We work with talented people doing brilliant things and we help them do them even better!
01
Fix what’s not working
02
Build smart systems
03
Strengthen performance
People matter and the job still needs done.
That belief sits at the heart of everything we do.
Most organisations start to struggle because the way work gets done no longer matches the reality of the business.
That is where friction, burnout, and inconsistency creep in - even in teams that care deeply about doing good work.
We work with you and your team to fix that by strengthening how work is actually done.
Businesses work best when:
people are trusted and supported
expectations are clear
systems match how the organisation really operates
leadership is shared, not overloaded
structure enables progress rather than slowing it down
When people are supported properly, performance improves naturally.
How we work
We work alongside you to:
understand what is actually happening day to day
refine what already works
fix what no longer does
embed systems, rhythms, and ways of working that hold up as the business evolves
Our approach works wherever leaders want strong teams and strong operations to perform properly together.
We’re straight-talking, practical, + hands-on.
Jill McAlpine
Founder + Strategist
Jill leads client engagements at inpurpose and is accountable for strategic direction, delivery quality, and change outcomes.
With over 20 years’ experience leading teams across business, politics, and the public sector, Jill specialises in stepping into complex environments where growth, people, and systems are out of sync.
Clients trust Jill to diagnose what is actually slowing things down, make clear decisions when priorities compete, and design operating systems that support both people and performance. Her work focuses on building structure, rhythm, and leadership confidence so progress does not depend on constant firefighting.
Before founding inpurpose, Jill was Chief of Staff to an MP, leading strategy, campaigns, and operations. Prior to that, she managed corporate improvement and transformation projects at Highland Council, following an early career running complex hospitality operations.
Jill is neurodivergent, which shapes how she sees organisations and how work actually gets done. It gives her a strong ability to spot friction, patterns, and inefficiencies early.
Iris Thompson-Burton
Associate Director
Iris leads on client relationships, planning, and funding across inpurpose client work.
With over 25 years’ leadership experience across environmental health, business development, the third sector, and the creative industries, Iris supports organisations where strong structure, clear planning, and delivery confidence are critical.
Clients rely on Iris to bring rigour to complex situations - translating strategy into workable plans, strengthening governance, and supporting organisations to secure funding and deliver with confidence. She is particularly skilled at helping purpose-led and growing organisations balance ambition with sustainability.
Iris brings steadiness, clarity, and long-term thinking to environments where complexity needs to be handled calmly and well.
Cairan Macleod
Operations + Delivery Associate
Cairan supports delivery across projects, events, workshops, and systems implementation at inpurpose.
She is responsible for keeping work moving, maintaining alignment across workstreams, and ensuring that both operational delivery and live activity run smoothly. This includes managing the organisation and coordination of events and workshops - from planning and logistics through to delivery support.
With experience spanning government, local authorities, and creative organisations, Cairan brings structure, pace, and attention to detail to delivery work. She plays a key role in maintaining momentum while ensuring standards stay high across both client work and in-person delivery.
Clients value Cairan for her reliability, organisation, and ability to quietly make complex delivery including events and workshops - run smoothly.
One team, one framework, one focus: getting the job done.
Our mission
To help organisations build businesses that run well, grow sustainably, and create better workplaces for the people inside them.
Our philosophy
People matter
Straight-talking guidance
Practical execution
Better workplaces
Sustainable growth
Purpose over noise
AI and automation that genuinely support humans
Our approach is simple
People first
Strong organisations are built on supported, confident teams.
Systems second
Clear workflows and practical systems remove friction and guesswork.
Sustainable rhythm
Consistent routines reduce reliance on individuals and firefighting.
Practical progress
We focus on what actually moves the organisation forward.
Better workplaces
When people thrive, performance follows.
