Hotel chain Travelodge checks in new chairman

Budget hotel chain Travelodge has checked in leisure industry veteran Martin Robinson as its new chairman.

His CV includes 17 years at Center Parcs as chief executive of its European business and UK chairman, and ten years on the boards of Disneyland Paris and serviced office specialist Regus – having also chaired organisations such as Holmes Place Health Clubs and Wagamama.

Mr Robinson currently chairs the UK business for Burger King, and Parkdean Resorts, which is billed as the UK’s largest holiday park operator.

Mr Robinson's CV includes senior roles at Center Parcs, Disneyland Paris, and Burger King. Picture: Ben Phillips.

The new Travelodge chairman hailed his arrival at the business, “which is not just a British hotel icon but also a model of a great value brand”. He added: “Its resilience has helped it to navigate through the Covid-19 pandemic. Now is an exciting time to be joining the company, as it embarks on the next exciting phase in its development.

“My passion is to unleash the true potential of a brand with a focus on delivering for our customers in a rapidly changing consumer market. I am looking forward to working with the experienced and highly impressive management team to further strengthen and grow the Travelodge business.”

Travelodge operates 586 hotels across the UK, Ireland and Spain. During the pandemic it has operated a smaller network – stretching “from Plymouth to Elgin” – to provide accommodation for the likes of key workers, and employees allowed to travel. The company has also implemented TravelodgeProtect+ across all its hotels, in a bid to keep customers and staff safe and protected.

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'Now is an exciting time to be joining the company, as it embarks on the next exciting phase in its development,' he also says. Picture: Ben Phillips.

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