Why this CEO is happy to admit he is ‘not particularly smart’

Intrepid Travel chief James Thornton says he did “OK” at school and isn’t that smart. But he was CEO by the age of 35.

Sally Patten and Lap Phan

Mar 26, 2024 – 6.00am

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James Thornton’s first job in travel came with a salary of less than half the amount he was making in private client asset management. But he didn’t want to spend the next 40 years helping rich people to get richer.

So the Intrepid Travel CEO followed his heart.

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Sally PattenBOSS editorSally Patten edits BOSS, and writes about workplace issues. She was the financial services editor and personal finance editor of the AFR, The Age and the Sydney Morning Herald. She edited business news for The Times of London. Connect with Sally on Twitter. Email Sally at spatten@afr.com

Lap PhanHead of PodcastLap is a podcast producer and actor based in Sydney. He has appeared in numerous film, TV and theatre productions. Connect with Lap on Twitter. Email Lap at lphan@afr.com

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