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Travelodge boss' departure inevitable, MP says

News imageGetty Images A general view of Jo Boydell, who is wearing a white shirt. She has brown, shoulder length hair and is wearing dark glasses.Getty Images
Jo Boydell faced criticism over the firm's handling of complaints over recent months

The departure of Travelodge's boss was inevitable after a woman's sexual assault at one of its hotels was reported, an MP said.

Jo Boydell stepped down as the Thame-based chain's CEO, having been criticised for its handling of a catalogue of complaints over safety issues. The company is reviewing its security measures.

The woman staying at the company's Maidenhead hotel was attacked in December 2022 and Kyran Smith was jailed for seven and a half years in January for sexual assault and trespass with intent to commit a relevant sexual offence.

Maidenhead's MP Joshua Reynolds said it was a matter of time before Boydell left the company.

In an interview with the BBC in March, Travelodge chief executive Jo Boydell said she only became aware of the assault during the court case almost three years later

"It's been a long time coming. It seemed there was another incident every week with someone else coming forward to say something had happened to them [at Travelodge]," he said.

"It's time for a fresh start, [and] a new chief executive to come in to make some changes and really see that difference so the public can trust the company again."

Boydell said she only heard about the Maidenhead attack years after it had happened, although it emerged the victim had emailed her shortly after the attack.

When questioned about the victim's email, sent in January 2023, Boydell said it had been "handled on my behalf" and there had been "serious failures".

Reynolds added: "The fact that her office had been contacted, told what the problems were from the incident in Maidenhead and nothing had happened, showed she could no longer continue in her role."

News imageGetty Images A general view of a sign on the side of a Travelodge building of its logo. Getty Images
An independent review into the company's security is under way

Other recent incidents include hotel guests saying they were given keys to other people's rooms in Newham, east London.

An independent review into Travelodge's security is being led by barrister Paul Greaney KC.

Reynolds said he hoped that will "drive change in the industry", after other guests reported suffering failures at other hotel chains.

Travelodge said keys can only be handed out to people if guests have given staff explicit permission.

Boydell quit the company on Monday and has been replaced on an interim basis by Ray Reidy, its chief financial officer.

Stephen Shurrock, Travelodge's chairman, said the changes will not "change anything about our focus on safety and security."

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