Welcoming Iris Thompson-Burton to inpurpose

It’s a big month for inpurpose. Next month, we celebrate our first year in business — and we’ve just been named Professional Services Start-Up of the Year (Scotland) at the UK Start-Up Awards.

And now, we have more great news to share.

I’m delighted to welcome Iris Thompson-Burton as our new Associate Director. Iris will be leading our growing work with start-ups and early-stage founders across the Highlands.

Until now, inpurpose has focused mainly on established, founder-led businesses; helping them strengthen strategy, streamline operations, and build high-performing teams. With Iris on board, we’re expanding our work to support businesses right from the start of their journey.

If you’ve ever met Iris, you’ll know why I’m so excited. She’s someone I’ve admired for a long time. Having worked alongside her on the Board of Highland Business Women, I’ve seen first-hand her leadership, strategic clarity, and passion for supporting local businesses. She brings real experience, clear thinking, and a genuine understanding of what people need when they’re starting or growing a business.

Iris’s track record is remarkable. Over the past 25 years, she’s worked across environmental health, business development, and the creative and tourism sectors. She’s helped charities, start-ups, and social enterprises develop their offer, build strong financial models, and grow values-led teams. Alongside her new role with inpurpose, she manages the award-winning Highland-Escape.com, serves as President of Highland Business Women, and contributes her expertise to Highland Action for Little Ones (HALO) and Vivid Roots Collective.

In Iris’s own words:

“So many brilliant ideas and businesses start right here in the Highlands, but getting the right support early on makes all the difference. I’m excited to be working with Jill and the inpurpose team to help founders grow with confidence and build businesses that work for them and their communities.”

This is an exciting next chapter for us and I can’t wait to see the difference we can make together for founders and leaders across the region.