Grant Hearn to leave Travelodge, new chief executive sought

The Travelodge board is now actively looking for a new chief executive and Hearn will remain in the role throughout the transitional period. The hotelier said the decision to step down was ‘an incredibly tough one to make’.

“Travelodge has been an integral part of my life over the past ten years,” he said. “It has been a real privilege to lead the Travelodge team and work alongside some of the most talented people in the industry.

“Together we have built Travelodge into one of the UK’s best hotel brands and made staying away in a hotel an everyday concept.

“Now, that Travelodge has a solid foundation under new committed ownership and is one of the UK’s most recognised brands. I feel comfortable that the company is in a strong and secure position for me to move on.”

Next steps​

Hearn joined Travelodge in 2003 as chief executive, after previously working for Hilton UK & Ireland. He led the budget operator from 2003 until July 2010 when he was appointed to the position of chairman. He was then asked by the Travelodge board to return as chief executive in April last year;​​to oversee the company’s financial restructuring programme.

Speaking about what Hearn will do next, a spokesperson for Travelodge told BigHospitality: “Grant is taking time to think about his next steps.”

Travelodge opened its first hotel in 1985 and today operates 521 hotels across the UK, Ireland and Spain. This year, the brand is benefiting from a £223m investment to help further grow its business.

As part of this expenditure, £57 million is being spent on refurbishing the Travelodge estate. By autumn 2014, over 80 per cent of Travelodge rooms will have been refurbished in line with the company’s new room design.​​

Development and growth​

Brian Wallace, chairman of Travelodge, said: “Grant has been an outstanding leader for Travelodge. Under his leadership, the brand has been repositioned from a roadside hotel operator to being one of the UK’s leading hotel brands.

“The company’s portfolio has more than doubled in size and today Travelodge is a household name with an exceptional digital presence. Grant leaves behind an extremely capable team, one which is already working on building the next exciting growth phase for Travelodge.

“On a personal note, I have known Grant for over 12 years and I wish him every success for the future. I am very grateful that Grant will continue as Travelodge’s chief executive through this transitional period.”

Speaking of the future of Travelodge, Hearn added: “With Brian’s extensive experience of the hotel industry, I believe the Travelodge brand will continue to grow from strength to strength.

“Exciting plans lie ahead for the business​​and for the new chief executive, who will drive this next phase of development and growth.” 

In this exclusive video interview with BigHospitality back in April, Travelodge chief executive Hearn revealed how he wants the operator to learn from the growth of supermarkets as he led the budget hotel operator through its turbulent past.