The Purposeful Strategist

In this episode of The Purposeful Strategist, Belden Menkus speaks with Jeroen Douglas, Director General of the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA), about what it takes to hold together a global movement of around a billion members, and why the cooperative model may be better suited to the coming decades than its low profile suggests. Founded in 1895, the ICA is the global voice of the cooper...

In this episode of The Purposeful Strategist, Belden Menkus speaks with Martyn Fish, Chief Executive and Partner at HGF, about building a challenger firm in a centuries-old profession, and the strategic choices behind its shift from partnership to private equity ownership. Martyn joined HGF over 20 years ago and led its European law team for more than a decade before becoming CEO in 2021. He has s...

In this episode of The Purposeful Strategist, Belden Menkus speaks with Dr. Peter Thompson, Chief Executive of the National Physical Laboratory, about leading an organisation whose expertise in calibration, testing, and measurement standards underpins almost everything in our society — and which must do so as a business, winning contracts on merit and demonstrating return on public money. In their...

In this episode of The Purposeful Strategist, Belden Menkus speaks with Stuart Wallace, Chief Executive of Forth Ports Limited, about what it takes to lead critical national infrastructure at a moment of profound transition — and what a long career inside one organisation teaches you about strategy, culture, and purpose. Stuart joined Forth Ports in 2002 as financial controller for its Scottish op...

In this episode of The Purposeful Strategist, Belden Menkus speaks with Ben Fletcher, Chief Executive of Logistics UK, about what it means to be the voice for an industry that employs 2.7 million people, makes up around 8–9% of the UK economy, and underpins almost every aspect of daily life. Ben came to Logistics UK from Make UK, the trade association for manufacturing, where a decade of experienc...

In this episode of The Purposeful Strategist, Belden Menkus speaks with Colin Walsh, founder and Board Chair of Civitas ID, about the foundational struggle for the world's millions of displaced people: the ability to prove their identity across borders, and the infrastructure needed to enable it. Colin's career in financial services, including as CEO of Varo Bank, taught him that some of the most...

In this episode of The Purposeful Strategist, Belden Menkus speaks with Sarah Waddington, Chief Executive of the PRCA, the world’s largest professional body for public relations and communications. She discusses what it means to represent the PR sector through uncertain times, and why the moment calls for a renewed understanding of what PR is and what it does. Sarah brings two decades of experienc...

In this episode of The Purposeful Strategist, Belden Menkus speaks with Scott Heath, CEO of DJH, about what it takes to grow a professional services firm at pace without losing the culture that made it work in the first place. Scott joined DJH in 2003, and has led its transformation from a £4.5 million turnover business to one approaching £80 million in revenue across 16 UK sites. In their convers...

In this episode of The Purposeful Strategist , Belden Menkus speaks with Patrick Heath-Lay, CEO of People’s Partnership, about how the organisation behind The People’s Pension has grown into one of the UK’s largest workplace pension providers, and what it takes to build a system that works for millions. They explore the organisation’s transformation from its roots in the construction industry, the...

In this episode of The Purposeful Strategist , Belden Menkus speaks with Will Gardiner, CEO of Drax, about leading through the complexity of the energy transition and what it takes to operate in a system under growing pressure. They explore the strategic choices required as demand for electricity accelerates, the realities of managing a more volatile, renewables-led system, and how the narrative a...

In this episode of The Purposeful Strategist , Belden Menkus speaks with Ruth Boumphrey, Chief Executive of Lloyd’s Register Foundation, about how the organisation is working to “engineer a safer world” — using data, partnerships, and long-term investment to drive impact at scale. They explore the Foundation’s evolving strategy, its shift towards locally led decision-making, and the role of eviden...

In this episode of The Purposeful Strategist , Belden Menkus speaks with Alistair Gosling and Ben Brown, co-founders of Wavelength Network, about building a media business for a world where platforms, creators, and algorithms shape how content is produced, distributed, and monetised. Drawing on backgrounds spanning global TV networks, consulting, music, and the creator economy, they reflect on how...

In this episode of The Purposeful Strategist , Belden Menkus speaks with James Maxey, Founder and CEO of Express Solicitors, about building one of the UK’s largest specialist personal injury firms in a market shaped by regulatory change, fragmentation, and increasing institutional investment. From starting with just 22 clients in 2000, Express has grown into a 900+ person organisation handling aro...

