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Tim Smit
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Tim Smit Biography
Topics:
- Business
- Entrepreneurs
- Home & Garden
- Innovation & Creativity
- Sustainability
Born 25 September 1954 in the fishing village of Scheveningen outside The Hague in Holland, TIM SMIT was educated in Britain at Vinehall and Cranbrook Schools. He obtained a BA in Archaeology and Anthropology at Durham University and worked for 2 years as an archaeologist in North East England.
Tim is a much sought-after keynote speaker and covers topics such as leadership, corporate social responsibility, sustainability, business and motivation.
Early Career
After working in the music industry for ten years as a composer/producer in both rock music and opera (and being involved in 7 platinum and gold discs!), Tim met his partner, John Nelson and together they ‘discovered’ and then restored “The Lost Gardens of Heligan’ and Tim remains a Director to the present day.
The Gardens
The Gardens now receive over 400,000 visitors a year and is the most visited private garden in the UK. It was voted ‘Garden of the Year 1995’ by Country Life, ‘Garden of the Year’ by the Good Guide to Britain in 2000 and more recently “The Nations Favourite Garden” by Gardeners World in 2003. Tim’s book, “The Lost Gardens of Heligan” was “Illustrated Book of the Year 1997” at the British Book Awards and headed the Sunday Times Best-sellers Lists for several months before going on to become an international success. The 10 part Documentary of the same name won the Garden Documentary of the Year Award in 1998. Tim has subsequently written two further books on Heligan: “Secrets Locked in Silence” (1998) and "The Heligan Vegetable Bible” (2000) with Philip McMillan Browse.
Heligan has now expanded its horizons into the wider estate exploring conservation, land management and farming. A Farm Shop selling local produce opened in 2003.
Eden Project
Tim is Chief Executive and co-founder of the Eden Project, near St Austell in Cornwall. Eden began as a dream in 1995 and opened its doors to the public for an exhibition in 2000. The press dubbed it “the Eighth Wonder of the World” but this pioneering scientific foundation is more than a catchphrase. To date more than 4 Million people have walked through its gateway to see a sterile, derelict pit turned into a cradle of life through new technologies to create its own soil and startling architecture; symbolic of human endeavour and an organisation to run it that is described by others as a trail blazing social enterprise harnessing the best attributes of public service with the commercial rigour of the private sector. It has won more awards than you can shake a stick at but what it is actually most proud of is 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. It demonstrates once and for all that sustainability is not about open toed sandals and nut cutlets, it is the good business practice and citizenship values of the future. Eden is rated Number 4 for paid for Visitor Attractions (London Eye, Tower of London and Alton Towers precede it). Recently the Project has picked up the prestigious Excellence in England Large Attraction of the Year Award and has been handed two years running by the Group Travel Industry as best Long Visit Attraction. It also recently won the Silver Guild Award for Lifelong Learning at Chelsea Flower Show.
Tim is also on the Board of the Prince’s Trust Business Division, a member of the Cornwall Gardens Trust, and a Director of Kneehigh Theatre. He was recently appointed Patron of the Urban Parks Forum. He chaired The Landscape Heritage Trust’s feasibility study of urban parks and gardens throughout the UK and presented their findings to the Government Select Committee on the Environment. He is also on the Board of Cornwall’s South West Development Group and Patron of Royal Cornwall Hospital’s Sunrise Appeal.
Accolades
Tim has received numerous awards and accolades including the “Outstanding Contribution to Tourism in the UK” awarded by the English Tourism Council, the Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award, a Catey Award for Tourism and an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from Exeter University.
In 2001 Tim was the subject of the BBC’s “This is Your Life” and he was awarded an Honorary CBE in the 2002 New Year’s Honours List.
Author
Tim’s book “Eden” was published by Bantam Press. This details the story of the Eden Project: its genesis in the Lost Gardens of Heligan and its design and construction against the odds.
Keynote Speaker
Tim is a much sought-after keynote speaker and in his free time, he enjoys reading, film and being the occasional ‘roadie’ for his son’s rock band.
