In this episode of The Purposeful Strategist, Belden Menkus is joined by Richard Corderoy, CEO of The Oakland Group, a consultancy helping organisations achieve more with their data.

Since Richard’s last appearance in 2022, Oakland has achieved B Corp certification, joined the UK Government’s G-Cloud 13 framework, been named “Best Consultancy in the UK,” and been acquired by Softcat plc. Richard reflects on how the firm has navigated this transformation while keeping purpose and culture at the core.

This conversation explores:
• Why cultural alignment made the Softcat acquisition a natural fit.
• Why Oakland decided to move on from B Corp while still using its principles to shape Oakland’s decisions about clients, culture, and social issues.
• Why moments of challenge reveal more about leadership than smooth growth.
• The role of AI in consultancy and where human connection still creates value.
• What it takes to prepare the next generation of leaders.

Richard offers a candid, values-driven perspective on leading through change and staying true to purpose.

The Oakland Group: https://weareoakland.com/

Belden is the founder and Managing Director of MenKus & Associates, a consulting and CEO advisory firm that helps leaders fully activate their organisation’s potential to succeed. MenKus and Associates helps top teams develop purposeful strategies and then turn their intentions into action and results. Their approach is to be a strategic catalyst and thought partner, creating alignment, clarity and action.

Menkus & Associates: https://www.menkus.com/