Travelodge boss quits amid backlash over hotel sexual assault
Travelodge boss Jo Boydell has quit as the budget hotel brand pursues an overhaul of its safety measures following a sexual assault at one of its sites.
The group said on Thursday that Boydell will depart with immediate effect after 13 years in the role, thanking the chief executive for her “dedication” to the group.
However, Boydell had faced widespread criticism for her handling of an attack at a Travelodge hotel in Maidenhead, Berkshire.
In February, Kyran Smith was jailed for seven-and-a-half years after a guest at the hotel was sexually assaulted in December 2022 by a man who had been given a key card to her room.
The backlash over the group’s handling of the incident caused then-Prime Minister Keir Starmer to step in, urging Boydell to “seriously engage” with the government after she cancelled a meeting with MPs.
Boydell has been replaced on an interim basis by Ray Reidy, who has served as Travelodge’s finance chief since April last year.
Reidy said: “We remain focused on the safety and well-being of our guests and will continue taking the actions necessary to strengthen the business.
“We will also continue to engage proactively and constructively with [the] government and the wider hospitality industry on the issue of safety and security.”
Hotel group has ‘acted quickly’
Travelodge said on Thursday that senior lawyer Paul Greaney KC is leading a review into its room security policies and handling of serious incidents. The hotel group said it has already “acted quickly to make changes to improve safety and security across our operations”.
Travelodge said it is working with trade body UK Hospitality to develop best-practice guidance and is carrying out its own internal review. It already implemented a new room access policy, meaning staff must seek explicit permission from a guest before providing extra keys to their room.
The group, which is owned by US-based GoldenTree Asset Management, runs 600 properties across the UK, Ireland and Spain.
It posted a four per cent jump in revenue, to £491.3m in the six months to June, though Reidy warned of “a continually challenging market backdrop”.