The Purposeful Strategist

Belden Menkus
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I want to shift the discussion about organisational purpose from being about what organisations and leaders should do – to take a practical look at what they are doing – and what we can learn from that. We’re going to hear from business leaders across a range of industries how they think about purpose in their organisation - and in business more generally. We’ll explore how they make purpose a building block of their strategy and get their insider tips on the “how” of bringing purpose alive.

  1. 14H AGO

    Breakfast That Changes the System

    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 1,000+ schools in England and Scotland, combining direct provision with advocacy to tackle child morning hunger at scale. Lindsey explains how Magic Breakfast is navigating a pivotal policy moment, as government moves toward universal school breakfast provision. She reflects on the organisation’s dual role — delivering food while shaping the systems that will ultimately sustain access — and why the “magic” lies not just in nutrition, but in belonging, wellbeing, and school community. From operational innovations like the Magic Menu to the charity’s long-term Nourishing Futures strategy, she shares how the organisation is evolving to meet growing demand without losing focus. In their conversation, they explore: • How breakfast provision impacts attainment, wellbeing, and whole-school outcomes. • The shift from “schools can” to “schools must” — and what it means in practice. • Why stigma-free, universal access is critical to success. • How Magic Breakfast is balancing delivery, research, and advocacy. • What it takes to scale impact while systems — and organisations — evolve. Magic Breakfast MenKus & Associates 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.

    40 min

  2. FEB 12

    Educating for Human Potential

    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, and change. Marina shares how education clients can modernise without losing the trust or expertise of the people they exist to serve. Drawing on work ranging from the updating of US science standards to advising education providers and institutions around the world, she reflects on why large-scale change requires disciplined communication, protection of process, and deep respect for educators and communities. She describes why access to learning remains one of the most powerful levers for human potential and how storytelling and representation shape how we see ourselves. In their conversation, they explore: • Why education is a system built on trust and how that trust can be protected during change. • What “protecting the process” means in large-scale, high-stakes education reform. • Why alternative pathways and lifelong learning are reshaping what it means to be educated. • How AI and misinformation are changing the role of communication in education. • Why education remains one of the most important drivers of social and economic mobility. FINN Partners MenKus & Associates Supported by Norman Broadbent Belden Menkus, Managing Director of Menkus & Associates, works with CEOs and senior leaders to align their strategy and purpose. Working with organisations where leadership is shared rather than centralised, Belden's work is defined by intellectual clarity, collaboration, and a commitment to practical results. Drawing on his experience at McKinsey & Company and decades spent advising complex organisations, he supports mid-sized institutions—particularly law firms and membership bodies—as they navigate strategic inflexion points and build enduring value during periods of uncertainty. He is a public speaker and strategic thinker with a wide intellectual range, bringing together business insight, historical perspective, and cultural curiosity—combining the instincts of a consultant with those of a historian and an explorer of ideas. In addition to consulting, he hosts The Purposeful Strategist, a weekly podcast discussing how business leaders themselves bring purpose into real strategic action.

    33 min

  3. FEB 5

    Ports as the Backbone of a Resilient Economy

    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 shaping decisions that will influence the UK economy for generations. Since taking on the role in 2023, Geraint has brought a distinctive perspective shaped by senior experience in government and strategic consulting. Geraint shares how the ports sector is navigating a pivotal moment: balancing long-term investment, sustainability, and competitiveness while remaining anchored in the regional communities ports serve. He reflects on why ports are often overlooked despite being foundational to supply chains, energy transition, and national resilience—and how leadership, trust, and clarity are essential when competitors, policymakers, and investors must align around shared challenges. In their conversation, they explore: • Why strategy is a process rather than an event—and what that means for execution. • How to lead effectively in complex, multi-stakeholder systems. • The importance of trust, pace, and clarity when competing interests sit around the same table. • Why government and the private sector often struggle to align, even when using the same language. • The role of ports in enabling the energy transition, including floating offshore wind. • How decisions made today will shape the UK’s economic resilience for the next hundred years. UK Major Ports Group MenKus & Associates Supported by Norman Broadbent Belden Menkus, Managing Director of Menkus & Associates, works with CEOs and senior leaders to align their strategy and purpose. Working with organisations where leadership is shared rather than centralised, Belden's work is defined by intellectual clarity, collaboration, and a commitment to practical results. Drawing on his experience at McKinsey & Company and decades spent advising complex organisations, he supports mid-sized institutions—particularly law firms and membership bodies—as they navigate strategic inflexion points and build enduring value during periods of uncertainty. He is a public speaker and strategic thinker with a wide intellectual range, bringing together business insight, historical perspective, and cultural curiosity—combining the instincts of a consultant with those of a historian and an explorer of ideas. In addition to consulting, he hosts The Purposeful Strategist, a weekly podcast discussing how business leaders themselves bring purpose into real strategic action.