For further information or to book Tim Smit, call us on +44 (0) 20 8365 3200 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk
Tim Smit Video
Tim Smit Speaker Showreel - Click play to watch a short sample video clip of Tim Smit. For more information on Tim Smit please contact one of the Speakers Corner booking agents on +44 (0) 208 365 3200 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk
Outside of appearing and speaking at live corporate and private events Tim Smit has a number of retail products available that can be purchased through Speakers Corner. For upcoming new book and product launches related to Tim Smit then please contact one of the Speakers Corner booking agents on +44 (0) 208 365 3200 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk
Tim Smit Books
EdenPrice: £8.99
The Lost Gardens Of HeliganPrice: £8.99
Easy Ways to Serve the Big Lunch: A Guide To Human WarmingPrice: £2.00
Tim Smit DVDs
Tim Smit News
A selection of relevant news related to Tim Smit and Business stories. For more information on Tim Smit or details as to how to book Tim Smit for your corporate event, then please contact one of the Speakers Corner booking agents on +44 (0) 20 8365 3200 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk
No 10 Downing Street Appoints ?What If! Guru Kris Murrin
21st June 2010?What If! guru Kris Murrin has taken on a senior role at No 10 and she is not the first of the ?What If! innovators to achieve such success. Keynote speaker Chris Barez-Brown has since set up his own company Upping Your Elvis and gone on to write a best-selling book on practical ideas to kick-start your creativity.
21st June 2010?What If! guru Kris Murrin has taken on a senior role at No 10 and she is not the first of the ?What If! innovators to achieve such success. Keynote speaker Chris Barez-Brown has since set up his own company Upping Your Elvis and gone on to write a best-selling book on practical ideas to kick-start your creativity.
Green Britain Day
17th June 2010It is Green Britain Day today, the first in a series of green events for the summer, including environmental speaker Tim Smit's Big Lunch with the Eden Project.
17th June 2010It is Green Britain Day today, the first in a series of green events for the summer, including environmental speaker Tim Smit's Big Lunch with the Eden Project.
Festival Round Up - 2010
25th May 2010Fingers crossed the sunshine stays, but rain or shine, the summer festival season must go on and with so many events to choose from it can all look a little overwhelming. So sit back, relax, and enjoy your ice-cream, while Speakers Corner do the leg work for you and pick out some of the best.
25th May 2010Fingers crossed the sunshine stays, but rain or shine, the summer festival season must go on and with so many events to choose from it can all look a little overwhelming. So sit back, relax, and enjoy your ice-cream, while Speakers Corner do the leg work for you and pick out some of the best.
Cameron presents Thatcher with Lifetime Achievement Award
6th February 2008Conservative Party leader David Cameron presents Baroness Thatcher a lifetime achievement award
6th February 2008Conservative Party leader David Cameron presents Baroness Thatcher a lifetime achievement award
The Gardeners of Eden
7th October 2005BBC documentary 'The Gardeners of Eden' charts the changing seasons at the Eden Project
7th October 2005BBC documentary 'The Gardeners of Eden' charts the changing seasons at the Eden Project
The Sunday Times Business Person of Year - The Finalists
23rd December 2009The Sunday Times has announced its list of contenders for their annual Business Person of the Year award. The finalists have shown true grit and determination - many have hauled their businesses through a rather perilous time unscathed and are survivors in the business world. The contenders are Angela Ahrendts (pictured left), Ross Brawn, Frank Chapman, Richard Cousins, Founders of Twitter, Jack Dorsey, Biz Stone and Evan Williams, Steve Jobs, Sam Laidlaw, Alan Mulally, Kate Swann, and John Varley.
23rd December 2009The Sunday Times has announced its list of contenders for their annual Business Person of the Year award. The finalists have shown true grit and determination - many have hauled their businesses through a rather perilous time unscathed and are survivors in the business world. The contenders are Angela Ahrendts (pictured left), Ross Brawn, Frank Chapman, Richard Cousins, Founders of Twitter, Jack Dorsey, Biz Stone and Evan Williams, Steve Jobs, Sam Laidlaw, Alan Mulally, Kate Swann, and John Varley.
