Logicalis unveils UK IT Environmental Board

Logicalis has launched what it has claimed is the UK’s first end-user green IT group.

Called the UK IT Environmental Board, members to date include the British Medical Association, John Lewis, Lloyds TSB and Sony UK.

Financially backed by VAR Logicalis, but led by environmental charity Global Action Plan (GAP), the organisation’s aim is to create an independent user group to help firms greatly reduce their environmental impact.

Trewin Restorick, director of GAP and chair of the UK IT Environmental Board, said: “The Board will have three main focuses of activity: to share knowledge among members and with the wider community; to engage with government on policies; and to conduct research.

“Currently, the advice available to businesses comes from technology vendors. Although the intentions are good, the advice can sometimes be confusing. The Board will provide a forum to review vendors’ advice and government policy.”

Chris Gabriel, head of solutions at Logicalis UK, told CRN: “Although Logicalis is funding the Board we won’t get actively involved because we don’t want to skew it – it is entirely independent and for end-users only.

“We, along with other resellers, will be able to use the information the Board publishes from its research and pass that onto our own customers.”

David Pollock, chief executive of VAR Chess, said: “If Logicalis is willing to sponsor an initiative like this then it proves that the industry is waking up to the fact that we all have to play our part in reducing the UK’s carbon footprint.”

UK businesses need guidance for green IT