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.
How do you lead a global professional services network in an increasingly uncertain environment? In this episode, Francesca Lagerberg, CEO of Baker Tilly International, shares how a network of more than 50,000 professionals across 140 territories comes together to support mid-market clients with advisory, audit, legal, and tax services.
But Baker Tilly’s story is about more than scale. Francesca explains how the organisation’s purpose is rooted in helping clients make informed, forward-looking decisions - and why trust is fundamental to a model built on collaboration rather than hierarchy.
Reflecting on stepping into the CEO role during a period of significant change in the accounting profession, Francesca discusses the development of a new global strategy shaped over 18 months, bringing together voices from across the network. She also explores how client expectations are evolving, how technology is enabling professionals to focus on higher-value work, and what it takes to lead with clarity and confidence in a complex, global organisation.