We work with talented people doing brilliant things and we help them do them even better!
Why we do what we do
Our work is rooted in one belief: when you optimise how a business runs, you uplift the people inside it and everything performs better.
We believe businesses grow best when their people grow too. We work with brilliant people building brilliant businesses - refining what works, strengthening what doesn’t, and putting the right systems, structure, and rhythm in place so teams can perform well without burning out.
We exist to help founder-led SMEs build businesses that run smoothly, grow sustainably, and create better workplaces for the people powering them.
We’re straight-talking, practical, + hands-on.
Jill McAlpine
Founder + Strategist
With more than 20 years’ experience leading teams and driving change across business, politics, and corporate improvement, Jill has worked with organisations of every size, from growing SMEs to public-sector leadership teams.
Before founding inpurpose, she was Chief of Staff to an MP, leading on strategy, campaigns, and operations, following several years managing transformation projects at Highland Council, with her early career in managing large-scale hospitality operations.
Her work now focuses on strategy, systems, and organisational development, helping founder-led businesses and growing teams fix what’s not working, build what will, and create the structure and rhythm they need to perform.
Iris Thompson-Burton
Associate Director
Iris Thompson-Burton, Associate Director at inpurpose, specialising in operations, planning and funding for SMEs and purpose-led businesses.”
Iris is a strategist, mentor, and champion of purpose-led businesses and the third sector, with over 25 years of leadership experience spanning environmental health, business development, and the creative industries.
At inpurpose, she leads on operations, planning, and funding - supporting clients to design robust structures, secure investment, and deliver with confidence.
Cairan Macleod
Operations + Delivery Associate
Cairan is a highly organised and creative operations professional who keeps projects moving and details aligned.
With experience spanning events, marketing, and business support, she’s worked with organisations from the Scottish Government to local authorities and creative agencies.
At inpurpose, she supports project delivery, client operations, and business systems implementation, turning plans into progress and ensuring every detail runs smoothly.
One team, one framework, one focus: getting the job done.
Our mission
To help ambitious SMEs build businesses that run well, grow sustainably, and create better workplaces for the people inside them.
Our philosophy
People first
Straight-talking guidance
Better workplaces
Sustainable growth
Practical execution
Purpose over noise
AI + automation that actually supports humans
Our approach is simple
People first: Strong businesses are built on supported, confident teams.
Systems second: Clear workflows and practical systems keep everything moving.
Sustainable rhythm: Consistent routines and operating rhythms reduce reliance on the founder.
Practical progress: We focus on what moves the business forward.
Better workplaces: When people thrive, the business does too.