BSkyB is Britain's most admired company 2009
2nd December 2009Media firm BSkyB landed the top spot in Management Today's Britain's Most Admired Companies awards on monday night. Led by CEO Jeremy Darroch, the organisation is one of the youngest to be handed the accolade, topping each of the nine criteria to secure the award. Matthew Gwyther, editor of Management Today said: 'It (BSkyB) is barely more than a stripling upstart amongst the great names of UK business, some of which have been around for centuries in one form or another. It has shown that a class-leading product, well marketed and slickly delivered, can continue to grow and prosper even in the most challenging circumstances.' Tesco and Johnson Mathey took the second and third slots respectively, with Cadbury, GlaxoSmithKline and Rolls-Royce trailing at numbers four, five and six.
2nd December 2009Media firm BSkyB landed the top spot in Management Today's Britain's Most Admired Companies awards on monday night. Led by CEO Jeremy Darroch, the organisation is one of the youngest to be handed the accolade, topping each of the nine criteria to secure the award. Matthew Gwyther, editor of Management Today said: 'It (BSkyB) is barely more than a stripling upstart amongst the great names of UK business, some of which have been around for centuries in one form or another. It has shown that a class-leading product, well marketed and slickly delivered, can continue to grow and prosper even in the most challenging circumstances.' Tesco and Johnson Mathey took the second and third slots respectively, with Cadbury, GlaxoSmithKline and Rolls-Royce trailing at numbers four, five and six.
Heavyweight keynote speakers are expected at the CBI Conference today including Gordon Brown, David Cameron, Dominique Strauss-Kahn & Stuart Rose to name but a few
23rd November 2009Heavyweight keynote speakers are expected to address the CBI conference in London today. Talking to the most influential and important of business audiences will be our political leaders Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Nick Clegg, business chiefs such as Sir Stuart Rose and Stephen Hester, as well as Lord Adair Turner, BBC Economics Editor Stephanie Flaunders and the CBI's Director-General Richard Lambert. Chairing the conference will be CBI's President, the recently appointed Helen Alexander, former chief executive at The Economist and the first woman in the role.
23rd November 2009Heavyweight keynote speakers are expected to address the CBI conference in London today. Talking to the most influential and important of business audiences will be our political leaders Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Nick Clegg, business chiefs such as Sir Stuart Rose and Stephen Hester, as well as Lord Adair Turner, BBC Economics Editor Stephanie Flaunders and the CBI's Director-General Richard Lambert. Chairing the conference will be CBI's President, the recently appointed Helen Alexander, former chief executive at The Economist and the first woman in the role.
Lessons learnt from Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple - one of the greatest speakers ever
19th November 2009The Times is featuring extracts from Simon Maier and Jerremy Kourdi's book 'The 100: Insights and lessons from 100 of the greatest speeches ever delivered'. Read The Times article on lessons learnt from one of the world's best speakers - Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple and former chief executive officer of Pixar Animation Studios.
19th November 2009The Times is featuring extracts from Simon Maier and Jerremy Kourdi's book 'The 100: Insights and lessons from 100 of the greatest speeches ever delivered'. Read The Times article on lessons learnt from one of the world's best speakers - Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple and former chief executive officer of Pixar Animation Studios.
WHO MOVED MY GURU?
19th December 2008The economy may be tanking, but not Malcolm Gladwell. His new book, “Outliers,” a characteristically snappy look at what made the Beatles, Bill Gates and other superstars so successful, enters the hardcover nonfiction list at No. 1
19th December 2008The economy may be tanking, but not Malcolm Gladwell. His new book, “Outliers,” a characteristically snappy look at what made the Beatles, Bill Gates and other superstars so successful, enters the hardcover nonfiction list at No. 1
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News
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1st September 2010
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