Leadership team

Co-Founder and Chair

A backpacker with a vision, Darrell co-founded Intrepid with his mate Geoff ‘Manch’ Manchester in 1989. Their vision was simple: to offer a new style of low-impact travel that connected travellers with communities. Today, Darrell is regarded as one of travel’s most influential leaders and he plays an instrumental role in advancing the industry’s sustainability agenda through his activism and philanthropy, and also serves as Chair of the Intrepid Foundation. He is best known, however, for being “the tall guy with the big laugh.”

Darrell's favourite Intrepid trip is Jakarta to Ubud, which was inspired by his very own overland route taken while backpacking from Australia to England.  

Co-Founder and Director 

Geoff, known as ‘Manch’, is the co-founder of Intrepid and a company director. Manch has earned the reputation as a responsible travel pioneer, championing the creation of many of Intrepid’s purpose-led initiatives since the company’s inception in 1989. Most notably, Manch spearheaded the establishment of The Intrepid Foundation in 2002, which has since raised over $17 million for more than 160 community partners spanning issues of animal welfare, human rights and economic empowerment. He was also instrumental in Intrepid becoming a certified B Corp. He remains a curious adventurer with a passion for exploring off the beaten path. 

Naturally, Manch's favourite Intrepid trip is one which involves an active adventure, the Inca Trail Express (via the lesser-known Quarry Trail). 

Non-Executive Director 

Julien is Chair of the Board of the Decathlon Group, one of the largest sport retailers globally. He is also the chair of Genairgy, a family-owned, French investment company with a focus on active travel and sporting portfolios. In his capacity as Board Director, Julien helps to accelerate Intrepid’s ambitious growth strategy across digital transformation, product innovation, market expansion and purpose initiatives.

Reflecting his passion for movement and sports, Julien’s favourite Intrepid trip is any which involves getting onto the water or on top of a mountain. His next Intrepid bucket list destination is somewhere in Central America.

CEO

James is the Chief Executive Officer of Intrepid Travel with responsibility for setting the strategic direction and vision of the global purpose led business. Since joining Intrepid nearly two decades ago, James has expertly led the company through his fair share of highs and lows – from B Corp certification to a period of record growth, followed by successfully navigating the business through the pandemic and securing its record capital raise. In 2024, he led the business to its strongest year of results in its history. Hailing from the UK, James is a passionate football (soccer) fan and marathon runner.

Reflecting his passion for Africa and the outdoors, James' top Intrepid trip is Remarkable Rwanda & Gorillas of Uganda.  

Independent Non-Executive Director

Liz is an experienced non-executive director currently serving as Chair of Intrepid’s Remuneration Committee. She brings over two decades of experience working in publicly listed, private, government and not-for-profit environments with a focus on travel, tourism, hospitality and sport. Liz currently sits on the boards of Auckland Airport, North Queensland Airports, People Infrastructure and FunLab, and outside of work enjoys any activity in, on or below the ocean!

Liz most enjoys any Intrepid trip which gets her outdoors and into nature, and is looking forward to heading to Japan next.

Independent Non-Executive Director

Sarah is a reputable corporate advisor and board director, bringing strong financial and commercial acumen to Intrepid’s Board and her role as chair of the Audit and Risk Committee. With extensive experience specialising in Australia’s technology sector, Sarah has a passion for working with innovative and growing businesses and currently sits on the boards of Adslot, Future Generation Global, and Skalata Ventures. In her spare time, Sarah enjoys escaping to the mountains for some hiking or skiing.   

Sarah is working through her Intrepid bucket list, with plans to visit Morocco, Vietnam and Argentina. 

Chief Financial Officer 

Mick joined Intrepid as chief financial officer in January 2020 and was tasked almost immediately with helping to steer the company through the pandemic and an unprecedented period of rapid change. Mick brings a passion for travel and decades of experience working in Australia, North America and the UK in privately owned and listed companies, including stints as CFO at HelloWorld Travel and Transurban. He enjoys spending his spare time watching and playing sports, but not quite as much as he enjoys sampling the latest food and wine.  

Mick’s favourite Intrepid trip is whichever one he’s going on next!

Chief Marketing Officer

Hazel McGuire is Intrepid’s Chief Marketing Officer and leads the company’s global growth efforts. Her remit will include a number of global departments including Brand, PR and Communications, Customer and Experiences. Hazel is passionate about delivering on Intrepid’s aim to be the best travel company for the world and in her former role as General Manager UK & Ireland, she delivered record results in 2023 and 2024.

Hazel lives in London with her family and travels globally regularly.

