Travelodge appoints Brian Wallace as Chairman

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Travelodge, the UK’s leading budget hotel company, has announced the recent appointment of Brian Wallace as Chairman. Brian has a wealth of experience in the hotel industry and will take up the role with immediate effect. A qualified accountant, Brian has held senior executive roles with a number of companies, including Schlumberger, Ladbrokes and Hilton, as well as non-executive roles at Miller Group, Hays plc and Scottish & Newcastle plc.

Brian spent 12 years with Hilton, initially as Finance Director, before combining that role with Deputy Chief Executive. During that period, he played a pivotal role in strengthening the balance sheet, expanding the global presence of the Company and ultimately reunifying the Hilton brand through the landmark sale of the business to Hilton Hotels Corporation in America. Brian is currently a non executive director of FirstGroup plc.

Commenting on the announcement, Grant Hearn, Chief Executive of Travelodge, said: “I am really excited to welcome Brian as the new Chairman of Travelodge. He has extensive experience of the hotel industry which will be invaluable as we continue to grow the Travelodge brand and deliver on our successful growth strategy. I have known Brian for over 12 years and believe he will be a real asset to our Company.”

Brian Wallace commented on his appointment: “I am delighted to be joining Travelodge at an exciting time in its history. The management team did a great job last year in successfully achieving the financial restructuring of the business. I am really looking forward to working with Grant and his team as Travelodge continues to focus on serving its customers, with a significant room refurbishment programme due to be launched shortly.”

Daniel Fountain / 13.01.2013

Editor, Hotel Designs

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Work highlights: Sienna joined Forum Events & Media Group while studying Communications and Media, starting in the sales team where she managed and helped launch the first the PA Life Leading Venues of London SHOWCASE, where she built relationships with luxury venues across the capital. Drawn to the stories behind these spaces, she naturally transitioned into the editorial team, creating social media and editorial content. Upon graduating in June 2026, she is excited to be joining as Assistant Editor for Hotel Designs and SPACE.

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Work highlights: Jess joined SPACE magazine in 2022 and has since progressed from Assistant Editor to Editor. During this time, she has worked across many aspects of the publication – from shaping editorial strategy and overseeing operations to contributing to art direction and representing the brand on stage at industry events including Surface Design Show and WOW!house.

Alongside her role at SPACE, Jess has built a creative career spanning the arts, culture, design and travel sectors. Prior to joining the magazine, she spent more than a decade in the commercial art industry, in artist liaison, gallery management, and curating collections for the hospitality sector across hotels and cruise ships. During this time, she also worked on freelance projects as a writer, photographer, and creative content producer.
 
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Work highlights: Katy has been with Hotel Designs since the beginning, way back in 2015 when Forum Events & Media Group acquired the brand.

During this time, she has fostered many meaningful relationships with clients from across the hospitality spectrum, as well as playing a pivotal role in the launch of The Brit List Awards, Hotel Designs MEET UPs, client-led roundtables and panel talks, brand and website redesigns, HD Wellness Sets, DESIGN POD podcast, Hotel Designs LIVE panel talk series, Accessible Design Talks and more. Katy is always on the lookout for the next opportunity to help grow the Hotel Designs brand even further.
 
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