A former regional daily editor has been awarded his MBE by the Princess Royal.

Ian Mean, left, was given the honour by Princess Anne in a ceremony at Windsor Castle.

Ian edited Gloucester daily The Citizen from 2002 until 2012 and later became content director for Local World’s titles in the South West before a short stint as editor of the Western Daily Press.

He was named in last summer’s Queen’s Jubilee Honours and won the award “for services to the community in Gloucestershire”.

Ian told Business & Innovation Magazine: “It was a very proud moment for me to receive this honour on behalf of Gloucestershire.

“To me, it was significant that the award was made in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List as I was then privileged to be invited to attend her funeral at Westminster Abbey.

“That day of the Queen’s funeral and last week’s day of my investiture at Windsor Castle really are two days in my life I will always treasure.

“The Princess Royal was very interested in my work in the county where she lives, of course, and in particular my support for organ donation in my role as chair of the Gloucestershire Organ and Tissue Donation Committee.

“Over the years editing newspapers here I have been passionate about promoting business – especially encouraging apprenticeships and just trying to make a difference on key issues for the people of Gloucestershire.”