Chris Williams aims to make DC Leisure more environmentally friendly in his new role as group environmental and utility manager.

His remit is to raise awareness of the importance of DC’s environmental policy, educate staff about ways to conserve energy and implement energy saving measures across the group.

“We are taking a proactive approach and working closely with senior managers at each centre, and with our clients, to implement best practice. Our aim is for a minimum 5 per cent reduction by March 2008. Not only will these initiatives help protect the environment, they will also contribute towards reducing our costs,” he says.

Among the options being introduced are the use of pool covers, increased insulation within the plant room, improved lighting control, the addition of speed/inverter control for pumps and fans, and better use of building management systems. Solar power systems and water saving schemes are being considered for future sites.