TRAVELODGE CHIEF EXECUTIVE JO BOYDELL STEPS DOWN

Jo Boydell has stepped down as chief executive of Travelodge after 13 years with the hotel chain. The departure follows a sexual assault at a Maidenhead Travelodge in 2022, where staff issued a key card to the victim's attacker. Kyran Smith was sentenced to seven and a half years in prison for the attack in February. Travelodge stated it is continuing to overhaul its safety procedures in response to the incident.

Ms Boydell apologised to the victim in March and acknowledged that the company had made immediate changes to its door key policy. She was scheduled to meet with MPs that month to discuss safety issues, but the meeting was cancelled — a decision the victim said left her shocked. In interviews with ITV and the BBC, Ms Boydell said she was "genuinely sorry" for how the company handled the incident. Former prime minister Sir Keir Starmer subsequently called on her to "seriously engage" with the government on the matter.

Ray Reidy, the chief financial officer, will assume the role on an interim basis while the company searches for a permanent successor. Mr Reidy said the firm remains focused on guest safety and will continue to engage with government and the hospitality industry on security and safety issues. No timeline for appointing a permanent chief executive has been announced.