    32 min

  4. JAN 29

    Becoming The Most Human Law Firm

    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 shares how she is leading the firm through evolving client expectations, all while keeping people, values, and sustainability at the core of the firm’s decision-making. Helen also shines light on how the firm is thoughtfully integrating AI and aligning its three-year strategic plan around what clients truly value. In their conversation, they explore: How ‘the most human law firm’ became the organising ambition for Penningtons’ strategy and culture.The role of Project Alaska in defining the firm’s values and identity.Why strong foundations –brand, collaboration, innovation—drive sustainable commercial performance.How the firm is integrating AI to support quality, sustainability and client value.Why authenticity, accessibility, and trust sit at the heart of Helen’s leadership.How the firm is shaping its long-term strategy following the Thomas Cooper merger. Penningtons Manches Cooper Menkus & Associates 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.

    29 min

  5. JAN 22

    Creating Beautiful Places

    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, building scale and capability while preserving what makes the firm distinctive: its boutique feel, deep expertise, and exceptional people. Douglas shares how Pegasus is expanding its services, strengthening its influence across the built environment, and growing client relationships that endure beyond any single individual. He reflects on the challenge of balancing creative ambition with commercial discipline, and how clarity of purpose acts as an anchor for decision-making. In their conversation, they explore: • How to scale a thriving specialist consultancy without losing its character or values.• Why purpose must define strategic boundaries, investment choices, and behaviour.• How to balance design creativity, client ambition, and return on investment.• Why “people buy people” — and how culture, trust, and listening sustain growth.• How to create places people love to be in, from community spaces to service stations.• The role of courage, generosity, and assertive conversations in leading through change. Pegasus Group: https://www.pegasusgroup.co.uk/ MenKus & Associates: https://www.menkus.com/ Supported by Norman Broadbent: https://www.normanbroadbent.com/ Belden Menkus, Managing Director of Menkus & Associates, works with CEOs and senior leaders to align their strategy and purpose. Working with organisations where leadership is shared rather than centralised, Belden's work is defined by intellectual clarity, collaboration, and a commitment to practical results. Drawing on his experience at McKinsey & Company and decades spent advising complex organisations, he supports mid-sized institutions—particularly law firms and membership bodies—as they navigate strategic inflexion points and build enduring value during periods of uncertainty. He is a public speaker and strategic thinker with a wide intellectual range, bringing together business insight, historical perspective, and cultural curiosity—combining the instincts of a consultant with those of a historian and an explorer of ideas. In addition to consulting, he hosts The Purposeful Strategist, a weekly podcast discussing how business leaders themselves bring purpose into real strategic action.

    31 min

  6. JAN 15

    Title

    In this episode of The Purposeful Strategist, Belden Menkus speaks withJim Islam, Chief Executive Officer of OneFamily, one of the UK’s leading financial mutuals. With a 50-year history and 1.5 million customers, OneFamily exists to inspire better futures—helping individuals and families build long-term financial resilience through inclusive savings, investment, and protection products. Jim shares how OneFamily has reinvented itself while staying true to its founding purpose—diversifying its offerings, investing in technology, and redesigning customer experiences to make long-term financial products more accessible for new generations. He reflects on the challenge of leading transformation in a sector built on trust and long time horizons, and why collaborative strategy, people-centred innovation, and cultural alignment are essential to sustainable change. In their conversation, they explore: ·       How mutuals and purpose-led organisations are experiencing a cultural resurgence. ·       Why deeply collaborative strategy-building creates genuine buy-in during transformation. ·       How people-centred process design can drive innovation across an entire sector. ·       The role of financial institutions in enabling social mobility and long-term resilience. ·       How to adopt new technologies, including AI, without compromising customer trust. ·       Why a possibilist mindset is essential for leadership in periods of uncertainty and change. One Family: https://www.onefamily.com/ MenKus & Associates: https://www.menkus.com/ Supported by Norman Broadbent: https://www.normanbroadbent.com/ Belden Menkus, Managing Director of Menkus & Associates, works with CEOs and senior leaders to align their strategy and purpose. Working with organisations where leadership is shared rather than centralised, Belden's work is defined by intellectual clarity, collaboration, and a commitment to practical results. Drawing on his experience at McKinsey & Company and decades spent advising complex organisations, he supports mid-sized institutions—particularly law firms and membership bodies—as they navigate strategic inflexion points and build enduring value during periods of uncertainty. He is a public speaker and strategic thinker with a wide intellectual range, bringing together business insight, historical perspective, and cultural curiosity—combining the instincts of a consultant with those of a historian and an explorer of ideas. In addition to consulting, he hosts The Purposeful Strategist, a weekly podcast discussing how business leaders themselves bring purpose into real strategic...

