Intrepid Names New Chief Marketing Officer

Intrepid Travel has appointed Hazel McGuire as its new chief marketing officer, effective April 1, 2025. 

Currently the general manager for UK sales and marketing, McGuire joined Intrepid in August 2022 and has worked in the travel industry for 20 years. She helped to increase revenue by 60% in 2023 compared to 2019 and just led UK sales’ best month on record in January 2025. 

“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,” said Intrepid CEO James Thornton. “Hazel’s depth of experience in the travel industry and her proven success leading our UK business positioned her as the perfect candidate to realize Intrepid’s global growth ambitions.” 

McGuire’s promotion comes after an international recruitment campaign, and after the appointment of Leigh Barnes, former chief customer officer, to President of the Americas. McGuire will remain based in the UK for her new role. 

“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,” McGuire 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.”   

McGuire’s appointment also comes after Intrepid acquired Dutch tour operator Sawadee Reizen last month, its largest acquisition ever.