Former Gloucestershire Echo and Citizen editor awarded MBE in Queen's Birthday Honours

Ian Mean, who has worked tirelessly for the county of Gloucestershire for decades, has been awarded an MBE for his services to the county in the Queen's Birthday Honours.
And not before time, says everyone at Business & Innovation Magazine, which is lucky enough to call him a regular columnist and long-time supporter of our publishing company
Currently Vice-Chair of Gloucestershire's Local Enterprise Partnership and Director of Business West, Ian, 75, worked as editor of the Gloucester Citizen from 2001, then became editor in chief of the Citizen as well as the Gloucestershire Echo from 2014.
During this time he used the paper to launch a £2 million fundraising effort for the victims of flooding, give ongoing and active support for the revival of local apprenticeship schemes, support the regeneration of Gloucester and fundraising for Muscular Dystrophy.
Editor at Business & Innovation Magazine, Nicky Godding, said: "I've known Ian for probably 20 years – from when I was a public relations consultant early in my career, to co-publisher of a regional business magazine. Right from the beginning he has always been a phenomenal supporter of Business & Innovation Magazine, and for me personally, his sound judgement when I've asked for his advice as an editor have been, and continue to be, of massive help. Gloucestershire really doesn't know how lucky it is to have him bang the gong loudly, and without ceasing where necessary to achieve change and progress for local communities."
Retirement from the newspaper served only to put him into overdrive. No pipe and slippers for Mr Mean.
Since his retirement from the newspaper, he has engaged in various voluntary efforts for the benefit of Gloucestershire and worthy causes within Gloucestershire.
He has worked to promote the cause of young carers within Gloucestershire, particularly those looking after parents or older relatives alone without support, leading to a substantial year on year increase in both council and charitable support for young carers.
He also made sure that Gloucestershire’s young people were included and listened to in discussions about its future, encouraging young people to get involved in the council’s Gloucestershire 2050 initiative, focusing on the future development of the county.
He organised and promoted a consultation with some 5,000 local young people as a part of this scheme.
He acted as a leading proponent and promoter of Organ Donation in Gloucestershire, in partnership with the NHS organ donorship scheme, as County Chairman of the Gloucester Organ Donation Committee for seven and a half years. His efforts in this role have led directly to Gloucestershire’s outstanding rate of organ donation, now the highest in the country at well in excess of 50 per cent.
He joined the Reserve Forces Consultation Group (RFCG), which works on issues related to military reservists, and in that role has been engaging with local employers over their commitment to supporting military reservists and making proper allowances for their different work needs. He is also working on an Omega Scheme, as part of his RFCG work, which aims to provide good jobs for former servicemen and women.
He is a staunch and ongoing local champion for the business community in Gloucestershire and has run conferences to advise businesses, particularly small businesses, on how to navigate local regulation and planning issues, and he has promoted infrastructural development by local government, such as the Third Severn Crossing and the Gloucester Docks redevelopment and regeneration, that will carry great benefits for the local economy.