    35 min

  7. JAN 8

    Scaling Mobility Without Charity

    In this episode of The Purposeful Strategist, Belden Menkus speaks with Joe Seddon, Founder and CEO of Zero Gravity — a mission-driven technology company helping talented students from low-income backgrounds reach elite universities and careers. What began with the last £200 of Joe’s student loan has become a fast-scaling organisation of 25 colleagues, more than 40 enterprise partners, and over 15,000 students supported into higher education. Joe explains how Zero Gravity has reimagined a sector traditionally dominated by charities by building a new commercial model. Through a mobile-first platform that turns university preparation into a habit, the company partners with institutions to identify exceptional talent, while generating data that shows where ability is being overlooked. Joe reflects on how entrepreneurial discipline and knowing what not to do have enabled the organisation to scale impact without scaling its team. In their conversation, they explore: ·       How a for-profit model can unlock new incentives for social change. ·       What it means to compete for young people’s attention against major consumer platforms. ·       Why collecting data early enables future breakthroughs. ·       How impact and organisational growth are not the same thing. ·       How technology can scale opportunity with precision — and change lives at scale. Zero Gravity: https://www.zerogravity.co.uk/ MenKus & Associates: https://www.menkus.com/ Supported by Norman Broadbent: https://www.normanbroadbent.com/ Belden Menkus, Managing Director of Menkus & Associates, works with CEOs and senior leaders to align their strategy and purpose. Working with organisations where leadership is shared rather than centralised, Belden's work is defined by intellectual clarity, collaboration, and a commitment to practical results. Drawing on his experience at McKinsey & Company and decades spent advising complex organisations, he supports mid-sized institutions—particularly law firms and membership bodies—as they navigate strategic inflexion points and build enduring value during periods of uncertainty. He is a public speaker and strategic thinker with a wide intellectual range, bringing together business insight, historical perspective, and cultural curiosity—combining the instincts of a consultant with those of a historian and an explorer of ideas. In addition to consulting, he hosts The Purposeful Strategist, a weekly podcast discussing how business leaders themselves bring purpose into real strategic action.

    40 min

  8. 12/18/2025

    Transforming Accessibility in Travel

    In this episode of The Purposeful Strategist, Belden Menkus speaks with Jay Shen, Founder and CEO of Transreport, the purpose-driven technology company reshaping accessibility in travel. What began as a single conversation about inequality has grown into the Passenger Assistance app—now used across the UK rail network, recognised as one of the most accessible apps on iOS, and forming the foundation of Transreport’s rapid international expansion. Jay shares how Transreport’s mission—to remove barriers and make travel work for everyone—drives both the company’s product design and its culture. He reflects on the importance of involving people with lived experience at every stage, why accessibility can’t be an afterthought, and how balancing innovation with thoughtful design creates technology that genuinely improves lives. From navigating the complexities of 24 UK rail systems to adapting the platform for Japan, Jay offers an inside look at building a scalable, global model for inclusive travel. In their conversation, they explore:• The origin story behind Transreport and the inequality that sparked its creation.• How a hybrid B2C/B2B model maximises customer experience and operational value.• Why lived-experience users play a central role in product development.• The trade-offs between speed of innovation and accessible design.• How Transreport adapted its platform for Japan’s transport systems and communities.• The potential for AI to transform accessibility and rethink how disabled people interact with technology.• Why mission-aligned investors matter for long-term stability and purpose.• How prioritising accessibility ultimately creates better experiences for all passengers. Interested in learning more? Transreport: https://transreport.co.uk/ Menkus and Associates: https://www.menkus.com/ Supported by Norman Broadbent: https://www.normanbroadbent.com/ 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.

    34 min
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About

I want to shift the discussion about organisational purpose from being about what organisations and leaders should do – to take a practical look at what they are doing – and what we can learn from that. We’re going to hear from business leaders across a range of industries how they think about purpose in their organisation - and in business more generally. We’ll explore how they make purpose a building block of their strategy and get their insider tips on the “how” of bringing purpose alive.

Information

  • Creator
    Belden Menkus
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    104
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Menkus & Associates
  • Show Website
    The Purposeful Strategist