The Purposeful Strategist

In this episode of The Purposeful Strategist, Belden Menkus speaks with Natasha Frangos, Managing Partner at HaysMac, one of London’s top 10 audit firms. Since becoming the first woman to lead the firm in its 100+ year history, Natasha has overseen more than 80% growth, opened a new office in Cape Town, and guided a bold rebrand that reflects the firm’s innovative and collaborative spirit.

Natasha shares how her journey from trainee to Managing Partner has shaped her leadership philosophy, and why nurturing talent, embedding inclusion, and setting a clear vision are central to HaysMac’s long-term success. From strategy resets to succession planning, she offers an inside look at how the firm is aligning its people behind ambitious growth while staying true to its culture.

In their conversation, they explore:

• How open feedback and authentic communication build trust and collaboration.
• Why a firm-wide strategy reset was critical to aligning partners and staff behind a shared vision.
• How rebranding elevated HaysMac’s market position and better reflects its people.
• The importance of nurturing home-grown talent and creating clear career pathways.
• Why promotions should be based on readiness, not time served.
• How diversity, equity, and inclusion are embedded into day-to-day practice.
• How embracing “butterflies in your stomach” moments drives personal and professional growth.

HaysMac: https://haysmac.com/

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

In this episode of The Purposeful Strategist, Belden Menkus is joined by Sarah Turner, co-founder and CEO of Angel Academe, the UK’s most active network of female angel investors. Sarah has long been focused on getting more women investing and channeling capital into female-founded tech startups. Now, she’s taken a bold next step—launching the UK’s first EIS fund for female founders.

Reflecting on the realities of today’s economic climate and the barriers to inclusive investment, Sarah shares how Angel Academe is helping women overcome red tape, build confidence, and invest collectively in breakthrough innovation. She also explores what it will take to move beyond talk and achieve real behaviour change in the investment ecosystem.

This conversation covers:

·       Why launching an EIS fund could make early-stage investment more accessible for investors.

·       The challenges of a tougher economic environment—and the opportunities it still presents.

·       How a low-fee model and partnership with Syndicate Room lowers barriers for investors.

·       The importance of community and collective intelligence in due diligence.

·       Examples of innovation already backed, from fertility alternatives to motion capture tech.

·       Why building a pipeline of future women investors matters as much as funding founders.

·       The gap between data showing female founders’ impact and the action investors are taking.

Angel Academe: https://www.angelacademe.com/

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

In this episode of The Purposeful Strategist, Belden Menkus is joined by Mark Horsley, Chief Executive Officer of Northern Gas Networks, which serves 6.8 million people across Northern England and has become a leader in the UK’s net-zero transition. Since his last appearance in 2021, Mark has been driving bold change—investing £25 million in partnership with JCB, and leading major collaborations such as East Coast Hydrogen, a collaboration between National Gas, NGN, and Cadent to connect hydrogen production and storage with industrial users in the region.

Reflecting on the challenges and opportunities in the energy sector, Mark shares how NGN is navigating the controversy around hydrogen for heat, the government’s growing focus on electrification, and the need to diversify energy sources for security and resilience. At the same time, he highlights the cultural shifts inside NGN.

This conversation covers:

·       Why hydrogen remains central to industrial energy, even as electrification dominates government priorities.

·       The importance of pragmatism in balancing net-zero ambitions with affordability for customers.

·       How industry collaboration and leadership are critical in times of adversity.

·       NGN’s approach to culture: accountability, citizenship, and listening to communities.

·       Building resilience through supply chain development, job protection, and sector-wide cooperation.

·       Why putting people first—customers, communities, and colleagues—is the foundation for lasting impact.

Northern Gas Networks: https://www.northerngasnetworks.co.uk/

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

In this episode of The Purposeful Strategist, Belden Menkus speaks with Sue Percy, Chief Executive of the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation (CIHT), a professional body at the heart of shaping the UK’s transport networks. From setting national standards to advocating for equitable, sustainable infrastructure, CIHT plays a crucial role in how people and goods move—safely, efficiently, and inclusively.

Sue shares how her leadership blends long-term strategic vision with day-to-day pragmatism, ensuring that CIHT not only delivers on its purpose but also lives its values. She reflects on the sector’s progress since her last appearance, and how the Institution is helping members navigate complex shifts in skills, risk appetite, and public expectations.

In their conversation, they explore:
• Why transport is the “glue” of society—and why its value must be made more visible.
• How CIHT has embedded climate action, equity, and inclusion into its core decision-making frameworks.
• The evolving role of professional bodies in setting standards, shaping culture, and holding government accountable.
• Challenges around the green skills gap—and how to make the sector more attractive and future-ready.
• The opportunities and limits of AI as a tool for change in infrastructure planning and delivery.
• What it takes to lead cultural change through “soft influence” and qualitative success.
• How CIHT is expanding its international outlook and adapting to structural shifts like devolution.
• The importance of knowing what aligns with your purpose—and learning to say no to everything else.

CIHT: https://www.ciht.org.uk/
MenKus & Associates: https://www.menkus.com/

In this episode of The Purposeful Strategist, Belden Menkus speaks with Rosie Djurovic, Head of AI at Brabners, a leading UK law firm. He met Rosie as part of our research on the ways law firms are deciding how to use AI. Since joining in 2024, Rosie has been shaping an ambitious AI strategy built on three core pillars: brand-led, client-centred, and AI-enabled.