Chief People and Purpose Officer 

Meegan joined Intrepid in February 2023 and leads all aspects of global people and culture, which includes 1,790 team members in 26 offices and thousands of tour leaders around the world. A strategically and commercially astute HR professional, Meegan brings over 20 years’ experience driving successful business transformations and employee engagement in high stakes work environments and is known for her collaborative, calm and compassionate nature. Outside of work, Meegan keeps busy with her young family and enjoys Melbourne’s performing arts scene.  

Meegan’s favourite Intrepid trip involves beaches, sunshine and plenty of adventure for the whole family – the Sri Lanka Family Holiday. 

Chief Technology Officer

Anu is a passionate technologist with deep experience managing Intrepid’s high scale booking infrastructure and data platforms. Throughout his career, Anu has earned a reputation as a generous and humble leader and in 2013, set up Intrepid’s office in his home of Colombo, growing it tenfold into the company’s largest office today. As CTO, Anu leads Intrepid’s global digital transformation across the key areas of governance, privacy and AI. Anu loves sinking his teeth into projects of all shapes and sizes and recently renovated his own 4x4 to take trekking through the Sri Lankan jungle. He also enjoys collecting whisky... and drinking it too!  

Anu's favourite Intrepid trip unsurprisingly involves a 4x4 – it’s the Kenya Family Safari.

Chief Business Officer 

Tom is one of Intrepid’s longest-serving team members, having spent more than three decades with the business. Over the past 15+ years, Tom has led Intrepid’s global product expansion, several M&As and the establishment of the company’s international network of operational offices. Tom brings a strong commercial acumen, customer focus and leadership to Intrepid’s core management team and directly works alongside the CEO to set Intrepid’s strategic direction. Outside of work, Tom is a keen athlete, having completed various ultra and endurance events.  

Tom most enjoys Intrepid’s range of active experiences, from walking the Kokoda Track to cycling the French Alps.  

Managing Director, EMEA

Regarded as a leading advocate for gender equality, Zina is on a mission to make the world a more inclusive and just place through travel. Based in Morocco, Zina has overseen record business growth in key markets across Europe, the Middle East and Africa and driven opportunities through tourism for women across the world. She is a seasoned speaker and contributor to leading international publications, chair of the Association of Touring and Adventure Suppliers, and a patron and advisor to not-for-profits Education for All and Women in Travel. Zina spends her spare time with her young family and is known for her eye for style and impeccable taste.  

Zina's favourite Intrepid trip is all about female empowerment, joy and connection – the Morocco: Women’s Expedition.

President of Americas 

Leigh has recently stepped into a new role as President of Americas, where he will oversee Intrepid’s expansion into the USA, the company’s fastest growing market. Leigh will manage direct, industry and white label sales as well as operations across North, Central and South America. Previously Chief Purpose Officer and then Chief Customer Officer, he’s been instrumental in building Intrepid’s reputation as a purpose-led, customer-focussed organisation. Outside of work, Leigh’s an avid supporter of local arts scenes and a keen ocean swimmer - even in the frosty Pacific Northwest where he is based.  

Leigh's top Intrepid trip is Everest Base Camp Trek, which he credits for changing the way he sees the world.

Managing Director, Asia and Global Operations

Natalie has worked in the Asian travel sector for nearly 20 years, having first joined Intrepid in 2005 as the founding general manager in Vietnam. Natalie grew this one office into a global network of 28 inbound tour operators and now leads all aspects of sales, marketing and operations across Asia, including Intrepid’s largest office in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Nat has always had a passion for Asian culture and heritage and holds a Master of Asian Studies, a Bachelor of Arts/Asian Studies as well as a Master of Business Administration. When she’s not working, you’ll find Natalie exploring a country you’ve probably never heard of!  

Despite her passion for far-flung adventures, Natalie’s top Intrepid trip is the South-East Asia Loop, which was her first ever Intrepid trip taken years before she joined the company. 

Managing Director, ANZ

Born in Zimbabwe and raised in Perth, Western Australia, Brett combines his lifelong love of travel with his deep operational expertise in finance and sales to lead Intrepid’s ANZ business. Prior to joining Intrepid, Brett lived and worked in London where he successfully led a range of debt raising, IPO and M&A activities for high profile companies on the London Stock Exchange. Brett joined the tourism sector in 2008 and has since been an active Board member on a number of travel associations and forums, helping to drive positive change across the industry. He keeps busy with his young kids and through local sporting clubs.   

With his active family, Brett’s favourite Intrepid trip is the Japan Family Holiday.