Intrepid Travel has announced that UK General Manager Sales & Marketing Hazel McGuire will step into the newly created role of Chief Marketing Officer to lead the B Corp’s ambitious global marketing and growth strategy to become an iconic brand.
The internal promotion follows an extensive global recruitment campaign following the appointment of former Intrepid Travel Chief Customer Officer Leigh Barnes to President of the Americas, effective January 2025.
McGuire has 20 years’ experience in the travel and transport industries, joining Intrepid Travel in 2022 where she delivered 60 per cent revenue growth in 2023 compared to 2019 and recently led the UK Team to its biggest sales month ever in January 2025.
The new role will see McGuire oversee the global departments of Brand and PR with the addition of Communications, Customer and Experiences to underline the importance of product in the customer journey.
London-based McGuire officially commences as CMO on 1 April 2025 and will report to Intrepid Travel CEO James Thornton.
Thornton said: “Hazel embodies our Intrepid values of ambitious, real, together and impactful and I’m thrilled to promote her to Chief Marketing Officer – a clear reflection of the talent and vision we have within our team.”
“Hazel’s depth of experience in the travel industry and her proven success leading our UK business positioned her as the perfect candidate to realise Intrepid’s global growth ambitions. I wish both Hazel and Leigh every success as they transition into their new roles,” he said.
McGuire will build on the foundations laid by Barnes to continue Intrepid’s transition to brand-led marketing in a bid to grow into a $1 billion business by 2030.
“This is a dream role, not only in the travel industry but in global business. My goal is to identify the big opportunities that will help us realise Intrepid’s 2030 strategy,” she said.
“Leigh Barnes has done an amazing job growing our talented global team and I am committed to continue building on our shared vision to be the best travel company for the world.”
Find out more at intrepidtravel.com
