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, banks, and capital markets worldwide.

In their conversation, they explore:

• How the 2008 financial crisis created the opportunity for an independent loan agency model.

• Why independence, proactivity, and execution became GLAS’s strategic edge.

• How opportunistic expansion — from the UK to the US and Australia — shaped the firm’s growth.

• What private equity backing changed (and didn’t) after a decade of founder-led scaling.

• How technology, data, and AI are transforming back-office financial services — and why human judgment still matters.

GLAS

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.