Tim Smit

Tim Smit is the Co-Founder of the Eden Project, one of the UK’s most successful tourist attractions. Tim transformed a disused clay mine into a rich, global garden where people can learn about nature and be inspired about the world around them.

Since opening in 2000, more than 13 million people have visited Eden, contributing over £1 billion into the Cornish economy. The Eden team is most proud that it is changing people's perception of the potential for the application of science and indeed, the public language of science, as well as living up to its mission to play a massive part in local regeneration.

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 Year’s 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. This was made substantive in 2012 when Tim became a British Citizen. He has received Honorary Doctorates and Fellowships from a number of Universities. Tim was voted ‘Great Briton of 2007’ in the Environment category of the Morgan Stanley Great Britons Awards.