Sir Tim Smit KBE

Sir Tim Smit KBE is best known for his achievements in Cornwall. He ‘discovered’ and then restored ‘The Lost Gardens of Heligan’ with John Nelson, which is now one of the UK’s best loved gardens having been named ‘Garden of the Year’ by BBC Countryfile Awards (Mar 2018). Tim’s book ‘The Lost Gardens of Heligan’ won Book of the Year in 1997.

Sir Tim is Executive Vice-Chair and Co-founder of the multi award-winning Eden Project in Cornwall. Since its opening in 2001, over 22 million people have come to see a once sterile pit, turned into a cradle of life containing world-class horticulture and startling architecture symbolic of human endeavour. Sir Tim is also Executive Co-Chair for Eden Project International which aims to have an Eden Project on every habited continent by 2025.

Eden has contributed over £1.7 billion into the Cornish economy, and is proud of its success in changing people’s perception of the potential for and the application of science, by communicating and interpreting scientific concepts through the use of art, drama and storytelling as well as living up to its mission to take a pivotal role in local regeneration. It demonstrates that sustainability is not about sandals and nut cutlets, it is about good business practice and the citizenship values of the future.

Sir Tim is a Trustee, Patron and Board Member of a number of statutory and voluntary bodies both locally and nationally. He has received a variety of national awards including The Royal Society of Arts Albert Medal. In 2002 he was awarded an Honorary CBE in the New Years Honours List and In January 2011 he was appointed an honorary Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (KBE) by Her Majesty the Queen.  He has received Honorary Doctorates and Fellowships from a number of Universities.

Sir Tim was voted ‘Great Briton of 2007’ in the Environment category of the Morgan Stanley Great Britons Awards, and in 2011 he was given a special award at the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards, which recognises the contribution of people who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement.

Sir Tim has contributed to many television and radio programmes and has been the subject of ‘This is Your Life’ and a guest on ‘Desert Island Discs’.

Co-founder and Vice Chairman of the amazing Eden Project, Sir Tim Smit KBE is a charasmatic and popular keynote speaker who captivates audiences by sharing his entrepreneurial journey, the story behind the Eden Project, innovation, creativity and sustainability.