Intrepid Group names first chief purpose officer
The North American director of adventure travel company Intrepid Group, Leigh Barnes is returning to Australia to take on the newly created role of chief purpose officer.
Barnes takes on the new Melbourne based role on July 1, 2018.
"The new chief purpose officer position is a testament to the rapid growth and innovation we are experiencing as a global leader in sustainable tourism," said Intrepid Group CEO James Thornton.
"The Intrepid Group has shown that profit does not have to come at the expense of helping local communities and protecting the planet. This role is being created to drive our company’s purpose, which will, in turn, drive our company’s growth.
Barnes will work with the Intrepid Foundation and external partners as it seeks more shared value project opportunities.
In 2018, the company is committing 0.75% of global revenue towards various purpose activities.
The company says it has donated more than AUD5 million to 75 not-for-profit organisations across more than 30 countries, and was the first global tour operator to ban elephant rides in 2014.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026