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Travelodge boss resigns after assault criticism
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Travelodge boss Jo Boydell quit after criticism over a 2022 guest assault. The chain is overhauling safety procedures after a key card error.
Background
Travelodge's chief executive Jo Boydell has stepped down amid a backlash over the hotel chain's handling of a sexual assault at its Maidenhead hotel in 2022. In that incident, staff mistakenly issued a key card to the woman's attacker. The company has been criticized for its security measures and has announced an overhaul of its safety procedures.
How it unfolded
- 2022A female guest was sexually assaulted at a Travelodge in Maidenhead after staff mistakenly gave a key card to her attacker.
- Feb 2026Kyran Smith was sentenced to seven-and-a-half years in prison for the attack.
- Mar 2026Jo Boydell apologized to the victim and said the company had made 'immediate changes' to its door key policy.
- Aug 20, 2026Travelodge announced that Jo Boydell is stepping down after 13 years, with CFO Ray Reidy taking over on an interim basis.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- Travelodge said it is continuing to 'overhaul its safety procedures' and remains focused on guest safety.
- Public
- Critics have widely criticized the company's handling of the assault and its security failings.