective than a big bang. That's the path that Alan Dunsmore, CEO of Severfield, the UK's largest steel fabricator, choose to take. And it's working.Listen to how he does it on the latest episode of The Purposeful Strategist.

What happens to your purpose when the people who buy your product or service are not the people who use it?Joel Ratnasothy, Managing Director of Interneuron, founded the business to “to provide the health record for every citizen in every country.” The company, now part of Answer Digital, provides professionally managed open-source software as a service to the healthcare sector.Managing through the unintended consequences of Procurement is just one of the challenges the company faces as it strives to deliver its purpose. Learn how they deal with it on this episode of The Purposeful Strategist.

Sustainable companies deliver better returns on investment and lower risk than extractive businesses. And Paul Herman, founder and CEO of HIP Investor, has almost 20 years of data to prove it.HIP Investor uses a proprietary zero-to-100-point system (the HIP Index) to measure which companies are more sustainable or impactful and which are more extractive. After 18 years of using the index to advise investors, the results show that it pays to invest in purpose. Learn more in this episode of The Purposeful Strategist.

Purpose can help solve a common dilemma in professional services firms: how to reconcile the freedom that their professionals and practice areas need to be successful, with the consistency needed to build a meaningful brand.Sarah Walker-Smith, CEO of law firm Shakespeare Martineau and its parent group Ampa, uses purpose to connect and manage the individual brands owned by the group. In the five years since Shakespeare Martineau first clarified its purpose, the firm has almost doubled in size.Learn how she does it on the latest episode of The Purposeful Strategist.

Social impact is the driving force behind Shea Yeleen, a skincare products company that supports an African supply chain employing more than 800 women who earn five times the local minimum wage. Her latest venture is the Yeleen Beauty Makerspace, a hybrid teaching lab and manufacturing space in Washington DC designed to support women and founders of color in the beauty industry.Learn how she does it on the latest episode of The Purposeful Strategist.https://yeleenbeauty.com/https://sheayeleen.com/

A meaningful purpose will guide the behaviour of everybody in your business. First Mile, a UK-based B-Corporation, defines its purpose as “to revolutionise business sustainability, starting with waste and recycling.” CEO Bruce Bratley uses three core values to help everyone in the business embody that purpose.Listen to how he does it on the latest episode of The Purposeful Strategist.

No single doctor attends all your medical appointments. But you do. That makes you, the patient, the de facto integrator of the healthcare system.That insight led Dr Mohammad Al-Ubaydli to found Patients Know Best (PKB), Europe's largest Personal Health Record and patient engagement platform. PKB's purpose is to give every person the ability to access their personal health record, control who can see it and use this information to manage their health and care.Listen to how he does it on the latest episode of The Purposeful Strategist

What happens when a business achieves its original purpose? Where does it go from there?Find out how Nej Gakenyi, CEO and founder of GRM Digital, faced that unusual challenge in the latest episode of The Purposeful Strategist.

When a business connects its purpose and values to the way it wants its people to behave, the resulting clarity and focus helps drive growth and success. But how do you achieve that? David Liddle, CEO of The TCM Group, did it by engaging his organisation in an inclusive process to develop a values and behaviours framework.Learn how on this episode of The Purposeful Strategist.

Words matter when you talk about purpose. Doubly so when you lead an organisation focused on language and communication. But what if that organisation is not comfortable discussing purpose and strategy? That was the dilemma facing Sara Crofts when she became CEO of the Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI), the UK professional body for translators and interpreters.Learn how she solved it in this episode of The Purposeful Strategist.

Loss of momentum can be fatal to any organisational change project. But committed leadership can keep the cause alive. Three years into an ongoing initiative to bring Matrix's purpose to life, CEO Mark Inskip and his team doubled the company's size by acquiring another business. Despite this welcome complication, the purpose is taking root inside the organisation, employee engagement is high, and the leadership team have embarked on an inclusive initiative to develop a set of values that support the purpose.Learn how Mark and team managed through the distractions, on this episode of The Purposeful Strategist.

The founders of Office Space In Town (OSIT) set out to build a company that “reflects who we are as people and the ethics and morals that we live by.” Their goal was to be a provider of boutique, design-led workspaces where businesses thrive and people are inspired, focused and happy.Co-Founder and CEO Niki Fuchs and Georgia Sandom, Director of Operations and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) explain how the company's purpose has helped the business grow in a tough marketplace.Listen to their story on the latest episode of The Purposeful Strategist.

In its quest to become the most trusted personalised service business in the world, the global concierge company Ten Lifestyle Group has kept its purpose and its revenue streams closely aligned.The result is a remarkably resilient organisation, that has survived some very testing times to deliver long-term success.Alex Cheatle, co-founder and CEO of Ten, reveals how sticking to the purpose, and consulting with an invisible customer, keeps the business growing. Learn more on the latest episode of The Purposeful Strategist.

Sometimes commercial success can cause an organisation's original purpose to dim over time. . That was the challenge facing Mike Astell, CEO of FCDO Services, an executive agency and trading fund owned by Britain's Foreign Office, with customers in both the public and private sectors around the world. Re-grounding the organisation in its original purpose unlocked a surprising amount of enthusiasm and revealed unexpected potential. The initiative also led to a new business strategy and a more effective way of communicating with the executive and the board.Listen to Mike Astell tell Belden Menkus how he and his team did it.https://www.fcdoservices.gov.uk/about/

Purpose is presenting business leaders with the biggest opportunity in the past 200 years, according to Sarah Gillard, CEO of A Blueprint for Better Business. And it's going to happen fast.But how do you change business to serve society better, while still acknowledging the need to make money? That's the question that Sarah is helping the senior leaders of large businesses to answer. Learn how she has evolved her own organisation's purpose and used it to help her leadership team co-create a new adaptive strategy, designed to focus the organisation's resources and cope with the chaos and uncertainty of today's business environment. All in the latest episode of The Purposeful Strategist.

A purpose that serves an organisation well for over 260 years deserves respect. But can you stay true to it while developing a business strategy that tackles today's reality? And can you keep that plan so short and clear that almost 90 per cent of the organisation's people say they understand the strategy and where they fit in it?That is what Tom Willis, CEO of the UK's bustling Shoreham Port, has done. Learn how in this episode of The Purposeful Strategist.

Sarah McMath, CEO of MOSL, used purpose as a tool to transform her organisation's performance. Learn how her inclusive approach to developing a shared organisational purpose helped the UK's retail water market operator for business customers shape a new strategy, grow the organisation's capabilities, craft practical operating principles, and turn around employee engagement.

Ben Quinn had a different view of what a restaurant could be, how it could work, and the impact it could have on a community and the lives of their guests. Hear how he built a business based on positive memories for guests, while addressing the toxic culture that exists in the industry and creating a safer and more equal environment for women – and men. And, do check out the amazing photos on their website of outdoor events they have catered: really long tables in beautiful locations. Links www.canteencornwall.com

In this episode, I'm very pleased to welcome Sophie Carr, the founder and Director of Bays Consulting. She shares with us how she grew her firm by tapping into and developing a hidden workforce that is able to use maths to solve tough problems and then make the maths explainable. Join me for a fun and informative discussion about maths, crowds, predictions, and the school gate. https://baysconsulting.co.uk/

In this episode, I'm very pleased to welcome Melissa Quinn, General Manager of Slingshot UK / Seradata. Melissa wants to make sure space is an asset we can continue to use, even as it becomes more crowded. Join me for an education in the business of space, strategy development in a high-tech global startup, and the components of resilient leadership.