INTREPID Co-founder Darrell Wade has appointed a young successor to take over the role of chief executive officer.

Managing Director James Thornton, 35, has become the first non-founding CEO of the Intrepid Group which employs 1600 staff in 27 offices and is now the world’s largest provider of adventure travel experiences.

James grew up in Littlehampton but lived in Brighton for a number years.

A British ex-pat, he began his career in investment management before making a career change to join Intrepid Travel 12 years ago as UK sales and marketing co-ordinator.

He has grown up with the company, rapidly progressing through roles to become managing director of Intrepid Travel in 2012 then managing director of the newly-formed Intrepid Group the following year.

He said: “Intrepid was started 28 years ago with the simple idea that travel could change the way people see the world.

“The original vision has never been more important.

“It’s a privilege to be able to lead Intrepid in to the future.

“We have a responsibility to support the communities in the destinations where we operate.

“I believe business can be a force for good and now that we have a sustainable business model, we’ll be even more actively pursuing our growth with purpose”.

Darrell Wade becomes executive chair of the company which began as Intrepid Travel in 1989 and is now a global multi-brand business that now takes 300,000 travellers to more than 100 countries each year.

The group now includes leading travel brands.

They include Intrepid Travel, Geckos Adventures, Peregrine Adventures, Adventure Tours Australia, Urban Adventures, 19 destination management companies, and not-for-profit The Intrepid Foundation.

Intrepid co-founder and owner Geoff Manchester remains as chair of The Intrepid Foundation.