Travelodge chief executive Joanna Boydell is stepping down as the hotel company continues to face political scrutiny over guest security and its room-access procedures.
Chief financial officer Ray Reidy has been appointed interim chief executive while the company searches for a permanent replacement.
Travelodge has not publicly stated that Boydell's departure was caused by the controversy surrounding its security procedures. The leadership change has, however, been announced after months of criticism from politicians and campaigners concerning the company's handling of serious incidents involving access to guests' rooms.
Political scrutiny of room security
The criticism followed a criminal case concerning a woman who was sexually assaulted at a Travelodge in Maidenhead in December 2022. The man responsible had obtained access after hotel staff gave him a key card to her room when he falsely claimed to be her boyfriend.
He was subsequently convicted and sentenced to seven-and-a-half years in prison. The survivor's identity is protected by law and is not being published.
The case prompted MPs to seek assurances about room-access policies and the protection of guests, particularly women staying alone. In March, then-prime minister Sir Keir Starmer wrote to Boydell urging Travelodge to engage seriously with MPs and the Government about prevention, staff training and the pace of its response.
Labour MPs Matt Bishop and Jen Craft were among those pressing the company for answers.
Travelodge changes key-card policy
Travelodge apologised for the way the incident had been handled and introduced changes to its room-access security policy. The company said additional or replacement keys would be issued only with the explicit permission of the person or people staying in the room.
Travelodge said the revised policy had been introduced across its hotels and supported by training for approximately 12,000 customer-facing employees.
The company also commissioned an independent review led by barrister Paul Greaney KC, whose work includes public inquiries involving security, serious violent crime and health and safety.
Interim leadership appointed
Boydell joined Travelodge as chief financial officer in 2013 and became chief executive in May 2022. Reidy was appointed as the company's chief financial officer in August 2025 after previously holding the position on an interim basis.
Travelodge has said that guest and employee safety remains a priority. Its independent review and work to strengthen security procedures are continuing under the company's new interim leadership.
Although Boydell's departure comes amid sustained scrutiny, no direct causal connection should be assumed beyond what the company has publicly confirmed.