The Two Russells with Jesper With-Fogstrup

This week we’re joined by someone who makes leadership look effortless (even though his path was anything but). Jesper With-Fogstrup, CEO of Moneypenny, leads a business serving 16,000 clients across the UK and US, with £75m in revenue and a culture so strong you genuinely have to see it to believe it… beehives, pub, subsidised lunches, sky-high retention… the lot. But it’s Jesper’s story that pulls you in: • Born in Denmark • Couldn’t read or write until he was 10 • Moved constantly as a kid (doctor dad = resilience on tap) • Michigan exchange year that shaped his outlook on diversity • MBA at London Business School • A career spanning travel, public and private companies, private equity, and industries you wouldn’t expect • And a behind-the-scenes look at how Compare the Meerkat actually came to be He calls himself the Chief Unblocking Officer, keeps a ‘did I make a difference?’ diary at 5.20pm every day, and approaches AI with curiosity rather than fear. The Two Russells tried their best to get him to spill the beans on Moneypenny’s future exit plans… Jesper smiled. And held his line. Beautifully. This is a warm, surprising, generous conversation with a leader who genuinely makes people better.