The Times reports today ( 23 July) that Grant Hearn, Chief Executive of Travelodge, plans to step down after 10 years or so at the head of the budget hotel chain.
Prior to joining Travelodge, his career included senior management positions with Hilton, Whitbread and Forte, and he joined Travelodge in March 2003 as Chief Executive Officer, holding the role up to July 2010 when he became Executive Chairman.
In April 2012, as part of the Company’s new financial restructure, the Board reinstated Grant back to Chief Executive Officer to lead the business once again. Since then, he has overseen last year’s financial restructuring and kicking off a £57 million revamp of its rooms.
Not only has Grant Hearn been at the centre of Travelodge, he has been much involved in many industry initiatives, including the ‘Say No To Bed Tax’ campaign – which prevented the implementation of an industry tax on hotels.
He launched the UK’s first Foundation Degree in Hospitality, Budget Hotel and Retail Management in partnership with Westminster Kingsway College, and also initiated for Travelodge to be the first hotel company to recruit long term unemployed individuals back into the workforce via a Government backed scheme run by the Job Centre Plus.
He is a keen advocate of tourism and constantly works to ensure the industry’s voice is heard in Parliament.
A tough act to follow at Travelodfge!