Exeter City’s Julian Tagg has been awarded a BEM in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.
He has been recognised for his voluntary work as chair of the board of trustees for Exeter CITY Community Trust, the football club’s partner charity.
Julian, who has been instrumental in the development of the organisation since 2003 and chair since 2007, said he was deeply honoured to have been nominated and receive the prestigious award.
He said: ‘This is a tremendous honour and I am sincerely grateful. But this is so much more than about the work I have done for the charity. It is an award for every person who works so hard in that organisation to support our community. From the work we do with people with disabilities, supporting people in Exeter to become healthier, to our latest outreach work connecting people who are isolated or lonely. Every person in the charity is dedicated to improving people’s lives.
‘CITY Community Trust has grown tenfold over recent years; led by our chief executive Jamie Vittles, we continue to respond to the needs of our society and hope to do that for many years to come.’
During the lockdown period the charity had to halt the majority of its programmes. It quickly adapted its services to support the community, working as part of Exeter Community Wellbeing, collecting and delivering shopping and prescriptions for residents who were shielding or vulnerable.
Julian, who is also president and director of external affairs at Exeter City Football Club, said the award also recognised the tremendous amount of partnership work in which the charity is involved in.
He added: ‘As a charity we are partners to Exeter City Football Club, which is owned by the Supporters’ Trust, and has a genuine philosophy and ethos which reflects that of the charity and the importance of our position in the community. I believe this award is also about the amazing collaboration and partnerships we see across our wonderful city; from Exeter City Council, Exeter College and many other key organisations.’
Julian’s first association with Exeter City was at his first match as a nine-year-old and a ball boy at 11, going on to play at St James Park as a 12-year-old and for the reserves when he was just 15. He was director of the club’s Academy from 1994, later going on to be chairman of the club. Earlier this year, he was appointed club president and director of external affairs, recognising his commitment to the club and the importance of his role when working with external partners, whether that is in the world of football or in the city.
Karime Hassan, chief executive and growth director at Exeter City Council, said: ‘Julian has been a fantastic servant to the Exeter community, through his relationship with Exeter City Football Club and the stakeholders in the city, he has worked tirelessly to support numerous initiatives to encourage physical activity, citizen participation and career advancement.
‘As the chair of CITY Community Trust Julian, and the team he leads, played a major part in the council’s community response to support the vulnerable and shielded. Whatever the situation, Julian is always among the first to stand up and help. Much of the work he does goes completely unsighted, which is why I am so delighted he has been given this public recognition.’