# Travelodge security and leadership crisis > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/travelodge-security-and-leadership-crisis > Updated: 2026-08-20T06:51:45.000Z. Sources: 6. Developments: 2. Travelodge is undergoing a significant safety and leadership overhaul following reports that staff members provided room keys to domestic abusers, facilitating violent assaults on guests. One notable incident in Maidenhead involved Kyran Smith, who was jailed in February 2026 for an attack after gaining access to a victim’s room by posing as her boyfriend. Additional reports emerged regarding a London location where an attacker gained access by falsely claiming a guest was having a seizure. In that instance, the hotel was criticized for offering a different room rather than contacting police or medical services. In response to the scrutiny, Travelodge CEO Jo Boydell has stepped down after 13 years. Her departure follows criticism of her handling of the situation and calls from former Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer for the company to “seriously engage” with the government. CFO Ray Reidy has been appointed interim chief executive. The company is currently implementing new security protocols, such as requiring explicit guest permission for replacement keys and prohibiting staff from confirming a guest’s presence to third parties. An independent review by Paul Greaney KC is also being conducted as part of a broader safety overhaul. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-20: Travelodge CEO Jo Boydell steps down amid safety overhaul Travelodge CEO Jo Boydell has resigned following criticism over safety protocols after a 2022 sexual assault at a Maidenhead hotel. CFO Ray Reidy will serve as interim chief executive. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/travelodge-ceo-jo-boydell-steps-down-amid-safety-overhaul ### 2026-08-10: Travelodge under scrutiny after staff gave room keys to abusers Travelodge is reviewing security policies after reports that staff handed room keys to domestic abusers, leading to violent assaults on guests in Maidenhead and London. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/travelodge-under-scrutiny-after-staff-gave-room-keys-to-abusers --- Cite as: Travelodge security and leadership crisis. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/travelodge-security-and-leadership-crisis