In this episode of The Purposeful Strategist , Belden Menkus speaks with Mia Drennan, Founder and CEO of GLAS, about building a global financial services firm by reimagining a function that once sat inside banks. From launching with £6,000 after the financial crisis to administering hundreds of billions in assets today, GLAS has grown into a leading independent platform serving private credit, ban...

In this episode of The Purposeful Strategist , Belden Menkus speaks with Max Dubiel, co-founder of Redemption Roasters, a social impact coffee business working to reduce reoffending in the UK through training and employment. This mission-driven startup has grown into a multi-site retail and wholesale business, employing a significant proportion of prison leavers while operating in one of the UK’s...

In this episode of The Purposeful Strategist , Belden Menkus speaks with Francesca Lagerberg, CEO of Baker Tilly International, about leading a global professional services network in a rapidly changing economic and technological landscape. Baker Tilly International brings together independent firms across more than 140 territories, providing mid-market clients with advisory, audit, legal and tax...

In this episode of The Purposeful Strategist , Belden Menkus speaks with Barny Guthrie, CEO of Clinical Partners, about building and scaling a mental health provider at a time of rising demand and unprecedented pressure on healthcare systems. What began as a small operation run from a spare bedroom has grown into a large mental health provider, employing around 400 staff and supporting patients ac...

In this episode of The Purposeful Strategist , Belden Menkus speaks with Ken Fowlie, Chair of Stowe Family Law, about scaling the UK’s largest specialist family law firm in an era where private equity discipline and accelerating technological change are major themes. With 400 professionals and nationwide coverage, Stowe has grown into a modern, institutionally backed platform while remaining ancho...

In this episode of The Purposeful Strategist , Belden Menkus speaks with Kevin Bennett, CEO of Premier Christian Media, about leading a mission-driven media organisation in a rapidly changing technological and cultural landscape. What began in 1995 as a single London AM radio station has grown into the UK’s largest Christian broadcaster, reaching around 1.8 million listeners weekly across multiple...

In this episode of The Purposeful Strategist , Belden Menkus speaks with Phill Robinson, co-founder of Boardwave about the structural challenge of scaling technology businesses in Europe and the leadership infrastructure required to compete in the age of AI. What began as a small, founder-led community sketched at a kitchen table has grown into a pan-European network of more than 2,500 tech founde...

In this episode of The Purposeful Strategist , Belden Menkus speaks with Lindsey MacDonald, CEO of Magic Breakfast — a national charity working to ensure children at risk of hunger start the school day with a nutritious breakfast, ready to learn and thrive. What began more than two decades ago with bagels delivered from the boot of a car now supports over 350,000 children and young people across 1...

In this episode of The Purposeful Strategist , Belden Menkus speaks with Marina Stenos, Managing Partner of FINN Partners’ Global Education Practice. Marina has spent her career working at the intersection of education, public affairs, and strategic communications—supporting foundations, school systems, universities, philanthropies, and education organisations as they navigate complexity, reform,...

In this episode of The Purposeful Strategist , Belden Menkus speaks with Geraint Evans, Chief Executive Officer of UK Major Ports Group—the organisation representing the UK’s nine largest port-owning groups, responsible for around three-quarters of the nation’s maritime trade. Sitting at the intersection of infrastructure, trade, and national resilience, UK Major Ports plays a critical role in sha...

In this episode of The Purposeful Strategist , Belden Menkus speaks with Helen Drayton, CEO of Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP, a full-service UK and international law firm with more than 300 years of history. With offices across the UK, Europe, and Asia and FY25 revenue of £120 million, the firm is focused on purposeful growth, guided by its ambition to become ‘the most human law firm.’ Helen shar...

In this episode of The Purposeful Strategist , Belden Menkus speaks with Douglas McCormick, Chief Executive Officer of Pegasus Group — one of the UK’s leading independent multidisciplinary development consultancies, bringing together planning, design, environment, infrastructure, and heritage. Since stepping into the role in 2024, Douglas has guided Pegasus through a period of strategic growth, bu...