Sir Tim Smit KBE is one of the world’s most influential environmental entrepreneurs and visionary business leaders, best known as the Co-Founder and Executive Vice-Chair of the Eden Project and for restoring The Lost Gardens of Heligan into one of the UK’s most celebrated botanical destinations.
An internationally respected keynote speaker on sustainability, innovation, regeneration and leadership, Tim has spent decades demonstrating how ambitious thinking, creativity and environmental responsibility can generate lasting economic and social impact. His work has transformed perceptions of sustainability from a niche concern into a powerful commercial and cultural opportunity.
Born in the Netherlands and raised in England, Tim studied Archaeology and Anthropology at Durham University before pursuing an eclectic early career spanning music production, archaeology and marine exploration. In 1990, alongside John Nelson, he began the restoration of the long-forgotten Lost Gardens of Heligan in Cornwall. The project became one of Britain’s greatest horticultural success stories and reignited interest in heritage regeneration and environmental stewardship.
Tim went on to co-found the Eden Project, opening in 2001 on the site of a former clay pit near St Austell, Cornwall. Featuring its iconic biomes and global plant collections, Eden rapidly became one of the UK’s most visited attractions and a global symbol of sustainable innovation. The project has welcomed more than 22 million visitors and contributed billions to the regional economy, while also pioneering education, biodiversity, climate engagement and community regeneration initiatives.

Today, Tim serves as Executive Co-Chair of Eden Project International, working to establish Eden Projects across multiple continents and helping organisations rethink how sustainability, business and human connection intersect. Through his work, he has consistently championed the idea that environmental responsibility and commercial success are not opposing forces, but essential partners in building resilient futures.
Knighted in 2012 for services to conservation and regeneration, Sir Tim has received numerous honours including the prestigious Royal Society of Arts Albert Medal and recognition as Great Briton of the Year in the Environment category. He is also an acclaimed author and commentator whose storytelling combines strategic insight with humour, honesty and practical optimism.
As a speaker, Sir Tim captivates audiences with powerful stories of bold leadership, creative risk-taking and long-term thinking. Drawing on decades of experience delivering complex, transformational projects, he inspires organisations to embrace innovation, rethink sustainability and pursue ambitious ideas capable of creating meaningful impact for generations to come.

Related Speakers

Mark Little Luke O’Neill Sahar Hashemi OBE Simon Morris