We were delighted to welcome Sir Tim Smit KBE, who entertained the audience at Lancaster University’s annual Professor Sir Roland Smith CEO Lecture last week.

Held on 28^th November at the Royal Society in London, Sir Tim Smit was welcomed by the Management School Dean Professor Angus Laing and the University’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Engagement Professor Dame Sue Black before he addressed a crowd of alumni, partners and specially invited guests.

Sir Tim Smit is best known for his achievements in Cornwall. He is the Vice-Chair and Co-founder of the multi-award-winning Eden Project and the Executive Co-Chair for Eden Project International, which aims to have an Eden Project on every habited continent by 2025.

Throughout the lecture, he shared his important life lessons and own business experience of developing Eden Projects and shared his vision for a greener world. Tim stated that we are in an exciting period to be alive, he said “We have the tech; it's thrilling and frightening. Now we need the culture that goes with it, so its benefits are shared community-wide."

He also discussed how excited he is for Eden Project North in Morecambe, and stated that the Eden Project is a huge friend of Lancaster University and that they are openly seeking ideas from the Morecambe community to help shape the project. Eden Project North is a development proposed for the Morecambe seafront. The project aims to combine indoor and outdoor experiences which connect people with the internationally significant natural environment of Morecambe Bay while also enhancing wellbeing.

Professor Angus Laing said: “It was a privilege for Tim to be this year’s guest speaker for the annual Professor Sir Roland Smith CEO Lecture. A superb example of storytelling, it was fascinating to hear about the Eden Project’s journey. We are very excited about Eden Project North and the opportunities it will create for the community. As a University, we are looking forward to continuing to work with the Eden Project.”

“The legacy of Professor Sir Roland Smith continues through our lecture series, which commemoratesSir Roland’s significant contribution to the UK's academic and business communities by inviting a senior member of a well-established company to address our community of academics, alumni, partners and students.”