The North American director of adventure travel company Intrepid Group, Leigh Barnes is returning to Australia to take on the newly created role of chief purpose officer.
Barnes takes on the new Melbourne based role on July 1, 2018.
"The new chief purpose officer position is a testament to the rapid growth and innovation we are experiencing as a global leader in sustainable tourism," said Intrepid Group CEO James Thornton.
"The Intrepid Group has shown that profit does not have to come at the expense of helping local communities and protecting the planet. This role is being created to drive our company’s purpose, which will, in turn, drive our company’s growth.
Barnes will work with the Intrepid Foundation and external partners as it seeks more shared value project opportunities.
In 2018, the company is committing 0.75% of global revenue towards various purpose activities.
The company says it has donated more than AUD5 million to 75 not-for-profit organisations across more than 30 countries, and was the first global tour operator to ban elephant rides in 2014.
