1 week ago
Travelodge chief steps down amid hotel security overhaul
Travelodge is changing how it protects guests after a woman was sexually assaulted at one of its hotels.
The attack happened in Maidenhead in December 2022.
The attacker got a key card by giving staff misleading information.
Travelodge says it has changed its rules for giving out extra or replacement keys.
Guests must now give clear permission before another key is issued.
The company also says it will not tell other people whether a guest is staying there.
More than 600 hotels have added security measures and staff training.
Travelodge’s chief executive, Jo Boydell, is leaving, but the company has not said her departure was directly caused by the assault.
Chief executive Jo Boydell is leaving Travelodge after 13 years with the company.
Ray Reidy will serve as interim chief executive while Travelodge searches for a permanent replacement.
The leadership change follows scrutiny over a 2022 sexual assault at Travelodge’s Maidenhead hotel.
Travelodge says more than 600 hotels now have strengthened room-access procedures.
New measures include guest permission for extra keys, privacy rules, deadbolt checks and staff training.
- Who
- Travelodge chief executive Jo Boydell is leaving; Ray Reidy will serve as interim chief executive. Kyran Smith was sentenced for the assault.
- What
- Travelodge is changing room-access and staff-security procedures after a sexual assault and related scrutiny of its safety practices.
- Where
- The assault took place at Travelodge’s Maidenhead hotel, while new procedures have been introduced across more than 600 hotels.
- When
- The assault occurred in December 2022; Boydell’s departure was announced as the security overhaul continues.
- Why
- The changes followed concerns that a duplicate room key was issued after misleading information was provided to staff.
Travelodge’s position
Critics’ concerns
Reason for Boydell’s departure
Travelodge’s position
Travelodge has not said that Boydell’s departure was directly linked to the assault and says the company remains focused on guest safety.
Critics’ concerns
Boydell faced pressure over the company’s handling of the assault, and the victim criticised her for not initially engaging with questions about the incident.
Response to the security failure
Travelodge’s position
Travelodge says it acted quickly, commissioned an independent review and introduced stronger key-card rules, privacy protections, deadbolt checks and training.
Critics’ concerns
The assault prompted scrutiny of claims that staff had previously issued duplicate keys without carrying out necessary security checks.
Leadership accountability
Travelodge’s position
Travelodge says it will continue strengthening the business and engaging with the government and hospitality industry on hotel safety.
Critics’ concerns
The victim and former prime minister Sir Keir Starmer called for more serious engagement from the company’s leadership over the safety concerns.
Key facts
- Departing executive
- Jo Boydell, who joined Travelodge 13 years ago and became chief executive in May 2022.
- Interim successor
- Chief financial officer Ray Reidy.
- Assault location
- Travelodge’s Maidenhead hotel.
- Assault date
- December 2022.
- Offender’s sentence
- Kyran Smith received seven years and six months in prison.
- Security coverage
- More than 600 Travelodge hotels have introduced new room-access measures.
- Staff training
- Additional training has been provided to 12,000 customer-facing employees.
Sources
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