Travelodge chief executive Joanna Boydell has stepped down abruptly, with finance director Ray Reidy taking over as interim CEO, as the budget hotel chain continues to overhaul its security procedures following a sexual assault at one of its branches. The move follows sustained criticism of the company's handling of the case, in which a guest was attacked by a man staff had given a key card to after he falsely claimed to be her boyfriend, and comes as scrutiny from MPs and the government intensified.

The attack took place at Travelodge's Maidenhead hotel in December 2022, and the perpetrator, Kyran Smith, was jailed for seven-and-a-half years. Travelodge faced further backlash after it emerged the victim had been offered a £30 refund, which the company later called inappropriate and apologised for. Boydell was criticised, including by Sir Keir Starmer, for cancelling a meeting with MPs and peers, and the firm has since commissioned an independent review by Paul Greaney KC alongside an internal review, introducing measures such as requiring explicit guest permission for extra key cards and refusing to confirm guests' presence to third parties. The leadership change came as Travelodge reported first-half underlying earnings up slightly to £47.9 million and revenue up 4% to £491.3 million.