Intrepid Group makes two key staff changes

From January, Michael Edwards, currently Intrepid Group’s regional director in Europe, Middle East and Asia, will move into the role of chief growth officer; while next July, North America director Leigh Barnes will take on the post of chief purpose officer.

Chief executive James Thornton said the changes would help Intrepid Group become the first billion-dollar adventure travel company, while donating $3 million into local communities through the Intrepid Foundation by 2020.

“The new senior executive roles are a testament to the rapid growth and innovation we are experiencing as a global leader in the tourism industry,” he said.

“We created these roles so that we can continue to fulfill our business’s founding philosophy of helping people and the planet through travel – while creating a new industry standard where purpose and profit are not mutually exclusive.”

Edwards will manage Intrepid’s regional directors and marketing services team. In 2018, he will help Intrepid expand its adventure cruising programme into Asia and launch its first Antarctica charters in partnership with Chimu Adventures.

Barnes will work closely with The Intrepid Foundation and external partners as Intrepid seeks to create more shared value projects and to “operate a business with a purpose beyond profit”. In 2018, it will be committing 0.75% of global revenue towards purpose activities, creating a team of dedicated employees to lead The Intrepid Foundation.

“The board and the leadership team are confident that Leigh Barnes and Michael Edwards are the best people for their respective roles and ensure the company is both profitable and sustainable,” said Thornton.