James Thornton
CEO, Intrepid Travel
James Thornton joined Intrepid Travel, now the world’s largest certified travel B Corp, in 2015 in its UK office but moved in 2017 into his current role as its first non-founding Chief Executive Officer. He is responsible for setting the strategic direction and vision of the global purpose-led business with more than 1,200 staff and leaders and 25 offices around the world. Intrepid is the only global vertically integrated business in the adventure travel sector.
James has expertly led the company through earning its B Corp certification and periods of record growth as well as successfully navigating the pandemic and securing its record capital raise. In 2023, he led the business to its strongest results in its history.
James is a passionate football (soccer) fan and marathon runner, and his top Intrepid trip seeing the mountain gorillas of Rwanda. He has been a YPO member since 2016.