THE man in charge of South Gloucestershire’s leisure centres has been awarded a top honour.

Mark Crutchley, director of the Circadian Trust which manages all the district’s public leisure centres including facilities in Yate and Thornbury, has been awarded the Third Sector Director of the Year award in the Institute of Directors (IoD) South West regional awards.

Mr Crutchley, who has been at the helm of the trust since it was formed 10 years ago, was announced the winner at a reception held at Ashton Gate Stadium on Thursday (June 9) attended by over 100 business leaders from across the South West.

He said: “It is wonderful to receive this award and be recognised for our hard work across South Gloucestershire to improve the health and leisure provision of the local community.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank my fantastic team – I wouldn’t be in this position without all of their support.”

Circadian now operates seven leisure centres in Thornbury, Bradley Stoke, Yate, Longwell Green, Kingswood, Patchway and Downend in a contract with South Gloucestershire Council.

In the last nine years the social enterprise has invested some £7million back into local facilities and delivered savings to the local authority. It has also launched new community initiatives including a unique Active branding which links leisure use with library membership.

This year, with some Arts Council funding, the scheme has been extended to offer a free leisure and library Active membership to all new students at selected South Gloucestershire schools.

IoD South West chairman Nick Sturge said: “Mark is a great example of twisting several strands of current community agendas into one very effective solution.

“His application demonstrated elements of excellent business understanding, belief and persuasion to deliver consistent and proven results within a difficult climate yet with obvious impact for the future.”

Mr Crutchley will now go forward for a chance to be a national award winner, judged against all the other regional finalists, this autumn.