David Bryant, the first director of Leisure for Westminster and former chair of the Chief Leisure Operators Association, died on 29 January.

His leisure career began in libraries and he rose up through the ranks to become chief librarian and information officer for Hull, before being made the city’s director of recreational services.

In 1974 he became director of recreation and arts for Leicester City Council before moving onto his Westminster post.

He left Westminster in 1990, setting up Contemporary Leisure, a company which managed leisure management contracts.

He has also served on the boards of the English National Opera, English National Ballet and the Soho Theatre company.

Bryant died at home in Lyme Regis.