The Eden Project's Tim Smit is Knighted

The Eden Project's Chief Executive Tim Smit has been appointed an honorary Knight

The head of the Eden Project, Tim Smit, has been appointed an honorary Knight by the Queen.

The Dutch-born Co-founder and Chief Executive of Eden, who is a supporter and judge of greentraveller's Green Travel List, is also renowned for the restoration of the Lost Gardens of Heligan, is being given the honour in recognition of his services to public engagement with science.

As the news became public today, Tim said: “I’m hugely honoured. In the true spirit of ‘going Dutch’ I would like to share the honour with all the fabulous friends and colleagues who have helped make the adventures of the Lost Gardens of Heligan and the Eden Project a reality.”  

Tim, who was previously awarded an honorary CBE in 2002. His account of the establishment of the project, entitled Eden, was recently acclaimed the best-selling environmental book of the past decade.  

Tim was born in Holland on 25 September 1954. He read Archaeology and Anthropology at Durham University and then worked for ten years in the music industry as composer/producer in both rock music and opera. In 1987 Tim moved to Cornwall, where he and John Nelson together ‘discovered’ and then restored the Lost Gardens of Heligan. Tim remains a Director of the gardens to the present day.  

The Eden Project began in 1995 and fully opened to the public on March 17, 2001. Since opening, nearly 13 million people have witnessed its combination of world-class horticulture and impressive architecture.

According to the Eden Project, in the years since, it has contributed more than £1 billion to the regional economy. "From its conception, the aim of the project has been 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."

News of the honour – full title honorary Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (KBE) – was confirmed by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Congratulations Tim!