The Purposeful Strategist, a podcast from Menkus & Associates in partnership with Norman Broadbent, shares conversations with CEOs on how they translate organisational purpose into bold strategy, real impact, and lasting results.
Richard Corderoy, CEO of The Oakland Group, returns to The Purposeful Strategist at a defining moment for the consultancy. Since his last appearance in 2022, Oakland has reached a series of major milestones - achieving B Corp certification, securing a place on the UK Government’s G-Cloud 13 framework, being named “Best Consultancy in the UK” by the Best Companies Awards, and most recently, joining Softcat plc through acquisition.
In this episode, Richard reflects on how Oakland has navigated these significant transitions while remaining grounded in its values. He shares why cultural alignment was key to the Softcat partnership, why the firm chose not to renew its B Corp certification while continuing to uphold the same principles, and how times of challenge often reveal more about leadership than periods of smooth growth.
The conversation also explores the evolving role of consultancies in the age of AI, the importance of diverse perspectives in ethical decision-making, and what it means to prepare the next generation of leaders. Through it all, Richard illustrates how purpose, care, and culture can sustain an organisation - and its people - through continual transformation.