Brabners is taking a measured, people-focused approach to AI — starting from first principles to identify the real problems lawyers and clients face, then finding solutions that align with the firm’s broader goals. Sometimes those solutions involve AI, sometimes they don’t — but when they do, Rosie ensures they are implemented at the right time, in the right way, and with the right safeguards.

In their conversation, they discuss:
• Why solving the right problem sometimes means not using AI at all
• Scaling up skills across the firm to use AI effectively and responsibly
• Enhancing evaluation frameworks for AI tools before adoption
• Exploring generative AI in client portals to improve transparency and service
• Balancing internal innovation with growing client expectations
• The risks of rushing untested AI products to market
• Why Rosie believes AI’s transformation of law will be profound but not instantaneous
• Keeping client benefit and team wellbeing equally at the heart of AI adoption

Brabners: https://www.brabners.com/

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

In this episode of The Purposeful Strategist, Belden Menkus speaks with Ben Farrell MBE, Global Chief Executive of the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS), the world’s largest professional body for procurement and supply professionals, with over 70,000 members in 160 countries and 97 branches worldwide.

CIPS plays a pivotal role in shaping resilient, ethical, and sustainable global supply chains — a profession now at the forefront due to shifting trade relationships and the weaponisation of supply chains. Ben shares how CIPS is helping countries thrive, raising standards, and closing global skills gaps while inspiring the next generation of procurement leaders.

In their conversation, they discuss:

·       Why procurement and supply have never been more vital to sustainability, national economies, and society

·       Acting as a global voice for the profession and a thought leader in the field

·       Moving industry debates toward long-term thinking and away from short-term fixes

·       Building a “shared consciousness” across a diverse, international membership

·       Helping countries and organisations understand skills gaps and set global standards

·       Navigating the world’s deep dependence on China and its tightly wound supply networks

·       How CIPS is evolving to meet future challenges and encourage more innovative thinking

·       Showcasing meaningful career paths in procurement and supply to attract new talent

CIPS: https://www.cips.org/

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

In this episode of The Purposeful Strategist, Belden Menkus speaks with Doug Bannister, CEO of the Port of Dover, Europe’s busiest ferry port and a critical gateway for trade, travel, and tourism. Handling one-third of EU-UK commerce and facilitating £144 billion of trade annually, Dover is known for its unparalleled efficiency with inbound dwell times averaging just five minutes.

Doug shares how his role as CEO blends operational excellence with long-term strategic vision, balancing the demands of national infrastructure, local communities, and global supply chains. From defining a clear purpose— ‘Empower Exchange’—to setting ambitious sustainability goals, he offers a candid look at how Dover is navigating a period of major transformation.

In their conversation, they explore:

·      How ‘Empower Exchange’ became the Port’s purpose and the foundation for its culture.

·      Why looking beyond quarterly metrics enables bolder, ecosystem-wide decision-making.

·      How building trust and transparency is essential in an organisation that operates in full public view.

·      The Port’s Sustainability Agenda 2025 and its goal to become the UK’s first high-volume green shipping corridor.

·      Balancing commercial growth with minimising impact on surrounding residents and businesses.

·      Acting ahead of the curve on safety, security, and environmental standards.

Port of Dover: https://www.portofdover.com/

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

In this episode of The Purposeful Strategist, Belden Menkus speaks with Kate Grussing CBE, Founder and Managing Director of Sapphire Partners, a pioneering executive search firm reshaping how organisations find and support exceptional leaders. Since launching in 2005, Kate has been challenging the “usual candidate” mindset — broadening searches to uncover hard-to-find individuals who inspire others, act as role models, and create long-term value.

In their conversation, they discuss:

How identifying the traits of high-performing teams led Kate to see gaps in the executive search market.

Broadening strategy beyond the firm’s original focus on flexible and project-based roles.

Balancing focus with adaptability to meet client needs.

Leading as a “salmon swimming upstream” in an industry slow to change.

The lasting impact of COVID-19 on workplace flexibility and board recruitment.

Why supporting leaders across their entire career journey matters.

Aligning organisational strategy with purpose to achieve lasting impact.

The potential for AI to help search firms focus on the most value-adding aspects of their work.

Encouraging purpose and connection to industry or community, even after formal careers end.

Sapphire Partners: https://www.sapphirepartners.co.uk/

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

In this episode of The Purposeful Strategist, Belden Menkus is joined by Eric Ressler, Founder and Creative Director of Cosmic, a U.S.-based creative studio helping mission-driven organisations design strategy, messaging, and digital experiences that spark meaningful change. Eric offers a sharp perspective on how social impact design is evolving—and what might come next.

Reflecting on the challenges nonprofits face amid shrinking federal funding and digital saturation, Eric shares how Cosmic is helping organisations clarify their purpose, communicate with intention, and build coalitions that reduce duplication and deepen impact.

This conversation covers:

-              Why many purpose-led organisations struggle to define their “why”—and how that hurts strategy.

-              The decision to stay small, integrated, and highly selective.

-              How funding pressures are shifting work across the nonprofit, private, and public sectors.

-              Pressures to rethink ‘Design Thinking’—and how to respond.

-              Why disconnection may be the next frontier in digital culture.

-              How to integrate technology without losing our sense of humanity.

Show notes here