Show Notes
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 services delivered by a global community of over 50,000 professionals. In their conversation, they explore: • How global networks balance independence with shared standards, strategy, and trust. • Why helping clients make well-thought-out decisions with imperfect information sits at the heart of Baker Tilly’s purpose. • The 18-month process of developing a new global strategy and why successful execution is so important. • How technology and AI are reshaping professional services, from automation to simulated learning. • The shifting expectations of clients in an uncertain economic environment and how advisors can deliver real value. Baker Tilly MenKus & Associate Supported by Norman Broadbent Belden Menkus is the Managing Director of Menkus & Associates, a London-based advisory firm working with CEOs and senior teams to align strategy with purpose. Drawing on decades of experience in strategy consulting, leadership, and organisational transformation, he helps mid-sized firms—particularly law firms and membership bodies—tackle complex decisions and unlock long-term value. Belden hosts The Purposeful Strategist, a podcast exploring how business leaders bring purpose into strategic action. His work is marked by intellectual clarity, a collaborative approach, and a commitment to practical results. A strategic thinker with wide intellectual range, blending business acumen with curiosity and cultural literacy. He brings a distinct mix of consultant, historian, and explorer of ideas.
More from The Purposeful Strategist
In this episode of The Purposeful Strategist, Belden Menkus speaks with Richard Bruce, CEO of Carter Jonas, a leading UK property consultancy working across commercial, residential, rural, planning and development and infrastructure. Richard explains how their LLP structure, management approach, and company culture enables Carter Jonas to bring together expertise from across the property lifecycle to support clients throughout the UK.
In this episode of The Purposeful Strategist, Belden Menkus speaks with Juho Jalkanen, CEO of Faron, a biotechnology company on a mission to bring cutting-edge immunotherapy to as many patients as possible, currently focused on difficult-to-treat cancers. In their conversation, they discuss: How immunotherapy uses the patient's own immune system to attack disease, and why that makes it such a promising treatment. Faron's business strategy, rooted in absorbing the financial risk of scientific research, and how they keep pharmaceutical partners updated as they "de-risk" the product through clinical trials. Why Faron's steadfast commitment to research, rather than shedding it for a safer business case, as many biotech companies do, is its greatest commercial asset. Juho's own path from vascular surgeon to CEO, rooted in his desire to help as many patients as possible.
In this episode of The Purposeful Strategist, Belden Menkus speaks with Rory McKeand, CEO of TSG, an IT services company helping UK businesses fit technology seamlessly into their operations. TSG is among the largest Microsoft training partners in the UK and helps clients implement and adapt to new technologies. In their conversation, they discuss: How TSG has embedded customer focus into its culture, from paychecks reading “brought to you by the customer” to having dedicated support staff for their customers. How TSG uses AI while keeping customer support a human job. TSG's history of consolidation, acquisition, and transformation, as well as what’s coming next. TSG's journey into employee ownership and its choice to partner with Pictet for PE investment.
In this episode of The Purposeful Strategist, Belden Menkus speaks with David Ferguson, Executive Chair at Seccl, about how a broader purpose can drive a successful business strategy in the financial sector. Seccl provides the back-end infrastructure for numerous investment and wealth management companies including Monzo’s pensions and GoHenry’s Junior ISA. In their conversation, they discuss: How Seccl has matured since David joined in 2022. What a financial sector which promotes “investing well” should look like. Seccl’s choice to work with companies who have transparent consumer-facing practices, and to decline working with companies who don’t. How Seccl’s financial infrastructure can serve as a springboard for smaller companies to enter the market, increasing competition in the marketplace. David’s thoughts on the current and future state of the wealth management sector.
In this episode of The Purposeful Strategist, Belden Menkus speaks with Peter Haden, Chief Executive of Fletchers Group, one of the UK's leading personal injury and clinical negligence law firms. As a PE-backed firm, a major focus for Fletchers is scaling while maintaining service and values. In their conversation, they discuss: The relatively new role of private equity in the legal space, and how it plays out at Fletchers. How Peter and his exec team manage through rapid change, including weekly review meetings across every aspect of the practice. The strategic thinking behind how Fletchers approaches acquisitions. The unique challenges of a firm built around caring for clients who are facing serious injury or malpractice. Why Peter sees doing right by people and doing right by the business as the same thing.